The morning sea was shrouded in a light mist that glimmered gold in the sunlight.
Nine warships moved slowly among the waves, like nine silent steel giants.
The Dawn led at the front, with the Dawn and Tide to its left and right, while the other Dawn-class escort ships followed closely, forming a formation as precise as a moving wall.
The gilded Red Tide Emblem at the bow shone brightly in the sun, reflecting a dazzling light, as if it were a burning sun.
On the deck, sailors moved with rhythmic steps, their hands gripping the ropes.
They wore windproof jackets with the Red Tide Standard, and the brass buttons on their chests shone bright under the marine fog.
Someone adjusted the signal flags at the masthead, while others polished the railings on deck, laughing and passing water to each other as they debated whether there would be extra butter on the bread for lunch.
A kitchen apprentice carried a food bucket by, joked at: "Kid, don't let the soup be too bland today."
