The UNSC Tepitz

Even in an age of starships and faster than light travel, there are still territories that some vehicles cannot go. The oldest form of long distance travel across continents are sea ships. Some people have lived their whole lives never seeing such a vessel, but for many others, boats have represented one of the earliest form of exploration; setting out into the unknown in one of these is a point of pride for anyone calling themselves a sea captain.

Many ships are meant for pleasure and commerce. Fewer are meant for war. Some have wondered why such vehicles even exist in this day and age, and the answer is rather simple: Interstellar travel is not as practical as some believe and boats are one of the cheapest ways to travel. Besides, the view of the rolling blue is said to be one of the most beautiful things in the world, especially the sunsets.

Military ships often serve as coast guard vessels and even work to quell threats on land in case of an impromptu bush war or insurrection. Very rarely are ship-to ship battles executed, but they still happen from time to time, which explains the use of frigates and destroyers which are designed for ship-to-ship encounters.

Above is an aircraft carrier, The UNSC Tepitz, a Cheshyre-class carrier which serves as a mobile airbase in the oceans of Ballastina, a mostly water world. In case of attack, she has many Dragonfly fighters to launch and even an impressive arsenal of Ground to Orbit missiles that are even useful against spacecraft. AMS systems can even take care of projectiles shot back. The Geneva Conventions prohibit any use of MAC rounds fired to a planet from orbit so as to not to damage the planetary environment.

Boats will continue to be a symbol of Human exploration, as we continue to explore the oceans of many more worlds for many more years to come.