Ninth: A Tactical Decision (Text; anon)

[corpsewarblade]

(TW: Murder/Sororicide, Betrayal, DR Spoilers)

[The last few months had given Mukuro a lot to think about- especially with regard to her own death back home. One part still didn't make any sense to her:

What had she done wrong? Why had Junko killed her?

...It was with those thoughts swimming around in her head that she sent another late night message to the network.]

27 AUG XX, 0324

Reviewing the strategy from a recent battle at home. I want to understand the rational for the decisions taken.

A soldier is engaged in a stealth/undercover mission. However, they have made a mistake that risks the operation's success, and have not realised their error.

The mission commander is in a position to eliminate the operative to preserve their mission, without exposing themselves in the process.

Is that course of action reasonable? To put it another way- under what circumstances would you consider sacrificing one of your own men to ensure a mission's success or to prevent it's failure?

Don't feel you have to answer.


🔪

Comments

[corpsewarblade]

[Saber, huh?]

It was different to a battlefield. I wasn't under active fire, so. I let my guard down. That was my error.

So to protect your country, you would see one of your men as a worthy sacrificee to achieve that?

[excalibeam]

I am, or at least was, a pragmatist. The lives of the many were always prioritized before the lives of the few. If necessary, resources would be sucked dry from nearby smaller settlements for the sake of the war effort.

So, regardless of the ill-advised decision to hinge my country's safety on a single soldier, I will answer this hypothetical situation honestly.

Yes, for the sake of my country, for the sake of the many, I would sacrifice my men, the few. Death stands alongside us on the battlefield.

However, Anonymous individual, I will add this. You speak of this scenario as though it is your own. The weight of such a decision is only right to lay solely on the commander, and I only answer yes because I would do anything for the sake of my country's prosperity. I make this decision with a just cause behind it.

So tell me, in this hypothetical situation, would the sacrifice of this soldier be for the sake of a just cause? Is this mission truly worth the underhanded nature of shooting the soldier in the back?

If that is not the case, then you will find that my answer may change.

[corpsewarblade]

[She read everything Saber had to say over a few times- and couldn't help but feel some admiration for the way she wrote. Mukuro couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to fight alongside her on the field of battle.]

I want to see your abilities in combat. I think I would enjoy seeing you fight or discussing military strategy with you.

[...Muku, don't get distracted, you nerd.

As for the question, though? A lot of people had asked her whether the Commander's motives were just or not so far... but Saber was the first she felt obligated to answer.]

...No. The cause wasn't just. It wasn't for the greater good.

It was for the sake of spreading despair. Nothing more.

[excalibeam]

Then I believe you have your answer. The fault lies with your commander, and your commander alone, for making such foolish decisions.

The cause must be just. If not, then such a sacrifice is not worth considering.

Perhaps one day you will be able to witness me in battle, then. Should we one day meet, I would be happy to discuss such things with you.