Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 17: Seventeen
by Larsen, WardThe chapter “Seventeen” depicts a tense and brutal confrontation between Slaton and three adversaries. The third opponent proves the most challenging, engaging Slaton in a fierce hand-to-hand struggle after Slaton neutralizes the first two. Despite the darkness and the wrestler’s skill, Slaton eventually overpowers him by using a rock to deliver fatal blows. The fight leaves Slaton exhausted but victorious, though he reflects on the narrow margin of success and vows to avoid such close calls in the future. His anger and determination prove decisive in breaking the deadlock.
After the fight, Slaton methodically disposes of the bodies and cleans the scene to avoid detection. He hides the corpses under brush and disassembles his makeshift shooting stand, which included a convincing fake M16 rifle used as a decoy. The facsimile weapon, unregulated and easily obtainable, had lured his pursuers into the open. Slaton leaves behind golf clubs and other items to confuse investigators but ensures the fake gun is removed to prevent tracing it back to him. He also collects a Glock from one of the bodies, adding to his arsenal.
Slaton checks on his primary target across the water, confirming the person remains in place. He then searches the bodies for clues, photographing their IDs and accessing a locked phone using a dead man’s fingerprint. However, the phone yields little useful information, so he leaves it behind to avoid potential tracking. His meticulous cleanup underscores his professionalism, though he acknowledges the bodies will eventually be discovered, likely the next day. The scene is gruesome, but Slaton’s priority is eliminating traces that could lead back to him.
The chapter highlights Slaton’s resourcefulness and tactical precision under pressure. His ability to improvise—using a rock as a weapon and a fake gun as bait—demonstrates his adaptability. Despite the violence, he remains focused on his mission, ensuring his target is still within reach. The narrative builds tension as Slaton balances urgency with caution, aware that any misstep could jeopardize his objective. His internal reflections reveal a disciplined operative who learns from near-failures, driven by a higher purpose beyond mere survival.
FAQs
1. What tactical advantage did Slaton gain by using a facsimile M16 rifle in his operation?
Answer:
Slaton used the fake M16 (called a “Rubber Duck”) as a strategic distraction to draw his adversaries into the open. Since facsimile weapons are unregulated and convincingly resemble real firearms, the decoy appeared authentic in the dark, luring the three men toward his position. This allowed Slaton to control the engagement, forcing them to approach one by one over a small bridge, which served as a funnel. The ruse eliminated the risk of gunfire alerting others and enabled silent, close-quarters combat—key to his mission’s success (Chapter: “He’d settled on a better way… drawing his adversaries in like moths to a light”).2. How does the chapter illustrate Slaton’s adaptability in combat, and what weakness does he critique in himself afterward?
Answer:
Slaton demonstrates adaptability by shifting tactics mid-fight: when grappling with the third opponent reaches a stalemate, he channels anger to break the deadlock, uses a nearby rock as an improvised weapon, and exploits the man’s wrestling-style leverage. However, he later critiques his own overconfidence, realizing he “cut things too close” by allowing the third attacker to nearly gain the upper hand. His self-reflection highlights the stakes—had the man arrived seconds earlier, the outcome might have been fatal. This underscores Slaton’s operational philosophy: complacency is unacceptable when “failure was not an option” (Chapter: “Slaton realized he’d cut things too close… failure was not an option”).3. Analyze Slaton’s approach to operational security (OPSEC) during his cleanup. What evidence does he prioritize concealing, and why?
Answer:
Slaton meticulously removes traces that could link him to the scene or reveal his methods. He prioritizes hiding the facsimile M16, as its unique design could lead investigators to the gun shop, potentially exposing his identity via store records or cameras. He leaves generic items (golf clubs, duct tape) to confuse investigators but takes the Glock 26 for future use. He also photographs the dead men’s IDs for intelligence without removing them, avoiding suspicion. His OPSEC reflects calculated trade-offs: DNA/fingerprints are irrelevant (he has no records on file), but traceable tools or behavioral patterns (e.g., the fake gun tactic) must be erased (Chapter: “The one thing that had to be removed was the training gun… description”).4. What does the contrast between Slaton’s motivation and his adversaries’ imply about their combat effectiveness?
Answer:
The text frames Slaton’s “far more profound” motivation (implied to be personal or mission-critical) as a decisive factor against the mercenaries’ likely financial incentives. This dichotomy manifests in their tactics: the adversaries rely on predictable tools (MAC-10s, wrestling) and poor OPSEC (carrying identifiable wallets and phones), while Slaton improvises (using a rock, exploiting terrain) and maintains discipline. Their disorganization—burner phones with no data, a leader’s biometric-unlocked phone—suggests amateurism, whereas Slaton’s post-fight analysis and adaptability underscore professionalism. The mercenaries’ generic training becomes a liability against his tailored, emotionally driven resolve (Chapter: “The man he was up against was nothing more than a mercenary… a damned good motivator”).5. How does the author use environmental details to heighten tension and realism in the fight scene?
Answer:
The fight’s visceral realism stems from sensory details: the “ferrous odor” of blood, the “near darkness” forcing combat “by feel,” and the mud yielding the lifesaving rock. These elements ground the chaos in physicality. The setting also shapes tactics—the cramped underbrush dictates body concealment, while the bridge funnels enemies into Slaton’s kill zone. Environmental stakes are reinforced by Slaton’s repeated checks across the water to monitor his target, tying the fight’s urgency to a broader mission. Even cleanup reflects realism (e.g., predicting discovery by a “dog on its morning walk”), avoiding cinematic tropes for plausible logistics (Chapter: “Hopelessly entangled in near darkness… a vagrant might shoulder through the brush to urinate”).
Quotes
1. “Anger might not be much of a strategy … but it was a damned good motivator.”
This quote captures Slaton’s internal shift during the fight, where raw emotion fuels his decisive action. It reveals a key character trait—his ability to channel intense feelings into focused effectiveness, even in life-or-death situations.
2. “On this mission, failure was not an option.”
This terse statement underscores the high-stakes nature of Slaton’s operation. It represents both his professional mindset and the chapter’s tension, emphasizing that every move carries irreversible consequences.
3. “The M16 ‘Rubber Duck,’ with its black urethane body and metal barrel, was eminently convincing from a distance… the fac had given him a perfect distraction, drawing his adversaries in like moths to a light.”
This passage highlights Slaton’s clever tactical deception. The detailed description of the fake weapon showcases his meticulous planning and the psychological manipulation central to the chapter’s action sequence.
4. “He imagined a baffled Viennese detective scratching his head.”
This darkly humorous aside reveals Slaton’s awareness of the crime scene he’s leaving behind. It demonstrates his calculated approach to covering tracks while subtly emphasizing the disparity between his skills and conventional law enforcement.
5. “Without hesitation he pocketed the gun. The three MAC-10s he left where they were.”
This pragmatic choice during Slaton’s weapon selection illustrates his strategic priorities—favoring concealability over firepower. It reflects the chapter’s recurring theme of precision over brute force in covert operations.