chikaidestroyer | ∞ 94: The basics [written/action]

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∞ 94: The basics [written/action]

[written]

Welcome to all the New Feathers of this cycle. I am sure that residents, especially the volunteers working in the Welcome Center, have been helpful as you adjust to your surroundings.

Some may have noticed that there are stations some distance away from the village -- watch stations where New Feathers may find clothing or shelter. Residents may also use them as stopping points as they explore the surrounding forests and plains. They are maintained by a group of volunteers, which has been without a head organizer for a few months now. If anyone is interested in taking on this responsibility, please speak with me, Albert Silverberg.

Recent additions to the enclosure are the expansive farmlands to the northeast of the village. There are numbers of farm animals and growing crops up there that are in need of caretaking. While the village has the grocery store for easy access to food, I am sure some would relish opportunity to work with crops and animals.

If there are any questions about these subjects, they may be asked here. Thank you.

[action]

[Around noon, Albert may be found in the clothing store, looking for clothing for warmer weather. Maybe he'll attempt to tan this year. It's been awhile.

Later in the day, he will be in the stables tending to his horse. He will be out there for several hours before retiring for the evening to the house, reading a "Computers for Seniors for Dummies" book. Very funny, Bil.]

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[Shikamaru's not one to show up early to these kinds of meetings if he can't help it. Of course, his idea of on time is fifteen minutes ahead of schedule, but even so, Albert is likely to beat him.

He'd be more surprised if he didn't, actually. He does a quick check of how many people are in the area - not many, yet - before approaching.]

Yo. Glad you could make it.

[He nods in greeting when he sees Shikamaru, waiting until he is a little closer before speaking.]

You had something on your mind? [Considering he was willing to wait a day to discuss the matter, it likely wasn't urgent.]

[Albert can be the judge of that for himself. Shikamau had... his own reasons. Yeah.

But he's here now, and prepared to be professional.]

Mm. [He leans back against the wall.] It's about this thing with the drafts. Without the blue guy running things, it's safe to say we're bound to get less information for the next one, whenever it may be.

Yes. Less to no information before we step onto the battlefield, depending on how much communication these "Security Forces" allow. [He speaks in agreement and simply waits for Shikamaru to continue.]

Exactly. [He's not expecting much from them, but this is one of those situations he'd be thrilled to be proven wrong on.] Given that, I'm not sure how well this village can afford to just sit around waiting for the next one to roll around. The Malnosso aren't exactly known for giving us much heads up in the first place.

Individuals do their own types of training in the downtime, and we work with what is available. [It wasn't as if the residents were sitting on their hands.] But I presume you are thinking of a more scheduled regimen.

Not so much that as a different kind of one. Non-combatants aside, we're set as far as skill goes. It's the reason why the draftees have done as well as they've had despite the odds in numbers, and why they send the villagers for the key battles.

But frankly, most of the victories are by the seat of our pants, with people lucking out in that there was someone there to help them in the right place at the right time. On top of that, half of the people killed or seriously injured weren't fighting the Third Party when they got banged up. And people usually start off alone and cornered in most of these situations.

To put it simply: we're suffering from the lack of preparation on a lot of fronts, but the ability to fight isn't one of them.

[Maybe there's been a reason for that, but that isn't the point of this discussion.] The operative word in your examples being "alone."

[He nods.] That's one of the bigger issues I've seen, from my experience on the last one. People will only work together as much as they need to.

There's not a lot for them to do but wing-it when they get out there. They're more concerned about their friends anyways, which means they're less willing to put their lives on the line for anyone else. Plans fall apart when people can't manage basic teamwork.

[It's a feeling he's sure a lot of them realize is shared by the other draftees - hence the lack of concern, and hence everyone eventually ending up in places they weren't meant to be, sticking with people they actually care about and who can be trusted to watch their backs.]

We have had the fortune of having smaller numbers in past drafts, making organization and planning out on the field much easier. As you saw from the past draft, they have begun drafting even those with less Shift compatibility. If that is any sign of things to come, our numbers will simply increase as they test the limits of drafting incompatible residents.

I can see the merit of working in groups. [It would be closer to an actual army with battalions and regiments, as he is used to. ...But their numbers would hopefully never be in that range, in Luceti.] I'm sure you are aware of obstacles, so I will not begin with obvious questions. [Organization, incentives, volunteering, goals.] What is your idea?

A different type of training - one to build up teamwork and communication skills. [It's the basic formula his world's entire military system is built on... and his cell just happens to be one of the most successful examples to come from it.]

People up for the task would be put into small groups, three or four to a unit, for example. From there they'd be given an objective to achieve as a team, and a time limit to accomplish it in.

[It's simple enough. The one difference is, of course, that there's no point to sticking people in set groups when it's unlikely they'll all get drafter at the same time. For that reason...] Pass or fail, when the time limit's up, new groups are assigned and it starts again.

[He listens carefully, noting possible sticking points and how they may be corrected or worked with.] Short-term teamwork drills. An idea like that depends on willingness to volunteer and cooperate.

There's a lot of benefits that could come of it that I think would interest a lot of people, though. Obviously not everyone would be willing, but I think there's a lot who would.

Truth be told, I came up with this idea after talking with some kid on the journals who was after the same thing. [Okay, so Sora isn't exactly a kid, but the point stands.] He was even willing to get a bunch of his friends together to recruit volunteers.

There's interest here - people want to do what they can to help. Not all of them, but enough to make it worth a try.

And there is certainly nothing keeping them from trying -- just their own lack of plan and organization. [There is a deliberate pause.] Since you developed the idea, you should execute it yourself.

[...he really should have expected that. His track record when it comes to presenting these ideas have followed the same pattern, after all. 8|

He'll be bluntly honest then.] I can't do it by myself.

Indeed. If you could, I suspect you wouldn't be speaking with me about your idea. [He might implement it himself.] Buffy Summers runs a combat school; both of you may benefit by discussing your idea and recruiting volunteers. And if you need additional help, I will be available.

Buffy Summers, eh? I've heard of her. [Over the journals, mainly. And she has a very interesting mention in the guide, of course.]

But thank you. That's what I needed to know.

[He nods once.] If I happen to see her before you contact her, I will let her know you wish to collaborate with her.

I appreciate it. [He probably will get delayed on that, as a matter of fact. Seems like there's a bad cold awaiting him in his future.]

That's all I have for the time being. Nice as it would be to make other preparations for future drafts, at this point it'd be more dangerous than waiting for details. [He pushes his shoulders off the wall and folds his hands behind his neck.]

Waiting for details and an opportunity to gauge the new management. [His voice is dry as he refers to the Security Forces. But he moves away, towards one of the entrances of the barracks.

At least some others understood the value of patience in Luceti.]

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∞ 94: The basics [written/action]

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