There were still two aircraft carriers and seven gunboats at the harbor. Of the other two carrier Small Squadrons, one was at Booty Bay, while the other had sailed for Quel'Thalas and had yet to return.
The Naval Chief of Staff felt there was no need to send so many warships. Two small carrier groups would suffice, since the orcs had no warships to speak of. The main problem was the shortage of transport ships. The Hinterlands had bought two large transports over the past two years, but one was at Booty Bay, leaving only one here at the harbor. All the pirate ships and merchant vessels captured in Stranglethorn Vale had been given to Sylvanas.
Alleria immediately wrote an order and had Yu Lin Bloodhawk send it to Shalandis Isle by owl, instructing all those ships to return to Hinterlands together with the Hinterlands carrier Small Squadron that had sailed for Quel'Thalas.
With that arranged, the Naval Chief of Staff felt things would be much easier. If six of the gunboats, both carriers, and the large transport currently at the harbor all sailed, carrying only troops and no supplies, they should be able to transport the entire corps to Proudmoore. The last gunboat would remain in The Hinterlands as a mobile reserve against any unexpected developments.
After unloading the troops at Menethil Harbor, the fleet would decide how many gunboats to send back to The Hinterlands according to the situation. Most of the officers believed at least three should return, since The Hinterlands needed to keep a few gunboats as a mobile force.
If the two carrier Small Squadrons abroad had not returned by the time the transport fleet from Shalandis Isle arrived, those three gunboats would escort it. If the carrier Small Squadron bound for Quel'Thalas returned together