Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 70: Seventy
by Larsen, WardThe chapter “Seventy” follows Boutros and his team as they unload a nuclear bomb from an airplane onto a fishing boat named *Albatross*. The process is physically demanding, requiring coordination among the group to move the heavy cask using a dolly and then onto the launch. Rafiq reveals a critical issue—the initiator, meant to boost the bomb’s yield, is missing. However, he assures Boutros the weapon will still function, albeit with reduced power, enough to destroy their target. The team refuels the airplane, and the flight crew departs, leaving Boutros and his men to continue their mission.
As *Albatross* sets sail, Boutros reflects on their objective, emphasizing the importance of their task despite the missing initiator. Sami, who was initially prepared for a painful martyrdom, appears relieved upon learning his death will be less agonizing. The boat navigates toward its target, with Boutros steering eastward. His thoughts briefly turn to his deceased sister, Irina, whose memory fuels his resolve. The team remains focused on assembling the bomb during the journey, underscoring their commitment to the mission.
Meanwhile, Sorensen and Slaton discuss the impending threat at Midway Island. Sorensen updates Slaton on the military response, including airborne radar, a diverted carrier group, and Marines en route to secure the area. Slaton, skeptical of intercepting the bomb at sea, suggests an airstrike as a more reliable solution. He surveys the harbor but dismisses the moored boats as unrelated to the threat. Sorensen expresses frustration at their limited options, while Slaton continues scanning the horizon for signs of the approaching fishing boat.
The chapter concludes with Park, the North Korean intelligence head, sitting near a fireplace, his demeanor inscrutable. A brief mention of an American child fascinated by the fire hints at an unresolved subplot. The tension builds as Boutros’ team advances toward their target, while Sorensen and Slaton await reinforcements, highlighting the race against time to prevent a catastrophic attack.
FAQs
1. What was the significance of the missing initiator in the bomb material, and how did Rafiq reassure Boutros about its absence?
Answer:
The missing initiator (beryllium-polonium component) was meant to boost the nuclear weapon’s yield by generating additional neutrons. Rafiq reassured Boutros that while its absence would reduce the bomb’s power, the reaction would still occur—just at a lower yield. He emphasized it would be sufficient to destroy their target, and noted an unintended benefit: Sami, the martyr, wouldn’t suffer from polonium poisoning. This reveals the group’s pragmatism; despite the setback, they adapted their plans without compromising their core objective (Chapter: “SEVENTY”).
2. Analyze the dynamics between Boutros’ team and the flight crew. What does their interaction reveal about the mission’s broader context?
Answer:
The interaction highlights a transactional alliance based solely on a shared enemy. The teams lacked common language, culture, or religion, communicating only through functional English (e.g., “Petrol”). The flight crew’s abrupt departure and Boutros’ speculation about their destination (“like a homing pigeon”) underscore the mission’s covert, multinational nature. The awkward farewell—reduced to nods and waves—emphasizes the isolation of such operations, where collaboration is temporary and impersonal (Chapter: “SEVENTY”).
3. How does Boutros’ reflection on his sister Irina contrast with his commitment to the mission?
Answer:
Boutros’ fleeting thought of Irina—a “girl who suffered no longer”—hints at personal trauma that may drive his extremism. This humanizing moment contrasts sharply with his cold dedication to destroying a target symbolic of American victory. The juxtaposition suggests his ideology overrides empathy, yet the memory lingers as a subconscious motivator. It adds depth to his character, implying vengeance or martyrdom as a distorted form of healing (Chapter: “SEVENTY”).
4. Evaluate Sorensen and Slaton’s differing approaches to intercepting the bomb. What strategic trade-offs does each perspective represent?
Answer:
Slaton favors immediate, decisive action (an airstrike) to neutralize the threat, prioritizing speed over evidence. Sorensen, representing institutional caution, advocates interception at sea to preserve intelligence and justify political responses. Their debate reflects broader tensions in counterterrorism: kinetic efficiency vs. long-term strategic gains. Slaton’s skepticism about finding the boat (“a really big ocean”) also underscores the operational challenges of maritime interdiction (Chapter: “SEVENTY”).
5. What logistical and environmental details in the chapter reinforce the realism of the operation?
Answer:
Realism is anchored in specifics: the furniture dolly for the 300-pound cask, the coral runway, and the wooden planks in the launch to prevent capsizing. Environmental touches—like birds disturbed by the plane and isolated thunderheads—ground the action in a tangible setting. Even the Albatross’ maneuverability (“cleared the outer reef”) and the crew’s physical strain (“all five men to lift the cask”) heighten authenticity, making the high-stakes plot plausible (Chapter: “SEVENTY”).
Quotes
1. “Even without it, everything should still work… Enough to obliterate our new target.”
This exchange between Rafiq and Boutros reveals the terrifying adaptability of their nuclear plot - even missing a key component, the weapon remains devastatingly effective. It underscores the imminent threat while showing the terrorists’ cold pragmatism.
2. “The three Middle Easterners pushed their overburdened launch into deeper water… indeed, no bond whatsoever but that of a shared enemy.”
This passage powerfully captures the transactional nature of global terrorism - disparate groups united only by hatred. The imagery of the overloaded boat becomes a metaphor for their dangerous, unstable alliance.
3. “He imagined that name would soon hold very different meaning to the world’s nearly two billion Muslims. Not that Boutros cared about any of them.”
This chilling insight reveals Boutros’ true motivation - personal vengeance rather than ideological cause. The contrast between global impact and personal obsession makes this particularly striking.
4. “Inside eight hours, this is going to be the most heavily watched rock on earth.”
Sorensen’s briefing to Slaton highlights the rapid military escalation and the high-stakes nature of the crisis. The phrase captures both the isolation of Midway and its sudden strategic importance.
5. “It seems like we ought to be doing something.”
Sorensen’s frustrated remark encapsulates the tension between action and waiting that dominates the chapter’s second half. This simple line speaks volumes about the helplessness even well-equipped operatives feel in such crises.