Illuminating the Void: The Founding of the Denvan Navy (Published 782.M43)
From the vantage point of centuries later, one might be tempted to dismiss the
Candle as a modest first step—its lines and systems appear simple compared to the imposing warships that would follow. Yet in its day, the
Candle stood as a revolutionary testament to Denva's newfound unity and engineering ambition. Measuring roughly sixteen hundred meters in length, it cut a lean silhouette in the orbital docks, its armor plates and shimmering shielding offering the first tangible proof that Denva intended to guard its star lanes with tenacity.
Armament on the
Candle was modest but innovative for its era. Two light macrocannon batteries provided sustained firepower, bolstered by a single medium lance battery mounted along the dorsal spine—capable of delivering precise, penetrating shots at range. Observers at the time noted that these arrays seemed overbuilt for a destroyer of its size, yet they perfectly foreshadowed Denva's inclination to pack maximum punch into lean frames. Coupled with high-maneuverability thrusters, the
Candle became a nimble spearhead able to close on an enemy at impressive speed—eight gravities of acceleration being no small feat for a fledgling navy.
In shaping the early Denvan navy, the
Candle swiftly emerged as a model for design philosophy. Its manageable size, reliable propulsion, and above-average firepower by destroyer standards influenced every subsequent hull laid down in Denva's orbit. Engineers across the planet refined their techniques by studying how the
Candle balanced speed, agility, and sufficient armament in one compact frame. As a result, Denva's naval architects grew bolder, incorporating the
Candle's lessons into ever-larger vessels—each carrying the DNA of that first, determined spark.
Future captains would often recall the
Candle fondly as the bright spark that paved the way for grander fleets. Yet for all its eventual successors, the
Candle remains unique. It was the first to embody Denva's defiance of the galaxy's dangers—and, in many ways, the one that lit the path for every warship that came after.
I had a short thing rattling around in my head, I hope you like it.
