Advanced Tactics, Tuesday, 7th Period (3:00 - 3:50)

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

The Danger Room being the Danger Room, it tended to look different every time the students entered. In this particular instance, it had been made up to look like the briefing room on a Twentieth-century aircraft carrier. Images of Nelson’s ship, the HMS Victory, showed on one screen, and on the other, images of the HMS Gryphon, a superdreadnaught from Honor’s own Manticoran fleet.

A tall woman, clad in a flight suit stood at the front of the room. Two subdued stars were stitched onto her shoulders. Directly behind her was a man clad in black BDUs and capped with dark auburn hair. While he was several inches shorter than the admiral, the way in which he poised himself seemed to indicate a strong, wiry frame hiding beneath the uniform. His eyes scanned each student as they entered. The admiral passed a smile at him, then looked to the cat-creature, running hand over his cream and grey fur before turning her own attention to the students.

“Good morning,” she said, “and welcome to advanced tactics. For those of you who don’t know me, I am Professor Harrington. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be examining the strategy and tactics used in some very interesting battles.

“On one screen before you, you’ll see two of the ships some of you will be ‘serving’ aboard this term. The first, the HMS Victory, was the ship of British sea captain Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson. It was the ship which carried him into victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. On the other screen, is an image of the HMS Gryphon, a superdreadnaught from the Royal Manticoran Navy. Our lessons, then, will span centuries, and both the terrain and the technology will vary. We’ll begin next week by learning the basics of age of sail seamanship -- important if you’re going to go broadside with one another.”

A wry grin twitched at her lips. “Today, however, we’re going to start simply. I’d like to take a few moments and get to know one another. As we go around the room, please give your name, your year, and the reason you chose to take tactics.” Leaning against the podium, she pursed her lips. “Now...who’ll step to the gallows and get us started?”

Having shepherded the discussion until it began to wind down, Honor glanced at the clock. “We’ll end things a bit early today, I think. For your homework, I’d like you to find information concerning the 1588 battle between England and the Spanish armada. Did it mark the decline of sea power, or simply a tough defeat? I’d like two pages, to be turned in as you enter next Tuesday. By that time, I should have your syllabus and some other information prepared for you.

“If anyone needs to speak with me, please feel free to stop by on your way out. Until next week -- class dismissed.”


[OCD threads coming up! Sorry for the delay - work called. =\ ]

Comments

Sign In

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

A sign in sheet is resting on the first desk as the students enter.

Re: Sign In

[defiantlyyours.livejournal.com]

Number 6.

Re: Sign In

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

Alanna Trebond

Discussion

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

"As we go around the room, please give your name, your year, and the reason you chose to take tactics."

Re: Discussion

[defiantlyyours.livejournal.com]

"Number 6, senior. You won't get anything from me," 6 said.

Re: Discussion

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

Honor allowed a slight smirk. She knew an intelligence type when she saw it. "Well, Number Six, I certainly won't be asking you to betray secrets," she said. "Just make sure you take plenty of notes."

She made a mental note to add the "great escape" to her planned lessons.

Re: Discussion

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

"Alanna Trebond, Senior, and I believe tactics to be one of the most important things that you can prepare in order to not get killed."

Re: Discussion

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

"Proper tactical and strategic planning can certainly save lives. It's important, however, to realize that even the best laid plans can and do go wrong."

The admiral nodded. "And a pleasure to see you again, Ms. Trebond. I hope you had a good winter break?"

Re: Discussion

[notthehulk.livejournal.com]

"Teddy Altman, sophomore," Teddy said. "Um, I'm taking this class because I think it will probably be useful when I leave school here."

Re: Discussion

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

"Mr. Altman," Honor said, giving a nod in greeting. "Is there any particular situation you might like to explore this term?"

Re: Discussion

[socksofcool.livejournal.com]

"Seely Booth, junior. I want to join the Rangers after I graduate."

Re: Discussion

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

Lady Harrington gave a smile. "A noble ambition, Mr. Booth. While I'm particularly fond of naval tactics, I think we'll be able to sneak in a few shore-based operations for you to sink your teeth into."

And her first thought was not of the New York Rangers. Nope. Not at all. Though, it was hockey... was there much difference? =)

Re: Discussion

[2-twin-devils-2.livejournal.com]

"Hikaru Hitachiin," one twin bows slightly in greeting.
"Kaoru Hitachiin," the other follows in suit. "We're first years."

"We think that, although this class doesn't literally apply to our after-graduation plans, it wouldn't be harmful to understand strategy." Hikaru nods confidentally, not really wanting to reveal that he'd signed them both up for the class so he could get a little more into the tactical side of spying.

Re: Discussion

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

Honor gave her own slight bow in response. "The Brothers Hitachiin," she replied. "What would your after-graduation plans be?"

Using her prosthetic eye, she attempted to find the minute details that would assist her in telling the brothers apart.

Re: Discussion

[cyclopeanmerc.livejournal.com]

"Pip Bernadette. Second year. I'm probably going to be leading a mercenary company one day and it strikes me that continued learning in tactics might be a useful job skill. Just possibly."

Re: Discussion

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

"Monsieur Bernadette," Honor said. "A pleasure to see you again.

"And yes, I would imagine that learning tactics might be useful for a mercenary. Just possibly." She grinned. "Any interesting job offers of late?"

Re: Discussion

[cat-in-the-box.livejournal.com]

"Schrodinger. Second year. And technically, I didn't. My employer did."

Re: Discussion

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

"Then why might your employer have selected this class for you, Mr. Schrodinger?" Honor regarded the cat-person with arched brows. Beside her, she could feel Nimitz's own curiosity whirling about.

Re: Discussion - Piloting

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

Folding her arms across her chest, she regarded the class during a lull in the conversation. "Just out of curiosity," she said, drawing from her conversation with Teddy, "how many of you were able to take the piloting course offered previously? Or how many of you have any piloting experience?"

Re: Discussion - Piloting

[once-a-king.livejournal.com]

"I took the piloting course from Anakin during the summer, my Lady," Pater replied.

Re: Discussion

[once-a-king.livejournal.com]

"I'm Peter Pevensie, my Lady. I'm a junior, and I want to learn as much as possible to protect my country and keep my people's lives from being lost needlessly."

Re: Discussion

[sarcasm-guy.livejournal.com]

"Sokka," Sokka says arrogantly, pointing his thumb at himself. "I'm a warrior."

He deliberately avoids the question of school year, because he's not too clear on the concept, and hopes no one notices.

Asides

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

Not that Admiral Harrington approves of in-class chatter, but it does happen.

After Class

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

Honor hovered around after class, examining the environment that the room had generated to her specifications. The detail was amazing and she enjoyed the realistic feel to the room.

OOC

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

...for whatever reason. =)