On Strategy

[subtle_guns]

WAR JOURNAL ENTRY
July 15th, 2005

I'm going to be having a talk with Captain Steve Rogers.

Before I do, I suggest people report below what they've experienced.

Just facts. No hyperbole.

Then a strategy will be formed.

End entry.

Comments

[hawk_shay]

Spent some time gathering - or trying to gather - facts, myself. Here's what I've got so far.

Rogers claims to have found a 'cure' for vampirism. He went to Transgressions with a group of his men - who were armed - and during negotiations about eight of his men were killed (impaled, courtesy of Alucard, I think) causing him to declare war on Transgressions. The people of Transgressions, not realizing that war is not something to be taken lightly, provoked Rogers and his men, making the whole situation worse.

Rogers now considers Trangressions a den of terrorists, and the people of Transgressions now consider Rogers a right-wing psychopath.

[osborn_journals]

Clarification: from what I gather, the men in question were impaled, yes, but did not die until removed from Transgression. The place has a sort of... death-free effect. Injury, yes, pain, yes. But no one dies, unless taken out.

[subtle_guns]

What else?

I've seen multiple allegations of unprovoked violence on all sides.

[osborn_journals]

I've not been paying attention for the most of it, honestly -- the whole matter only came to my attention once Hermes came and informed Sages of Rogers' plan to enact a voluntary munant registration program. (Which quickly became mandatory, it must be noted.)

One noteable event is the attempt by Rogers and men to poison the food and alcohol supply of the hotel -- the only items left untouched were bread and water. As there are multiple individuals on the premises who are unable to leave, either because of the multiversal nature of the place, or because they are sustained only by the 'death free' effect (fatally injured, seriously ill), this is... unfortunate. An antidote has been developed and distributed, but it took several days, and multiple persons had already been affected

[subtle_guns]

I'll ask the same questions I asked Hermes, since you spent time witnessing events.

1. How many soldiers are present? Can you give me an estimation?

2. What was their formation, the last time that you saw them?

3. Who were the identified officers? Who is in the chain of command?

4. What military vehicles are present?

5. Are they Army infantry, Marines, SEALS, Special Forces, or some other group of operatives?

6. What was their demeanor?

[osborn_journals]

*shakes his head* They were in retreat -- disarray. I believe by now they've fled the hotel, and have set up camp in the surrounding area. (Perhaps planning a seige, of some sort.) As I said, I wasn't able to see too much -- you'd have to ask someone more involved, for numbers or equipment... though I do recall a great many aircraft. Place was bombed twice today.

The soldiers themselves were... very pushy, and very willing to use force, on humans and on animals alike. But again, I didn't have to much contact with them -- I had a goal, when I went in, and I attempted to accomplish it with as little in the way of complication as possible.

[subtle_guns]

Did you get an idea of approximate numbers? No evidence of command structure?

Soldiers do tend to be on the assertive side. That's their job, when faced with what they perceive to be the enemy. Everyone is a potential enemy, until they are ascertained to be friendlies. Often that is a judgement that you have to make in less than a second in battle.

[osborn_journals]

*shakes his head* As I said -- my mind was on other things. First time, it was in the middle of a battle, and I was more concerned with vacating the premises before I caught the Hulk's attention, second time I was intent on avoiding them as much as possible, third time they'd already left.

[subtle_guns]

If the Hulk can't take down the hotel, I'm beginning to wonder what Fury is thinking when he writes a proposal to drop us both into Latveria with the express purpose of leveling it.

[the_new_shaman]

Well, keep in mind that this is the Hulk from the Ultimate Universe, not yours... the Ultimate one is... far more easily manipulated, and SHIELD has some sort of serum that can force the Hulk to revert into Banner.

[subtle_guns]

That's important. I think I'm going to be going to talk to Fury 2.0 about the importance of giving up some serum.

Banner's always had a certain amount of sympathy from me.

[subtle_guns]

That's the consistent recap I'm getting. Thank you, Shayera.

I'm trying to ascertain if any of the allegations about specific individuals executing terrorist activities, or the allegations about Rogers' soldiers committing rape, are true. Any info on that?

[hawk_shay]

I was told that some soldiers tried to take advantage of a few of the girls. It should be noted that the girls involved were dressed in cheerleaders' outfits and waving pom-poms in a battle zone. If any of them actually succeeded in raping anyone, I was not informed.

As for the allegations of terrorist activities, other than the impaling and maiming of Captain America's men, I haven't heard anything specific. Captain America seems to see Trangressions as a threat to the American people, but he hasn't been kind enough to define exactly how it's a threat.

[subtle_guns]

That's very typical of communication during wartime by the American military. He will likely not give consistent specifics as to what they consider to be terrorist activity, for obvious reasons.

I'm going to change his mind.

A woman dressed provocatively is not justification for harassment, but clearly that was spectacularly poor judgement. Deliberately putting yourself in the line of fire is foolhardy.

Shayera, you and I are both constant witness to the abundance of poor judgement exhibited by humanity, and many other species, in the universe.

Anything else? I hear that you've joined cause with the Tamaranian, and worked it out with Carter and Kendra. True? I'd be at your back if I could, Shayera.

[hawk_shay]

Didn't say it was justification. I told the girls to wear kevlar and carry weapons next time. It strikes me that this entire thing is the result of poor judgement on both sides.

I don't need to tell you how much the beginning of a war in the Nexus disturbs me. Getting enough of that where I am.

And speaking of that, I haven't joined causes with the Tamaranean. Bringing her with us removes her from her people, putting them and her at a strategic disadvantage. I don't trust her for a minute.

[subtle_guns]

Shayera, I know you didn't mean to say it was justification. That kind of sentiment is antithesis to us both.

But some women do not understand reality, and the dangers therein. You cannot trust men that you do not know well to refrain from coercion and violence. Men have poor impulse control, compared to women. You sometimes cannot trust men that you do know well to refrain from coercion and violence against you, if you are a woman.

Keep her close. Don't take your eyes from her. When she makes her move, hit her hard until she's down.