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    Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel

    by Larsen, Ward
    “Assassin’s Revenge—A David Slaton Novel” by Ward Larsen follows former assassin David Slaton as he is drawn back into a world of danger when a shadowy adversary targets his family. Forced to confront his past, Slaton employs his lethal skills to unravel a conspiracy that spans international borders. The novel explores themes of vengeance, loyalty, and the moral complexities of retribution, blending high-stakes action with intricate plotting. Larsen’s taut prose and relentless pacing make this a standout thriller, appealing to fans of espionage and suspense. The book underscores the enduring consequences of violence and the personal cost of redemption.
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    Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel

    Chapter 28: Twenty-Eight

    by Larsen, Ward

    In Chap­ter Twen­ty-Eight, Boutros takes com­mand of the Alba­tross, brief­ing his crew—Sami, Saleem, and Rafiq—on their roles dur­ing the week-long jour­ney. After del­e­gat­ing watch duties, he and Rafiq explore the low­er deck, where they dis­cov­er a metic­u­lous­ly pre­pared com­part­ment hous­ing a mod­i­fied Russ­ian artillery bar­rel. The room is equipped with pro­fes­sion­al tools and work­bench­es, con­trast­ing sharply with the rest of the boat’s dilap­i­dat­ed state. The bar­rel, stamped with Cyril­lic char­ac­ters, is secured to the deck and capped with a graphite reflec­tor, hint­ing at its dead­ly pur­pose as part of a nuclear device.

    Rafiq explains the tech­ni­cal details of the weapon, includ­ing the enriched ura­ni­um inside and the need for a beryl­li­um-polo­ni­um ini­tia­tor to ensure crit­i­cal mass. The explo­sives are stored near­by, and a Russ­ian PP-2000 machine pis­tol is hid­den among the sup­plies. Boutros notes the inter­na­tion­al ori­gins of the equip­ment, empha­siz­ing the covert nature of their mis­sion. Rafiq’s mat­ter-of-fact tone under­scores the grav­i­ty of their task, as Boutros grap­ples with the risks of han­dling radioac­tive mate­ri­als and the inevitabil­i­ty of their fate.

    Return­ing to the deck, Boutros sur­veys the Alba­tross, reflect­ing on his past as an Iraqi navy offi­cer and the par­al­lels to his cur­rent mis­sion. The soli­tude of the sea calms him, but the weight of their plan looms large. The util­i­ty boat secured on the fore­deck sym­bol­izes both prac­ti­cal­i­ty and a faint hope of sur­vival, though Boutros accepts that their strike will like­ly be a one-way mis­sion. His resolve is fueled not just by reli­gious con­vic­tion but by a deep-seat­ed desire for vengeance, root­ed in the deaths of his father and sis­ter dur­ing past con­flicts with the U.S.

    The chap­ter clos­es with Boutros’s intro­spec­tion, reveal­ing his per­son­al moti­va­tions behind join­ing ISIS. His father’s death in the Gulf War and his sister’s trag­ic demise in a bomb­ing raid have shaped his unwa­ver­ing com­mit­ment to the cause. This mis­sion rep­re­sents the cul­mi­na­tion of his long-sought revenge, blend­ing his nau­ti­cal exper­tise with a lethal pur­pose. The chap­ter mas­ter­ful­ly inter­twines tech­ni­cal detail with emo­tion­al depth, set­ting the stage for the high-stakes oper­a­tion ahead.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What is the purpose of the modified artillery barrel found in the ship’s compartment, and what key components make it functional?

      Answer:
      The modified artillery barrel serves as the core component of a nuclear weapon. Originally a 152mm Russian field gun, it has been adapted with a graphite reflector at one end to contain neutrons and slow the initial expansion, thereby increasing the weapon’s yield. The breech end is threaded to accommodate an inversely threaded end piece containing wiring and hardware for detonation. The device also requires highly enriched uranium (already present) and a future delivery of a beryllium-polonium neutron initiator to achieve critical mass. These modifications transform a conventional artillery barrel into a functional nuclear weapon, as explained by Rafiq during Boutros’ inspection.

      2. How does the chapter illustrate the theme of international collaboration in covert operations, and what does this suggest about the mission’s deniability?

      Answer:
      The chapter highlights the multinational sourcing of materials—Russian artillery barrel, Hungarian tools, Italian wiring, and an American drill press—to emphasize the deliberate obfuscation of the mission’s origins. Rafiq notes that nothing on the boat can be traced to North Korea, including the crew, suggesting a carefully constructed facade of deniability. This patchwork of international components ensures plausible anonymity for all parties involved, particularly the North Koreans, who stand to benefit without direct attribution. Boutros’ observation that “everyone gets what they want” underscores the calculated nature of such collaborations, where geopolitical goals are advanced under the veil of secrecy.

      3. Analyze Boutros’ psychological state and motivations as revealed in his reflections on deck. How do his personal history and beliefs drive his commitment to the mission?

      Answer:
      Boutros’ soliloquy on deck reveals a man reconciled with his impending death, viewing the mission as the culmination of a lifelong quest for vengeance. His traumatic past—losing his father in the Gulf War and his sister to a coalition airstrike—fuels his “fearlessness” and alignment with ISIS, though his primary motive is personal retribution rather than religious zeal. The sea evokes nostalgia for his Iraqi navy days, framing his current mission as a symbolic reversal of roles: now, he confronts the “evil Death Star” (America) as the underdog. His acceptance of mortality (“his fate was sealed”) and eagerness for the mission reflect a psyche that has weaponized grief into a destructive purpose.

      4. What practical and symbolic significance does the utility boat on the foredeck hold for Boutros and the mission?

      Answer:
      Practically, the 16-foot utility boat with an outboard motor is a critical tool for executing the mission, likely serving as transport for the weapon or crew during the final phase. Symbolically, Boutros perceives it as an “icon of final hope,” representing both the means to their goal and the futility of survival. Its presence underscores the mission’s one-way nature; while it facilitates their plan, Boutros dismisses any possibility of personal survival, reinforcing his fatalistic resolve. The boat thus embodies the duality of utility and sacrifice, mirroring Boutros’ acceptance of his role as a martyr for vengeance.

      5. Why does Rafiq emphasize the dangers of handling polonium, and how does this detail contribute to the chapter’s tension?

      Answer:
      Rafiq highlights polonium’s short half-life and intense radioactivity to underscore the mission’s high stakes, where even preparatory steps carry lethal risks. This detail heightens tension by introducing a tangible, immediate threat beyond the abstract danger of the nuclear device itself. It also foreshadows future peril, as Sami—the crew member tasked with handling it—must confront this hazard. The polonium’s inclusion underscores the weapon’s sophistication while grounding the plot in visceral danger, reminding readers that the crew’s greatest challenges may arise before the weapon is even deployed.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Nothing about what we are doing is safe. But yes, you can go near. There is no immediate danger.”

      This quote captures the inherent tension and danger of the mission, as Rafiq acknowledges the risks while reassuring Boutros about handling the nuclear material. It underscores the life-or-death stakes of their operation.

      2. “In the end, everyone gets what they want… Everyone except the Americans.”

      This exchange between Boutros and Rafiq reveals the geopolitical motivations behind their mission, highlighting the anti-American sentiment driving their actions. It serves as a key thematic statement about revenge and ideological conflict.

      3. “He was at peace with his fate—even eager, in a way. This was the opportunity he’d long been searching for.”

      This introspective moment reveals Boutros’ personal motivations and psychological state, showing his willingness to sacrifice himself for vengeance. It provides crucial insight into his character and backstory.

      4. “Boutros was a religious man on the best of days, but his commitment to the cause had far less to do with God than vengeance.”

      This quote exposes the true driving force behind Boutros’ extremism, contrasting religious devotion with personal trauma. It’s a significant character revelation that explains his actions throughout the chapter.

    Quotes

    1. “Nothing about what we are doing is safe. But yes, you can go near. There is no immediate danger.”

    This quote captures the inherent tension and danger of the mission, as Rafiq acknowledges the risks while reassuring Boutros about handling the nuclear material. It underscores the life-or-death stakes of their operation.

    2. “In the end, everyone gets what they want… Everyone except the Americans.”

    This exchange between Boutros and Rafiq reveals the geopolitical motivations behind their mission, highlighting the anti-American sentiment driving their actions. It serves as a key thematic statement about revenge and ideological conflict.

    3. “He was at peace with his fate—even eager, in a way. This was the opportunity he’d long been searching for.”

    This introspective moment reveals Boutros’ personal motivations and psychological state, showing his willingness to sacrifice himself for vengeance. It provides crucial insight into his character and backstory.

    4. “Boutros was a religious man on the best of days, but his commitment to the cause had far less to do with God than vengeance.”

    This quote exposes the true driving force behind Boutros’ extremism, contrasting religious devotion with personal trauma. It’s a significant character revelation that explains his actions throughout the chapter.

    FAQs

    1. What is the purpose of the modified artillery barrel found in the ship’s compartment, and what key components make it functional?

    Answer:
    The modified artillery barrel serves as the core component of a nuclear weapon. Originally a 152mm Russian field gun, it has been adapted with a graphite reflector at one end to contain neutrons and slow the initial expansion, thereby increasing the weapon’s yield. The breech end is threaded to accommodate an inversely threaded end piece containing wiring and hardware for detonation. The device also requires highly enriched uranium (already present) and a future delivery of a beryllium-polonium neutron initiator to achieve critical mass. These modifications transform a conventional artillery barrel into a functional nuclear weapon, as explained by Rafiq during Boutros’ inspection.

    2. How does the chapter illustrate the theme of international collaboration in covert operations, and what does this suggest about the mission’s deniability?

    Answer:
    The chapter highlights the multinational sourcing of materials—Russian artillery barrel, Hungarian tools, Italian wiring, and an American drill press—to emphasize the deliberate obfuscation of the mission’s origins. Rafiq notes that nothing on the boat can be traced to North Korea, including the crew, suggesting a carefully constructed facade of deniability. This patchwork of international components ensures plausible anonymity for all parties involved, particularly the North Koreans, who stand to benefit without direct attribution. Boutros’ observation that “everyone gets what they want” underscores the calculated nature of such collaborations, where geopolitical goals are advanced under the veil of secrecy.

    3. Analyze Boutros’ psychological state and motivations as revealed in his reflections on deck. How do his personal history and beliefs drive his commitment to the mission?

    Answer:
    Boutros’ soliloquy on deck reveals a man reconciled with his impending death, viewing the mission as the culmination of a lifelong quest for vengeance. His traumatic past—losing his father in the Gulf War and his sister to a coalition airstrike—fuels his “fearlessness” and alignment with ISIS, though his primary motive is personal retribution rather than religious zeal. The sea evokes nostalgia for his Iraqi navy days, framing his current mission as a symbolic reversal of roles: now, he confronts the “evil Death Star” (America) as the underdog. His acceptance of mortality (“his fate was sealed”) and eagerness for the mission reflect a psyche that has weaponized grief into a destructive purpose.

    4. What practical and symbolic significance does the utility boat on the foredeck hold for Boutros and the mission?

    Answer:
    Practically, the 16-foot utility boat with an outboard motor is a critical tool for executing the mission, likely serving as transport for the weapon or crew during the final phase. Symbolically, Boutros perceives it as an “icon of final hope,” representing both the means to their goal and the futility of survival. Its presence underscores the mission’s one-way nature; while it facilitates their plan, Boutros dismisses any possibility of personal survival, reinforcing his fatalistic resolve. The boat thus embodies the duality of utility and sacrifice, mirroring Boutros’ acceptance of his role as a martyr for vengeance.

    5. Why does Rafiq emphasize the dangers of handling polonium, and how does this detail contribute to the chapter’s tension?

    Answer:
    Rafiq highlights polonium’s short half-life and intense radioactivity to underscore the mission’s high stakes, where even preparatory steps carry lethal risks. This detail heightens tension by introducing a tangible, immediate threat beyond the abstract danger of the nuclear device itself. It also foreshadows future peril, as Sami—the crew member tasked with handling it—must confront this hazard. The polonium’s inclusion underscores the weapon’s sophistication while grounding the plot in visceral danger, reminding readers that the crew’s greatest challenges may arise before the weapon is even deployed.

    Note