Rich04, Thank you for explaining the problem so humorously.
I sent an email to Malfador a while back asking for Drones launched in combat to be recoverd at the end of combat, and to leave drones launched in strategic mode as un recoverable. I see that as a nice compromise between what he apparently wants drones to be, and what many players would like them to be. Haven't heard anything though.
One thing you could do is include a transport in your fleet that has no launchers and only leave a few or none in the launcher ship until you are to the target. Not a perfect solution, but it helps in some cases.
Geoschmo
[ November 26, 2002, 12:26: Message edited by: geoschmo ]