Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 85: Eighty-Five
by Larsen, WardThe chapter “Eighty-Five” follows Slaton and his family as they attempt to escape a dangerous situation with the help of SEAL team leader Danford. Despite the urgency to evacuate, Slaton learns that Park, a key defector, is missing. Christine, Slaton’s wife, reveals she might know Park’s location, prompting Slaton to delay his departure. Danford agrees to investigate, and Slaton joins the team, armed with an MP5, while Christine and their son Davy board a Black Hawk helicopter. The tension escalates as Slaton prioritizes aiding Danford over immediate safety, driven by a sense of reciprocity for the rescue of his family.
Danford organizes a small team, including Slaton and two SEALs, to re-enter the house and search for Park. Christine’s tip leads them to a hidden door in the study, which opens into a dimly lit tunnel. The team advances cautiously, aware of potential threats. Slaton’s familiarity with Scarhead, the man who kidnapped his family, adds personal stakes to the mission. The discovery of the tunnel confirms Christine’s account, and the team prepares to confront whoever is inside, balancing speed with caution to avoid ambushes or traps.
As the team progresses through the tunnel, they encounter sudden gunfire from ahead. A fierce exchange ensues, culminating in the use of a flashbang grenade to incapacitate the opposition. The team secures the area, finding Park disoriented and Scarhead severely wounded. Slaton recognizes Scarhead as the perpetrator of his family’s abduction and a violent associate from a past encounter. The SEALs prioritize extracting Park, leaving Scarhead to his fate, as time is critical for their escape.
Slaton confronts Scarhead, who weakly attempts to resist but is too injured to pose a threat. The chapter ends with Slaton staring down the man responsible for his family’s suffering, hinting at unresolved tension. The team’s focus shifts to evacuating Park, but Slaton’s personal vendetta lingers. The action-packed sequence underscores themes of loyalty, retribution, and the moral complexities of survival, leaving readers anticipating the consequences of Slaton’s choices.
FAQs
1. What tactical considerations influenced Slaton’s decision to help locate Park despite the imminent danger to his family?
Answer:
Slaton’s decision was driven by both moral reciprocity and strategic pragmatism. Having just been rescued by Danford’s team, he felt compelled to return the favor (“What goes around comes around”). Additionally, Park’s defection likely held significant intelligence value, making his extraction mission-critical. Slaton also trusted his wife’s intel about Park’s location, recognizing that leaving Park behind would waste a crucial opportunity. His combat experience allowed him to assess the risks versus rewards quickly, concluding that assisting would not significantly delay his family’s evacuation (as he planned to take “the next” helicopter).2. How does the chapter illustrate the tension between Slaton’s roles as a protector and an operative?
Answer:
The chapter highlights this conflict through Slaton’s split-second choices. As a protector, he ensures Davy and Christine board the Black Hawk first, shouting reassurance to his wife. Yet as an operative, he voluntarily stays behind to aid Danford, prioritizing the mission over immediate family proximity. His dual identity is further underscored when he requests an MP5—a tool for his operative role—while still emotionally connected to Christine’s pleading gaze. The resolution shows his ability to balance both roles: securing his family’s safety en route while leveraging his skills to complete the mission.3. Analyze the significance of the tunnel scene in demonstrating SEAL team protocols and Slaton’s integration into the unit.
Answer:
The tunnel sequence showcases textbook SEAL teamwork: deliberate clearing tactics, nonverbal communication (“hand signals took over”), and balanced aggression (e.g., using flashbangs to preserve Park). Slaton’s seamless integration—receiving nods for his “go now” suggestion, being paired with Danford—reflects mutual respect. His background is implicitly acknowledged, as Danford treats him as a peer operator. The grenade deployment also reveals operational constraints (avoiding lethal force against Park), while Slaton’s covering fire and leapfrog movements prove his tactical proficiency aligns with the team’s standards.4. What does Scarhead’s fate reveal about the chapter’s themes of justice and consequence?
Answer:
Scarhead’s mortal wounds symbolize karmic retribution: the chest injury mirrors his violent actions (e.g., killing Mordechai), while the leg shot echoes Slaton’s prior injury to him. His inability to speak or retaliate contrasts with his earlier brutality, emphasizing poetic justice. Slaton’s cold assessment—remembering the hammer and knife—underscores the theme that violent choices rebound onto their maker. Notably, the team abandons Scarhead (“Can’t be our problem”), highlighting mission priorities over personal vengeance, though Slaton’s lingering gaze suggests unresolved anger, leaving moral ambiguity.5. How does Christine’s role in identifying Park’s location subvert traditional damsel-in-distress tropes?
Answer:
Christine transitions from victim to active participant by deducing Park’s hiding place (“I think I know where he is”). Her observation about the concealed door and accurate description of Scarhead provide critical intel, proving her situational awareness even under duress. Slaton’s immediate trust in her information (“If my wife said it, it’s solid”) validates her competence. This portrayal rejects passive victimhood, instead showing her as a collaborator in the rescue—a nuance emphasized when Slaton relays her insights to Danford, making her an indirect agent in the mission’s success.
Quotes
1. “As much as Slaton wanted to take a moment with his family, he knew they weren’t out of harm’s way. So he had no complaint when Danford declared, ‘We need to get the hell out of here! Inbound regulars are getting close!’”
This quote captures the tension and urgency of the scene, showing Slaton’s prioritization of his family’s safety over emotional reunions. It also introduces the ongoing threat that drives the chapter’s action.
2. “‘You saved my life—and my family. What goes around comes around.’”
This line reveals Slaton’s moral code and sense of reciprocity, explaining his decision to help Danford despite the personal risks. It’s a pivotal moment where Slaton chooses to return a favor rather than escape with his family.
3. “From that point hand signals took over. Danford, apparently, had validated Slaton as an operator of some kind. Or perhaps he’d been briefed on his background. Either way, he did what any good commander would do—he paired himself with the new guy.”
This passage shows the professional respect developing between Slaton and Danford, and highlights the unspoken communication and trust required in high-stakes military operations. It marks the transition to tactical cooperation.
4. “Slaton held steady. Before him were the two men who’d abducted his family. One had placed the order, the other carried it out. He also remembered what Scarhead had done to Mordechai. The hammer, the knife.”
This powerful moment shows Slaton confronting his family’s kidnappers while exercising remarkable restraint. It reveals his internal conflict between vengeance and mission priorities, demonstrating his professional discipline.
5. “The man tried to speak, but was unable to generate any sound. Whatever surge of adrenaline had come faded just as quickly. Slaton looked at the…”
The unfinished nature of this quote creates suspense while showing Slaton’s final confrontation with Scarhead. It leaves readers wondering about Slaton’s actions and the fate of his adversary, serving as a cliffhanger for the chapter.