defense

aegis armor arms barricade bastille bastion bulwark buttress citadel cover deterrence dike embankment fastness fence fort fortification fortress garrison guard hard shell immunity munitions palisade parapet position protection rampart redoubt resistance safeguard security shelter shield stockade stronghold trench wall ward warfare weaponry weapons

harm hurt injury

betrayal capitulation desertion flight surrender yielding

answer apologetics apologia apology argument cleanup cop-out exculpation excuse exoneration extenuation jive plea rationalization rejoinder reply response retort return story vindication whitewash

apologizing excusing explaining fish story off-time song and dance

charge indictment question request

betrayal capitulation desertion flight surrender yielding