Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 56: Fifty-Six
by Larsen, WardThe chapter opens with Slaton, a typically detached assassin, grappling with overwhelming emotions after receiving proof that his family has been kidnapped. Sitting outside the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, he shares a photo of his wife and son on a private jet with CIA officer Anna Sorensen, who suggests sending it to Langley for analysis. Slaton doubts the image will yield clues, suspecting it has been sanitized. His usual composure falters as he confesses his guilt and fear, revealing he even prayed in a church earlier that day—a rare admission of vulnerability.
Sorensen reassures Slaton, vowing to help him rescue his family. He acknowledges his need for her support, both for her resources and her objectivity, as he is too emotionally involved to think clearly. Slaton asserts his desire to lead the operation, and Sorensen agrees, though she cautions that her agency’s protocols may eventually override his control. They discuss the likelihood that North Korean operative Park is behind the kidnapping, linking it to a stolen uranium conspiracy. Slaton suspects his family was taken to manipulate him, given his knowledge of the operation.
The pair strategize how to force the kidnappers to communicate again. Slaton proposes sending a redacted version of El-Masri’s confession (stored on a flash drive) to his compromised phone, hoping to provoke contact that could be traced. Sorensen warns that state actors like North Korea will likely use untraceable methods, but agrees it’s worth attempting to unsettle them. Slaton’s focus sharpens as he shifts from despair to action, urging Sorensen to expedite the photo analysis and prepare a CIA jet for immediate deployment.
In the final exchange, Slaton emphasizes the broader stakes: the uranium theft threatens U.S. national security, justifying his demand for CIA resources. Sorensen reluctantly agrees to ready the jet, recognizing the urgency. Slaton’s resolve hardens as he awaits intelligence to guide his next move, leaving the chapter on a tense note of impending action. His emotional turmoil is now channeled into a determined pursuit of both his family and the truth behind the conspiracy.
FAQs
1. What key emotional conflict does Slaton face in this chapter, and how does it contrast with his professional persona?
Answer:
Slaton, typically known for his ability to detach emotions during operations, experiences an unprecedented emotional breakdown upon receiving proof that his family has been kidnapped. The chapter highlights his “soul-crushing guilt” and near surrender, contrasting sharply with his usual ability to “wall off” feelings for mission objectives. This vulnerability humanizes him, showing that even a disciplined assassin has limits when personal stakes are involved. His admission to Sorensen—”I need help on this one”—underscores this shift from self-reliance to interdependence.2. How does the chapter establish the likely involvement of North Korea in the abduction, and what evidence supports this theory?
Answer:
The narrative suggests North Korea’s involvement through two key pieces of evidence: the cyber manipulation of Slaton’s phone (mirroring Christine’s) and Sorensen’s analysis that such tactics align with North Korean cyber operations. The hijacked message and the tech-savvy interception of communications point to state-level capabilities. Sorensen notes the “signature is solid,” linking the methods to known North Korean strategies. Additionally, Slaton connects the abduction to the uranium theft, a motive plausible for a rogue state like North Korea seeking leverage.3. Analyze the strategic significance of Slaton’s plan to send El-Masri’s confession to his compromised phone. What are the potential risks and benefits?
Answer:
Slaton’s plan to send the confession aims to force the kidnappers’ hand by proving he possesses compromising information, thereby pressuring them to re-establish contact. The benefit is twofold: it may accelerate negotiations and create an opportunity to trace their communications. However, as Sorensen cautions, state actors like North Korea likely use untraceable “electronic cul-de-sacs,” limiting the tactical gain. The risk lies in escalating threats to Christine and Davy if the kidnappers perceive Slaton as acting aggressively. The move is a calculated gamble to shift from reactive to proactive.4. How does Sorensen’s role evolve in this chapter, and what does her dynamic with Slaton reveal about their partnership?
Answer:
Sorensen transitions from a CIA liaison to Slaton’s critical ally, offering both operational resources (“I’ll have [the jet] ready”) and emotional grounding. Her reassurance—”I will do everything to help you get them back”—demonstrates loyalty beyond professional duty. Their dynamic reveals mutual trust: Slaton admits his need for her objectivity, while Sorensen respects his lead despite agency protocols. The banter about God and the CIA lightens the tension, showcasing their rapport. Her pragmatic support (e.g., analyzing the photo) balances Slaton’s emotional urgency, making their partnership complementary.5. Evaluate the chapter’s portrayal of technology as both a tool and a vulnerability in intelligence operations. Provide specific examples.
Answer:
Technology is a double-edged sword in the chapter. It enables the antagonists to track Slaton via his compromised phone and manipulate communications (e.g., hijacking Mordechai’s message). Yet it also offers solutions: Sorensen uses CIA resources to analyze the jet photo, and Slaton strategizes using the flash drive’s data to provoke contact. The narrative underscores how reliance on tech creates exposure—Slaton’s burner phone is a lifeline but also a liability—while expertise (e.g., tracing cyber signatures) can turn it into an asset. This duality reflects modern espionage’s complexities.
Quotes
1. “If there was one thing that set Slaton apart as an assassin, it was his innate ability to detach emotion from operational priorities. He felt fear and empathy like any sane person, yet when necessary had the ability to wall them off, shrouded behind the bastions of mission objectives.”
This quote establishes Slaton’s defining professional trait—emotional detachment—while highlighting the exceptional circumstances (his family’s kidnapping) that are breaking through his usual composure, marking a pivotal character moment.
2. “I don’t know what I’d do, Anna… if I lost them. If they’re harmed because of me, because of what I used to be…”
A raw admission of vulnerability from Slaton that reveals his deep guilt and fear, showing how his past as an assassin now threatens his present family life—the emotional core of the chapter’s conflict.
3. “I went into a church and prayed. I can’t remember the last time I did that.”
This brief but powerful statement demonstrates Slaton’s desperation and the existential crisis he’s facing, resorting to faith after relying solely on his skills for so long—a significant character development moment.
4. “This isn’t only about my family. If North Korea has been stealing weapons-grade uranium, that’s a serious national security threat to the United States.”
Slaton reframes the personal crisis as a geopolitical threat, justifying his demand for CIA resources while showing his strategic thinking—a key turning point where personal and professional missions converge.
5. “I’m glad to have your help, Anna. But please tell your people to work fast. Give me a vector… show me where to start.”
A tense moment that captures Slaton’s transition from emotional vulnerability back to operational focus, while revealing his urgency and the high-stakes race against time driving the narrative forward.