posted on Feb, 21 2010 @ 02:19 PM
Is my group traveling by foot? If so, I'd simply leave the road and go around. No contact is safe contact.
Now, while that'd be my first choice, it's easy, and nothing's going to be easy in these situations. So, we'll assume that the threat ahead must
be confronted, for one reason or another.
Angrymomma has the right idea in my opinion. There are two advantages that my group needs to safely get by this rogue "checkpoint". A tactical
advantage, either real or implied, and a psychological advantage. The minute your opposition becomes aware of your tactical advantage, the
psychological advantage is auto-magic. That's not the end however, especially if there's no way around for any of our group. Say you send grandpa
up to confront the checkpoint, and he successfully convinces them that there are snipers watching everything. Maybe you even shoot a can out of his
hand or something to put the fear of god in them. Remember, there's no way for any of your group to go around, all must go through. So they agree
to let your group pass, now what? All your cards are on the table, and you must give up your tactical advantage in order to pass.
First of all, it needs to be determined why this "checkpoint" even exists. Are these guys there to guard something? Prevent entrance to an
area? If so, do you want to pass? May be more trouble than it's worth. The alternative may be more nefarious. If it's determined that
they're there to rob travelers for supplies, etc. the approach has to be a little more heavy handed if passage is critical. If this is the case,
you're simply not going to safely get your group through, no matter what. In this case, you've got to engage and overcome your enemy if you want to
pass, and given the numbers, composition, and armament of both groups, success is not likely.
If cover and concealment are plentiful, as is your rifle ammunition, you play Carlos Hathcock, disable their vehicles and attempt to pick 'em all
off, but it's a dangerous plan for most, with little chance of success.
Essentially, you need grandpas intel, and decide if you have a chance that you want to take, of these guys being the 'nice' variety, who are
guarding a sanctuary for survivors up the road. If not, you probably want to sit, wait and watch for a while. Sooner or later, they're either going
to leave, or it will become apparent that this is a permanent emplacement, and you probably want to turn around and find a long way around.
The bottom line, is that you need to find out what their intentions are, why they're there, while keeping the majority of your group relatively safe.
Angrymomma has that covered. One of your group approaches, with a sharp-shooter keeping an eye on things. If things go bad, a body or two hitting
the ground may provide enough confusion and fear to allow your emissary to escape and regroup. Or maybe not.