∞ 60: Much-needed practice [written/action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[written]

Genis, please send a message when dinner is ready. I will be out for awhile.

If anyone needs me, I will be in the library.


[action]

[For lack of anything better to do on a nice summer afternoon, Albert has decided to sit in the library with a ... somewhat-odd setup. A map stretched across a table out of sight from the front door, dotted with small wooden figures designed as soldiers, cavalry, archers, mages... The map, upon closer inspection, shows patches color that denote plains, mountains, water bodies, and forests.

In some ways, the setup looks like a game board. It's really a lasting reminder of another strategist's presence in Luceti; he was the one who had introduced Albert to the method of practice, after all.

Nearly two years in Luceti without access to strategy books and news of warfare have dulled his skills. He doesn't look pleased as he makes moves for both armies.]

Comments

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

It happens, but it's a lot less frequent that it's the same one.

[A shrug and then she smirks a little]

Of course, I'm more of a soldier than a strategist, let alone a military analyst or historian.

[chikaidestroyer]

A soldier's cynicism is often a sign of distrust in their command, or experience with the situation at hand.

Indeed, such cases are quite infrequent, and oftentimes left undocumented.

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

Any soldier who gets enough experience eventually gets frustrated with the ones above them.

[chikaidestroyer]

Even those who know how to keep the soldiers appeased?

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

With enough experience in warfare it's hard to keep yourself appeased. People start to get a little... well, [A shrug here] crazy.

[chikaidestroyer]

[dryly now] The veterans who don't know life beyond the battlefield.

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

Yeah, those types who can't step out the door with at least two weapons on their person

[...Which she has right now, actually. The sword at her belt which is always there (variable size of course so it's in knife-form) and a knife hidden in one of her boots]

[chikaidestroyer]

How are such types treated in your society? Universe, I suppose.

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

Depends on the culture, I guess. Also depends where you look or where they go. They're supposed to be heroes, but well. [She gives a dark chuckle there...] you're only a hero until you snap and kill someone in a bar that you've been an alcoholic in for the last ten years because you have no idea what to do as a civilian. You're only a soldier until you decide that to government robbed you, then you're a terrorist.

[A pause, and then he's going to pick up that cigarette. She puts that in place and then points her index finger at the end of it. Some flames generate enough to light it. She inhales, and then sighs a bit before continuing with:]

And then of course, some of them never stop until they fade out. Medical technology can keep one of you guys fighting for two of your natural lifetimes.

[chikaidestroyer]

And that is how the political side of the military is for most cultures in my world. The more basic cultures have no use for politics, and depend more on personal honor and spirituality to guide their war efforts. I'm sure you are familiar with such situations.

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

Hah. I've had a hand in crushing a few civilizations like that, actually.

[chikaidestroyer]

Far too barbaric to be left alive?

[compos-mentis.livejournal.com]

That's too noble of reason. It was more the fact that they happened to be sitting on resources that they didn't even know existed. Certain metals or elements or... well, the list goes on and on. [And now a long exhale of smoke there into Albert's face before...]

Of course, that was a long time ago.