History Main / ISurrenderSuckers

* ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'': Klaus "surrenders" to a very suprised Gkika, and near simultaneously sets of the Take-Five Bomb trapping Gkika and everyone in Mechanicsburg in a time stop.

* ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'': in book 18 Ax is surrounded by Controllers and asks to surrender. When he's taken to a smaller room he immediately attacks the Controllers, pushing them back in order to dive out a window.
* ''Literature/AscendanceSeries'': Early in ''The False Prince'', when questioned on what he would do [[UnwinnableTrainingSimulation in a losing duel]], Sage gives this as his answer. [[spoiler: Comes back at the end when he carries it out against Roden]].

* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': Lord Vetinari pulls off a fairly unusual version in ''Literature/{{Jingo}}''. He signs a treaty to surrender all ownership of the newly-risen strategically-valuable island of Leshp [[spoiler: because he knows that Leshp is going to sink back into the ocean within twenty-four hours anyway]]. The leader of the rival army, far from having a convenient excuse to raze Ankh-Morpork to the ground over Leshp, ends up looking like a complete fool for accepting Vetinari's surrender.
* ''Literature/{{Dragaera}}'': One of the ''Literature/KhaavrenRomances'' has an occasion of this. The narrator tells of a battle wherein the fearsome [[MagnificentBastard Sethra Lavode]] threw her headgear, the badge of rank for the commander-in-chief of the Dragaeran Empire, to the opposing army without any effort to fight them. She then turned to her troops and said, "The enemy has acquired one of the sacred relics of the Empire. Let us go and retrieve it." And her troops fight ferociously to recapture it.

* ''Literature/HaloEvolutions - The Impossible Life and Possible Death of Preston J. Cole'': A nasty space battle with a clever rebel ship resulted in [[YouAreInCommandNow Cole receiving command of the]] crippled ''Las Vegas''. Cole signaled the rebel ship ''Callisto'', declaring the crews' surrender. However, he then ordered his crew to place their last missile in the docking bay. When the ''Callisto'' docked with the ''Las Vegas'' the missile was fired directly into the corvette.\\
Cole's faked distress signal was both a stroke of genius and breach of protocol so severe that UNSC CENTCOM dithered over whether to award him the Legion of Honor or to have him court-martialed. Ultimately they did neither, to avoid setting precedent. However, from that point on Cole resolved to never again send a distress signal in enemy territory; no one would believe it. As he stated in his personal log: "Surrender, quite literally, is no longer an option for me.”

* In the ''Literature/HumanxCommonwealth'' novel ''Dirge'' by Creator/AlanDeanFoster, when describing the final events of the Humanx-Pitar War, the narration notes that the Pitar resisted to the last--many, when confronted by attackers, pretended to surrender, then attacked their 'captors' or committed suicide.
* ''Literature/JamesBond'': The novel version of ''Literature/TheManWithTheGoldenGun'' has a wounded Scaramanga do this. He pleads with Bond to let him say his last prayers, [[HonorBeforeReason which Bond does]]. As he prays, he pulls out a Derringer and shoots Bond in the gut; Bond quickly kills Scaramanga, but has to be hospitalized because the bullet was poisoned.
* In the first ''Literature/KingdomKeepers'' book, the plan for defeating [[WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty Maleficent]] was essentially saying "We give up," then stabbing her with [[SwordOfPlotAdvancement Disney's Pen]].
* In the last book of ''Literature/KnightsOfTheBorrowedDark'', the final confrontation between Grey and [[spoiler:the Opening Boy]] ends when [[spoiler:the Boy]] drops to its knees and pleads for mercy, and Grey stays his sword...and [[spoiler:the Opening Boy]] [[ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice drives both claws through his stomach]].

* A heroic example occurs in ''Literature/TheMalloreon'' during a tense confrontation between two groups of sorcerers. Liselle, nascent assassin, suddenly breaks down and collapses in front of the head villain, begging him not to kill them. While everyone is reeling from this uncharacteristic show of cowardice, she pulls a venomous snake out of her bodice ([[CrazyPrepared having trained it to live there in preparation for just such an occasion]]) and hurls it in his face.
* T. H. White's ''Literature/TheOnceAndFutureKing'' has a comical jousting match between Sir Pellinore and Sir Grummore early in the novel. Grummore quickly knocks Pellinore from his horse and strikes his armored head repeatedly with his sword until Pellinore agrees to cry "''Pax''!" ("Peace!"); Pellinore finally realizes he's beaten and says "''Pax''"...but then quickly adds "''Non''!" ("Not!") under his breath and overpowers the unsuspecting Grummore. He soon has Grummore lying helplessly on his back and is trying to decide whether he should slay him. Grummore angrily orders Pellinore to kill him, since he refuses to live with the shame of having been bested by a cheater. Pellinore considers it, but then [[CruelMercy spares Grummore's life]].
* In Creator/LoisMcMasterBujold's ''Literature/PaladinOfSouls'', the protagonist Ista surrenders to a besieging army of sorcerers. Once they bring her before their leader, Ista proceeds to send the [[DemonicPossession demons possessing]] her captors back to the Bastard's Hell, removing her captors' sorcerous powers. And also killing her, but that was more or less incidental.

** In ''[[Literature/XWingSeries Iron Fist]]'', Lara meets up with some Imperials to discuss continuing her role as TheMole for them. But she's also BecomingTheMask, so when they discover that her wingman [[LoveInterest Donos]] is close enough to be observing and plan to kill him, she tries to get them to surrender. When that doesn't work, she raises her hands--then closes them into fists, the signal for Donos to [[ColdSniper take the shot]].
** ''Literature/TheThrawnTrilogy'': Prompted by a Force suggestion from Mara, Leia surrenders to the Imperial commandos attempting to kidnap her and her newborn twins early in ''The Last Command''. Once the shooting stops, Mara is able to come in behind the commandos and gun them down without getting herself caught in the crossfire.

** In Creator/SandyMitchell's ''Literature/CiaphasCain'' novel ''Cain's Last Stand'', Cain uses this on the Warmaster. Well, technically, he suggested they meet to discuss surrender terms, and only at the meeting said it was for [[ExactWords the Warmaster's surrender]], but given the relative condition of their forces. . . .
** ''The Emperor's Gift'': Logan Grimnar surrenders himself to the Grey Knights, only to kill the Grand Master in charge and immediately teleport away. Granted, the Grey Knights opened fire on outnumbered and outgunned Space Wolves' fleet during the middle of parley in order to exact his surrender, so the Space Wolves didn't consider it a true offer of surrender in the first place.
* In the Wilbur Smith novel ''Warlock'', [[spoiler: the villain Lord Naja pulls this on the hero Prince Nefer after being defeated in battle. Nefer evades the attack, comments that he admires Naja for [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder staying true to his nature]], and kills him.]]

* In the ''Literature/WingCommander'' novel ''Fleet Action'', the [[CatFolk Kilrathi]] propose a peace treaty in order to buy time for them to finish building their [[TheBattlestar Hakaga]] fleet and to lure [[TheFederation the Terran Confederation]] into a false sense of security. The treaty is granted and would have worked if not for [[spoiler:a supposedly disgraced Admiral Tolwyn actually being sent as part of a reconnaissance mission deep behind enemy lines that exposes the fleet, forcing the Kilrathi to launch their campaign early.]]
* ''Literature/LaszloHadronAndTheWargodsTomb'': The Corsair is cornered and soundly defeated by a Solar Navy battlegroup seeking the [[DismantledMacguffin artifact shards]] they're carrying. After being towed into a cruiser's hangar, [[spoiler:by hooking their reactor ignition to emergency power, the crew can start up the ship quickly and capture the last of the artifacts before getting away.]]

Note that in RealLife, ''this is a '''genuine [[UsefulNotes/TheLawsAndCustomsOfWar war crime]]''', as of the signing of the Hague Convention.'' Fake surrenders are "perfidy" and are outlawed because they lead to paranoia and merciless by belligerents, and greatly increase the likelihood that soldiers genuinely trying to surrender will simply be shot. See the Real Life section for how such fears are justified. Similarly, the flag of truce is one of several protected symbols, and its misuse or abuse by either party (the ones offering or being offered surrender) is also a violation of international law.

Note that in RealLife, ''this is a '''genuine [[UsefulNotes/TheLawsAndCustomsOfWar war crime]]''' as of the signing of the Hague Convention;'' fake surrenders are "perfidy" and are outlawed because they discourage the acceptance of genuine surrenders. If you don't honor your own surrender, not only does it ensure that the enemy ''will'' get you back next time, but out of paranoia they are unlikely to accept any surrenders in the future, even if they are actually sincere (see the Real Life section for how such fears are justified). Similarly, the flag of truce is one of several protected symbols, and its misuse/abuse by either party (the ones offering or being offered the surrender) is a violation of international law.

* In ''Film/KungFuHustle,'' the Beast, a ''villainous'' RetiredBadass employed this tactic twice in the film. The first time, he kowtows to the Landlady after she uses a bell to augment her [[MakeMeWannaShout Lion's Roar technique]]... but this only allows him to get close enough to use one of his poisoned flower weapons on her. He tries the exact same tactic in the finale when he's losing against an enlightened Sing, but his opponent casually disarms him and wafts the flower weapon away as if it were a child's toy. After being completely dominated in their fight, the Beast finally surrenders for real.

* This happens to Danny in ''Film/HotFuzz''.

* In ''Film/KungFuHustle,'' the Beast, a ''villainous'' RetiredBadass employed this tactic twice in the film. The first time worked pretty well. The second time... well, he was trying to use it on [[OhCrap Sing...]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'':
** Megatron does this to Omega Supreme (who he was inside of); who had disarmed him, restrained him, and identified him as justifiable to use lethal force on. Megatron then pretends to surrender in order to trick Omega Supreme to take him back to Cybertron. He then manages to take almost complete control of him.
** Used by Blitzwing in "Velocity".
-->'''Bumblebee''': Okay, Blitzwing. Put up your hands!\\
'''(Icy) Blitzwing''': My pleasure.\\
''(shoots the overpass above Bumblebee)''
** The Liar Starscream clone (aka Ramjet), who had seemingly been captured by Lockdown to be handed over to Sentinel Prime, deliberately let slip that he wasn't really restrained by saying; "And here I am. Completely disarmed and helpless"- which Prowl caught on to, based on the fact that every word out of his mouth is a lie.
** Also used in ''WesternAnimation/TransformersTheMovie'', where Megatron begs for mercy from Optimus as a ruse. Optimus isn't falling for it and shows every sign of being about to finish it, but Hod Rod doesn't realize this and attempts to save Optimus. Megatron promptly takes Hot Rod as a hostage, and the battle ends up killing Optimus.

* ''VideoGame/AceCombat7SkiesUnknown'': In the DLC mission "Ten Million Relief Plan", after dealing enough damage to the [[CoolBoat Alicorn]], [[NotSoWellIntentionedExtremist Matias Torres]] fakes surrender to buy himself just enough time to launch a last second nuclear attack. It almost works, with most of your allies arguing about whether or not they should attack and risk committing a war crime, or risk the clearly insane Torres launching the nuke. Fortunately, your intelligence analyst ally sees through the ruse and has you fire on the rail cannon, and the battle continues in earnest.

* ''VideoGame/AceCombat7SkiesUnknown'': In the DLC mission "Ten Million Relief Plan", after dealing enough damage to the [[CoolBoat Alicorn]], [[NotSoWellIntentionedExtremist Matias Torres]] fakes surrender to buy himself just enough time to launch a last second nuclear attack. It almost works, with most of your allies arguing about whether or not they should attack and risk committing a war crime, or risk the clearly insane Torres launching the nuke.

* This is how ''Anime/EighthMan'' started. The leader of the gang that police detective Azuma was going after pretended to surrender so that his other henchmen can run him over with their car while he was distracted, killing him. This lead to the scientist retrieving his body and rebuilding him as 8th Man.

* ''Literature/JamesBond'': The novel version of ''Literature/TheManWithTheGoldenGun'' has a wounded Scaramanga do this. He pleads with Bond to let him have his last prayers, [[HonorBeforeReason which Bond does]]. Once he finishes, he pulls out a Derringer and shoots Bond with it. Bond wastes Scaramanga with ''his'' shot but has to be hospitalized.

* In UsefulNotes/SuperBowl XLVII, the Baltimore Ravens were at 4th down and 7 yards to go, deep in their own territory with 12 seconds remaining and only a five-point lead. If the San Francisco 49ers got possession and scored a touchdown, they would win the game. Instead of punting the ball out of the Ravens' end zone, Sam Koch received it and ran around for as long as he could before going out of bounds, without crossing the goal line. The move used up eight seconds and scored two points for the 49ers as a safety, but it also ensured that the Ravens would be able to punt (or "free kick") from their own 20-yard line with only four seconds left. The 49ers' receiver was tackled during the ensuing runback after the clock ran out, winning the game for the Ravens.

* In the first ''ComicBook/{{Serenity}}'' sequel comic, Mal is held up and told to drop his gun. He does, but before it hits the ground he kicks it into the face of his attacker, and it turns into a shoot-out.

* In UsefulNotes/SuperBowl XLVII, the Baltimore Ravens were at 4th down and 7 yards to go, deep in their own territory with 12 seconds remaining and only a 5 point lead. If the San Francisco 49ers scored a touchdown, the Ravens would lose the game. Instead of a straight punt out of their own endzone, Sam Koch, the punter, held the ball and ran sideways out of the endzone, scoring a safety, giving 2 points to the 49ers. This allowed the Ravens to punt (or "free kick") from their own 20-yard line with only 4 seconds left in the game. During the ensuing runback, the 49ers receiver was tackled after game time expired, winning the game for the Ravens.

Note that in RealLife, ''this is a '''genuine [[UsefulNotes/TheLawsAndCustomsOfWar war crime]]''' as of the signing of the Hague Convention;'' fake surrenders are "perfidy" and are outlawed because they discourage the acceptance of genuine surrenders. If you don't honor your own surrender, not only does it ensure that the enemy ''will'' get you back next time, but out of paranoia they are unlikely to accept any surrenders in the future, even if they are actually sincere (see the Real Life section for how such fears are justified). Similarly, the flag of truce is a protected symbol, and its misuse in war is against international law.