McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Military question help?
meg_evonne:
I'm needing assistance from those in the know on the following two topics. If you can assist, thank you!
1. Taking a cave with only one entrance, guarded by armed soldiers, with a hostage inside... (I have one idea already, but would like to hear some other advice, especially from trained military if possible. ALL ideas are welcome!)
2. At the intro I will focus on a special unit ground force. I want it to look like a typical unit, but one is actually female, which is not revealed until after the first scrap. (yes, I know women aren't used technically in combat, but this is sci fi.)
What I'm looking for are physical, behavioral hints to implant so when it is revealed it isn't a complete---WTF for the reader. Yes, the bathroom call--or I guess her pack of supplies might be less heavy (I personally hate this one!) or the physical size of her shoes or boobs for example, but I'm looking for behavioral less obvious details. Such as: Would a woman carry her rifle or handle it in a slightly different way? Would a woman's uniform chafe or irritate her differently than a man's on a man? Would a woman have a characteristic something that might raise the question in a reader's mind? Would a woman have something that she carries that might be noticeable that a man wouldn't?
Again, thanks in advance for your suggestions. I'm putting in a call in the military thread too, so be nice to the visitors! LOL
J_M:
For two, soap. It sounds silly, but honest to god, most of the other guys who work in my office know when a female sailor has come through within the previous few minutes. My sense of smell is shot, otherwise I'd be in the same camp. For whatever reason, anecdotal information seems to suggest that women use different soap, or that the smell lingers on their skin more.
meg_evonne:
Ahh! This is perfect. Exactly what I'm looking for, subtle but accurate.
cephis:
--- Quote from: meg_evonne on April 06, 2010, 04:36:40 PM ---I'm needing assistance from those in the know on the following two topics. If you can assist, thank you!
1. Taking a cave with only one entrance, guarded by armed soldiers, with a hostage inside... (I have one idea already, but would like to hear some other advice, especially from trained military if possible. ALL ideas are welcome!)
2. At the intro I will focus on a special unit ground force. I want it to look like a typical unit, but one is actually female, which is not revealed until after the first scrap. (yes, I know women aren't used technically in combat, but this is sci fi.)
What I'm looking for are physical, behavioral hints to implant so when it is revealed it isn't a complete---WTF for the reader. Yes, the bathroom call--or I guess her pack of supplies might be less heavy (I personally hate this one!) or the physical size of her shoes or boobs for example, but I'm looking for behavioral less obvious details. Such as: Would a woman carry her rifle or handle it in a slightly different way? Would a woman's uniform chafe or irritate her differently than a man's on a man? Would a woman have a characteristic something that might raise the question in a reader's mind? Would a woman have something that she carries that might be noticeable that a man wouldn't?
Again, thanks in advance for your suggestions. I'm putting in a call in the military thread too, so be nice to the visitors! LOL
--- End quote ---
1. Depend on the type of cave and the disposion of the guards as it relates to the prisioner. Different types of caves in certian parts of the world have certian advanatages and drawbacks.
2. Women smell different during thier time of the month ans men who are trained to be aware of their surrondings would note some thing different. Have your woman be an obsesive shaver as well, chalk it up as a nervious habit because being in the field, you get to know very well what your teammates smell like. Use an electric shaver?
meg_evonne:
Thanks Cephis... For concern one. Afghan mountains, desert terrain, steep and rocky. Entrance about 8 high by 4 wide... kidnapped victim is a child from a neighborhood village and is probably just tossed into the back. Inside I'm seeing about 20 by 14...so not too big. It's about 45 to 50 down from a cliff top overhead. Access is going to be visual from the cave entry. Uphill climb to reach them, but only about 25 feet or so. My present idea draws them out--which makes them dumb ass idiot men, but if that's all I can use I'll have to take it and run. Wait, just what would a gas container tossed in do to a four your old boy? I'd hate to think...
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