Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 38: Thirty-Eight
by Larsen, WardSlaton assesses the aftermath of an attack, finding an empty van with discarded supplies and confirming his initial assumption that a five-man team targeted a family of three. Despite the odds, he remains focused, noting two attackers are already down. Discovering a key left in the van’s ignition, he pockets it, recognizing the attackers’ complacency—they expected little resistance. Climbing onto the van’s roof, he surveys the house’s roof, spotting a vent as a potential handhold. His plan evolves as he prepares to bridge the gap between the van and the house, calculating the risks of his next move.
Slaton leaps onto the steeply pitched roof, barely catching the vent to prevent a fall. After a precarious struggle, he pulls himself up and moves swiftly toward a window overlooking the master bedroom. Peering inside, he discovers the grim scene: three bodies—El-Masri, his wife, and their son—lying in pools of blood. The sight triggers a surge of rage, not just at the loss of a potential informant but at the senseless killing of innocents, which mirrors his own personal trauma. He scans the room for the remaining attackers but finds no one, though movement across the street—a neighbor calling for help—signals time is running out.
Faced with a critical decision, Slaton considers retreating but quickly dismisses it. Logic overrides emotion: the surviving attackers may hold vital information about the broader conspiracy, including clues about his own family’s disappearance. Though he tells himself his choice is pragmatic, the line between justice and vengeance blurs. Positioning himself above the front door, he readies his weapon, prepared to ambush the remaining assailants. His focus sharpens as he waits for their appearance, ignoring the architectural details he might usually admire.
The chapter builds tension as Slaton’s resolve hardens. His tactical precision and emotional restraint contrast with the brutality of the attackers. The narrative underscores his transformation from a methodical operative to a man driven by deeper motivations—justice, retribution, and the desperate need for answers. The final lines leave the reader anticipating the imminent confrontation, emphasizing Slaton’s unwavering determination to confront the remaining threats head-on.
FAQs
1. How does Slaton assess the tactical situation upon clearing the van, and what does this reveal about his professional mindset?
Answer:
Slaton conducts a thorough tactical assessment upon clearing the van, noting discarded supplies and the absence of suspicious vehicles. His observation that the attackers underestimated their targets (“one stunned physicist, his wife, and a teenage son”) highlights his ability to analyze operational assumptions. The detail about pocketing the van key demonstrates his meticulousness in denying resources to potential survivors. His mindset is revealed as calculating and adaptive—he recognizes the attackers’ complacency while maintaining situational awareness (“two down, three to go”). This showcases his professional approach: methodical, opportunistic, and always anticipating contingencies.2. Analyze the rooftop sequence as a case study in improvisational tactics. What risks does Slaton accept, and how do they reflect his priorities?
Answer:
The rooftop infiltration exemplifies high-risk improvisation: Slaton leaps across a four-foot gap onto a steeply pitched roof with only a vent pipe as potential anchorage. He accepts multiple risks—falling, making noise, or losing his weapon—but prioritizes speed and surprise over safety. His physical struggle (“hips banging painfully,” “fingertips” barely grasping the vent) underscores the mission’s urgency. Notably, he checks sightlines to the street mid-movement, maintaining environmental awareness even during precarious maneuvers. This reflects his operational hierarchy: completing the mission outweighs personal safety, but never at the cost of reckless exposure that could compromise the objective.3. How does Slaton’s emotional response to the murdered family complicate his professional detachment, and what strategic implications does this have?
Answer:
Slaton’s visceral reaction (“Bastards!” and “unfamiliar rage”) marks a rupture in his professional detachment. While he initially frames El-Masri’s death as an intelligence loss, the sight of the wife and son triggers personal parallels to his own family’s plight. This emotional convergence—professional frustration blending with moral outrage—forces him to recalibrate. Strategically, it shifts his priorities from passive observation to active engagement with the remaining attackers. His subsequent decision to ambush them (“without respect to justice or payback”) is a rationalization; the emotional undercurrent reveals how operatives must constantly negotiate between objectivity and human responses in high-stakes scenarios.4. Evaluate Slaton’s final ambush position as an example of tactical patience. What environmental factors make this an effective or problematic choice?
Answer:
Slaton’s ambush demonstrates masterful tactical patience: he kneels motionless above the front door, weapon trained downward, exploiting the high ground while minimizing his silhouette. The brickwork and stone pavers below would amplify sound, giving auditory warning of approaching targets. However, this position carries risks—the neighbor across the street with a phone creates potential witness complications, and the linear kill zone offers no lateral escape if compromised. His dual-trigger patience (waiting for either rear noise or frontal appearance) shows adaptive contingency planning. The choice ultimately prioritizes control of the primary entry/exit point, accepting visibility tradeoffs for dominance over the attackers’ most likely path.
Quotes
1. “From El-Masri’s point of view, hopeless numbers. As far as Slaton was concerned, however, the situation was improving: two down, three to go.”
This quote highlights Slaton’s tactical mindset and resilience in a dire situation, contrasting his professional assessment with the perceived hopelessness of the targets. It captures the chapter’s tension and Slaton’s calculated approach to survival.
2. “He could hear the briefing now: Get in, get out. One easy night.”
This ironic reflection underscores the attackers’ underestimation of their opposition and Slaton’s ability to turn the tables. It emphasizes the theme of miscalculation and the unpredictability of combat scenarios.
3. “What he saw caused his heart to sink. There were three bodies on the floor. All lay still, and each was centered in a crimson pool.”
This visceral description marks a pivotal moment of realization for Slaton, revealing the brutal consequences of the attack and triggering his emotional response. It underscores the chapter’s themes of loss and escalating stakes.
4. “The frustration he felt at losing El-Masri as a source of information was overwhelmed by the greater tragedy before him—and, if he were honest, the equivalency to his own situation.”
This introspective moment reveals Slaton’s personal connection to the victims and his moral reckoning. It shows his transition from professional detachment to personal investment in the conflict.
5. “He made his decision without respect to justice or payback. At least that’s what he told himself.”
This concluding thought captures Slaton’s internal conflict and the moral ambiguity of his choices. The self-deception hints at deeper motivations driving his actions, setting up future developments.