Words.

[feuervogel]

+820, 40265/90000

So, I need to figure out how 50-odd (?) miners & refinery workers will take over the plant, which has 30+ armed guards on it. I could reduce the number of guards and give them better odds, I suppose. The guards are just going to get reinforcements later anyway.

I should probably draw a map of the place...

Comments

[krait]

Well, my first thought is that the miners probably know a few things about the plant that the guards don't; could they, say, cut the power, lock the doors to rooms containing guards (or the armoury, or if it's night the barracks), or otherwise make it so they have more control over when and where they have to face the guards?

Assault one section at a time, so the guards are scattered and can't pass a warning to others? Or attack simultaneously from different directions, so the guards are unable to meet in large numbers and reinforce each other?

Begin with hacking/sabotage rather than outright attack, so that some guards evacuate thinking there's been a real chemical spill (or radiation leak, or structural collapse, whatever)?

[feuervogel]

The miners & refiners have just gone on strike and are blocking access to the refinery itself. I just sketched out a potential layout, and it's a cylinder (though 0 g) with bunks, mess, etc all on one end and the refinery separated by 2 blast walls at the other.

I like your idea of sabotage, though, so I'll try to find a way to manage that.

[krait]

Yay for layouts. :D Hope it helps!

try to find a way to manage that.

Heh. There's a reason for the truism about 'if you can't win by the rules, change the rules'... It's a personal favourite, too. :D

[kurai-seraphim.livejournal.com]

Generally speaking you need the element of confusion or surprise. If they can get into whatever com system the guards are using, they can direct them into areas of strategic disadvantage and take them down systematically

Even if you just lure them all into one area and lock the door you'll get something, plus the methodology used reflects on the character of the miners/workers. Are they just trying to capture or is it a slaughter? Are all of them okay with this? Is it methodical or brute force?

[feuervogel]

The miners have just gone on strike at the plant (~500 km from the station? maybe less, 0g environment) and restricted access to the shuttle dock (by kicking everyone out and shutting the door and setting a group of miners in front of it). So the shuttle dock is a place I don't want them to be herded into. Galley/mess hall maybe, but our boys have to eat. I should draw a map and see what I have to work with.

They're not trying to kill anyone, just take over the plant because management just fucked them over AGAIN, and they've had it. The POV character here isn't keen on it, because he doesn't see it leading to anything productive, but he's out of options.

I've contemplated herding them off the plant and into a shuttle, but the miners would be stuck there without transport & sitting ducks. They can't really overpower the guards, maybe the first few, but not all.

The guards have also been shown not to have any compunctions about attacking strikers for no cause.

This requires more thought than I've put into it so far. :/