Le Leopard Dropship, Rat Lance était à bord d'une conception assez simple, facile à entretenir. Ce navire particulier a été construit sur Galax à Federated-Boeing Interstellar. Son but principal était de porter une lance de BattleMechs. Le navire de 1 900 tonnes mesurait 66 mètres (216.5') de l'avant à l'arrière, 51,6 mètres (169,3') de largeur et sa hauteur dépassait un peu plus de 22 mètres (73,5'). Alors que la plupart des navires de largage ont une charge d'armes assez modeste, les Leopard's étaient assez impressionnants avec cinq grands lasers, sept lasers moyens, trois LRM-20 et deux PPC. Il y avait aussi de la place pour deux combattants aérospatiaux, comme le prescrit l'ancienne doctrine de la Star League Defense Force pour une lance aérienne.
Nero a considéré leur affectation actuelle tout en sirotant une boisson glacée de la cuisine. Ils testaient quatre BattleMechs, organisés en Lance tout en obtenant une expérience sur le terrain avec d'autres étudiants de l'Académie de Nagelring et du New Avalon Institute of Science (NAIS) sur une planète tranquille habitée par une unité militaire privée considérée comme l'un des meilleurs du système. Il se sentait aussi en sécurité qu'un jeune officier pouvait le sentir et était en fait assez optimiste, possédant une sensation d'excitation à l'égard de la mission. Peter Mattlov, un étudiant du NAIS était déjà en train de vérifier sa Cicada. Nero pensait que M. Mattlov était intelligent pour faire ça. Il croyait qu'il devait suivre l'exemple de Mattlov. Il a vu Aveline Lott, également de Nagelring, ne sait toujours pas comment la prendre alors qu'il se dirigeait vers les baies de Mech. En chemin, il a croisé M. Staudinger. D'une voix assez forte pour que Mme Lott l'entende, Nero s'adresse à son autre camarade de classe Nagelring : "Hey Ansgar, allons voir nos Mechs! M. Mattlov effectue des diagnostics sur sa Cicada. En outre, nous devrions arriver sur Steelton bientôt, nous devrons être dans les cockpits pour la chute." Nero n'a pas attendu une réponse, continuant à marcher vers son Wolverine dans la baie numéro 2.
Il se promena à l'extérieur, de la Wolverine, en regardant le véhicule au-dessus de son armure, en prêtant attention aux articulations, à la recherche de fuites de fluides hydrauliques ou de tout ce qui sortait de l'ordinaire. Une fois qu'il était satisfait, l'extérieur était opérationnelment apte au service; il a grimpé dans le poste de pilotage. À l'intérieur, il s'est familiarisé avec l'intérieur. Satisfait de cette inspection visuelle, il a grimpé et attaché les ceintures de sécurité. Il a commencé à effectuer un ensemble similaire de tests diagnostiques sur les différents systèmes qui composent le Wolverine Mech.
Nero a placé son neurohelmet de couleur or sur sa tête, qui semblait immédiatement réveiller son Wolverine. – J'ai besoin d'un nom pour cette bête, pensa Nero. 'Bête? C'est pas vrai. Empereur? Non, c'est pas vrai. Nero s'est ridiculisé. Cobra? C'est pas vrai. Champion? Non, c'est pas vrai. Il s'est arrêté dans son processus de pensée a un il a poussé quelques boutons, a vérifié des scans et a regardé les lectures. 'Bah, ça va venir à moi. Peut-être quand on est sur un terrain solide.
Alors qu'il effectuait un test de diagnostic, il a remarqué que les portes de la baie s'ouvraient avec un coup fort. Les indicateurs d'avertissement sonnaient fort. Le feu de chute est resté rouge, indiquant qu'une goutte était imminente, juste pas maintenant. Alors que le véhicule s'approchait de la surface, Nero sentit une poussée d'émotions, d'excitation, d'anticipation, d'anxiété, de peur et de confiance tout en un. Il savait qu'il ferait bien, mais tout était si nouveau et il y avait encore beaucoup à apprendre.
L'indicateur de chute sur son HUD clignotait vert, ce qui signifie qu'il était temps de partir. L'indicateur de chute a ensuite clignoté au noir alors que la liaison de données entre le Mech et le navire de chute a été coupée. Nero regarda en bas, regardant la surface au-dessous de lui. Son neurohelmet lui a permis de voir le sol en dessous. C'était une zone de chute lisse, planifiée juste pour cet exercice. La chute aurait pu être d'environ 10 pieds, ce qui n'était pas significatif pour la Wolverine. Nero sentit le navire de largage se désengager alors que son Mech tombait à quelques mètres de la surface lisse en dessous. Les genoux ont absorbé le léger impact, donnant à Nero la même sensation que vous pouvez obtenir d'un ascenseur descendant. Il a vérifié le solde et le Wolverine qui n'avait pas encore été nommé était opérationnel pour le service. Il a vérifié les systèmes d'armes qui étaient tous chargés et prêts pour toutes les découpes de carton que la lance serait nécessaire pour engager.
Peter Mattlov a communiqué son statut, ce qui a rappelé à Nero de faire la même, "RAT un. Le statut est nominal. À vous."
Une fois que tout le monde s'est enregistré avec la compagnie RAT, une voix de commande est venue sur le net, "RAT, aller le long des points de passage pour rendez-vous avec la Task Force Rusty."
Nero a vérifié sa carte et ses superpositions topographiques. Ils n'étaient pas complets. Il s'est souvenu de l'exposé indiquant que les communications tactiques avaient diminué, ce qui avait affecté la base de données topographiques. Il faudrait du temps pour mettre à jour le système géographique. La lance devrait s'appuyer sur la base de données embarquée pour la navigation. Il s'avère que RAT Lance fournirait une escorte à un détachement d'ingénieurs de Star Guard, affecté à l'entretien des capteurs de secours.
Au fur et à mesure que la Lance avance, Nero trouve sa Wolverine du côté droit de la formation en regardant le côté droit et en avant, couvrant la Cicada de Mattlov. Son HUD a transmis les emplacements des quatre mechs et le véhicule de l'ingénieur voyageant au centre de leur formation en forme de diamant.
Nero a trouvé la Wolverine un peu maladroite ou tempéramentale au début, mais l'homme et la machine se sont lentement fusionnés en une seule entité fonctionnelle. Ça a pris du temps, c'est exactement ce qu'ils avaient. Il s'est rapidement familiarisé avec les lectures de données sur les écrans alors qu'il bougeait les yeux vers le haut et vers le bas pour voir à travers la canopée sur le terrain autour d'eux. Tout lui semblait beau. Il a tout pris pendant que les Mechs et les véhicules manœuvraient à travers le sol. Les affleurements pierreux et le désert comme le sol lui donnaient une vue du paysage qui lui était inconnu. Ces nouvelles expériences lui ont toutes été accablantes, inondant son cerveau et il l'a aimé. C'était assez excitant de dire le moins.
Name: Nero Reynard
Age: 22
Gender: Male
Branch of Service: Armed Forces of the Federated Suns
Physical Description:
Nero stand 5' 9" tall and weighs 178 lbs. He has acquired a fit body through years of disciplined exercise. Most of the men of his lineage go bald early and he is no exception. Although the hairline is just now starting to recede, Nero opted to shave the head now and prefers to go for the bald look. He feels it gives him a more intimidating presence. His piercing blue eyes do make him attractive; framed by a dominant brow and firm cheek bones.
When not in uniform or in the cockpit of a Mech, Nero dresses casually in cotton cargo pants and a golf shirt or cotton T-shirt. He has no problem dressing formal, just feels it is unnecessary to dress to impress when there is no reason to do so.
Character History:
Nero was born into the House Reynard on New Avalon in 3028. His father, a New Avalonian Duke, occupies a seat on the governing council and a voice in the Federated Commonwealth. Reynard Davion, President of the Federated Suns from 2340 to 2371 is related to the House of Reynard through his mother's side of the family. The former President was named for his mother's maiden name. The Reynards have always enjoyed a close relationship with the House of Davion over the past 700 years. "Loyalty Until Death" is the family's motto. Francois Reynard, an ancestor whom Nero is in direct lineage to once held the position of Commander of the 1st Avalon Hussars in the late 28th Century. Military tradition is an important value to the House of Reynard.
As a child Nero enjoyed reading military history, about the wars that plagued the Federated Suns and the Lyran Commonwealth. Both sides of the alliance are equally fascinating to the youthful Reynard. He often spent time playing war games or battlefield simulations either in board format or on a computer; occasionally with his brother, Tiberius. Learning small unit tactics and strategy is something Nero thrived, it was his passion, paying very close attention to learning these skills while at NAMA and later at The Nagelring.
Another hobby Nero enjoyed as a youth was taking things apart and putting them back together. He liked disassembling small engines and rebuilding them as well as computer components, electrical systems and hydraulics. This hobby helped him learn about the BattleMechs he would later operate. He loves tinkering with the mechanical and technology that make a Mech work.
Nero had a relatively easy upbringing, receiving everything a young boy needs to grow up with. He never missed a meal and always had a place to lay his head. His mother, Marguerite (Davion) Reynard was a loving woman who was also third cousin to the current First Prince Hanse Davion. Nero and his siblings, Gemma and Tiberius received the best education on New Avalon and on other planets in the Federated Commonwealth. Marguerite had significant influence in the House of Davion. As the eldest son, Nero was sent to the New Avalon Military Academy; The College of Military Studies to learn how to operate Battle Mechs.
In his Junior Year, Nero transferred to The Nagelring, the premier military academy in the Lyran Commonwealth. He continued his studies in Battle Mechs, excelling in his field of studies. Nero has always been a rule follower, with a very disciplined perspective. Operating by the book is important to Nero Reynard, enforcing rules amongst his peers when discovered. He does not care who he offends in enforcing the standards of the military arm of the Federated Commonwealth.
In his senior year at the Nagelring, Cadet Reynard was promoted to the rank of Cadet First Sergeant. As the Cadet First Sergeant, Nero was the principal advisor the commander on the state of morale, discipline and training of cadets within the company. He advised the Company Commander on planning, coordinating and supervising activities of the class. In this position, Cadet First Sergeant Reynard conducted all company formations; responsible for training and execution of all drill and ceremonies to include the Company Color Guard.
As the class neared graduation, many of the top students at the Nagelring were chosen for a special joint FedSuns/Lyran field-testing exercise in Lyran space. They would work with lostch and prototype weaponry in various conditions. Nero jumped at this opportunity anticipating decent hands on experience with an operational Mech. It was his expectation once his class graduated that he would be able to choose the regiment he would ultimately join, that unit being the Davion Heavy Guards Regiment.
Psychological Profile:
 Nero is a pensive individual who enjoys being able to think things through. He spent most of his youth learning from the past about various tactics and strategy. He enjoys roleplaying various scenarios in his mind about how he would react to a given situation. When action his required, it takes him very little time to determine a suitable course of action, preferring to act quickly when the situation demands it, yet taking his time and thinking things through when the situation affords him the time to do so.
In sporting events, Nero can be very aggressive and will not hesitate to assert himself on the playing field.
Nero is a rule follower. As the oldest child in his family growing up, following the rules, doing what his parents told him to do was very important. In like, enforcing those standards on his brother, Tiberius and sister, Gemma were equally important. He had been considered a brown-noser or tattle tale early on, which isolated him from some of his peers during his primary and secondary education years. Nero preferred to distance himself from Negative influence, surrounding himself with positive friends who shared his values. This trait has served him well.
Those who do not understand Nero's drive to be competitive and do well academically and athletically consider him to be overly arrogant; misinterpreting his natural aggressive and assertive tendencies as arrogance.
Skills::
 - In school, Nero excelled in military history, small unit tactics at the Lance and Company level and in maintenance of a Mech. He enjoys learning the lessons of the past in an attempt to apply them to future scenarios. He role plays possible situations in his mind regularly analyzing terrain as it suits the weapon systems available to him on a theoretical battlefield. Nero enjoys taking things apart and putting them back together. He has become quite skilled at maintaining the various technological components that go into making a Mech work. He is familiar with the engine, the hydraulic systems, the wiring, the computer components and the software. His attention to detail and stickler for the rules got him the posting as Cadet First Sergeant of the Company of Cadets at The Nagelring.
- Of all the things about school, Nero enjoys, piloting a BattleMech the best. The first time he slid into the cockpit, he felt a rush of excitement overwhelm him. After his first testdrive on an older rebuilt Shadow Hawk, he felt like he was home at the controls of this magnificent beast. Thrilling!
- Nero likes salvage operations and does well in those classes; learning what components are a piority over others. But this goes hand in hand with his innate technological and maintenance skills.
- With a natural aggressive nature, Nero prefers the offensive. It shows in his fighting style. If given the option to defend or attack, Nero would tell you that the best defense, is a spirited attack; get in close with your opponent and open up his weaknesses for exploitation. He prefers to be at the tip of the spear, the point man in an operation in order to identify threats early and report them back. He understands the value of a good reconnaissance and how to use the intelligence recon elements acquire to exploit the enemy's weakness. Nero views the defense simply as an opportunity to recover strength and evaluate an opponent's strengths and weaknesses. Spending too much time on the defense sacrifices opportunities to advance and take terrain.
Equipment:
 - Cooling vest
- New plasteel boots
- Radiation absorbing gloves
- Compression shorts
- Cotton T-shirt, House of Reynard family crest, NAMA or Nagelring crest on shirt.
- Neurohelmet with improved flare and visibility; Micro power pack, equipped with rangefinder and night vision
- Combat Medipack, attached to left thigh.
- Noteputer, hand held device attached to right thigh.
- Serrek 7875D Auto-Pistol; a gift from his father, Duke Victor Reynard. Holstered under left arm on top of vest.
- Multi-tool
- Survival pack; stored in rear of mech cockpit.
Battlemech:
Wolverine WVR-7D; field testing the model for the Davion Family out of their Nanking factory. This upgraded Wolverine's engine has been replaced with a Nissan 275 XL version and the armor has been upgraded to Kallon Unity Weave Ferro-Fibrous material with an extra half-ton added. To increase speed, Myomer Accelerator Signal Circuitry (MASC) has been added, allowing it to move up to 108 km/h in bursts. Finally, the weapons payload has been upgraded as well. The autocannon in the right arm has been upgraded to a General Motors Nova-5 Ultra Autocannon/5 and the medium laser is now a Sutel Precision Line Medium Pulse Laser. The design retains its jumping capability, as well as the SRM-6 Harpoon, although Cellular Ammunition Storage Equipment, (CASE) now protects the SRM reloads.

Specifications:Wolverine Model WVR-7D
Class: Medium
Engine: Nissan 275 XL (Nanking)
Weight: 55 tons
Primary weapon: General Motors Nova-5 Ultra Autocannon/5. This weapon, mounted in the right arm along with one ton of ammunition, allows the Wolverine to cause damage to the enemy at respectable ranges.
Secondary weapons:
- Harpoon-6 SRM-6 launcher for short-range work with one ton of reloads in the left torso
- Magna Mk II Medium Laser mounted in the head. Due to its 360 degree turret, earlier models had a tendency to commit accidental fratricide. The Wolverine was equipped with the TekBattleCom system to prevent this from happening.
Cruising speed: 81 KpH
Maximum speed: 108 KpH
Jump: 150 Meters (The jets are slightly underpowered for this role and must be operated near maximum thrust to achieve their potential, resulting in increased wear and tear on the components.)
Armor: 10 tons of Kallon Unity Weave Ferro-Fibrous material. The Wolverine is well-protected and emphasizes its survivability when undertaking dangerous reconnaissance missions.
Heat: Thirteen heat sinks also provide adequate heat dissipation even in the event of damage to the fusion engine.
Role: In its role as a command 'Mech, the Wolverine is well equipped with the Tek BattleCom system with multichannel transceiver/receiver as found on the Phoenix Hawk. Well-shielded in the head blister this set-up allows the Wolverine to provide superior electronic support when leading other 'Mechs or conducting reconnaissance on its own.