Pharazon nodded at Corina, acknowledging her question, "The training will cover basic piloting and targeting.  Theoretically, it shouldn't take long to get a 'feel' for piloting a cog.  Once you can get the cog to move how you want, then we'll have the carrier send out some targets to practice on.  As for rules of engagement," here Pharazon paused, they didn't sigh but looked like they wanted to, they did close their eyes for an unusually long time before opening them again and continuing, "due to the 'unconventional' nature of cogs, you will be granted a lot more autonomy than would be typically allowed for normal soldiers.  The only things I can say are, 'we sortie when we are ordered to', 'communicate your intended actions to the lance before carrying them out', and 'unless I say, "Commander's orders"...you are allowed to rely on your best judgment'.  For the most part, our lance should only be faced up against enemy units, we should never encounter hostage situations or anything of that sort, though fighting in populated urban areas is a high possibility.  In such situations...trust your best judgment, but never intentionally endanger civilians."  Pharazon concluded.  They didn't like these 'rules' but on this ship, the research division's word was law.  Pharazon added that last part about not harming civilians intentionally as the research division was ready to give the pilots full permission to do whatever they 'felt' was the 'right thing to do' in combat.

"If there are no other questions, then everyone get in your cogs and prepare to sortie."

once everyone had entered their cogs and initiated the Cog OS boot up, the frames holding the cogs in their places began moving the cogs, sliding them along their backs out towards the compartments that ringed the central body of the carrier.  A comm link was established between each cog and the bridge's catapult operator, whose voice could be heard going through the launch sequence while the cogs got situated in the launch compartment and the blast doors opened.  "This will be your maiden launch.  While the carrier is designed for simultaneous launch of up to six craft, for this time, we will being doing it one at a time so the Lieutenant Commander can catch you if you have trouble braking.  Phalanx, you are cleared for take off."

"Lieutenant Commander Pharazon CXS, sortieing."  With that, the frame carrying Phalanx shot forward, releasing Phalanx when it reached the end of the launch rail, propelling Phalanx out into the hyperspace bubble.

"Alright," came Pharazon's voice over the comm link, "Send the next one out.  Let me know if you're having trouble controlling your cog.  Again, the way you control your cog should 'feel right' to you, if you think this lever, or this button, or this pedal brakes, then that's probably the one."