New Age Tactics

[Thaumaturge]

Do you mean aliens or bugs?

On the one hand we have alien invasion, and on the other we have genetic engineering gone wrong. Neither prospect pleases.

[Dante]

If you ask me, warfare of the next generation is going to be on a smaller, but more intense scale than before. Smaller groups of highly trained and mobile troops, equipped with advanced gear, are going to be the way wars are going to be fought. The emphasis is on speed and precision - everybody and his brother knows that dragging out a war and fighting indiscriminately only increases bloodshed for all sides involved.

Thus, crippling your enemy's ability to fight and forcing as clean a victory as possible will (probaby) be the tactical doctrine of the next century.

Although if you ask me, I still think rebellions should be quashed with flamethrowers, nerve gas, and tanks.

[Thaumaturge]

Originally Posted by Dante

Thus, crippling your enemy's ability to fight and forcing as clean a victory as possible will (probaby) be the tactical doctrine of the next century.

Enter the spiderbot! Very small units, some capable of entering machinery (as long as there's a hole, or the yare equipped to cut their way in), some capable of incapacitating human foes, etc.

Originally Posted by Dante

Although if you ask me, I still think rebellions should be quashed with flamethrowers, nerve gas, and tanks.

The problem is that while your method is undoubtedly fun, it also reduces that ability of your workforce to, well, work.

I say to go for selected torturings. That way people know that you're serious, but are not themselves injured, and so can still work.

[Dante]

Originally Posted by Thaumaturge

Enter the spiderbot! Very small units, some capable of entering machinery (as long as there's a hole, or the yare equipped to cut their way in), some capable of incapacitating human foes, etc.

Spiderbots have certain control issues, but they should work. Nonlethal nerve gases would also serve well to incapacitate enemy troops. Clean and fast, and if you don't like them, administer the binary agent which makes them spasm to death, breaking their bones from the muscular contractions as they do.

The problem is that while your method is undoubtedly fun, it also reduces that ability of your workforce to, well, work.

I say to go for selected torturings. That way people know that you're serious, but are not themselves injured, and so can still work.

Yes, but usually when they're rebelling they're not very inclined to work in the first place.

One thing I've always wanted to do: When the wannabe peasant hero shouts, "They can't kill all of us! The rebellion will always live on!" when I put his followers to the torch, I'll look at him and say, "Oh, but I can" just as the tanks roll over his fellow rebels.

[Thaumaturge]

Originally Posted by Dante

Clean and fast, and if you don't like them, administer the binary agent which makes them spasm to death, breaking their bones from the muscular contractions as they do.

Ouch! Remind me not to get onto your bad side.

Originally Posted by Dante

One thing I've always wanted to do: When the wannabe peasant hero shouts, "They can't kill all of us! The rebellion will always live on!" when I put his followers to the torch, I'll look at him and say, "Oh, but I can" just as the tanks roll over his fellow rebels.

I like the way you think!

[Toastburner B]

Hmmm...I just read a short story that raises and interesting idea.

The short story is Kings Who Die by Poul Anderson. Mankind has moved all battles into space. Something about Earth being too important to hold battles on.

Anyone think there is a chance of something like this happening?

[PhoenixFlame]

Originally Posted by Toastburner B

Hmmm...I just read a short story that raises and interesting idea.

The short story is Kings Who Die by Poul Anderson. Mankind has moved all battles into space. Something about Earth being too important to hold battles on.

Anyone think there is a chance of something like this happening?

I doubt this. The entire reason for war is that it is uncivilized brutality. Especially this new "Terrorism War". If you set up Honorable conduct for waging wars, Someone is bound to break it.
Still. Honorable combat is a much cleaner alternative. Take the Battletech Clans for example. You want to capture a region of land? Allright. Declare a Trial of Possession, submit your batchall to the enemy forces, They declare their defenders, you declare attackers (but nothing overwhelming, as that is considered dishonorable) Defenders will decide a location for the battlefield, and combat is conducted with no civilian casualties. Winner takes all, Loser goes home. (or is captured, in the case the defenders lose their home.)

However, due to the nature of War, shuch civilized combat is a dream that will never ever see the light of day.

[Reabe]

Robot Wars! Miltilda VS. Sir Kill-o-lot! If M wins Country A gets area of land, If SK wins Country B gets area of land. wOOt.