A parry move in fencing, is a movement intended to evoke a response from the opponent to see how they will react. The next move will be a different move, even though the opponent will react the same as the initial reaction (most times). The test was to set a chain of reactions and standby and watch how the others reacted. Once the elites think the coast is clear, business as usual and bam, dead to rights in what they are doing. Just my opinion of course.