Asymmetrics is a general staff officer in the Autobot ranks, offering up plans and long term priorities for strategic pursuit. She looks at the 'bigger picture' of the war, focusing on a conflict that has lasted for thousands of vorn, not single battles. Built like a looker for reasons known only to the assembly line. She's not particularly popular, frequently running war-games of 'worst possible scenario' and offers up things like 'asset denial' and 'attrition' frequently to play the Pit's advocate. Her tendency to offer wholly military solutions and analysis can rub others the wrong way, and is intended to offer up a contrast in viewpoints. Her viewing operations with a purely military perspective helps her fellow Autobots ensure they don't go too far in the conflict, and for Asymetrics helps keep her grounded as an Autobot and remind her that this is a conflict for sparks and fuel pumps. However this often can lead her into friction with other Autobots due to her bossy nature, which only her close friends can help her tone down. A high capacity internal computer gives her the ability to simulate thousands of extended conflicts at once and she is familiar with the military regulations, histories, and tactics of hundreds of thousands of military organizations throughout the galaxy. She prioritizes rational, long term operations and this colors her interactions with many of the more proactive Autobots. She transforms into a small carrier that can tow other Autobots.
| “ | There's a high probability that whichever side can ultimately bring superior firepower to bear will come out victorious in the conflict. | ” |
History
Asymetrics was brought online as a consumer goods robot under the Quintesson occupation of Cybertron. She was a shipping coordinator that helped manage logistics within the market. She would predict coming trends and help ensure there was sufficient production line and shipping available. Her model line was made to be aesthetically pleasing to organics in the event that they were sold to off-planet commercial lines. When the Cybertronian revolution began, she was reprogrammed to serve as a military coordination officer, helping organize military operations and strikes.
This reprogramming and repurposing of her lead to a rapid degredation of her memory functions of this era, leaving her with no real memories of it as vorns went on. During the Second War, she was once again put into action as a military coordination officer amongst the consumer products line, putting a mishmash of defensive personnel into a somewhat functioning army.
At the end of the conflict, her military operational talents would have her be formally impressed into the Cybertron War Academy where perspectives were heavily colored by the invasion, enslavement, and revolution of the first war, and then the civil war amongst Cybertronians. Asymetrics came to believe that a strong defense force was needed to maintain order on Cybertron and keep the planet protected. Not only the planet, but the large string of colonies that Cybertron would have. Thus she took on specializations in things like planetary assault, logistics on an interstellar scale, and the necessities of helping to plan and run such operations. Her internal computers helped her excel at these, keeping lists of data and running simulations. When Cybertron took to the stars and readied for whatever conflict was coming, she would be there to serve.
Except it never went there. Cybertron's Golden Age took with it a period of isolationism and focus within. A strong military force was seen as an anathema to the more civilized society that Cybertron had become. Even as she finished her graduation and reforging, she was a femme without purpose in a Cybertron that did not wish for conflict nor have a heavy military. Discharged, she would act little more for the next vorns than a commercial coordinator, working on advertisements for various inter-planetary conglomerates. Her total lack of creative skill and purely rational observations made her a poor fit.
The stratification of Cybertronian society, the repression of conflict and military hardware lead to the Third Cybertronian Civil War. Once again, Asymetrics would be pressed into a war as a military planner. But her proposals fell on mostly ignoring audial receivers. The harsh reality of facing the Decepticons and their forged armies lead to massive losses and a plummeting of morale. Seeing no ways to win the conflict, Assymetrics repeatedly began offering harsher proposals and arguing for the full militarization of Autobot Society.
But even as the war's outcome seemed inevitable, the tide was turned by a new leader. Fallen cities were liberated, Decepticon forces driven back, and a leader rallied the Autobots against the Decepticons. But the ceaseless war waged upon the planet were breaking it, exhausting it of resources. Asymetrics advocated for the targetting of enemy supply dumps, denial of assets, and a focus upon attrition and using the superior production capabilities of Autobot territory to win the day via sheer industrial output and weaponry before the planet ran out of resources.
It was all for nought when Optimus Prime launched the Ark after five million years of war and Megatron pursued. Liberated cities fell again. Much of the planet was enslaved or crushed. The highly logical Shockwave proved adept at coordinated warfare even with minimal resources left. When Decepticons like Trannis and Straxus lead to the conquest of almost all of Cybertron, and attacked Iacon again and again, Asymetrics would be on the front lines. When Straxus decided that with the rest of Cybertron under control there was no need to engage in a costly siege of Iacon, it was leveled by artillery bombardment. The survivors fled underground, the captives were enslaved or executed.
This radicalized the already harsh Asymetrics further as one of the few lucky Autobots who escaped. She argued for scorched rust warfare, denying the Decepticons the scarce resources and infrastructure left so that they could never expand. However, her calling for highly coordinated military operations in a day when the Autobot guerillas could barely coordinate amongst small cells never went anywhere. The Decepticons' grip on Cybertron seemed total, and only the total exhaustion of energon on the planet was what kept the Decepticons from expanding beyond the Cybertron system. The exhaustion of Cybertron itself seemed to doom the Cybertronians to extinction. A prospect that was ironically appropriate.
Yet it did not happen. Megatron and Optimus came back. Energon flowed to Cybertron once more. The planet would renew itself, as would the conflict. Scattered guerilla cells once again formed into an army. Iacon was retaken and made the center of the Autobots on Cybertron once more. Assymetrics once again held a place on what passed as a general staff in the Autobot military. Where her calls for harsher operations, a more militarized Autobot army, and greater discipline within the ranks lead to her being mostly ignored once again.
As crisis after crisis had rocked Cybertron, her outlook became even gloomier. The planet was alive. But the Autobots were on the verge of near extinction. Where in the early days of the Civil War Iacon could match a garrison of hundreds of thousands, and perhaps even millions, if not tens of millions of Autobots populated the planet, now but a few thousand were left. Attrition has driven them to near extinction, and yet the war goes on. Her cynicism and negative outlook grow as all of her strategic analysis can only come to the logical conclusion that the war will end with the last Autobot and last Decepticon blasting the sparks out of one another the same way it began but with no one left to pickup a blaster.
MUX History
Posts
2022
Jun 06 - Wargame
Planning Staff Member Asymetrics
Subj: Wargame Space Strike
Msg: Under the directives of Prowl a number of wargames were held on possible strategies that the self-declared Megatron might take upon his full reclamation of Decepticon forces. This makes a number of assumptions. The first being that the 'issues' in the current Decepticon hierarchy are sorted and the majority of the Decepticons are loyal, that Megatron displays a level of pragmatism in his tactical planning, that Trypticon remains active on the Decepticon side... And that so far, the known extra-planetary resources of the Decepticons include a larger number of active combat starships. This is considered a 'worst case' plan for an offensive by Megatron for a series of grand, rapid strikes towards Iacon and most neutral city states remaining so. This plan primarily relies upon the use of combat starships and particularly the Decepticon superiority in capital ships. Megatron's plan used in this wargame was a multi-step process involving first the interdiction of space bridge travel to and from Earth accompanied via a disruption of transit, which we know is possible, Decepticon control of the warp gates to and from Cybertron, and the dispatch of a number of capital ships to blockade Earth, cutting off our ability to send reinforcements and resources. Earth forces do not need to be attacked, merely pinned in place with orbital control allowing the Decepticons to engage in large scale strikes, or at least the threat of them. Next, the Decepticons use their starships for leapfrog operations. An assault upon the Toraxxis Energon Refinery was part of this wargame, with the result being significant damage to disrupt its ability to resupply our forces and continued raids being used to minimize our ability to repair it. Megatron's stated preference for a decapitation strike upon Iacon is tempered by the strong defenses, and like Trannis and Straxus, he therefore settles for a siege. Trypticon is used as well as capital starships to neutralize Fortress Maximus, allowing for the setup of siege lines and artillery. Iacon's defenses are not expected to fall but putting Iacon under seige pins most of our forces in place and lets the Decepticons attack other outposts at their leisure. Now Decepticon space superiority comes into play. Most of our space capable craft are shuttles, with our few heavy forces capable of space borne combat limited to Omega Supreme and Sky Lynx. The attack on Ultrix utilized a number of stealthed ships that were used for quick strikes of orbital bombardment. Presuming that these forces are as most tactical reports suggest are those that Megatron is now working for, it is probable they could be used for such things. Cities and outposts outside of Iacon are to be pinned by hit and run raids, orbital strikes, and artillery, and mostly to be bypassed and overrun at leisure. Decepticon pinning of our forces on Earth and resources, blockade of Iacon, and ability to whittle away at external forces thanks to spaceborne superiority, our limited planetary defenses and heavy shielding of outposts makes for a depressing final result. The ongoing nature of the Iacon blockade in turn lets Megatron coerce other neutral city states to submit or be sacked, like he has done to Stanix and our inability to render aid. Threats against Earth will result in forces there being eternally pinned and relegated to planetary defense. Iacon's siege goes the way it did in Straxus' time with the garrison being whittled down and Iacon's eventual fall within a few hundred vorn. There are few active countermeasures to such a plan. Among them rapid targeting of Decepticon capital ships early in the conflict to minimize their suppressive ability, retaining Fortress Maximus as active or the neutralization of Trypticon to minimize the ability of the Decepticons to maintain a siege of Iacon, and finding alternative ways to allow for transit of personnel and supplies from Earth not reliant on spacecraft, warp gates, or space bridge transit. Tactically maintaining our ability to support outside deployments of troops with significant reinforcements and supplies is necessary so they can be defeated in detail. More so than sending small squads and fast running convoys can permit. Long term, the construction of capital ships or orbital defenses should be considered but is limited by our infrastructure and the vulnerability of launch facilities to Decepticon raids. The Ark on Earth is a consideration for reactivation, however logistically this is infeasible long term due to its conversion to a full-time base on Earth. Considerations such as whatever off-planet group is lending Megatron aid are outside the confines of this wargame given the unknown nature and limited tactical data available. As well as actions against doctrine and those deemed infeasible by normal intelligence or political realism. If Megatron acts pragmatically and uses his significant spaceborne tactical assets aggressively, we have few hard counters to them. This has showcased the need for us to develop countermeasures and to prioritize to retain mobility and the rapid shifting of troops and resources along the planet in numbers beyond small squads and fast convoys. Exercises should be done along a nature of rapid deployment of several hundred troops at a time to maneuver from city to city to evaluate the feasibility. This has been the result of the wargame conducted as well as its recommendations.
Aug 11 - Recommended Redeployments
From: Asymetrics
To: Command
Subj: Proposed Redeployments
Msg: Given that we are running very short-servoed, I feel that for the sake of efficiency some level of redeployment of forces is necessary. Primarily from Earth. There are a large number of heavily fortified facilities on Earth and there have been no heavy Decepticon operations there in years that have been reported. Most incidents on the planet have been dealt with by the EDF and other human military forces.
Given the... Unique situation on Earth, personnel should be screened and evaluated for some of the reported... Disjunctions. Pending that, I would recommend large scale transfer of personnel from Earth back to Cybertron via the space bridge beyond a minimum considered necessary for upholding our treaty obligations. Cybertron is under grave threat and Earth is quiet and has a significant defensive presence. All heavy units particularly could be of more use here, as well as support personnel given the heavily short-staffed nature of medical. Particularly Metroplex. Given Trypticon's status fully present on Cybertron and inactivity given the chaos within the Decepticons, having Metroplex on Cybertron is a major tactical asset which severely limits Decepticon military options. I feel that with a significant diplomatic overture to Banshee and Trypticon and guarantee that our Titans will not be used for offensive operations nor combat beyond in case there are attacks, and they are here for planetary defense in case of attack by the Liege Maximo's forces will go well. As well as Metroplex's medical facilities will take the extra load off personnel. All Earth based supply assets should begin maximum production of energon and spare parts to be sent by space bridge. The situation will get worse. Heavily damaged personnel that cannot be repaired anytime soon that are not being kept on life support should be transferred to Earth for long term treatment. The medical facilities at Autobot City are state of the art and can match anything available on Cybertron. This will free up assets for use here as well. All of these will offer greater flexibility and resource availability and efficiency, allow for better treatment and the strengthening of our defenses and alleviate our overstretched logistics. I recommend it's consideration by command. I am aware that 'efficiency' is not a watchword nor particularly liked, but circumstances warrant it.
August 26 - Earth
From: Assymetics
To: Ratchet
Sub: Earth
Msg: I'm well aware of the situation on Earth, Ratchet. I was giving my suggestions on the matter, my reasoning and logic, an din turn forwarding it as a proposal. I'm not exactly sure where you presumed I had the capability to order the transfer of a heavy allotment of personnel. I defer of course to command and particular diplomacy on this. And given the historic energon shortage the planet has faced, the very public recon that the Predators did of the Toraxxis Refinery, I feel that it's better to have a more solid reserve base of energon for /when/ the Decepticons strike at our planetary infrastructure. It is an inevitability. I recommend that the transfer of Metroplex be considered and as many personnel can be spared from Earth, though ultimately that is the jurisdiction of command.
Oct 16 - Asymmetrics Personal Log
Datatape 7731-B-13.14
Personal Musings: We are a dying breed. I don't have access to Intelligence's estimates but I wouldn't be surprised if there were fewer than ten thousand Autobots and Decepticons on Cybertron all together. Likely significantly less. I can't help but look through Iacon's halls, at banquet halls which could hold tens of thousands, of the garrison of the Third Age which numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Now empty. Half a percent of the effective space utilized. The great halls are silent. The Decepticons are not our greatest enemy. The war is not, even. Attrition is. The pre-conflict population of the factions would have been in the tens if not hundreds of millions when the conflict started of those willing to take up blasters and servos. Now the stars are empty but for the colony worlds, and however many reside upon them. Numbers which may dwarf our own into insignificance like atoms of hydrogen and helium amongst the stars, or so few as to make the population of Sim-Fur seem expansive. Either there are so few of us on Cybertron to be insignificant amongst the greater whole or so few left in space that it does not matter. Attrition had spiked even in the last half vorn of combat, proportionally. If both sides have not lost upwards of fifteen to twenty percent of effective combat personnel.. I'd be surprised at the inaccuracy of my assessment algorithms. No matter how more sparks come from Vector Sigma, we are dying horribly faster than new ones of us can drift online. I haven't looked at a census of the non aligned indigenous lifeforms nor do I care to. We protect Cybertron. They think us little better than the Decepticons. We die for them and they think we're just as bad. However many here there are on Cybertron and out in the galaxy.. They dwarf us, Autobots and Decepticons significantly. IF they banded together they could likely bring this conflict to a close. I've come to the conclusion that we face extermination within the next few dozen vorn unless we can refill our ranks. It will not come from Vector Sigma, that grants us limited things. It will not come from forgings of our own, which are rare and mysterious. We cannot expect the colony worlds to join us. Hot Spots are things of myth, as are the Guardians. The conflict will not end in a negotiated peace. The Decepticons have no interest in it, even a ceasefire ended with a civil war on their end. There will be no peaceful resolution to this war. Only through force of arms. It's morbidly ironic how all the betting pools expected Megatron to show up over the negotiations. Probably more accurate than my intelligence assessments. There's no spark in the Decepticons for peace and no willingness ultimately to negotiate in good faith, if there were even a moderate side left when Starscream is considered the reasonable one. This conflict will only end ultimately in victory. When the Decepticons have been beaten badly enough they submit to a full surrender and disarming. That they've seen that conflict is pointless and they have no way to win, and so badly that they accept it. That's the only way peace will ever come. If we win the war, and decisively slow. Before we all kill ourselves. If not from the war, then from the next crisis around the corner. Unicron, Megatronus, Liege Maximo.. Three things out of myth that have been shown to be horrifically real in the last half vorn after fifty thousand vorn of silence. I shudder at what the next half of the vorn will bring. There won't be enough left of us after the next three at this current rate of losses. So we have to win the war before we're all killed by the sake of our conflict and attrition. Decisively enough the Decepticons surrender unconditionally. That the non aligned city states recognize it and trust in us. And while not losing ourselves in this conflict and becoming just as cynical, warped, and paranoid the way the old Council was and repeating the cycle. We can't fail Cybertron again. I look at all the plans I have. Attritional engagements, denial of strategic resources and installations, rusted Cyber-firma. Kill the Decepticons faster than they can kill us. Those are wholly unacceptable to the Autobots. I look at my plans, I delete them. But what else is there? I don't know. I just know that this war as a stalemate has heated up too much and we don't have the personnel to continue it at the rate we have, nor do we have enough of an advantage to press it or enough of a disadvantage to withdraw and go underground. We won't win this war through Primus. Nor the Thirteen. Nor anything else but our own sparks. But at the current strategic velocity taking in all values and margin of errors.. I can't see anything. I have.. No hope. No hope at all. Archive Personal Log.
Dec 31 - Planetary Defense
This will be a summary of what to broadly expect from a planetary assault. Given our lack of total information on the Offshoot Decepticons, these tactics and assumptions will be broad in nature. We've seen one of their assault craft that held within it a battalion, including fighter-styled alt modes and smaller escort craft. The enemy will have space superiority, which means that so long as they have transport craft, they can land anywhere they wish. While the exact numbers of units assigned to a ship is unknown, a compact assault ship of that size can easily hold more than a hundred and fifty troops and crew if not two hundred if tightly packed. The ships contain significant weaponry and are capable of orbital bombardment and fire support.
Superior enemy mobility allows them to isolate and bypass smaller outposts or engage at leisure. Smaller outposts and garrisons can be expected to be quickly overrun and attacked by superior numbers or be glassed. Resisting a superior enemy with orbital support lends itself to heavy casualties. I would recommend at any point troops consider pulling back whenever tenable. Our network through the tunnels is intact. I would recommend that all deployed units be ready to withdraw into the tunnels to rendezvous and carry out raids on landed enemy groups.
Heavily defended areas such as Iacon are likely to come under massed assault with heavy orbital support and massed ground troops. Defense is the key. Targeting of enemy assets before they can make planetfall in large numbers is required. Given the somewhat limited nature of our planetary defenses and orbital network, the capability for this is limited. Given we did not detect the assault craft until it had passed by Moonbase One and nearly made planetfall and could only confirm it was a capital ship once it breached atmosphere, early warning will be of limited availability. The Moonbases are likely to be attacked and used as staging grounds for further assaults until they can secure landing sites and infrastructure. I am unsure as to our ability to hold them for long, Moonbase commanders are recommended to conduct drills and review readiness and determine if they feel it is feasible to hold them in case of attack or to withdraw to Cybertron. It is not so much a question of -if- the enemy will secure a landing zone but when. They have too much mobility from a large number of capital ships and what is likely to be vastly superior numbers to secure an area with infrastructure and fortify it to act as a beachhead. These are likely to be initially Hydrax and Ibex. Both have large spaceports that are reasonably intact and only small defensive grids. It is unknown if the enemy has the technological capability to construct space bridges or equivalent transport technology, but if they can they can bring in essentially unlimited reinforcements. Probable threat vectors make it.. Probable that isolated garrisons and outposts will be overrun and troops will have limited capability to resist. It is imperative in that case that they fall back and avoid being overrun. Use of the tunnel networks is advised whenever possible, troops should update themselves on the nearest evacuation areas. Without knowing what level of forces they can bring to bear on Iacon, we cannot say how long the city will last. The tunnel networks make for effective mobilization routes for troops, supplies, and fallback points. Protihex is likely another effective base. Heavily fortified and dug in, and of limited strategic value which makes it likely to be overlooked in the attack. What we cannot say is the status of the Decepticons. Whether they will be allies, belligerents, or stand off. Whatever assessments we can make as to the rank and files' status on an off-planet invasion is unknown, and it is something that Intelligence should prepare assessments for. We can best hold strongpoints as long is as capable but expect that we will have to go underground again if the Decepticon offshoots are trying willing to use overwhelming numbers and firepower to secure the planet. Underground routes should be prepared, fallback bases readied, and as a contingency forces should be ready for extended guerilla warfare again. These are recommendations to Command consist of, with what limited information we have so far on the enemy and its capabilities, to be broad based conclusions and readiness recommendations.
2023
Mar 09 - Kalis Skirmishing
To: Command + Infantry
Proposal: Kalis Operations
This is a proposal to Command for consideration. With the partial rebuilding of Tyrest, Kalis is the last major Decepticon outpost within striking distance of Iacon. Last reported to be under Cyclonus' authority, the city based upon existing information has not been significantly built up since its occupation by the Decepticons with the damage from the Planetary Dreadnaught Engines. In some ways it is vulnerable. However, given current circumstances it is a low priority to expend the resources to attempt and seize. That does not mean however that the Decepticons cannot be made to presume so.
I propose a number of obvious reconnaissance raids or intelligence operations to be directed at Kalis. Flybys by aerial units, the dispatch of reconaissance assets, increased patrols along the Kalis Overpass, perhaps a quick raid on the walls by the Wreckers. These operations should follow the pattern utilized by strikes on Tyrest and other Decepticon cities in the last year.
The intent is to make it clear we're readying for an assault upon Kalis and repeat the pattern of our attacks. Without knowing the exact layout of the defenses and garrison, the hope is that the Decepticons will decide to reinforce. This will hopefully ensure that Cyclonus is a more constant presence there, and a number of veteran units would be sent in, along perhaps with construction materials to reinforce the defenses. We can attempt to interdict these from Iacon.
No attack is to be planned, merely attempting to tie down Decepticon assets that could be better utilized elsewhere and command assets where it is within easy interdiction from Iacon. Hopefully, this will give secondary operations more room on primary fronts and ensure smaller availability of more elite units on the front lines. Perhaps also the weakening of Decepticon units elsewhere will induce Grimlock and his.. Lightning Strike Coalition to be more aggressive with the Decepticons in their area.
- Mar 29 - "Shuttle 311 Destruction" - While en route to Garrus-2, Prison Transport 311 under command of Cybertron Forces Commander Chromia was attacked by Megatron.
- September 11 - "Autobot Meeting 2013" - Alpha Trion calls a meeting of the Autobots.
Sep 21 - Invasion Wargame
This is a wargame representing a hypothetical invasion of the Cybertronian Empire. It makes a number of broad assumptions for the attack which may not be accurate due to the limited nature of our intelligence. As such it is considered a general guidance for possible evaluation for planetary defense strategies.
General unkonwns are as the state of further infiltrators present of the Cybertronian Empire. Given thier ability to cloak and subverted planetary assets, it is possible. However, improved technological detection of clones makes this questionable. It is for now considered an unkonwn quantity pending confirmation eitehr way from Intelligence.
Next, it assumes that numbers, munitions, energon, and firepower are not an issue for the Cybertronian Empire's assets. They have not demonstrated issues with throwing troops at a target, so we must presume that thier strike forces are limited only by how many troops they can transport to the system rather than logistics. Given their willingness to throw away the lives of their clones, morale and attrition are non factors.
Next, given thier deployment of numerous frigate, destroyer, and cruiser scaled craft and transports in extreme numbers, they can be expected to have total space superiority. The destruction or supperssion of all extraplanetary assets is to be expected, unfortunately. We also assume that the Cybertronian Empire are still offshoots of our own kind, and thus follow the standard strategems developed for planetary assault and have adopted tactical subroutines for it.
All non-Cybertronian occupied areas are to be expected to be suppressed. We do not know if they will invade Earth, but they will certainly engage in spoiling attacks that will result in the cutoff of communications with Earth and prevent the shifting of forces. If the Cybertronian Empire is aware of the location of the warp gate, it will be seized or destroyed. We can assume that Earth will be isolated, as will other garrisons off planet.
Strongpoints can be bypassed or seiged at leisure due to space superiority. The Moonbases can be sacked and occupied as planetary invasion bases, leveled by bombardment, or simply blockaded. Their defense is unlikely. However, their denial as forward operating bases for the Leige at least bears tactical consideration. If they can be used to setup forward Space Bridge transit locations for the primary forces of the Leige, they will be able to fully bring thier vastly superior logistics to bear.
Strongpoints will be seiged and likely leveled by vastly superior firepower. Iacon has limits to how much damage the shields and walls can take. Sufficient ifrepower can overwhelm them, which the Leige's forces definitely have. Likewise Fortress Maximus and Omega Supreme. They are expected to be priority targets as soon as the invasion begins and local space superiority is established. Due to the limited mobility of FOrtress Maximus, it is unlikely that he will be able to relocate to a defensive position and is expected to be neutralized. Likewise, the obliteration of Iacon will render it's use as a primary base of defensive operations impossible.
This means that preparations should be made for a phased withdraw from Iacon of heavy defensive assets, munitions, energon, and weapons. Cultural relics should be evacuated and hidden as best possible. Forces should be spread out and ready to act as guerilla forces for hit and run strikes to wear down the Leige's forces. Protihex is viable as a secondary headquarters due to it's fortified nature and general limited knowledge as to the state o fit's defenses. Depending on circumstance, it is useful as a primary base of operations. Further, the use of Slaughter City to engage the Maximo's troops in urban combat has potential. The likelihood of this spilling over and drawing in Decepticon forces is considerable.
The Leige is pragmatic, and we can presume that his forces have a good idea of the state of planetary politics. This means that he is likely to engage in 'divide and conquer' to focus on one spectrum of the planet at a time. The Autobots will be his first target. The Decepticons can be held off and suppressed. He knows that Megatron is unlikely to use his forces to come to our aid unconditionally and will look for an oppoertunity to take advantage of our weakness. Once we have been mostly defeated strategically he will turn his attention to Megatron, while simultaneously making plays to convince neutral city states to surrender. Thus we can tentatively expect that the Decepticons will be met with a holding action while the majority of the Cybertronian Empire's forces hit us with overwhelming strength so there is only one primary front. It is unlikely that Megatron will offer substantial aid though he might try and annex weakened regions.
The dispersal of our forces to guerilla tactics and attrition warfare minimizes losses, and puts the Decepticons in a position where they must heavily engage the Leige as well. This will hopefully result in their being drawn mor einto the conflict with the Leige. The potential for our use of propaganda that the Decepticons fear the Cybertronian Empire's forces too much to fight and that the Autobots are the ones defending the planet is likelier to ensue them to be more aggressive, even if on an indpeendent scale of small units.
Again, this is a general scenario making a broad number of assumptions which are based on limited intelligence and understanding of enemy tactical priorities, and their adherence to the general strategies of planetary assault. As such this is considered a possible guideline for defense attempting to generalize possible results of actions, but is not a broad based strategy or defense plan.
With the approval of Command, as more data is available more involved wargames can be played out, as well as further guidelines for rules of engagement.
Sep 25 - Planetary Invasion Force Ratio
This is a rough guideline to the doctrine of force ratio for planetary assault. It is of a broad nature, and does not consider localized factors, such as terrain, leadership, intelligence, or numerous other things which will affect the advantages or disadvantages of the defender. It assumes a willingness to fight back effectively and localized logistics, infrastructure, munitions, and support facilities. It makes many broad, general assumptions and is meant as a guideline, rather than a strict understanding. Temporary localized advantages or specific battles and results are beyond the capability of force ratios to represent, such as intelligence, communications jamming, and such are ignored as they affect battle to battle.
Also, it is important to remember that infrastructure, control of territory, and mobility are for the purposes of Cybertronian planetary assault are mostly unimportant due to the rapid nature of Transformers to maneuver and rapidly flee or engage in combat. The ability to quickly build up effective part term infrastructure, widespread access of supply, and presumed available technicians, engineers, and medics is taken as a given. In broad terms, combat ratio is based upon the ability to consistently apply overwhelming firepower to most combat zones and maintain it. A minimum of five to one is regarded, and better is considered as necessary to be able to make a controlled assault. This is only considered applicable to the opening stages of a campaign, establishing control of sufficient zones to continue the attack. This applies only to the initiate stages of invasion and setup for long term assault, as after this, localized conditions vary too much for widespread application and too many factors to consider for long term calculation. First is the superiority of combat effectiveness. This is considered purely the ability of the attacker to apply local combat superiority as far as personnel and attack capabilities are considered. It is not reliant on numbers, but primarily upon strength of the attackers compared to the defenders. Support personnel contribute less to this calculation simply as it focuses on firepower. By a purely mathematical observation, the Decepticons would on a broad scale be considered to have a higher combat effectiveness than Autobots given our higher ratio of support personnel compared to the Decepticons frequently higher powered and more numerous pure combat models. A general presumption of two to one radio is considered able to consistently maintain localized firepower superiority. Three to one is considered the ability to consistently apply overwhelming firepower superiority. This is broad and applies to most local battles. Not necessarily the ability to throw in more troops, but more troops with heavier firepower. Next is artillery in whatever form. Two to one again is considered the ability to apply local superior fire support, three to one overwhelming. Due to the highly mobile nature of Cybertronian warfare and that set piece battles and fortresses are not necessarily common, this is of lesser importance in consideration of combat ratio calculation. Third is space superiority. Superiority in space allows for orbital support, ability to quickly provide bombardment, redeploy troops, or to pin down defenders. This always favors the attacker due to the requirements of localized space superiority needed to land troops in numbers, as well as the infrastructure to support them in a campaign. This can be considered even more dangerous to us due to the highly limited nature of planetary defenses, and the very few areas capable of providing any sort of ability to hold off capital ships by shields and defensive batteries. An advantage of two to one is considered the ability to quickly support forces, and three to one meaning they can at will bombard or support. In general, it is assumed that an attacker will be able to land and establish a foothold on the planet. They can choose where to attack, and defenders cannot be everywhere. The modular nature of infrastructure for technologically advanced species means that planetary footholds on areas with the existent infrastructure for logistics are not as high a priority. They do not need to attack a spaceport to seize it for a continued campaign. This ratio is again not considered in most cases exponential or multiplying. Only in cases where there is superiority is it added. A landing force consisting of overwhelming personnel combat effectiveness but equality in orbital support and artillery has only a three to one ratio, not five to one. At higher points, however, of supremacy exponential advantages come in. But these areas of supremacy fall into the category of such overwhelming superiority as to make an offensive operation have an extremely high probability of success as for the ratios to be not required. Thus, this ratio can be broadly only considered to go to nine to one. Where the attacker has overwhelming superiority in space, artillery, and combat effective personnel. In which case it is considered extremely likely to be able to establish a highly forward, superior position for an extended planetary campaign.
2024
- Apr 09 - "Scenario Updates" - Asymmetrics updates their analysis based on new data.
- Apr 09 - "Scenario Updates: Assault Hypotheticals" - Further updates by Asymmetrics.
- Apr 09 - "Enemy Analysis" - Foe Assessment by Asymmetrics.
- May 10 - "Re: Groundbridge" - Asymmetrics asks for specifics.
Jun 19 - Operation Traachon Simulations
This is the results of a simulation wargamed of Megatron performing a full on frontal assault on Iacon with the majority of known Decepticon forces. It presumes up to sixty percent or more of all Decepticon forces on Cybertron and possible additional recalled ones from off-planet, such as Tidal Wave. It includes Trypticon and all known Decepticon combiners, of which eight currently have profiles, as well as Megatron's willingness to hire mercenaries, such as the Seacons or others. And Decepticons with the firepower equivalent of combiners, such as Deathsaurus.
As is general standing, one of our own Combiners will be present on Earth, as well one Titan. As is normal rotation, expectedly a third of our own Cybertron based forces will be present in Iacon. Thus we face at least a two to one disadvantage in numbers and probably more in firepower, discounting the fortifications of Iacon.
The attack presumes that Megatron will rely on normal preferences for attack and like Straxus, be willing to leave Iacon a crater if immediate conquest is not feasible.
The attack will come in multiple waves, th einitial strike force probably being the majority of Decepticon Aerospace forces, up to five or six hundred Sweeps, Skyraiders, Seekers, and accompanying support forces of other models. They will be utilized to pin defensive assets in place, perform reconaissance, and to overwhelm and obliterate exterior trenches. While the aerial defenses of Iacon are significant, simulations showcase that they will not last long against this number of fliers.
The next wave shortly thereafter will consist of heavier enemy units - artillery, tanks, gestalts, and Trypticons, a combination thereof that may also be in the first wave. These will be intended to fully crack open Iacon's defenses and overwhelm the suburbs and establish a solid axel-hold on it. How effectively they are able to do so is dependent on how well external defenses can withstand a frontal assault and how effectively the perimeter shields can last. Iacon's defenses are not as substanital as tehy were at the beginning of the war, and the garrison is substantially smaller, so this is unlikely.
Upon the first level of defenses being breached heavier support forces will come in - seige artillery, mobile bases, and heavier support units. Given the vulnerability of heavy artillery to strikes, they will only be brought in when the perimter is considered secure and a breakthrough is ready. Megatron's tactics are unlikely to go towards a seige.
For as long as possible, units are expected to commit to urban combat to slow down the attack and negate Decepticon firepower, whereupon Megatron will simply level Iacon as Straxus did. It's fall and obliteration is the most probble result. Iacon is merely a city, it can be liberated and rebuilt as i twas in the past.
Operation Traachon's plans preclude a recall of forces outside of Iacon to come to assist. Small numbers will not break the seige. Megatron will have stripped almost all areas of Decepticon forces bare for the assault. All forces in turn should counterattack to inflict maximum damage to all Decepticon infrastructure. Elite units such as the Wreckers and CAT are to be given full discretion for assaults upon enemy locations and targets of opportunity. Level factories, obliterate cities, demolish armories and spaceports. We will have fire superiority outside of these locations and established tunnels and knowledge of Decepticon fortifications. Megatron will have to decide between maintaining his assault on Iacon or withdrawing forces. He must be kept on the attack on Iacon as long as possible, drawing personality profiles and maintaining his rage.
A scorched rust policy must be pursued upon enemy infrastructure to cause maximum damage to Decepticon bases. At the probable point that Megatron decides to level Iacon, remaining forces should evacuate via tunnels and secondary lines and withdraw to other bases. Megatron will be left with a wasteland, a highly limited ability to support and rearm his forces without his cities. Forces on Earth will be intact and be devoted to maintaining Earth's defenses and preventing the Decepticons from raiding there for energy. Our forces spread out on Cybertron in turn should deny the Decepticons the opportunity to utilize energon and natural resources on the planet and starve them out. Weakened Decepticons will be unable to threaten neutral city states which will cut off a conduit of resources and hopefully make them more aggressive against Decepticon threats to liberate territory and throw off occupation.
This plan while a hypothetical is focused around attrition and the fact that neither side has sufficiently overwhelming fire superiority and a rough balance of power between Autobots and Decepticons exists. Committing most of his forces to our strongest fortified position will leave massive gaps in Decepticon assembly areas which gives us an opening to inflict as much damage as possible and cut off alternate resource sinks for the Decepticons. This will not end the war, but for the short term it will hopefully leave Decepticon forces greatly weakened and thus give long term gain.
THis is however a wargamed simulation based upon a number of probable factors, but not a guarantee of assumptions, and merely that Megatron decides that Iacon shall be obliterated no matter the cost.
In such an event the cost should be as brutally for the Decepticons as can be done.
- Sep 17 - "Railgun Logistics" - The heavy railgun, designed for siege and terror, is a superheavy cannon capable of immense damage to cities, requiring static deployment, heavy escort, and accurate data for long-range firing, with vulnerabilities during transport and deployment.
Oct 10 - Personal Log
>Personal Log Assymetrics ***
The war is at the point where logarithmically we have reached strategic attrition. I've run the math multiple times and I fear that we have passed the point or are close enough to it to not matter. We no longer have the numbers to win the war on Cybertron. Not to take enough territory, to hold what territory we have, and to drive the Decepticons back. The more we advance, the more vulnerable we are to counterattack and strikes behind the lines. Insufficient neutral city states are allied with us to help hold their own territory, and even areas we have close alignment with we cannot guarantee having sufficient forces there to hold. Megatron on his own could conquer Hydrax.
Merely to hold our own territory with a reasonable degree of security would take a minimum of triple our numbers, to go on an offensive while also having the forces to hold areas and maintain logistics would take a minimum of five times combat and support personnel, and more realistically eight. That is not even taking into account rebuilding critical infrastructure. We do not have sufficient forces to siege heavy Decepticon outposts. There's no way we could even maintain a blockade of Kaon; it's not even worth running war games.
There is no way for a massive influx of new Autobots. There will be no mass numbers of city states joining us and fully integrating, there will be no large forces from any colonies that we have diplomatic relations with. There will be no mass production of sparks from Vector Sigma, use of constructed cold sparks is so inefficient in energon to not be worth even on a small scale.
This comes even before any casualties and infrastructure damage that the invasion by the Cybertronian Empire will bring. We are at the point where we do not have the numbers to effectively win the war, nor do we have any realistic chances of gaining them. Thanks to the resources from a revitalized Cybertron we can keep on fighting virtually indefinitely..
But strategically, we do not have the numbers to win in a conventional sense. On one hand this is depressing, on the other hand this situation was always a probability, particularly when Cybertron was revitalized, and casualties went up exponentially. There is no new technology or tactics that both Autobot and Decepticon cannot quickly match, such as Titans, Gestalts, Mini-Cons, Micromasters. Nothing which lasts long enough as an advantage to be of strategic use. But this has been mathematically obvious for awhile. There are no ways around it either.
We can fight the war. But we cannot at this point win it.
I will keep these observations to myself. There is no point mentioning them to hit morale or to distract High Command unless directly asked. I will not let it effect my work, albeit I will have to revise my algorithms to be even more conservative and pessimistic to help conserve what forces we have in simulations.
Megatron has proven that the war will not end over a negotiating table, even if he falls there will be plenty of other Decepticons to take up the charge. There can be no peace without a large scale strategic victory that will cow the Decepticons into surrender, which is so unlikely I can't even calculate a scenario where it occurs. I fear this conflict will be over when we have reached a point of irrelevancy. Where the last Autobot or Decepticon puts a blaster bolt in the processor of the other one.
The fight will be to the Last Bot Standing.
Notes
A Controversial Figure
Asymmetrics's cold logic and focus on long-term survival often put her at odds with her more impulsive comrades. Her willingness to consider "unthinkable" options, such as asset denial and attrition warfare, earns her the scorn of some and the grudging respect of others. But even her detractors cannot deny her value. Asymmetrics is a living shield against overconfidence and recklessness, a constant reminder that the war against the Decepticons is a marathon, not a sprint.
The Burden of Foresight
The weight of the future rests heavily on Asymmetrics's shoulders. She sees not only the potential for victory, but also the abyss of defeat. This burden can be a lonely one, and it often leads to friction with her fellow Autobots. Her blunt pronouncements and bossy demeanor can alienate those who do not understand the burden she carries. Only her closest friends, who have glimpsed the depths of her calculations, can deeply appreciate the weight of her responsibility.
A Carrier of Hope
Despite her cold exterior, Asymmetrics is driven by a deep desire for peace. She believes that only through careful planning and strategic thinking can the Autobots achieve true victory. Her transformations into a small carrier, capable of transporting her comrades to safety, are a testament to this commitment. Asymmetrics may be the cold eye of war, but she is also a beacon of hope, guiding the Autobots towards a brighter future.
Asymmetrics is a complex and multifaceted character, a brilliant strategist with a heart of steel. She is a valuable asset to the Autobots, even if her methods are sometimes controversial. Her story is one of sacrifice, duty, and the hope for a better tomorrow.
Players
- Asymmetrics's posts are written by Wedgekree.