Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 30: Thirty
by Larsen, WardThe chapter “Thirty” opens with the vessel *Albatross* battling rough seas as Boutros navigates eastward under a midday sun. He adjusts course to handle the worsening conditions, while spray and waves batter the wheelhouse. Rafiq joins him, reporting that Sami and Saleem are seasick below deck. Boutros reassures him that seasickness is expected and advises hydration, though he privately considers the overlap of symptoms with radiation sickness—a concern given their clandestine cargo. The crew had been warned about potential exposure risks, particularly during their upcoming stop, where handling radioactive material would be unavoidable.
Boutros and Rafiq discuss their route through the Tsugaru Strait, a narrow passage between Japanese islands. Boutros explains that Japan’s sovereignty limits in the area—reduced to three miles—allow international passage, including for nuclear-armed U.S. ships. This detail suits their mission, saving them a day of travel. Meanwhile, Boutros monitors the vessel’s tracking system (VMS), which has been disabled to avoid detection. He reflects on the risks of random inspections, knowing their lack of fishing activity and inexperienced crew could raise suspicions. If boarded, they would face dire consequences due to their hidden cargo and limited maritime knowledge.
The narrative shifts to events in Danube Park, where three bodies are discovered at dawn. The crime scene includes bloodstains, duct tape, MAC-10s, and children’s golf clubs. The victims carry prepaid phones and fake Austrian IDs, suggesting organized activity. The lead detective notes their similar age and ethnic background, hinting at potential terrorism or hate crime involvement. The scene’s peculiar details—such as the golf clubs—add to the mystery, though the investigation is still in its early stages.
The chapter juxtaposes the tension aboard *Albatross* with the aftermath of violence in Danube Park. Boutros’s mission is fraught with physical and psychological challenges, from battling the sea to grappling with the moral weight of their deadly cargo. Meanwhile, the discovery of the bodies sets the stage for a broader investigation, linking two seemingly disparate threads—maritime secrecy and terrestrial violence—into a cohesive narrative of covert operations and their far-reaching consequences.
FAQs
1. What are the primary challenges Boutros and his crew face aboard the Albatross, and how do they plan to address them?
Answer:
Boutros and his crew face multiple challenges, including severe weather conditions, seasickness among inexperienced crew members, and the risk of detection due to their illicit cargo. The rough seas force Boutros to adjust their course and throttle to maintain control, while he advises his crew to stay hydrated to combat seasickness. The more critical issue involves their hidden radioactive material, which could lead to radiation sickness and requires careful handling. Additionally, they risk detection by authorities due to their inoperative VMS tracking system and lack of fishing activity. Boutros plans to rely on forethought and, if necessary, divine intervention to navigate these dangers.2. How does the chapter illustrate the tension between the crew’s mission and their physical limitations?
Answer:
The chapter highlights the crew’s physical struggles—particularly seasickness—as a significant obstacle to their mission. Three of the four crew members have little maritime experience, making them vulnerable to nausea and dizziness, symptoms that overlap with radiation sickness. This creates psychological tension, as Boutros must distinguish between ordinary seasickness and potential radiation exposure. The crew’s inexperience also increases the risk of detection if inspected, as they lack the knowledge to convincingly pose as fishermen. This tension underscores the precarious balance between their high-stakes mission and their human vulnerabilities.3. What strategic advantage does the Tsugaru Strait offer Boutros’s mission, and why is it significant?
Answer:
The Tsugaru Strait provides a critical shortcut, saving the crew a full day of travel compared to alternative routes. Its narrow 12-mile passage between Honshu and Hokkaido is strategically valuable because Japan has limited its territorial claim to 3 miles in this area, designating the rest as international waters to accommodate U.S. nuclear-armed vessels. This loophole allows Boutros to avoid violating Japanese sovereignty while transporting his own hazardous cargo. The irony of using a route designed for nuclear transit underscores the mission’s audacity and the geopolitical vulnerabilities it exploits.4. How does the chapter foreshadow potential future conflicts or consequences for the crew?
Answer:
The chapter foreshadows several looming threats. The discussion of radiation sickness symptoms (e.g., hair loss, ocular bleeding) hints at the crew’s inevitable exposure during the next phase of their mission, particularly for Sami. The disabled VMS system and the risk of random inspections suggest that detection by authorities remains a persistent danger. Additionally, Boutros’s acknowledgment that they may need to “put themselves in the hands of Allah” implies a readiness for martyrdom, signaling that the mission could end in violence or sacrifice. These elements build suspense about the crew’s fate.5. Compare the parallel scenes of the Albatross at sea and the crime scene in Danube Park. What thematic connections emerge?
Answer:
Both scenes involve hidden threats and the aftermath of violence. On the Albatross, the crew conceals radioactive material and grapples with invisible dangers (seasickness, radiation), while in Danube Park, the police uncover a gruesome murder with weapons and duct tape suggesting premeditated violence. Thematically, both scenarios explore deception, the consequences of clandestine operations, and the inevitability of exposure. The crime scene’s lack of identifiable suspects mirrors the Albatross’s attempts to evade detection, linking the two narratives through a shared tension between secrecy and discovery.
Quotes
1. “The material belowdecks—half of what would eventually be utilized—was well contained inside a steel tube. This, the doctor had explained, offered a reasonable amount of shielding, and so the risk of exposure was minimal. That would change during the next stage of the operation.”
This quote reveals the dangerous cargo aboard the Albatross and foreshadows the crew’s inevitable exposure to radiation. It underscores the mission’s high stakes and the grim fate awaiting at least one team member.
2. “By declaring the channel as international water, America’s nuclear-armed warships can pass through without violating Japan’s constitutional ban on nuclear arms. They bow to the Americans. And it fits our needs perfectly.”
This passage highlights the geopolitical irony exploited by Boutros’s team—using a loophole created for U.S. nuclear vessels to facilitate their own covert operation. It demonstrates the strategic planning behind their mission.
3. “If a boarding appeared imminent, he could do little but cover up the device and tell everyone to keep their mouths shut. If that didn’t work—they had at least one weapon with which to make a stand.”
This quote encapsulates the crew’s desperate contingency plans, revealing both the extreme measures they’re prepared to take and the inherent vulnerabilities of their operation. It heightens tension about potential confrontations.
4. “Still, if Boutros had learned anything in his years at sea, it was that forethought could prove decisive in times of crisis. And when that wasn’t enough? Then he and his crew would gladly put themselves in the hands of Allah.”
This concluding thought reveals Boutros’s dual approach to danger—pragmatic preparation combined with fatalistic faith. It perfectly captures the chapter’s tension between careful planning and the acceptance of potential doom.