Dragons, according to European lore, were described as enormous, ancient creatures that were very difficult to kill. There were indeed instances where this feat was accomplished. However, they were few and far apart, and those who did succeed almost always had their tales and ultimately, their reputations, so embellished that both bordered on fabricated myth. The bottom line was that dragons only had two natural predators, the smaller of which being the more deadly.
One of these predators, of course, was a human creature; the dreaded knight in shining armor. There was a long standing rivalry between the dragons and these silver-clad warriors, backed by over a millennia of recorded legendary battles passed down from generation to generation. Despite this, these were not the predators that the dragons feared. For the simple reason that for every dragon that a particular knight killed, there were anywhere from a hundred to a few thousand knights that had failed before him. Their failures were usually the result of a flawed method of approach. Going up against a giant, scaly, fire breathing monster with brawn and no brains was a surefire recipe to get roasted.
Contrarily, dragons feared the clever ichneumon in the same way the captain of a deep sea vessel fears a leak in the hull. The ichneumon, essentially a sort of mongoose, rarely ever resorted to direct combat. Instead, it used its craftiness to turn the dragon's size and strengths into weaknesses it could ruthlessly exploit. Their methods of approach, as opposed to the foolhardy knights, were methodical and carefully planned out. By the time a dragon knew what was what, it was far too late. Ichneumon didn't fight wars or engage in battles; they stole victories.
For all his intents and purposes, Faucheux fell into the latter category of 'predator'. His method of approach was effective, not because he was strong or fast, but because to him, preparation was key. He took the time to make sure it was effective. Like the ichneumon, he inspired a deep level of concern in the hearts of his enemies. At least those that had heard of him from the rare survivor accounts of his infamous raids. All because he knew where to place his pieces before he picked them up.
Faucheux helped to develop the French expeditionary division based on that very premise. Préparation, pas bravado. Just like in the days of old, there were plenty of strong-willed knights ready to charge straight into the fire and fight the dragons head on, as pitifully demonstrated by the noble delegates of the American infantry and Royal British armored forces. Criteria for a new member to be recruited into the expeditionary wasn't based on the ability to unquestionably accept and carry out orders at any given time, but creative thinking. Being able to see things from many different perspectives. Like a true dragon slayer.
Through its unique method of approach, the cunning ichneumon discovered that the dragon tended to sleep with its mouth slightly ajar. One night, slick with wet mud and while the dragon was in the deepest phase of slumber, the ichneumon climbed into the jaws of death, slid down the dragon's throat, and burrowed it's way out through the stomach. Messy, risky, but much more effective than swords and shields.
Faucheux and his team would slay this Axis dragon the same way. They would wait to identify its vulnerabilities, and strike at the most ideal opportunity. Then they'd tear their enemy apart from the inside out. Messy, risky, but much more effective than storming into the courtyard and taking it by force. That clearly hadn't worked, and it made absolutely no sense to continue that strategy.
Dumont returned from his visit with Northridge and knelt beside Faucheux, Navarre, and Peterson, who had definitely seen better days. From what the trio told Faucheux, the Axis defenses were seemingly impenetrable. There were two manned, mounted machine guns on the opposite end of the courtyard pointed at the entrance, as well as a third positioned in the trenches across from the church. Northridge suspected there to be foot soldiers in the church as well. After a long moment of consideration, Faucheux looked up and responded.
"OK," he said. "Here's what we're gonna do..."