[Ahem] It has come to my attention, fellows, kin, Shrooms and others alike, that the Home Guard needs more power at sea. Not only this, but with the march of technology, along with the unique problems that lie beyond our borders, indeed, expansion is necessary as well as newer technology. While I fear the future may hold greater threats, especially with some incidents concerning the KTO, I must say, we shall stand strong against the storm of doubt upon our island of reason. We shall endure, in our shelters, our caves, behind our shields of knowledge and diplomacy. And, should it be necessary, we shall strike forth with the fury of our military to defend our home. Some mages say we have lived in a dark age, an age where we knew nothing. But now? Now we are reaching into the light. We dare to seek out the truth, to discover the past, to rebuild what was lost, or improve upon it. We shall no longer be afraid, we shall no longer cower in the face of evil. Judgement shall be the last of the Spirit class, at least, the last of the exposed wooden warships. The future will be brought in, with refits of the Spirit class, offering armor, reinforcement of their timbers, and greater capacity to sail beyond our shores. We shall reach out beyond the horizon, we shall chase the sun and beat the darkness of the night. We WILL venture forth, and, in due time, create a global empire, connected to us by trade and travelers, willing to seek us out and exchange relics of a time long past. We shall make peace with our neighbors, we shall form bonds with those beyond our small bubble of influence. And, of course, Gaia shall guide us, wherever we go, into the unknown.
With this, I shall commemorate Judgement, may she sail on to greater seas, may she protect our shores from threats hailing from the very depths of the abyss, and may she guide us to greater heights, and shores beyond our own!
With this said, a plate is given to Angelica by a mage, who nods, before smashing it against the ship. With that, the large clipper soon slid sideways into the port, to much fanfare and celebration, as fireworks fired off, given they were magic, anchored airships offering a sublime view as smaller fishing vessels watched on. Soon, smaller "tug" craft maneuver to help pull the ship into a better orientation, while the crew would parade march through a portal, cast by a head mage of the academy, the crew carrying arms, supplies, and rations. The rest of the supplies were later tossed through the portal, or summoned forth by the crew onboard, as they worked to set sail on the same day, to begin operations on her maiden voyage.
Nearby, the USS Ivan laid dormant, as the skeleton crew aboard it stood upon the submarine, saluting the clipper as her sails soon caught the wind, the ship picking up speed and later moving out of the port. After the clipper leaves, the skeleton crew return to their duties, while the gathering of shrooms remains, as the airships slowly come down to be packed away even as the festivals have just begun once again. Post-launch attire and bags were being sold like crazy, paintings were made, photos were taken, it was, perhaps, the happiest time of year for these shrooms.
