fandomhigh | Tactics of War [Monday Evening]

Irritated to leave her prisoner behind, Eighth certainly looks distracted as she walks into class late. After passing the sign in sheet around, she eyes them all carefully.

"Surprise, sweethearts. Pop Quiz." And she passes it out with a small, secret smile.

You've captured the child of a warlord from a distant galaxy and have learned all about his world, his technology and his military forces – albeit from a child's perspective. You, of course, have a superior fighting force and you are great need of the superior technology of this distant galaxy. This particular far-off civilization has previously been ravaged by a similar army to your own and should be somewhat prepared. However, that previous invading force COULD see your army as invading their territory and that you are attacking their personal enemies and would be affronted and therefore attack you back. (A) Should you attack? (B) Should you collect more information?

"After you finish your pop quiz, please read the following document. Being able to openly state your intentions and deceiving the other party is a skill for every tactician, as well as being able to tell little white lies that cover up exactly what you are up to.

Pair up and roleplay, as it where, a little disinformation yourself. Try to find out your partner's Valentine's Day plans while spinning your own tale of deception.

Oh -- I'm afraid I will need to speak to you again, Mr. Mitchell. See me after class ~~for real this time~~."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Anakin thought about the question for a while, then wrote:

I would collect more information about the army that had previously ravaged this civilization. Are they still around? Are they more technologically advanced? Willing to join forces with you?

Invading and conquering the first civilization does you no good if you are, in turn, destroyed by the other group.

Anakin looked at his paper, then scrawled at the bottom. Of course, invading any civilization just because you can is wrong.

Why bother wasting troops and resources invading when you already have the warlord's child to use as leverage?

Ivanova leaned her cane against the desk as she sat down, idly tapping it on the ground as she thought about the question.

I would collect more information on the situation. The information would be from a child's perspective and could cast the second civilisation as a powerful bogeyman who would not be a hindrance to an invasion. Then again, the information could be completely accurate. One would require intel on the position of the second civilisation and how they would react to the situation.

That seemed inadequate, but she couldn't think of anything else to write.

Bridge ponders asking whether the child is actually a child or just an adult who prefers to stay disguised as one. But that would be silly.

I would collect more information, because while any source will have a bias, a child's bias can be especially misleading. On the other hand, the child of a warlord may know things about the military that outside sources would not. So I'd find another source, and then compare the information I got from the two sources before making my decision.

Sam, a little bitter about the pop quiz, frowned as she completed her answer.

~~My first impulse is to to hold the child hostage, because that will lead to the most peaceful and efficient resolution of the problem, so long as the child remains unharmed~~.

Just because you have a superior fighting force and need the technology is no reason to attack. First, it may be possible to obtain the technology in some kind of trade agreement without sacrificing the fighting force or any of their weapons or other resources. While those negotiations are going on, it makes sense to gather as much tactical information as is possible. Attacking them should be the absolute last resort.

Gather more information. As it is, you know way too little about what's actually going on. Also, a child's view of how things works is unreliable. I mean, at a certain age, everything seems really impressive and magical and cool. Hell, is fighting even necessary? What about trade?

Collect more information. Children may be able to give you a basic idea of the sides involved, the artillery, and the basic motivations, but they will have no idea of relative troop strengths, positions, personalities, or tactics. Even with the advantage of a superior fighting force, your understanding of the risks is gravely compromised by lack of intell.

You might consider trading said small child to the invading army, and offer up an alliance; your troop strengths to bolster theirs, in exchange for the superior technology. This could be an effective opening ploy to begin gathering valuable data.

Parker is sometimes horrified that she can think like this. A childhood in the Centre means she's aware of how often children are game pieces, though.

More information is needed. The child can't know everything, so you can't go off based solely on his word, and if you're going up against technology that you need, you had better know what you're actually up against. You need a solid offense in order to even think about it without getting everyone killed outright based on the word of someone who probably doesn't know the whole story.

Collect more information, specifically regarding the previous invading force, their presence in the contested area, current level of technology and strength, as well as the actual inhabitant of the area being invaded. A child's veiwpoint is often skewed and untrustworhty, and they lie like you wouldn't believe, the little bastards.

I would collect more information. Why would you have to attack? Couldn't you study the culture and perhaps offer an exchange of technology and information instead of attacking to take it all by force? Or possibly even an alliance against the personal enemies.

Oh. Wait. You could do that if you weren't, say, an army of evil robots bent on taking over the universe one galaxy at a time.

Use the child as a hostage. It is highly unlikely that his information is of any use, however, his life may be.

Tactics of War [Monday Evening]

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