democracy

and Edmund had brought Gunny into his office, where he was explaining some of the facts of life. "I haven't been able to train the troops the way they need to be. Not the way that I know they should be and you know they should be. We're back in the bad and the scary, Miles."
"You're the king," Gunny growled. "That's not your job."
"I'm not the king," Edmund stated. "I have no plan to be the king. If nominated, I will not run, if elected I will not serve. Monarchy is a great place to play in but you wouldn't want to build a society on it. I'm going to turn this place into a constitutional democracy if it breaks my heart."
The NCO nodded and gestured out the window with his chin. "So what do you want me to do?"
"Train 'em."
"Who? How? What technique?"
"I was thinking pike."
"Legions."
"Gunny, we've had this argument before . . ."
"Pike's nothing but phalanx without the armor. Legion beat phalanx. They will if they have any control of the terrain at all. On perfectly flat, level ground, phalanx might beat legion. But, there, you can beat phalanx with chariots. Legions can beat them both."
"Projectile weapons?" Edmund asked.
"Bow. Crossbow or self, take your pick. Lightweight spears