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Nero's eyes went wide as the Lieutenant spoke; he had expected a more formal announcement for the start of the simulation. He sprung into action--at least, so much as that description applied to someone strapped into a shock frame. [color=4b6cfc]"Deploying drones!"[/color] Legionnaire's "wing" extended back and out, and the attached drones began glowing softly before separating from the rack. The eight needle-shaped attach drones lifted off in a line, making a track through the air that looked like an afterimage. The two shield drones--squat and bulky by comparison--separated from the backs of the machine's pauldrons, floating with their long axis perpendicular to the ground, the flaps of their projectors extending experimentally. From a rail inside the drone rack, four Augury recon drones were launched into the air and spread their "wings", then began floating lazily overhead, circling like birds.

[color=4b6cfc]"Setting combat drones to maniple formation. Augury drones going to maximum coverage."[/color] The attack drones separated into two units of four, each gathering behind one of the shield drones; the recon drones each flew out, one staying in orbit above Legionnaire while the other three went to the edge of their operational range and did their best to provide maximum coverage. 

Sanro gripped the controls of the mech again, and smiled in satisfaction as he felt the machine react to his touch this time. [color=fc4b6c]"Sounds like we should get started, then. Legionnaire doesn't have the defenses to go toe to toe with that artillery for the ten minutes it'll take us to get up the direct path, so I'm going to head up the second route. ETA at target is..."[/color] He consulted the maps from Logic Diver. [color=fc4b6c]"Between ten and fifteen minutes. Tight, but do-able."[/color]

Nero keyed into the all-squad channel. [color=4b6cfc]"Our drones should be able to reach the other paths. Elora, Rose, I've got your data patched into our systems--thanks again."[/color] His display noted the shield drones were powered up; another command projected a hologram of where the protective field would pop up as they detected incoming threats. [color=4b6cfc]"Augury feeds look good--I'll be keeping an eye out."[/color]