Scenario!

[liquidenvy]

Hey, guys. I have a couple of questions I hope you can help me out with.
I'm a writer, and I try not to just make crap up when I haven't got a clue. So.

Scenario:
You're serving a single individual in a close protection capacity through populated and remote environments.
Populated = think of a village in Uganda. No sidewalks or buildings over a story. Pedestrians, no motorized traffic.
Remote = grassland/steppes environment with a few low hills and small rocky outcroppings now and again. Absolutely no trees or shrubs over two feet in height.
Assume that your principal is quick and follows directions well, but is otherwise useless in a combat situation.

Limitations:
* You're a one-man show.
* You have no intelligence other than your knowledge of the area, which is reasonably good--as in 'passed through the area a few times, but mostly on roads and not alot of cross-country'. You have no information regarding your enemy.. ie. how well he's armed, which direction he will be coming from, what he looks like, or how many there are. You're fairly certain there are no more than 3 on the opposition's team.
- The enemy likely has very little intel on you.. probably your faces, last known location, and the general direction you're traveling in.

Limitations also applying to the enemy:
* Firearms aren't allowed. Operate on the assumption they are impossible, rather than improbable, and that your enemy cannot cheat. Any other sort of projectile is highly unlikely. It's all close quarters probably with single-edged blades. You may have as many of them as you like.
* You're on foot. In remote locations, you might have access to a couple of horses or some other suitable animals.. large dogs, whatever.. (just kidding).

Would you walk in front of or behind your principal? How would one approach corners and doorways? What would your protocol be if you believed you were being followed? If riding, would you do so abreast or in single file?

Survival issue:
Same situation, remote environment described above. Where would you pitch for the night? You have no tent/shelter of any kind, and have no idea what direction your opposition might approach.

Hmm. That's about all I can think of for now.

Educate me!

[HERQ454]

In reguards to positioning yourself to the 'principal',you would walk behind and slightly to the side.This keeps the principal in your view and puts you in the optimum position if attacked from the blindside.(This is from the little training I got for bodyguarding for security licence and info from material on subject)
In reguards to survival issue positioning,you would try to get high as possible to allow for greater monitoring of area but not on the ridge so that you would stand out.Use any outcropping as protection against weather/wind,also helps slightly with camoflage.

[liquidenvy]

Thanks fellas

Mike:
Yeah, the situation pretty much sucks. The rule of writing, however, is to create the most horrible circumstances possible, and then give your characters absolutely no other route. The situation here is a done deal, period.

I hadn't thought about positioning carried weapons to shield. That's a really interesting idea. The signals are also good stuff. One question... how would a door/alleyway become a problem without ending the game right there?

HERQ454:
Thank you! The where-to-walk bit has been driving me crazy. The devil's in the details. I've been told that one would walk ahead of their charge to block them from oncoming attack.. but this didn't sound right, as it would effectively remove them from your field of view. Thank you for taking that little irritation out of my life.


In response to Mike, I've ammended my original post with a few other details should anyone else want to take a crack.

[liquidenvy]

I'm writing spec fic, hence the restriction on firearms and projectile weapons. I also included a restriction to single-edged blades, although I'm not sure how much effect that would have on tactical planning. However, I am looking for the current strategies that would be employed, given the restrictions. One would think that a good operator would be able to handle himself competently even when denied certain advantages he may be accustomed to.

It does make sense that a mobile attack would be much easier to carry out than from a stationary position, particularly if your course is irregular. I hadn't considered walking next to water, and the cul-de-sac bit is brilliant. Looking at these things, one would assume they would be a natural extension of common sense, but my mind just doesn't work that way I suppose I think I'll stick to writing.

Thanks for all the info