hadriel | [video]

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[Maketh's face is all business. If her authority has been questioned, then obviously the solution is to prove that she is doing everything possible to make the Guard as strong and efficient as it can be. She holds up a large rifle to the screen. Some of you might recognize it as Lilith's sniper rifle. Others might simply note that it's the gun that Maketh tends to tote around everywhere.]

I am looking for someone with training in long-range weaponry who would be willing to assist me in mastering this weapon. I never had official sniper training in my world. I would like this error to be corrected.

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If it were an enemy back home what would be your first move?

[Maketh tips her head to the side.]

I would gather information first. Determine the scope of their resources. How they train their troops. Whether their army is professional or conscripted. The range of their weapons, the strength of their armor. Then I would make an informed choice about how to strike, or counter their attacks. I would, of course, attempt to eliminate their leadership first.

[Impressive. And thorough. And suspiciously similar to the scorched earth approach medicine takes towards cancer cells]

And in a situation where you can get no information?

[Maketh smiles just a little.]

There is no such thing, Doctor Rosen. Even knowing a threat exists gives you information. For instance, suppose my command had intercepted a message that there was going to be a strike against my base of operations. The message does not say when the attack will come or who is responsible, only that it is imminent. But that says several things already.

First, my enemy is bold enough to strike openly. They are not afraid of our retaliation. Either they have an army backing them up - an army larger than the one I serve - or they are a small group and have nothing worth losing. That in turn impacts the tactics they will use and the resources available to them, and I can infer certain facts about their infrastructure. Armies can be splintered or distracted. Small groups can be overwhelmed by superior numbers. You see?

Thats extremely perceptive, Maketh.

[And he must concede to the point that there is always something that can be discerned from any given situation.]

But if we take this example and apply the same approach to our current situation, what do you do when the evidence suggests their forces are larger or bolder, or perhaps both, than your own and most of what you have are civilians?

I am an officer, Doctor Rosen. I do not have my former rank or allegiances, but my training has not deserted me.

[It's her job to think about tactics.]

When faced with an enemy's superior numbers and presumably powerful weaponry, we prepare to engage in guerrilla tactics. We move quickly and attack when given an opportunity. But we do nothing that is not on our terms.

Our terms?

It simply means that we do nothing that puts us at a disadvantage. If a situation is not favorable, then we wait.

Couldn't they potentially force our hand?

Anything is possible, of course. But tactically speaking, there is a difference between initiating an engagement and responding to one. We will do whatever is needed to survive. But we will attack only if it gains us something worth having.

[A pause.]

That is the intention, at least.

I've found intention and result part ways with each other more often than not.

[She smiles faintly.]

Even more so in a combat situation. But we plan and prepare as best we can.

Then I will hope for the best. Though I am not one of them, we have capable hands here.

I would not say that. Your medical skill will certainly have its uses.

Then I'll thank you for your vote of confidence

[Although he's not entirely convinced of it himself. In a place where people can heal through magic he feels practically antiquated]

[She smiles just a little.]

We all do our part.

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