Marker Drone

A Marker Drone (Kor’vesa in the Tau Lexicon) is a type of Tau Drone (small, disc-shaped, semi-sentient machines) employed extensively alongside Tau units in a support role during combat. Marker Drones consist of an advanced processor unit, which individually has only a basic intelligence (approximately that of a small animal such as a pterasquirrel), and moves about by way of a small anti-gravitic generator and a smaller and much modified version of a Tau Jetpack. This allows the Marker Drone to hover over the ground and skim over most obstacles. Marker Drones are primarily equipped with the relatively newly developed Networked Marker Light, which it can use to designate targets for its accompanying squad. The Networked Marker Light can then feed targeting information to the squad to drastically improve the effectiveness of their firepower. Marker Drones are also equipped with a Targeting Array to augment its own accuracy when using its Networked Marker Light. Markers Drones will always stay within close proximity to their master, and can act as a form of robotic bodyguard if necessary; by getting in the way of incoming enemy fire or close-combat opponents during the course of a battle.

All Marker Drones that are attached to a Tau are controlled by a device known as a Drone Controller, whether it is in the form of a support system for a Tau Battlesuit, or a hard-wired piece of wargear for Tau infantry. A Drone Controller is an electronic device which acts as a hub of digital communications between the Drone's operator and up to two Drones that accompany the user. It allows a user to communicate his will to any Drone directly under his control. Most of the time, the controller operates at a default level that simply keeps the Drone obeying its basic programming, but the owner can also use it to issue simple orders outside the Drone’s normal parameters.

Marker Drones attached to a Tau Stealthsuit Team are always upgraded with a stealth field generator, which allows them to operate without compromising the Stealthsuit Team's own ability to remain undetected.