The feeling of being, basically, teleported around space, while not new using the larger drives, was a bit disorienting for the young pilot. It was different than a scheduled jump with the fleet, and though he didn't understand why, it didn't bother him too much. "Jump complete. Systems appear normal. Pilot condition normal." His stomach was a little knotted, but apart from that he was good to go. If his symptoms worsened, or new symptoms arose, he would notify Shira, but until he became concerned, he would keep his thoughts to himself. He was there, after all, to do a job, and he would do that job if it was in his ability. "As far as I can tell, everything is still running at optimum efficiency." Kaz went through a basic check, though he knew it was only for his benefit. The fact that he and his mech had both been wired up with enough sensors to cover a football field told him that she didn't really need him to report in, but protocol dictated a human response.<br/><br/>"System reset is complete. I'm ready for Phase two." Energy reserves were still well above the acceptable level, which meant the Dart could be used again whenever he was ready. The application of this technology from a military perspective. The ability to deploy and redeploy anywhere on the battlefield would provide a pivotal advantage over any opponent. Even civilian operations would be dramatically improved. Resource harvesting, colonization, personnel transport, and exploration would be dramatically expedited by the implementation of The Dart system.<br/><br/>Of course none of those things sat at the forefront of Kaz's mind as he prepared his next jump. His second series would be shorter, more rapid jumps. The targeting computer for the first jump was pre-loaded with designated exit points, but these would be up to him. The math was simple, considering what it was. Computational navigation was still a complicated matter, but every pilot had to at least be competent in that area. Kaz was slightly above average, but there were plenty of people ahead of him, in both speed and accuracy. Thankfully the computer would do most of the work. All he had to do was a few basic equations and let the Dart do the rest. He plotted his coordinates and, after receiving clearance, initiated the jump.<br/><br/>Each jump was timed perfectly. Thirty seconds apart. Each one brought another brief wave of nausea, but they quickly subsided as he grew more accustomed to the sensation. Upon exiting the fourth jump, however, the knot did not fade, for the post-jump hangover was compounded by a fighter pilot's worst nightmare: an uncharted asteroid cloud.<br/><br/>Alarms blared the moment he reentered real space. Hundreds of small rocks, hidden by a spacial "dark spot" sped like bullets from an automatic rifle. Rook's shielding managed to deflect or incinerate the looser chunks, but larger rocks, roughly the size of an elevator car, were not affected. "SHIT," Kaz exclaimed, immediately dodging the first projectile, his muscles reacting before his mind had even fully caught up to what was happening. The mech's thrusters flared to life, twisting and turning, narrowly escaping one meteor after another. Several times the hull would quake and rattle as pieces of floating ore slammed into his mech.<br/><br/>"Command, uncharted asteroid storm! Relaying coordinates now! Shira, can you pull me back in?!"