Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 46: Forty-Six
by Larsen, WardThe chapter opens with Sami and Boutros on a boat, observing a lone bird far from land. Sami questions how the bird survives without a place to rest, reflecting his youthful curiosity, while Boutros dismisses the inquiry as trivial. Their exchange highlights the contrast between Sami’s wonder and Boutros’s pragmatic detachment, setting the tone for the chapter’s exploration of deeper, more ominous themes. Boutros soon leaves to check on Rafiq, shifting the focus to the clandestine operation underway.
Below deck, Rafiq is working with a Geiger counter, revealing the presence of radioactive material in a steel container. Boutros is unsettled by the invisible threat of radiation, contrasting it with the tangible dangers of war he’s accustomed to. Rafiq explains the technical aspects of their nuclear device, including the need for additional enriched uranium and the mechanics of achieving critical mass. Their dialogue underscores the chilling efficiency of the weapon and the calculated nature of their mission.
Boutros raises concerns about the North Koreans’ involvement and how their role might be traced after the bomb’s detonation. Rafiq admits uncertainty but trusts the Koreans’ assurances that ISIS will take sole credit. This discussion reveals the geopolitical complexities and risks of their alliance, as well as Boutros’s strategic mindset. The chapter subtly critiques the blind faith placed in technical expertise and foreign alliances, hinting at potential vulnerabilities in their plan.
The chapter closes with Boutros reflecting on the differing motivations within their group. He contrasts the fervent jihadists like Sami and Saleem with more pragmatic figures like himself and Rafiq, whose actions are driven by circumstance rather than zeal. His introspection, coupled with the mundane act of drinking bitter coffee, humanizes him amidst the grim context. The chapter ends on a somber note, emphasizing the moral and emotional weight of their mission.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the lone bird circling overhead in the opening scene, and how does it contrast with Boutros’s and Sami’s perspectives?
Answer:
The lone bird serves as a symbolic contrast between youthful curiosity and hardened pragmatism. Sami, embodying naive wonder, questions how birds survive far from land, reflecting his innocent fascination with nature’s mysteries. Boutros, however, dismisses this as pointless given their dire circumstances, showcasing his battle-hardened focus on immediate threats. The bird’s effortless flight against strong winds mirrors the unseen dangers they face—while the bird adapts naturally, their mission involves invisible, insidious threats (radiation) that demand vigilance rather than wonder.
2. Analyze the technical details Rafiq provides about the nuclear device. What does this reveal about ISIS’s capabilities and the broader geopolitical implications?
Answer:
Rafiq’s explanation highlights ISIS’s reliance on external expertise (North Korean technology) and limited technical self-sufficiency. The device uses a gun-type design with enriched uranium (HEU), neutron initiators (polonium-beryllium), and Semtex explosives—a crude but functional method. Notably, Rafiq admits the design is outdated (North Korea abandoned it for missile use) and acknowledges the risk of a “fizzle” if assembly fails. This underscores ISIS’s dependence on state sponsors and raises geopolitical stakes: North Korea’s involvement, if traced, could provoke U.S. retaliation, yet their confidence in deniability suggests sophisticated deception tactics.
3. How does Boutros’s reaction to the Geiger counter reading reflect the psychological impact of radiation as a weapon compared to conventional threats?
Answer:
Boutros’s subtle stiffening reveals his visceral unease with radiation’s invisible lethality. Unlike tangible dangers like bullets or chlorine gas, radiation is described as “innately evil” for its silent, slow, and inevitable harm—a weapon that instills prolonged fear rather than immediate terror. This contrasts with Boutros’s combat experience in Iraq/Syria, where threats were visible and avoidable. The chapter emphasizes radiation’s psychological warfare potential: it weaponizes uncertainty, undermining even seasoned fighters’ sense of control, which Boutros recognizes as uniquely destabilizing.
4. What does the letter in Rafiq’s shirt pocket suggest about his character and possible internal conflicts?
Answer:
The creased, frequently opened letter hints at Rafiq’s hidden emotional ties and potential dissent from jihadist fervor. Unlike Sami and Saleem, Rafiq is educated and pragmatic, motivated more by circumstance than ideology. The letter’s prominence (noted twice) implies a personal anchor—perhaps a connection to a life beyond extremism. Boutros’s restraint in not inspecting it underscores Rafiq’s layered identity: a technician caught between duty and private longing, humanizing him amid the mission’s brutality and foreshadowing possible moral dilemmas.
5. Contrast the “two essential camps in the caliphate” described by Boutros. How does this division shape the dynamics within their group?
Answer:
The two camps—fervent jihadists (Sami, Saleem) and reluctant fighters (Boutros, Rafiq)—reveal ideological fractures. The former embrace martyrdom with “willful conviction,” driven by religious zeal. The latter, though devout, fight due to pragmatism (e.g., Rafiq’s skills, Boutros’s leadership). This divide creates tension: the zealots’ single-mindedness clashes with the others’ nuanced awareness of consequences (e.g., nuclear deniability). Boutros’s envy of Sami’s certainty underscores his internal conflict, suggesting the caliphate’s cohesion is fragile, reliant on shared danger rather than unified belief.
Quotes
1. “Here Boutros sensed a different kind of threat, one that could not be seen or heard or smelled. One that killed silently, slowly, and with profound certainness. Something about it seemed innately evil.”
This quote captures the chilling nature of nuclear radiation as an invisible, insidious threat—a stark contrast to the tangible dangers Boutros has faced in combat. It underscores the psychological terror of nuclear weapons and foreshadows the chapter’s central conflict.
2. “When it comes to nuclear bombs, ‘enough’ is a relative term. This target cylinder contains sixteen kilos of HEU—perhaps enough to fill a few beer cans.”
Rafiq’s chillingly casual analogy highlights the disproportionate destructive power of nuclear materials. The quote demonstrates how small quantities can yield catastrophic results, emphasizing the terrifying efficiency of nuclear weapons technology.
3. “There were two essential camps in the caliphate. Most obvious were the ardent jihadists… Yet others were less fervent, men and women who were deeply religious, but whose motivation to fight was sourced elsewhere.”
This insight reveals the complex psychology within extremist groups, showing that not all members share the same level of ideological commitment. Boutros’ observation adds nuance to our understanding of terrorist organizations and their recruitment dynamics.
4. “They must be supremely confident about that—otherwise, they would be inviting a nuclear response by the United States. I suspect the final shipment of material will somehow absolve them of responsibility.”
This exchange about North Korea’s deniability reveals the geopolitical stakes of nuclear proliferation. The quote raises critical questions about state-sponsored terrorism and the potential for proxy nuclear attacks between nations.