Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 75: Seventy-Five
by Larsen, WardThe chapter “Seventy-Five” follows Slaton, a skilled operative, as he executes a high-stakes underwater infiltration mission beneath a boat named *Albatross*. Equipped with a diving watch, a small emergency oxygen tank, and a makeshift weapon called a bang stick, Slaton surfaces near the boat’s hull, assessing his limited options for boarding. The boat’s crew of three is positioned strategically, and Slaton realizes his plan to climb aboard using a weighted rope would likely alert them. With only minutes to act, he prepares for a risky confrontation, aware that his weapon’s short range and the crew’s potential armament put him at a disadvantage.
As Slaton hesitates, the roar of a nearby jet taking off provides a momentary distraction. The crew’s attention shifts, allowing Slaton to seize the opportunity. He boards the boat silently, targeting the man in the wheelhouse first, incapacitating him with a steel oxygen canister. He then rushes aft, where another crewman fumbles for a weapon in his backpack. Slaton uses the bang stick to deliver a fatal blow before retrieving a machine pistol from the backpack. The third crewman is quickly neutralized with a burst of gunfire, leaving Slaton in control of the boat within seconds.
With the immediate threat eliminated, Slaton cautiously descends below deck to clear the remaining areas. He finds a compartment with galley supplies and prayer rugs, suggesting the crew’s recent activities. Hearing the approach of his ally, Sorensen, in a runabout, Slaton continues his search, moving toward the crew’s quarters. The chapter ends on a tense note, leaving the reader uncertain about what—or who—might still be lurking in the lower decks.
The chapter highlights Slaton’s resourcefulness and tactical precision under extreme time constraints. His ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges, such as the lack of an easy boarding method and the crew’s alertness, underscores his expertise. The swift, violent resolution of the confrontation emphasizes the high stakes and the ruthlessness required in his line of work. The narrative maintains a brisk pace, blending technical details with intense action to create a gripping sequence.
FAQs
1. What equipment does Slaton use during his underwater approach to the Albatross, and how does each item contribute to his mission?
Answer:
Slaton utilizes several key pieces of equipment: a Breitling Superocean diving watch (gifted by Christine) to track time, a black wetsuit with long fins and a mask for stealthy movement, and a “Spare Air” oxygen tank providing emergency breaths. He also carries a weighted rope with knots (for potential boarding) and a bang stick (a contact weapon with a shotgun shell). The watch ensures precise timing, the diving gear enables covert approach, the rope aids in boarding, and the bang stick serves as a lethal last-resort weapon. These tools reflect his improvisation under time constraints (e.g., the bang stick’s limitations against a distant target).2. Analyze Slaton’s tactical decision-making during the assault on the Albatross. What strengths and weaknesses does his plan reveal?
Answer:
Slaton’s plan demonstrates adaptability and efficiency but also highlights risks inherent in rapid planning. Strengths include leveraging environmental noise (the jet’s takeoff) to mask his ascent, prioritizing targets by threat level (wheelhouse commander first), and weapon selection (PP-2000 for firepower). Weaknesses stem from time pressure: his boarding method (rope toss) risked detection, and the bang stick’s limited range nearly compromised him. His success hinges on opponents’ lack of professionalism (e.g., fumbling with the backpack weapon). The chapter underscores his reliance on instinct (e.g., clearing the lower deck despite time pressure) and the trade-offs of improvised tactics.3. How does the author use sensory details to heighten tension in the scene where Slaton boards the Albatross?
Answer:
The author immerses readers through vivid auditory and visual cues. The “low rumble” of the engine transmits through water, contrasting with the “glorious sound” of the Citation X’s engines, which masks Slaton’s movements. Tactile details (e.g., the “crushing blow” of the Spare Air canister) and violent imagery (the bang stick’s “spray of blood and tissue”) amplify the scene’s brutality. Visual cues like the “school of fish swirling around the rudder” initially distract from danger, while the “splintered wood and fiberglass” from gunfire later punctuate the chaos. These details create a cinematic tension, emphasizing Slaton’s precarious position and the mission’s high stakes.4. Evaluate Boutros’s fatal oversight during the attack. What might this reveal about the antagonists’ preparedness?
Answer:
Boutros’s failure to investigate the “muffled thunk” noise—distracted by the jet and Sorensen’s runabout—exposes a critical lack of situational awareness. His assumption that sunburn is her primary threat underscores complacency. The antagonists’ disorganization is further evident in their weapon handling (e.g., the backpack gun fumble) and poor positioning (isolated targets). Unlike Slaton, they lack contingency planning; Boutros’s fixation on the jet symbolizes their narrow focus. This collective unpreparedness contrasts with Slaton’s hyper-vigilance, highlighting the disparity between amateurs and a trained operative.5. What thematic role does the Bang Stick play in this chapter, beyond its practical function?
Answer:
The bang stick symbolizes Slaton’s resourcefulness and the mission’s high-risk nature. As a weapon requiring direct contact, it mirrors his “hands-on” approach to eliminating threats—literally meeting violence head-on. Its single-use design echoes the chapter’s theme of irreversible actions (e.g., Boutros’s “final living thought”). The choice also reflects desperation; Slaton acknowledges its impracticality for ranged combat, yet it becomes a tool of brutal efficiency. The weapon’s association with shark defense subtly parallels Slaton’s role as a predator neutralizing threats, reinforcing his adaptability in hostile environments.
Quotes
1. “Slaton had never cared much for jewelry or fine accessories. All the same, at that moment, he was infinitely appreciative that Christine had splurged to give him a high-end Swiss diving watch as a Christmas present.”
This quote highlights a rare moment of personal reflection for Slaton amidst a high-stakes mission, showing how even small gestures (like the watch) can become critical in life-or-death situations. It also subtly contrasts his pragmatic nature with the value of human connection.
2. “Slaton had instead gone for lethality. Looped around his wrist was a device commonly referred to as a bang stick… Great for incoming tiger sharks. Far less so looking up the side of a sixty-foot trawler.”
This passage captures Slaton’s tactical dilemma and dark humor, emphasizing his adaptability in choosing imperfect weapons. The bang stick becomes a symbol of the chapter’s tension—a brutally effective but dangerously short-range solution.
3. “For two reasons, Slaton had viewed the man in the wheelhouse as his primary target. Based on position and demeanor, he was almost certainly the commander. He was also nearest the point where Slaton had come aboard.”
This quote exemplifies Slaton’s strategic mindset, revealing how he prioritizes targets with cold efficiency. It underscores the chapter’s theme of calculated violence, where every decision is a matter of survival.
4. “It was all over that fast. Fifteen seconds had he timed it.”
This stark conclusion to the violent confrontation emphasizes Slaton’s lethal proficiency. The clinical brevity of the sentence mirrors the suddenness of the action, leaving readers to absorb the brutality of the scene.
5. “The slowness was agonizing, but necessary.”
A concise yet powerful description of Slaton’s methodical approach to clearing the boat. This quote distills the chapter’s tension—the contrast between urgency and discipline—and reflects Slaton’s professionalism even after the immediate threat is neutralized.