CHAPTER 8. VARIATION IN TACTICS
1. Soldier Tzu said: In war, I receive my commands from the Redmond Mann, collect his army and concentrates his forces.
2. When in difficult country, we do not encamp. In country where roads intersect, we need to join hands with our almost non-existent allies. We do not linger in dangerously isolated positions. In hemmed-in situations, you must resort to stratagem. In desperate position, you must fight.
3. There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must be not attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of Redmond Mann which must not be obeyed.
4. I thoroughly understand the advantages that accompany variation of tactics, and I know how to handle you maggot scum, my troops.
5. The BLU Soldier, who does not understand these, may be well acquainted with the configuration of the country, yet he will not be able to turn his knowledge to practical account.
6. So, the student of war who is unversed in the art of war of varying his plans, even though he be acquainted with the Five Advantages, will fail to make the best use of his men.
7. Hence in my wise plans, considerations of advantage and of disadvantage will be blended together.
8. If our expectation of advantage be tempered in this way, we may succeed in accomplishing the essential part of our schemes.
9. If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may give ourselves from misfortune.
10. Reduce the hostile leaders by inflicting damage on them; and make trouble for them, and keep them constantly engaged; hold out bait, and make them rush to any given point.
11. The Art of Fortress teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unattackable.
12. There are five dangerous faults which may affect both me and you: (1) Recklessness, which leads to destruction; (2) cowardice, which leads to capture; (3) a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; (4) a delicacy of honour which is sensitive to shame; (5) over-solicitude for our comrades, which exposes us to worry and trouble.
13. These are the five besetting sins of us all, ruinous to the conduct of war.
14. When our army is overthrown and Blutarch slain, the cause will surely be found among these five dangerous faults. Let them be a subject of our meditation.
15. Merry Christmas, maggots. You must review this fanfiction! I cannot stress this enough, nor put enough emphasis my thanks to Wepul and the other reviewers.
A/N Ditto to what Soldier just said.