A false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason; a pretense.
To employ a pretext, which involves using a false or contrived purpose for soliciting the gain of something else.
Military deception or artifice.
Cunning and artifice in general.
A tactic or artifice designed to gain the upper hand, especially one involving underhanded dealings or deception.
Specifically, such a tactic or artifice in military operation.