Strategy had always been a strong point of Wolf’s interests. He wasn’t the best, but he loved playing out each scenario in his mind, and as each of the team’s members contributed their own thoughts, he imagined all the different ways each could go right – or wrong. The fact that Hu-Shi’s A.W.E. used tank treads would play an important factor in the future – here, however, it would be useful mostly for crushing the occasional abandoned car underfoot. Small cars, anyway. The fact that she carried extra batteries, however, was [I]extremely[/I] valuable – the Helios’s insane speeds came with a heavy cost, in the form of a very fast energy burn, as much so as the DEMON that Richard piloted.

Speaking of which…the team went silent as Richard opened communications with the ground forces. The situation was grim – they were already down to a Lieutenant in charge. His computer system immediately pulled up the relevant information, including background and location, but there was nothing important, so he banished the information. The description of Saurids, however, was much more important – and even before Richard relayed the articles, Wolf already had the information locked in his mind. Disruption would be more important than ever here – the slimers wouldn’t be much issue, unless their aim was perfect, but getting too close to the Tearers would be bad news for the Rapid team. 

Thessalia locked in the final plans, much to his enjoyment. It would be an on-the-fly mission – his favorite kind. Then came the words he had been waiting to hear for hours now – “Squad One, get ready for Orbital Drop.” Wolf let slip an almost Feral grin, and joined the team in the rush to the Drop Bays. Richard was waiting for them, and was just finishing his maintenance checks. Smoke launchers for all…except the two of them. Wolf grinned again, knowing what the Skyshards could do, and what they meant. His blood was flowing hot now. 

Wolf walked up to his own machine, the front face split open to allow him to step in. He ran a hand along the gleaming red curve of the arm, before turning to face out and stepping back into the exoskeleton, as he had done so many times before. Mechanical locks clicked in place, as the entire machine close around him, and he felt a familiar *zitch!* as the neural bridge connected him to the suit. Sensors along the entire suit came to life, and he was no longer Wolf, piloting a suit – he was Helios. With a thought, he extended heat expulsion plates along the entire curvature of the frame, causing the entire machine to appear to ripple, and the mounted guns lifted and sunk back into the frame after a brief delay. He rolled his shoulders and head, the suit mimicking his movements perfectly. 

“Helios, all systems functional. Ready to Drop. Let’s Rock n’ Roll!”