Board Thread:Speculation House/@comment-25498704-20141101060520/@comment-25399914-20141103182732

@Savahn 1) Maybe the overall plan is a coup in Atlas.

I don't think Cinder knew Ironwood would make a power play but I think it's possible that she did want Atlas to place troops in Vale.

Cinders plan was to cause a far greater amount of damage but RWBY and Oobleck messed that up forcing Roman and White Fang to attack before they were prepared and trapping most of White Fang in the tunnels. It's possible that Ironwoods arrogance, overestimation of Atlas's defences and personal animosity towards Ozpin has clouded his judgment to the degree were he made the biggest mistake of his life.

Ironwood noted that Atlas is the greatest military power so attacking it at full strength would be pointless and concurring Vale would be pointless if the outcome were Atlas just retaking it.

@AnonymousReader The theory is that Roman was caught on purpose which would mean allowing himself to get caught. In other words he let Blake win the fight.