Advanced Negotiations

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

Today we’re going to discuss this topic:

Slim odds: What do you do when there is a lot of them and very few of you.

I think we should split you up into small groups for discussion today. We could even turn this into a debate it you feel up to it.

Comments

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth nudges Sam. "So... I was listening to the radio..." she begins, a grin creeping across her face.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam blushes and mutters, "Stupid piratical eavesdropping devices. No privacy at this place whatsoever."

"So!" She says, brightly. "We're outnumbered. Are there weapons reinforcements coming, or is it just us?"

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth snickers.

"I'd hope that there'd be reinforcements on the way. If not, we need to ask what's wrong," she says.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"And I suppose we need to know whether they're actually hostile. That always helps."

Sam began making a list in her notebook.

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth nods. "Yeah, that's always a good thing to know. Don't want to piss them off if they weren't hostile to start with."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Not that it ever stopped anyone I know..."

"Sometimes different cultures approach strangers aggressively so they can prove their mettle or worth ahead of time. It's important not to back down from that, but you also don't want to ramp up the situation, either."

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth grins.

"It helps to know who you're dealing with ahead of time. Obviously, if it's a first contact situation, then you're stuck."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"So, assuming it's not my life a first contact situation, then what? We've asked what the problem is, and hopefully they've answered the question honestly. What happens if we won't or can't fix their problem?"

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"Back away slowly?" Elizabeth grins.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Any other options?" Sam knows this is just an academic exercise, but it's always good to have a head as good as Liz's give you other options for this kind of thing.

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"Let them down gently. Don't just laugh in their faces and tell them that they being stupid. See if you can reach a compromise with them."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Okay. Y'know, you should really put that in the handbook. It would really cut down on misunderstandings."

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, but people who are stupid enough to do that in the first place probably don't read the handbook anyway."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"No, but they do make their junior officers read it just so they have something to argue about."

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"Wow, it really did suck to be you. I'm so glad he was frozen for most of my time at the SGC. No offense, Sam."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Thank you! Finally! Someone who gets it!" *hugs Liz*

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

*hugs Sam back, and pats her comfortingly on the back*

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"So, at what point, if any, is an armed response appropriate?"

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"Well, you know me, I'm not big on armed responses at all," Elizabeth grimaced.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam nodded. "I know that. And the class is called Advanced Negotiations, so obviously that's our primary objective here. But, sometimes, I have to admit, talking alone doesn't get the job done. Then what?"

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth sighed. "Then you should technically give them some warning. If you don't, then all bets are off and you're probably going to end up dead."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"I knew we were doing something wrong," Sam chuckled. "Okay, but when do you know you've reached the point where weapons are appropriate?"

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth grinned.

"If you're starting to feel threatened, then your senses will be heightened. If you feel that they're going for their weapons, then obviously you'll go for yours. Most of it just depends on instinct though."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"But what if you've completely misread the situation and your instincts are wrong? You've suddenly turned a peaceful situation into one that's extremely dangerous."

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth half-shrugged. "It's why you tend to rely on the instincts of the most experienced member of the team," she said. "There's never this one give that says "Oy you, this is going to turn dangerous now." It's just one of those things.

And if it turns dangerous, then you better hope for either a forgiving party, or some crack-shot Marines. But this is why I don't like armed negotiations."