Dragonslayer, I like the inclusion of the other teams. Cooperative is good.
Team bio for Recon and Demolitions follows. Give grace for the following reasons.
- I know I have Cybertronian time / distance measurements way off; correct me in a PM and I'll update.
- I don't have a Bot with my name on my team, so if "Wingspan" is this groups commander, I had to find a reason why there's no "Wingspan" Bot I'm throwing in the battles. I think the below works.
The affects of the Transformer's War has wreaked tremendous havoc on their home, Cybertron. Focused, well-informed damage to Decepticon forces is a requirement of all operations if Autobots wish to preserve some of Cybertron's former glory. A group of seemingly outcasts has been formed for this purpose, appropriately and simply labeled "Recon and Demolitions."
Each team member was reassigned or requested from previous units because of a perceived ability for brutal, swift, and decisive destruction of enemy forces while controlling collateral damage. Team leadership has and will change, but the focus is always the same: <i>destroy all targets of significance with prejudice and take prisoners only after stasis lock</i>. Without this focus, information collection and forceful application of available resources would risk Autobot Sparks being lost in combat and risk further desolation to Cybertron.
The original commander was Wingspan; as a modified light high-speed space transport, he was capable of transporting half a dozen average bots in his alternate mode. In his Cybertronian form, his abilities focused on guerrilla tactics with specialties in infiltration, espionage, and high explosives. With permission from Iacon, he sought and established a squad including 5 others: 12-Axle, Speed Jumper, Descubierton, Buster-Traxx, and Buster-Cannon. The 6-Bot squad was officially commissioned as Unit 115786-AA, but was always referred to as Recon and Demolitions.
Permission from Iacon came for a collection of reasons. Wingspan had consistently proven himself as a tactical field commander in significant, but not yet critical missions. Additionally, infringing bases were being established safely within Polyhex's borders from which strikes were being launched on Autobot territory. Reclaiming Cybertron would prove impossible if Iacon couldn't maintain its own borders, so Wingspan proposed establishing the squad to eliminate the immediate threat and, if the squad survived, to point immediate infiltration of Polyhex from the North-East. The request was approved and the team hand selected except for 12-Axle. He volunteered.
The team began operations immediately as one of the fastest commissioned units in the Autobot ranks. The urgency of the border threat, combined with the relative obscurity of the members, allowed Iacon leadership the necessary excuses to push the change in command: these Bots were eager, willing to take the risk, and had no other significant responsibilities. Essentially, they were expendable if the experimental team failed.
After monitoring the border for 4 mega-cycles, Wingspan transported his team securely into Polyhex through a security scanner gap (facilitated by Buster-Cannon eliminating a strategic scanning node). Once inside success came quickly to the team as three weapons facilities quickly fell from their efforts. The surprise of an invasion kept the Decepticons off-balance long enough to let the team double-back from their 3rd strike to their 1st, and establish a temporary forward base in the remains of the facility. Further progress came much more slowly. Original orders were to eliminate four primary targets: a broad-spectrum communications array, two heavy munitions storage facilities, and a heavily guarded Decepticon forward command from which all recent attack orders seem to have originated. Accomplishing these orders though would take time; time they may not have given their forward location.
Scouts Descubierton and Speed-Jumper took to immediately scanning the area and plotting effective attack vectors on each facility. 12-Axle (Axle) coordinated the Busters, Traxx and Cannon, with continuous strategic strikes at lower grade facilities closest to the border. The distraction of a constant, targeted destruction (supported by Iacon's rolling-out of 3 large-scale, long-range plasma cannons) enabled the necessary reconnaissance to plan the attack. Wingspan coordinated everything from the forward base in the weapon's facility rubble; his holding back was to maintain base security and to salvage necessary materials to facilitate the eventual assault. Salvaging proved easy as their assault was designed to collapse the structures while minimizing internal damage. The materials though proved lacking and a near constant need to scrap the unfortunate Con which got too close and relocate the chassis slowed any form of progress.
20 mega cycles in, critical information was finally collected. Mapping the entire Decepticon sector was complete which revealed more than two dozen significant but previously hidden targets. Timing was near perfect as the ability of Axle and the Busters to safely target near the border had grown less and less. Decepticons had moved all of their available manpower to the border's edge, threating the plasma cannons security and the Iacon facilities as well. The threat to Iacon itself from Recon and Demolitions' activities necessitated an immediate strike to complete their original objectives, remove themselves from 'Con territory, and assist the withdrawal of the cannons to prevent them from falling back in 'Con hands.
The team had already agreed to their warpath. First the two heavy munitions facilities would be hit because of their location; being closest to the forward command but still further into Polyhex. The squad would split into two 3-Bot teams(Wingspan, Axle, Speed Jumper; Descubierton, Buster-Traxx, Buster-Cannon) which would simultaneously strike the heavy munitions stores. Moving from the munitions both teams would converge on the communication's array (Wingspan's from the North, Descubierton's from the East). It was critical to remove this before laying the prepared charges at the Decepticon command, otherwise communications for backup could be transmitted to a broader area preventing infiltration.
Blowing the munitions facilities proved simple for both teams. Stored incendiary devices respond very well to high explosives. Moving to the communications array proved challenging; Decepticons were planning a strike on Iacon itself in another 1/2 mega-cycle and Wingspan's team by chance intercepted a transport to the border heading to the border. The skirmish was over quickly, with 2 'Cons in stasis and an anti-grav container full of high-heat incendiaries confiscated, but the delay proved nearly fatal for Descubierton's team. They had arrived at the comm-array on time as originally planned to find it reinforced by an 8-Con squad, an unexpected change from the routine 2-Con pair. The planned border assault had changed the enemies deployment. The Busters combined to form Buster-Maxx as soon as visual confirmation of the 'Cons were acquired so some element of forceful surprise could be maintained. Not knowing the delay of Wingspan's team, they assumed the worst and attacked, thinking one more target then evacuate. Descubierton quickly cleared 2 of the 'Con fliers while Buster-Maxx hurled two 'Con tanks into the array itself, which ended up disabling its ability to receive signals. The remaining 4 'Cons of the squad though now had the upper hand, 3 of which alternated as space flight vehicles and were coming in fast.
Wingspan's team arrived milli-cycles late to find Descubierton grounded with a blown wing and Buster-Maxx at 50% of reserves already. The second team's arrival was unexpected to the 'Cons who had grounded themselves for a final kill in their Cybertronian forms, so again surprise facilitated a cleanup of the area. Axle and Speed Jumper each cleared one while Wingspan shot down two as they tried to launch back to the skies. The confiscated incendiaries in the anti-grav transport would easily decimate the comm-array, saving even more for the command center; a near perfect windfall from that perspective.
Their problem now was evacuation. With their largest assault force (the combined Busters) and their second air-assault (Descubierton) at below-optimal, taking the Decepticon command seemed hopeless. As Axle and Jumper set the charges, Wingspan changed the plans. The Busters separated and both helped Wingpsan re-wire the comm-array to transmit a one-directional secure Autbot communication. Taking out the command could only now occur by repositioning and firing rapid fire bursts from the plasma cannons. The gathering border threat may be just the necessary distraction to allow the re-deployment and firing without losing the cannons.
Within 2 micro-cycles from transmission the ground reverberated with a pummeling force; Iacon had received and agreed to the plan. Cannons were bombarding the command. Six shots total were planned, per Wingspan's communication, to ensure the plasma cannon's effective withdrawal. The first volley of three was over. When the second barrage had hit, the squad moved out <i>toward</i> the command. Despite injuries the team had agreed going home without ensuring a complete job was unacceptable. They each had something to prove.
As they approached the command, the overhead flight of an amassed Decepticon armada filled the area with echoing afterburners. The assault on Iacon had been moved forward; the 8-Con squad had to send a message before they were disabled. Time was short to finish the command and disable any remaining form of Decepticon coordination. The squad infiltrated the command, now half destroyed from the long-range volley. The Decepticons present were focused on re-establishing communications to coordinate the counter offensive in an attempt to re-take the plasma cannons and move their border forward (as they had lost them in battle the past Cybertronian year). The distraction of injuries and power failures was the dismemberment of the remaining 'Cons at the command; they didn't see the Vibro-Axes coming.
With Speed Jumper and Descubierton's previous intel, the charges originally planned for comm-array were set to blow in 10 micro-cycles in the portions of the structure that still stood. Then the charges originally planned for the command were placed in the surrounding area and in the already demolished portions with a timer of 10 mega-cycles, arrayed to ensure the entire area would be structurally unsound once detonated. Hidden safely in the debris, disguised as wreckage, the 'Cons were rudely awoken by another explosion when they were trying to re-build.
Because of the overhead armada, the original exit strategy of transport in Wingspan was nixed. The squad marched hard West, away from where primary combat would take place to ensure a safe border crossing and delivery of the injured to medics. After a parsec due West, they turned North. Given the growing conflict (who's laser fire could be seen and heard in the distance now) they risked Wingspan's transport. They had to help. He flew low, through the Decepticon structures to avoid the armada's detection, but the unknown and unmapped terrain proved treacherous. Defensive scanners triggered as they approached the boarder (like the one Buster-Cannon had eliminated when entering Polyhex) and Wingspan was shot down. The crash was hard, 2 parsecs inside Decepticon territory, and far closer to the now raging battle. Once disembarked and transformed, the team saw the conflict over the cannons erupting as anti-air defenses held back the Decepticon swarm.
"They have too much," said Wingspan, still bent over and sparking from half his joints. "If we loose those cannons we might loose this border soon. We've done too much to stop here." He paused, letting internal repairs finish some of their work. "Going forward is volunteer, not an order, but I'm walking in there." To a Bot, Recon and Demolitions locked and loaded.
Six ground-ridden Bots may not seem like much against an overhanging hell of Decepticon fliers, but their positioning West of the conflict was enough to make a difference. The 'Con assault was coming North-West, and Bot reinforcements with more anti-air munitions and delivery were arriving from the East. The team positioned themselves close, nearly beneath the swarming 'Cons save the Busters who held back to acquire a sniping position. As the Eastern anti-air munitions were fired Buster-Maxx was formed and targeted 'Con jets which were clearly leaders. The loss of leadership in the cloud of metal caused mid-air collisions and forced some into the anti-air support. Recon and Demolitions' four other members laid in with close suppressive fire to any 'Con that veered West away from the fight. Descubierton couldn't help himself in singing; "Decepticons keep falling on my head..." The falling ships weren't all in stasis-lock though; soon the battle was hand-to-hand.
Once engaged and close range, Buster-Maxx moved in with the team getting one more shot off at an airborne 'Con. That last sniper victim hit short of the cannons and was obliterated on impact, but they were getting closer. The Eastern barrage continued and the team was surrounded by 'Cons that now willingly grounded to continue the assault with 'Con tank and heavy artillery reinforcements from the South-East. The squad would have all been scrapped if the ground defense of the plasma cannons hadn't immediately moved forward while the Eastern reinforcements took over immediate protection of the cannons.
In the fray Speed Jumper and Axle were stasis locked. Buster-Maxx was able to draw them back to safety behind friendly lines in Iacon territory. Descubierton followed as far as front line of combat, not willing to give away any of the victory. In the withdrawal Wingspan was clipped and fell back, unaware to his team who were focused on the Bots in stasis. When Buster-Maxx rejoined (ironically neither they nor Descubierton where injured after the comm-array) they couldn't break through the 'Con lines to get back to Wingspan. They saw his chassis being taken back through 'Con ranks. He had been identified as the perpetrator of the recent attacks, otherwise he would have been overheated with laser fire and left for slag rather than captured.
The last fights of the battle were furious. In the short time the team had formed a great compassion for each other, and the functional Recon and Demolitions Bots were unwilling to easily let their new commander go. When the Decepticons disengaged the assault, orders were quickly passed down the line to not pursue. Buster-Maxx and Descubierton had to be restrained; Descubierton was put under with an energon overdose because he posed to great a threat as is. Buster-Maxx watched as 'Con forces retreated. His numb limbs hardly flinched as the cannons opened fire again. Bots had been held back because the cannons were opening another volley. Speed Jumper had been partially revived and immediately fed the field medic commander his mapping data tracks to coordinate a final assault; had Jumper known Wingspan was among the targets, he may not have willingly communicated this information.
Because of Recon and Demolitions efforts the four major targets were destroyed (the command twice, 10 mega-cycles later) plus an additional twelve more from the cannon barrage; the border was pushed back by 5 parsecs for 3 sectors, granting a greater cushion for Iacon command. Their information gathering combined with the re-positioned cannons opened a whole new array of Decepticon targets on which hellfire was rained.
The team's success was immediately lauded, although in the 560 mega-cycles since their cheers have died down. Their continued aggression and merciless destruction of confirmed enemy targets is less approved when the sectors are relatively quiet.
Now under 12-Axle's command, the team has grown with new recruits. Scales, Hijax, Bombadeer, and Aguila each have brought a unique talent set to the now critical team for maintaining the Iacon border. The original core though remembers the founder, remembers the loss, and remembers there may still be hope for a retrieval operation if Wingspan's location is discovered. Against high-command's directives Axle is personally compiling all reconnaissance information before transmitting back to central command to give the team the opportunity to examine the facilities, weaknesses, and opportunities in 'Con territory. This has lead to nearly a dozen more infiltration strikes without approval. Although effective in the war, this may lead to Axle's dismissal and the teams disbanding because of acting as near renegade Autobots. What's saved them thus far is their effectiveness and ingenuity. It seems as long as their missions continue being successful, no disagreement with authority will disband the team.
The original 5 remember Wingspan's motto, "Destruction second. Information first." The new recruits have accepted this method, and this is their creed when communicating to command or to any external Transformer, friend or foe. Internally though, be they old or new, another team motto has been established. "If Decepticons won't submit to peaceful co-existence willingly, their education must be swift and complete. Wrongful violence will no longer be unreturned... for the sake of Cybertron."
Now all I'll need to do is tweak -Maximus Prime's-, Boltbrain's, and Meds' bios to compensate for their new bods.
I've also made profiles for each member.
