Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 57: Fifty-Seven
by Larsen, WardGeneral Park, head of the SSD, is awakened early in his secluded mountain retreat after his team intercepts a message sent to David Slaton’s phone. The message contains a damning document—Tarek El-Masri’s confession—exposing Park’s meticulously planned conspiracy. Park, though unsurprised by the leak, is frustrated by the timing, as his scheme is nearing completion. He questions whether Slaton or a third party is behind the intercepted transmission and orders his team to block the message while investigating its origin, wary of losing control over the flow of information.
Park’s personal life is briefly highlighted, revealing his disdain for his wife, whom he married for political gain as the sister of Chairman Kwon. His indulgence in extramarital affairs underscores his ruthless pragmatism. After dismissing a young woman from his bed, Park focuses on the crisis at hand, demanding answers from Bureau 121 about the intercepted document. His irritation grows as the technicians admit the difficulty of tracing its source, forcing him to adapt his plans on the fly.
Realizing the urgency, Park accelerates his timetable and contacts Khang, his subordinate recovering from injuries sustained in Vienna. He instructs Khang to expedite their mission, blaming him for previous failures. Park confirms that Khang’s captives—a woman and a boy—remain unharmed, emphasizing their importance to his scheme. The call ends with Park dictating a terse message to an operative codenamed Albatross, further tightening his grip on the unfolding operation.
As Park reflects on the situation, he takes solace in the isolation of his retreat, a strategic choice for the critical days ahead. His thoughts turn to Khang, recalling his recruitment years prior, but the chapter cuts off before revealing more. Park’s calculated demeanor and adaptability underscore his role as a formidable antagonist, poised to escalate his plans despite mounting obstacles.
FAQs
1. What are the key details about General Park’s personal retreat, and what do they reveal about his character?
Answer:
General Park’s retreat is a 10,000-square-foot Swiss chalet-style residence in the Taebaek Mountains, featuring exposed beams, weatherboarding, and sharply peaked gables. Its remote location—110 miles from Pyongyang—highlights Park’s desire for seclusion and control. The lavish design and isolation reflect his privileged status as SSD head and his strategic mindset. The chapter also reveals his morally questionable behavior (e.g., dismissing a young woman casually) and transactional marriage to Chairman Kwon’s sister, underscoring his ruthlessness and ambition. The retreat symbolizes both his power and his need to distance himself from political risks.2. How does the intercepted message about Tarek El-Masri’s confession impact Park’s plans, and what does his reaction suggest about his strategic approach?
Answer:
The intercepted message contains El-Masri’s confessional document, exposing Park’s orchestrated plot. While Park anticipated such a leak, its timing frustrates him because it threatens his carefully controlled information flow. His methodical reaction—verifying the document, assessing interception risks, and ordering his team to block further transmissions—reveals his preference for precision and damage control. His decision to accelerate Khang’s timetable underscores his adaptability but also his desperation to mitigate Slaton’s interference. This highlights Park’s tactical acumen but also his vulnerability to unforeseen variables.3. Analyze the dynamics between Park and Khang during their encrypted call. What power imbalances are evident?
Answer:
Park dominates the interaction, interrupting Khang and blaming him for Vienna’s failures (“If you had handled things better…”). He deliberately humiliates Khang by feigning concern about his injury, though he already knows the details. Khang’s subdued responses (“It is nothing”) suggest fear or resignation. Park’s authoritarian tone and unilateral orders (e.g., advancing the timetable) reinforce his hierarchical control. This dynamic reflects Park’s leadership style: punitive, manipulative, and intolerant of failure. It also foreshadows potential friction, as Khang’s loyalty may be strained under such pressure.4. Why does Park describe Slaton as a “complication,” and how does this connect to broader themes in the chapter?
Answer:
Park likens Slaton to Mordechai—an unpredictable outsider disrupting his plans. Slaton’s possession of El-Masri’s confession threatens Park’s meticulously staged scheme, much like Mordechai’s earlier interference. This framing underscores the theme of control versus chaos: Park’s reliance on secrecy and order is repeatedly undermined by external actors. The parallel also suggests Park’s arrogance; he dismisses Slaton as a nuisance rather than a legitimate threat, potentially underestimating him. This mirrors his dismissive attitude toward his wife and the unnamed girl, revealing a pattern of overlooking others’ agency.5. How does the chapter use setting to reinforce tension? Provide specific examples.
Answer:
The Taebaek Mountains’ isolation (“not a marker of civilization”) mirrors Park’s psychological seclusion and the operational secrecy of his plot. The “dusting of new snow” contrasts with the ominous antenna on the distant hill, symbolizing hidden surveillance and looming threats. Similarly, the chalet’s “gingerbread” facade belies its role as a fortress for scheming. These details create unease, suggesting tranquility is illusory. The remote setting also foreshadows Park’s need for a secure base as his plan unravels, emphasizing that even in seclusion, control is fragile.
Quotes
1. “For the first night in weeks, he had slept in the comfort of his private retreat on the slopes of the Taebaek Mountains… More critically, the retreat was situated 110 miles from Residence Number 55 outside Pyongyang—where Chairman Kwon had been for weeks, and where he would remain for the foreseeable future. As head of SSD, it was Park’s duty to know such things.”
This quote establishes General Park’s privileged position and strategic isolation while hinting at the political tensions in North Korea. It introduces the power dynamics and surveillance state context that underpin the chapter’s events.
2. “This was the bond that had installed him as head of SSD, one rung from the top of the ladder. And the bond that, so far, had kept them both alive.”
This reveals the precarious nature of Park’s position - his marriage is both his source of power and his lifeline. It encapsulates the dangerous political landscape where survival depends on strategic alliances.
3. “From his grave, El-Masri was laying bare the plot Park had so painstakingly orchestrated.”
A pivotal moment where Park realizes his carefully constructed scheme is being exposed posthumously. The quote highlights the theme of unintended consequences and the fragility of secret operations.
4. “What vexed him was the timing—he needed to control the flow of information. For all its complexity, his plan was nearly realized. The only problem was Slaton.”
This captures the central tension of the chapter - Park’s meticulous planning being threatened by unpredictable variables. It shows his obsession with control and the human elements that disrupt intelligence operations.
5. “In the coming days, seclusion would be essential.”
A ominous foreshadowing that hints at significant upcoming events while reinforcing Park’s strategic isolation. The brevity of the statement makes it particularly impactful as it suggests major developments to come.