It was simply a fleet with a somewhat extreme configuration. The capital ships were escorted by six Aegis-class light cruisers and twelve Apocalypse Hawk-class destroyers. No cumbersome arsenal ships or guardian ships accompanied them.
Judging by its composition, this was a classic high-speed raiding fleet. It could be used to disrupt enemy supply lines, launch raids, and conduct long-range strikes during wartime, or to carry out tactical maneuvers such as flanking and infiltration in a decisive fleet battle. Still, six dreadnoughts and four carriers seemed a little too luxurious by raiding-fleet standards.
The fleet also lacked small assault ships. But as everyone knew, the hangars aboard the Phoenix II-class high-speed carriers were designed to an extreme as well. They could barely hold any multirole fighters or sublight interceptors, but had enormous barracks for assault troops and assault airships.
...We should be understanding. The Tirillo people had great faith in their shipbuilding skills and military technology, but even greater faith in their own courage.
As long as they had armor and weapons, a qualified Tirillo assault trooper would have no hesitation charging headlong at Wolflyn werewolves, Ketai catfolk, Minoan minotaurs, or even Maishanda trolls—all warrior races whose physical abilities far exceeded those of humans. And most of the time, they would emerge victorious.
The commander of this imperial fleet, Admiral Count Larse Mergash, stood on the bridge of the Iron Duke, listening to the reports from his adjutants and staff officers, his brow furrowed tightly.
"...In short, every aspect of the ships except their weapons has suffered some degree of wear and tear." The chief of staff summed up.
"If they're sent straight into battle, they'll pose a safety risk," said Viscount Napot, the assault troops' commander and the fleet's chief bruiser, as well as a Starrealm Knight.
Indeed, anyone with