fandomhigh | Diplomacy, Relationships & Tactics: the Art of War [Monday, Period 1]

"Since our time together is rapidly coming to close, I thought we'd try something a little different today," Ghanima said as the class met in the Danger Shop as ~~handwavily~~ ordered. "Today, we take Tzu a bit literally. Today we're playing with fire."

"Fire. The great cleanser, and the great equalizer. A weapon that can turn around and bite the hand that started it just as suddenly as the wind changes."

"Sun Tzu said: There are five ways of attacking with fire," Ghanima lectured, watching them inscrutably. "The first is to burn soldiers in their camp, the second is to burn stores. A third is to burn baggage trains; the fourth is to burn arsenals and magazines; and the fifth is to hurl dropping fire amongst the enemy. A rain of fire, if you will."

"In attacking with fire, one should be prepared to meet five possible developments: First, when fire breaks out inside to enemy's camp, respond at once with an attack from without. However, if there is an outbreak of fire, but the enemy's soldiers remain quiet, bide your time and do not attack."

"When the force of the flames has reached its height, follow it up with an attack, if that is practicable; if not, stay where you are."

"If it is possible to make an assault with fire from without, do not wait for it to break out within, but deliver your attack at a favorable moment. Last, but not least, when you start a fire, be to windward of it. Do not attack from the leeward unless you wish to feel your own flames."

"If we were starting a fire in a business setting, or on an emotional battlefield, perhaps we'd start with some lies, spread carefully where they can do the most damage. Insinuations whispered in corners where they can breed disaster."

"Starting a real fire requires just as much care, if not more. It is a living, breathing entity, and the burns are far more dangerous on a physical level."

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Like you're on fire.

Wonder what Ghanima has up her sleeve for this week...

Suddenly, the room went dark, and the sound and scent of fire filled the air. "Sietch. A hidden desert warren, a place of safety," Ghanima's voice said from somewhere in the darkness. "Carved into the very bedrock of the planet, and home to the tribes of wandering Fremen."

"Today it has been turned into a battleground."

"Those bootsteps you hear are the Imperial Sardaukar, come to kill everything that moves. The explosions are the sulfate fireballs that they are bombarding the cliff-face with. Atomics were outlawed hundreds of years ago, and trying to use them on Dune would be a disaster anyway. No matter how pesky those Fremen rebels are."

"Fire from without. Fires that have been set within. A full frontal attack from an enemy that shows no mercy. Do you fight, defend your home? Or flee? Can you flee, with nothing but desert outside these walls?" Ghanima's eyes glowed faintly from a corner of the room. "Understand - this is the situation you place your enemy in when you choose to use fire. As Tzu said, 'Do not press a desperate foe too hard.' Even outnumbered, no warrior will go gently, and you should never underestimate a 'civilian', either."

"Make your decision. Understand the ramifications of using fire against a foe. Try not to die."

Then the Danger Shop flared to life, the sounds of people screaming, shots being fired, and fire filling the hallways of the warren.

[OOC: Feel free to ping me for a SP-NPC, handwave your escape/death, or grab a friend and try to escape. Canonically, the Sardaukar are nasty bits of work, and will gun you down without blinking. However, you've got teams of Fremen on your side, and they're even meaner. If they don't knife you for being an interloper.]

She's around before and after class, and probably will find you if you need her during the exercise.

She always is interested in seeing how people react to this particular class.

Breq

Breq had usually been on the other side, on the force attempting to defeat rebels. She had even used fire on occasion.

She wasn't going to use armour in class, since it was only a simulation and she wasn't sure if it would raise questions. Her ancillary speed and strength however, and her weapon skills, probably wouldn't cause much attention here.

Protected behind a rock, she took out three Sardaukar in quick succession, then turned around to look if someone needed help. She was fairly sure she had a decent chance to get out on her own, so why not make her odds worse by trying to save someone.

Aloy

Peridot

Please excuse Peridot. She was going to just freak out and run in the opposite direction. She was Peridot, formed from peridotite, created in lava flow. Fire didn't worry her. But fighting?

Peridot wasn't a fighter. Peridot was a technician. She was a scientist.

And she was going to try to find a back door to get the heck out of there, thanks.

Jason Lee Scott

Prince Sidon

Diplomacy, Relationships & Tactics: the Art of War [Monday, Period 1]

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