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If anyone was particularly impressed by his assertive introduction, Alto didn't get the chance to taste it before the prevailing mood in the room switched to one of savory respect for the old veteran in charge of the operation, followed by a sweet-and-sour confusion towards the lady who came after him. It wasn't like Alto was unfamiliar with the almost cultish devotion with which old blueblood families cherished their histories, but even by the standards of those he'd had the misfortune to meet during his own high-class upbringing, that lady had [i]way[/i] too many names.

There were a few more after that -- some Constellations he'd never heard of, as well as a fellow rookie pilot who seemed even more nervous than the giant girl had been under the gaze of their superiors. He resisted the urge to send her a little sympathy as well, but at least gave her a bright grin as she sat back down.

[color=#076ECF]"Don't let 'em get to you,"[/color] He said quietly. [color=#076ECF]"That lot doesn't pay attention to anyone who's not a member of their shiny sword club anyhow."[/color]

Not sympathy, but on second thought, he allowed himself to share a bit of assurance. She had nothing to worry about, after all -- [i]he'd[/i] be watching her back. 

Either way, none of the others on the ship made quite as memorable a first impression as the first Constellation had. His curiosity flickered back to how she had introduced herself, and the implications thereof -- but since he didn't like any of the answers he came up with to sate that curiosity, he once again pushed it back for the time being.

There wasn't time for such speculation, anyway. He could feel the rumbling of the floor beneath him as the thrusters intensified, slowing their until-then rapid descent. The growing tension in the air confirmed his suspicions as the veterans among their ranks all felt it too, and set about their preparations.

Well, they didn't need to tell him twice. The moment he got the go-ahead, he hopped up from his seat and rushed to the back of the ship, scampering right up the boarding ladder before his [i]Corvo's[/i] cockpit had even finished opening. Tossing himself through the half-open canopy, he tugged it shut behind him and tossed himself down into the pilot's chair, as all around him, projected screens began to flicker to life over the blank metal of the cockpit, as the machine around him seemed to fade and give way to the hangar outside, leaving him suspended at the center of the panoramic display as screens and readouts began to pop into being all around him.

If Alto had his way, he'd have already spent the entire ride in here instead of out in the bay socializing with his supposed betters -- these Connies had no respect for just how long it took to do a full pre-flight check, and do it properly.

...Granted, he'd already done it once before they even loaded his unit onto the transport. And so had the good Doctor before that. But what if they'd missed something? This was his first real action -- if something malfunctioned now it could be a permanent stain on his career!

Wracking his brains, he followed the steps as quickly as he could remember them. Fuel check. Green. Battery check. Green. Power on. Secondary systems check -- all green. Weapons check -- fully loaded and fully operational. Finally, the Craft system. First he'd have to toggle it on, test the stabilizers, and then --

A measured mechanical voice cut through the thread of his concentration like a hot knife through butter, and he almost jumped to hear it.

[code]"Statement: Magni-Craft system is already fully charged and operating within expected parameters. Addendum: You have observed this diagnostic file three times already. Further testing is redundant, Operator."[/code]

[color=#076ECF]"Ghh -- I knew that, Corvo![/color] He insisted -- though his supposed knowledge didn't stop him from hastily closing the file the moment his Support Interface began to question him on it. [color=#076ECF]"I was just... checking something."[/color]

[code]"Suggestion: Would it not be more pertinent to check who our assigned partner is? Reminder: We are under orders to support the Constellations, and to do so without endangering either this unit or the Operator. Conclusion: Operating in tandem with a Constellation is critical to the success of our mission."[/code]

Alto groaned. The last thing he wanted was to have his first mission be to play taxi for some glamorous elite -- but then again, he also wasn't particularly keen on being lectured for insubordination... and just going by the numbers, they only had three mechs and twice as many Constellations. Logically speaking, [i]someone[/i] was going to have to carry the precious Connies, and unfortunately, between his unit's mobility and its long range, his [i]Corvo[/i] was rather well suited to play that role in a pinch.

[color=#076ECF]"...Fine. Open up comms with the squad. I'll... deal with it, I guess."[/color] He sighed, then cleared his throat. The viewscreen in front of him flashed as, in the corner of his vision, a readout appeared displaying a list of signals. Anything beyond short range comms was a tall order, but at least like this he'd be able to see who was talking... assuming he could read such a small window in the heat of battle, anyway.

[color=#076ECF]"This is Eight-Ball, reporting in. I don't have any extra seats, but I [i]can[/i] offer the best view in the house if any of our VIPs has a taste for fireworks. Any takers?"[/color]