Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 74: Seventy-Four
by Larsen, WardThe chapter “Seventy-Four” follows Boutros and his crew as they navigate their boat, *Albatross*, into the harbor of Midway Atoll. The approach is well-marked, with Sand Island to the left and Spit Island to the right. Boutros maintains a cautious pace, observing the island’s sparse infrastructure, including a runway with a business jet preparing for departure. The crew is tense, as their mission involves a primed nuclear weapon hidden aboard. Saleem, armed with a PP-2000 machine pistol, stands guard, while Boutros strategizes how to position the boat for maximum impact, considering whether to run it aground or remain in deeper water.
As *Albatross* nears the shore, Boutros pauses the boat fifty yards from land, its bow pointed like a dagger toward the island. The crew remains vigilant, aware of the nearby marina with three small official boats, though Boutros dismisses them as minor threats. Saleem positions himself over the hidden weapon, seemingly eager for martyrdom. The tension is palpable as Boutros grapples with the unprecedented dilemma of how to ensure the weapon’s destructive potential is fully realized, a question far removed from typical nautical concerns.
The crew’s focus is abruptly diverted by the appearance of a blond woman in a bikini piloting a small inflatable runabout. She waves casually as her boat passes *Albatross*, though only Sami returns the gesture. When her engine stalls, she spends several minutes repairing it, drawing the attention of all three men. Saleem finds her attire offensive, Boutros views her presence as a potential risk, and Sami is captivated. Unbeknownst to them, her boat trails a suspicious line with a diving weight, hinting at a hidden agenda.
The chapter ends with the crew’s attention fixated on the woman, oblivious to the peculiar detail of the weighted line. The encounter serves as a momentary distraction from their deadly mission, yet the undercurrent of tension remains. The woman’s presence underscores the contrast between the serene setting and the impending catastrophe, leaving the reader questioning her role in the unfolding events.
FAQs
1. What are the key navigational details Boutros uses to approach Midway Atoll, and what does this reveal about his preparation?
Answer:
Boutros follows a well-marked nautical passage into Midway Atoll’s harbor, keeping Sand Island to port (left) and Spit Island to starboard (right) while adhering to channel markers. His careful attention to the green marker and proximity to Sand Island—observing its structures, runway, and a boarding business jet—demonstrates meticulous research and situational awareness. His knowledge of the marina’s layout, including the three official boats (marine reserve patrol vessels), further confirms his thorough preparation. This precision suggests he has studied charts, landmarks, and local operations to minimize surprises during their mission.2. How does the encounter with the woman in the inflatable runabout serve as both a distraction and a potential tactical oversight for the crew of the Albatross?
Answer:
The woman’s appearance diverts all three men, but their focus on her (Saleem’s disapproval, Boutros’s caution, Sami’s fascination) blinds them to the suspicious line trailing her boat—a possible surveillance tool or trigger mechanism. While Boutros treats the event as a cautionary reminder, the crew fails to scrutinize the anomaly (the weighted line), highlighting a lapse in operational vigilance. The scene underscores how even trained individuals can be psychologically sidetracked, emphasizing the tension between human fallibility and mission-critical focus in high-stakes scenarios.3. Analyze Boutros’s internal debate about grounding the Albatross near shore. What strategic dilemma does this reveal about their mission?
Answer:
Boutros weighs whether to run the boat aground in shallow water or keep it floating to maximize the nuclear weapon’s destructive impact on the island. His uncertainty (“Put the keel on the bottom? Or leave some water beneath?”) reflects the unprecedented nature of their task—nautical decisions now have catastrophic consequences. This dilemma underscores the intersection of practical seamanship and apocalyptic intent, revealing how tactical choices are distorted by the weapon’s scale. His desire to “remove as much of the island as possible” also illustrates the mission’s ideological brutality, contrasting with his otherwise methodical demeanor.4. What does Saleem’s handling of the PP-2000 machine pistol reveal about the group’s resources and contingency planning?
Answer:
Saleem’s compact PP-2000, their sole firearm, suggests limited resources and reliance on minimal force for self-defense. Boutros’s backup plan—arming Sami with improvised weapons like axes or flare guns—further highlights their vulnerability. The machine pistol’s concealment in a backpack implies a need for discretion, but its inadequacy against potential threats (e.g., the patrol boats) exposes the mission’s precariousness. This scarcity underscores their dependence on stealth and luck, contrasting with the weapon’s overwhelming destructive power, and foreshadows potential operational fragility.5. Why might the author include the detail of the business jet boarding passengers at 13:38, and how does this timestamp contribute to the chapter’s tension?
Answer:
The timestamp (13:38) and jet’s presence introduce a countdown-like urgency, implying that the characters (and readers) are hyper-aware of time’s passage as the mission unfolds. Boutros’s remark—“I wonder if they will make it”—hints at impending doom, suggesting the jet’s departure may coincide with detonation. This detail heightens tension by juxtaposing mundane activity (boarding) with unseen catastrophe, emphasizing the island’s vulnerability and the terrorists’ cold calculation. The juxtaposition also reinforces the theme of ordinary moments preceding extraordinary violence.
Quotes
1. “The nautical passage leading into the harbor of Midway Atoll was perfectly well marked. The approach was from the southeast, and keeping Sand Island to the left and Spit Island to the right, channel markers offer a virtual invitation to the smooth crystalline lagoon.”
This opening description sets the serene yet deceptive tone of the chapter, contrasting the peaceful setting with the impending threat. The “virtual invitation” foreshadows the ease with which danger can infiltrate seemingly secure spaces.
2. “‘Everything is now in God’s hands.’”
This line, spoken by Saleem about the armed nuclear weapon, encapsulates the fatalistic mindset of the characters and the gravity of their mission. It highlights the intersection of fanaticism and surrender to a higher power in their actions.
3. “Her bow was pointed at the island like a dagger.”
This powerful simile describes the positioning of the boat carrying the nuclear weapon, symbolizing the imminent attack. The imagery conveys both the precision and violence of their intended act of destruction.
4. “Regardless of the effect, all three men were so diverted by the sight, each in his own way, that they never noticed one peculiarity—dragging behind the runabout was a twenty-foot-long line with a diving weight knotted to the end.”
This climactic revelation shows how the men’s varied distractions (moral outrage, tactical concern, and lust) blinded them to a potential threat. The overlooked detail creates suspense and suggests their plan may be compromised.