The shining dawn sun illuminated the western reaches of the Oksai Sea, and just in time too. Once again, the singular combat vessel in the entire Auredian navy raised its Auredian flag, a tradition it held since Iskarra was first integrated into the Republic. The sole admiral of the navy, a certain Terwan Macinet, watched over the pitiful sight. A single, rusting, old ship. He swished around the ice water in his glass, watching the flag raise before he turned over to one of his closest friends, another man by the name of Patr Besellin, speaking with a rough voice. "Patr, why is it that Auredia even has a navy? Why am I even here? What good is a navy if its.. just a single damn ship! Granted, its a battleship, and the cannons it has on it can quite literally level the entire coastal neighborhoods of every Auredian city, but Auredia made only one ship, said they'd build more, and proceeded to just go further inland!" He set the glass down with a thud. "I swear! We didn't even use the damned ship against Domare, we just bombed their fuckin' ports!" Terwan stared at the ship with clenched fists, as Patr walked over and pat him on the back. "Don't worry, you old sea dog. Maybe if you ask nice enough, you'll get the navy you so desire." Patr laughed, and a quick, serious glance from Terwan shut him up. Looking back to the sea, Terwan shook his head. "Its not just me, Patr. This navy would benefit Auredia so well. I mean, what? We have some backwards damned anarchists across the Oksai, so close by that you could probably walk there and back. And then we have those assholes to our West, Icktenland... Holding one of our only points to the sea. Auredia is desperate for sea supremacy, and yet, it just doesn't realize it!" He breathed a disappointed sigh, staring at the sea before turning to Patr. "I'm going to visit the port cities. Get me my coat, you're coming with. If Auredia won't build a navy, then I will."
Despite that being heavily illegal in Auredian law, he fully intended to hand over the war vessels to Auredia as part of a 'trade'. If Auredia refused to retrofit their ships, or build a navy, then he might aswell become the navy.
Over the course of the year, Auredian ship manufacturers will work hard in creating battleships of Terwan's design. Production of five battleships is predicted to be complete next year.
