Traditional martial arts training would have had them learning how to fall. Traditional martial artists didn't throw gouts of fire or generate fog clouds.
"One of the most basic tactics in group battles is the use of quick code phrases for working out specific tactics," said Ranma Mizuno.
"Huh?" asked Usagi, as their tactics so far had been 'gang up on the monster and keep attacking until it stopped moving.'
"So far it sounds like you usually have the advantage of numbers," said Ranma, who interpreted the confused looks. "Your enemies usually choose the location they'll encounter you. Which means you'll eventually run up against situations where you lose your usual advantages. So you use a phrase like 'Barrage' to indicate you ignore individual targets and concentrate fire on a single opponent. Or 'baseball season' to indicate you're going to find cover and snipe at your target."
"That won't work on our opponents," said Ami. "The sort of tactics you're suggesting are those used by military squads. Our opponents move entirely too quickly for such things to work."
Several of the Senshi looked uncomfortable as Ami began once again to prove that she could be stubborn too.
"Have you ever tried attacking or defending like this?" asked Ranma.
"I don't need to, to know this won't work out," said Ami. "You're a fine martial artist but this isn't a fight for a martial artist."
Several of the Senshi glanced at Makoto, seeing her reaction, then simultaneously sighed. They had clued in on something Ami, for all her abilities as an exam ace, had not. Ami considered them all Senshi first and foremost, magical girls. Makoto considered herself as a martial artist first, magical girl second.
"Martial arts is more than learning to kick or break bricks," insisted Ranma. "You're right about not fighting one of them monsters bare-handed, but you're wrong in dismissing martial arts or martial artists out of hand."
"You used martial arts in your fight at the mall, and look where that got you," argued Ami.
"We've had this argument before," said Ranma. "I disagree."
"Ami, please shut up," said Makoto simply.
Ami stared at the uncharacteristically blunt response from Makoto.
"I thought for actual training we'd try working on aim and response time, firing from cover and stuff," said Ranma after a few moments. "I can rig targets to be swinging from ropes or tossing them out from cover."
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(Posted Mon, 23 Jan 2006 08:44)
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