Overkill

Certain writers feel the need to arm their characters to the gills in order to defeat an enemy who only has rocks and spears. Apparently they fail to realize that you can't sympathize with a hero if they aren't even challenged by the villain. Yet the trend continues. Take "Shadows and Light" for example. A small group of Humans First "terrorists" have captured some furries, a group armed with a vaguely described array of weaponry (more than likely just a handgun and two rifles), and this is the "heroic" answer:

"I send a direct call to the ground, "FireTail, are we aborting the operation?" ''"Like hell we are!" Anna replies angrily. "Our shooter is in position. Your orders are to neutralize the threat to the hostages using any means necessary. Deadly force has been authorised, I repeat, deadly force is authorised. Out." I look over at Breeze and SharpEyes to see their reaction. SharpEye's face could have been carved out of stone, already prepared for the mission, while Breeze shows barely concealed anger. "All right", Jack says, "you heard the captain, we're going in hot!" I look back and see the four officers change their weaponry, from the standard tranquilliser guns, to high powered sub-machine guns with armour-piecing rounds."''

Right now I'm rooting for the terrorists because they are the underdog of the situation.