Infantry Tactics [Wednesday Second Period]

[furious-maximus.livejournal.com]

Max didn't comment on the fact that many of his students were male today when they had been female in all the previous weeks. Fandom did that. Max also didn't start the class today with a run. No, instead he waved at a stack of scuta. "There's one of these for each of you. So go ahead and grab one." Over three feet tall and two feet wide, even made mostly of plywood the things were impressively heavy. "There are bands to fit your arms through on the back," which he trusted they'd see. "Affix the shield to your left arm. Even if you are right handed." Max looked around. "Remember, one of the keys to regular infantry are that they are regular. Shields are always on the left."

He waited a minute or two for people to get their shields on, then grinned. "Okay, now we run." Max held his own left hand straight at his side, not allowing his shield to move much as he led off. "The size and weight of the scutum is intended to provide maximum safety without sacrificing mobility. Unlike me, most of you are small enough that if you were to crouch slightly you could cover almost your entire body with the shield. You'll also notice the way they curve around you. This makes it easy to stand close enough to someone that your shields will overlap without leaving easy gaps for the enemy to exploit."

"There is an important reason that you wear your shield on your left side, and that is because when you are in formation you will cover whoever stands to your right. You will rely on your shield and whoever is to your left to keep that side of you safe, and you will ensure that the person to your right is not overwhelmed. If they misstep, or lose their footing, or covering the person on their right, or are engaged with one enemy already, your job is to ensure that they have the time they need to recover by engaging anyone who seeks to take advantage of their distraction."

Max turned to look over his shoulder as he ran. "Understand this: defending the person on your right takes precedence over defending your own life. This is not to say you will die, because whoever is on your left will be doing the same for you. This tactic does a number of things: it allows you to take risks because you know that someone will defend you, and it forces you to trust one another. The unit is only as strong as its trust in its members, and having to give over the defense of your life to another concentrates that trust wonderfully."

He paused, looking over his students to see how they were handling running with the awkward shields.

"Today's exercise will be done in pairs. You will find a partner, and then simulated enemies will attack each pair. Your job is for both of you to survive. This is only a class, so no one will be physically injured, but if you allow your partner to be 'killed' then I shall be displeased." He grinned suddenly. "And, no, you will not be issued weapons. Your job is to survive, and cover each other."

"Fall out and pair up."

Comments

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"I do. Azula?"

It was a guess.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Yes," she confirmed. She still had the golden eyes so that was a marker but it also might be because her t-shirt now read: 'Too Hot to Handle'. "Who might you be?"

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"Fiona," she said with a raised eyebrow.

"And yes, we can pair up. Though... perhaps we postpone the shopping trip?"

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Agreed," Azula said. "I don't feel like shopping in this body anyway."

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"Most of the people I've met weren't really interested in going out much today."

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"It's a sentiment I agree with," she looked down her body again, "besides, I fee strange walking in this. The center of gravity is all wrong."

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"I'm probably going to go to the salle and work out the biomechanics for a bit," she admitted with a nod over that.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Biomechanics?" Azula asked. "What are biomechanics?"

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"How the body moves. The differences in weight and balance, the center of gravity and the differences in limb length, flexibility, speed."

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Ah, that's a good and scientific term," she said, approving.

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"Are you having any trouble with it? I figured I would, but I don't seem to be."

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"I'm adapting but I had trouble with balancing. I'm not used to such a low center of gravity."

[cutsthestrings.livejournal.com]

"I don't think any of us are. I almost wonder what might happen if one day, something attacks on a day like this."

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

Azula paused. "The thought never occurred to me but you're right, it's an eventuality we have to prepare for."

Perhaps there would be some training she could do to balance it out.