Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 83: Eighty-Three
by Larsen, WardThe chapter “Eighty-Three” follows Slaton as he nears the climax of his mission to rescue his wife and son from a heavily guarded compound. After days of searching, he finally spots the main house where they are held, only to realize the situation is dire. Just as he prepares to act, two SUVs arrive, unloading over a dozen armed men reinforcing the compound’s defenses. Slaton recognizes these are not enemy troops but loyalists to Park, the head of SSD, making his task nearly impossible. With time running out before a larger hostile force arrives, he faces overwhelming odds but resolves to push forward.
Slaton assesses his limited resources: a handgun with few rounds, a basic knife, and two survival flares. Despite the tactical disadvantage, he devises a plan to exploit speed and surprise. He identifies a service entrance as the weakest point and targets guards on the roof, taking them down with precise shots. To create chaos, he deploys a smoke flare to obscure his movement and draws enemy fire toward a fuel tank near the garage. His gamble pays off when the tank ignites, triggering a massive explosion that disrupts the compound’s defenses.
Meanwhile, in the White House Situation Room, officials watch Slaton’s actions in real-time, horrified by his decision to confront the guards alone. With his radio off and no way to communicate, they can only monitor as he engages the enemy. The arrival of Kwon’s troops is imminent, adding urgency to the already volatile scenario. The officials debate whether Slaton can succeed against such overwhelming numbers, but his determination leaves little room for doubt about his intentions.
The chapter ends mid-action as the explosion rocks the compound, leaving Slaton’s fate uncertain. The blast creates an opening, but the sheer number of armed guards and the impending arrival of Kwon’s forces heighten the tension. Slaton’s emotional drive to save his family overrides tactical caution, showcasing his desperation and resolve. The stage is set for a brutal confrontation, with Slaton’s survival and the rescue of his loved ones hanging in the balance.
FAQs
1. What tactical challenges does Slaton face when he arrives at the compound, and how do they escalate?
Answer:
Slaton initially faces a daunting but manageable challenge: infiltrating a compound guarded by 10-15 armed men to rescue his family. However, the situation escalates dramatically when two SUVs arrive, doubling the guard force to approximately 30 well-armed tactical operatives. These reinforcements are loyal to Park, not Kwon’s army, complicating Slaton’s mission further. Additionally, Kwon’s battalion is minutes away, threatening a violent confrontation. Slaton’s limited arsenal (a pistol with 12 rounds, a survival knife, and flares) and the guards’ organized perimeter defense make his task nearly impossible, forcing him to rely on speed and surprise.2. How does Slaton adapt his strategy to the arrival of Park’s reinforcements, and what risks does he take?
Answer:
Facing overwhelming odds, Slaton abandons stealth for a high-risk, aggressive approach. He uses his flares to create a diversion (orange smoke) and targets guards on the roof with precise shots. His boldest move is shooting at a fuel tank near the garage, hoping to trigger an explosion. This gamble risks revealing his position and wasting ammunition if the tank is empty. However, the explosion ultimately succeeds, creating chaos. Slaton’s adaptation highlights his desperation and tactical creativity, prioritizing disruption over caution—a necessary shift given the imminent arrival of Kwon’s forces and the ticking clock.3. Analyze the significance of the White House Situation Room scene in contrast to Slaton’s on-ground perspective.
Answer:
The Situation Room scene underscores the disconnect between strategic oversight and real-time battlefield realities. While officials watch Slaton’s movements via satellite, they are powerless to assist (his radio is off) and incredulous at his solo assault. The countdown to Kwon’s arrival (00:18:45) heightens tension, mirroring Slaton’s urgency. This juxtaposition emphasizes Slaton’s isolation and the futility of remote decision-making in dynamic crises. The scene also critiques bureaucracy—Slaton, with firsthand knowledge, acts decisively, while Washington debates hypotheticals.4. Evaluate Slaton’s emotional state and its impact on his decision-making.
Answer:
Slaton acknowledges his emotions are clouding his judgment, yet he proceeds because failure is morally untenable (“he couldn’t live with” inaction). His love for his family overrides tactical prudence, pushing him to attempt a near-suicidal mission. This emotional drive fuels his creativity (e.g., repurposing flares) but also leads to risks like the fuel-tank gamble. The chapter portrays a nuanced tension between professionalism and humanity, showing how high-stakes scenarios force operatives to balance logic with visceral imperatives.5. How does the author use sensory details to immerse readers in Slaton’s perspective? Provide examples.
Answer:
The chapter grounds readers in Slaton’s experience through vivid sensory cues: the “frigid night air” he breathes, the “knuckled, snow-encrusted trunk” he hides behind, and the “warm amber light” from the house windows. Auditory details like the “report of the shot” and shouting guards amplify tension. Tactile imagery—such as the “chest-high woodpile” he vaults—heightens the physicality of his movements. These details create immediacy, placing readers alongside Slaton as he navigates the compound’s dangers, making his desperation and resolve palpable.
Quotes
1. “After so many days of searching, traveling halfway around the world, his wife and son were no more than two hundred yards away. But a difficult two hundred yards it was.”
This quote captures the emotional and physical tension of Slaton’s mission—so close to reuniting with his family, yet facing overwhelming obstacles. It sets the stage for the chapter’s central conflict.
2. “His first thought: he was looking at Kwon’s response to the failed coup. Yet according to the CIA, Dear Leader had dispatched a battalion-sized army unit, hundreds of regulars. This was far too small a unit, and they wore tactical clothing, not uniforms.”
This moment of realization highlights Slaton’s tactical acumen and the unfolding complexity of the situation. It underscores the theme of unreliable intelligence and shifting threats.
3. “If he didn’t go in now, in the next sixty seconds, he never would. And that was something he couldn’t live with.”
This decisive internal monologue reveals Slaton’s unwavering commitment to his family, driving the chapter’s action. It represents the moral imperative behind his seemingly impossible mission.
4. “Slaton wondered if his emotions were getting the better of him. Pushing him into mistakes he wouldn’t otherwise make. Of course they are, he thought. But there was never any choice.”
This introspective moment humanizes Slaton, showing how personal stakes override professional detachment. It’s a key character insight that explains his high-risk actions.
5. “He needn’t have worried. Had Slaton ventured a look, he would have seen a puddle of fuel on the ground light off under the 1,600-degree-Fahrenheit torrent of phosphorus.”
This climactic description of Slaton’s improvised explosive tactic showcases his resourcefulness under extreme pressure. The technical detail heightens the scene’s visceral impact.