Shira didn't really respond to Kaz's insistence that his machine responded, but then again, it wasn't so strange. Out here in space, people found all sorts of things to grab on to and personify. Engineers and tech especially, but pilots too. They already did the same with ships and fighters back on Earth, and humanity was no different now. If anything, that attitude was likely why Kaz had never lost his mech in a sortie, Shira guessed.<br/><br/>"The module will be installed during the briefing, correct. I've been running tests all morning, and everything looks to be fine." She took out a small tablet and fiddled with it a bit. "I've sent you the specs, though obviously since it's a classified project, it doesn't have everything. If you're concerned about adjustments to your normal flight patterns, you'll be pleased to know the drive isn't particularly heavy, and it has it's own energy reserves, though it will also draw upon the mech's own banks if you need to charge in a hurry."<br/><br/>Shira glances around as people started filling in. "Well, nowhere to lead. We're doing the briefing here in the hangar, where I can use the mech to point things out as I need. Excuse me, I should get things ready."<br/><br/>It wasn't long before the rest of the team assigned to the drive test arrived, and Shira began her briefing.<br/><br/>"Today we'll be testing the Miniaturized Hermes Arrow Drive installed on a small craft. For those of you not aware, somehow...this is meant to be a fighter-scale version of the Arrow Drives used on our ships, which allow them to travel incredible distances in an instant. This version, coined 'The Dart', is supposed to grant that same ability to smaller craft. A lot of the details is classified information that I'm not privy to." Behind her, the module was being installed onto the back of Kaz's mech. The blue core fired up, almost looking like a small star. "It works on it's own energy banks, which recharge using background cosmic radiation and solar energy. They can also draw from the craft's own power, but that's only really needed in case of emergency. For this test, we've lowered it's output by quite a bit. You can jump anywhere up to 1 km in distance, though we've made some modifications to restrict the movement of the drive to always keep you relative to the ship. Kaz Markin will be piloting."<br/><br/>The drive installation finished, and Shira checked over the readout on her tablet.<br/><br/>"The main focus will be to monitor the output of the drive, see it's effect on the mech, and try out different scenarios for it's use. We'll start off with low-frequency, high distance jumps. Then we'll do frequent smaller jumps, erratic patterns, things of that nature. I'll be on-ship with the rest of the monitoring crew keeping an eye on the drive itself and giving instruction to pilot Markin. We begin the test in about 15 minutes. Get to your stations and be ready to go by then." Shira dismissed the team, letting them go about their work. She went over to Kaz and gestured at the mech.<br/><br/>"You should get in there and be out in zero-g as soon as you can. I don't forsee any real changes with how you'll be piloting, but you're the pilot here, not me. I'll be giving you instructions on how to use the drive through the comms."