Assassin’s Revenge–A David Slaton Novel
Chapter 81: Eighty-One
by Larsen, WardThe chapter “Eighty-One” follows Slaton and Rhea as they execute a high-stakes, unauthorized mission into North Korean airspace. After a smooth final refueling, Slaton ensures no communication leaks their intentions, leaving command centers in Washington D.C. in chaos as Fast Eagle 2 deviates from its course. Rhea proposes a low-altitude, high-speed approach to evade detection, aiming to surprise the enemy by masking their movement behind terrain. As they near the coastline, Slaton prepares mentally, reflecting on his family and the urgency of rescuing them, while Rhea skillfully pilots the jet just above the sea to avoid radar.
Meanwhile, the U.S. leadership scrambles to understand the rogue flight. A tense conference call involving the CIA director, Joint Chiefs chairman, and the president reveals suspicions about Slaton’s unorthodox plan. Anna Sorensen hints that the unarmed Hornet might still pose a threat, prompting the president to authorize a covert contingency measure. The scene underscores the gravity of Slaton’s unsanctioned mission and the potential geopolitical fallout, with officials debating whether to intervene as the jet crosses into hostile territory.
On the ground in North Korea, Corporal Hwan Yoo, exhausted from a grueling shift, monitors radar at Wonsan Air Base. Despite spotting an anomalous high-speed blip approaching, he dismisses it as a system glitch—a decision compounded by a sudden power outage and his reluctance to report false alarms. His inaction inadvertently allows Slaton’s jet to penetrate undetected, highlighting the fragility of North Korea’s outdated defenses and the role of human error in critical moments.
The chapter culminates in a tense, cinematic descent as Fast Eagle 2 streaks toward its target. Slaton, focused and resolute, embraces the mission’s personal stakes, while Rhea’s expert flying keeps them under the radar. The juxtaposition of Slaton’s determination, U.S. officials’ panic, and North Korea’s faltering vigilance sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation, emphasizing the high risks and moral clarity driving Slaton’s actions.
FAQs
1. What tactical approach did Rhea and Slaton use to penetrate North Korean airspace, and why was this strategy effective?
Answer:
Rhea and Slaton employed a low-and-fast penetration strategy, skimming just 30 feet above the sea at nearly supersonic speeds (700 knots). This approach minimized radar detection by exploiting terrain masking over water and avoiding sonic booms that could alert defenses. The chapter highlights Rhea’s rationale: flying low over water left no hiding places, but their speed and solitary presence increased chances of surprise. The strategy proved effective as Corporal Hwan Yoo—exhausted and distrusting his outdated radar equipment—dismissed their blip as a glitch, failing to report the intrusion.2. How does the chapter juxtapose Slaton’s personal motivations with the geopolitical stakes of his unauthorized mission?
Answer:
The chapter contrasts Slaton’s deeply personal resolve to rescue his family (evidenced by his reflections on Davy’s innocence and holiday memories) with the escalating international crisis his actions trigger. While Slaton focuses on the “next hour” as a life-defining moment, his rogue flight forces a high-level U.S. government conference call involving the president and intelligence chiefs. This duality underscores the tension between individual agency and systemic consequences—Slaton’s single-minded devotion (“Nothing else matters”) directly challenges national protocols and risks provoking a nuclear-armed adversary.3. Analyze the significance of the NSA’s “back-pocket insurance policy” mentioned during the White House discussion. What might this imply about contingency planning for high-risk operations?
Answer:
The NSA’s undisclosed contingency measure—activated by presidential order—suggests preemptive safeguards are embedded in sensitive missions, even those appearing conventional (like the unarmed Hornet). This detail reveals three layers of operational security: 1) compartmentalization (only the president and intelligence directors knew), 2) deniability (the measure wasn’t disclosed earlier), and 3) technological leverage (likely cyber/EW capabilities given the subsequent radar failure in North Korea). Such “insurance” reflects how agencies mitigate rogue outcomes, though its existence also implies anticipation of potential betrayals or miscalculations.4. How does Ward use Corporal Hwan Yoo’s perspective to critique institutional failures within North Korea’s military?
Answer:
Corporal Hwan embodies systemic vulnerabilities caused by North Korea’s resource scarcity and authoritarian culture. His exhaustion from a 16-hour shift (due to manpower shortages) and reliance on “notoriously unreliable” Soviet-era radar mirror the regime’s prioritization of optics over functionality. The chapter critiques chain-of-command failures—senior staff abandon posts to gossip about Pyongyang’s “crisis,” while Hwan’s decision to ignore the blip stems from bureaucratic fatigue (“another hour of paperwork”). This vignette reveals how repression and inefficiency create exploitable gaps in even tightly controlled regimes.5. Evaluate the narrative purpose of the radar outage coinciding with Fast Eagle 2’s incursion. Is this plausible as a real-world tactic?
Answer:
The synchronized radar failure serves dual narrative purposes: advancing the plot (enabling the jet’s undetected entry) and validating the NSA’s hinted capabilities. Technically, such an outage is plausible—modern electronic warfare systems can jam or spoof radar, especially outdated systems like North Korea’s. However, the timing strains credulity as a coincidence, implying U.S. cyber sabotage. This device heightens tension by contrasting Slaton’s physical daring with unseen technological warfare, while subtly showcasing asymmetric advantages Western forces hold over isolated adversaries like North Korea.
Quotes
1. “Slaton was sure that Sorensen, Coltrane, and the rest had by now realized something was going very wrong. To compound their worry, he’d directed Rhea to ignore all inbound communications. There had already been a half-dozen attempts to reach them, each more frantic than the last.”
This quote captures the tension of Slaton’s rogue mission, highlighting his deliberate isolation and the growing alarm among authorities. It sets up the high-stakes defiance driving the chapter’s action.
2. “For Slaton, this moment seemed a summation of his life. It all came down to the next hour. He would find them. Get them safe. Nothing else mattered. Nothing.”
A powerful character moment that reveals Slaton’s singular focus and personal stakes. The repetition of “Nothing” underscores his absolute commitment, serving as the emotional core of the chapter.
3. “‘Actually,’ she said, ‘I’m not so sure about that…’”
Anna Sorensen’s understated yet pivotal interruption during the high-level briefing hints at unforeseen dangers. This brief quote marks a turning point where officials realize Slaton might be more dangerous than they assumed.
4. “Had Corporal Hwan Yoo not been nearing the end of his sixteen-hour shift, things might have turned out differently.”
This opening to the North Korean perspective introduces critical dramatic irony - the reader understands the significance of this exhausted soldier’s lapse while he does not. It highlights how small human factors shape major events.
5. “‘No, Sergeant,’ he said, stifling a yawn. ‘Nothing at all.’”
The chapter’s ironic closing line underscores how a mundane moment of fatigue enables Slaton’s infiltration. This quiet human error contrasts dramatically with the life-or-death stakes established earlier.