Chapter 393: First Dawn

"The 'First Dawn' is a Newton-class destroyer, with a standard displacement of 7,200 tons; full load displacement of 8,660 tons; overall length 129.02 meters, beam 13.50 meters, draft 4.8 meters; maximum speed 36.8 knots; crew of 350; endurance 7,500 nautical miles at 20 knots."

"When it was first built, it boasted three Beelzebub 32 twin 5-inch dual-purpose guns; two quintuple 533 mm torpedo tubes; two Samael quadruple 40 mm autocannons, two Samael twin 40 mm autocannons, and eleven Mestema single 20 mm autocannons; formidable firepower, though now most of its weapons have been removed."

As Li Mochen boarded the ship, a secondhand ship dealer named Lafitte introduced it with pride.

"This is a destroyer built by America in the late 1940s, originally intended as the U.S. Federal Navy's main destroyer for decades to come. But the military competition of the Cold War rendered it obsolete early; in 1975, it was sold to East Asia, served there for twelve years, and was then scrapped. Now, this destroyer has undergone civilian conversion. It still has a fifty-year lifespan, military-grade destroyer defense capabilities, a Light Magic-produced Shield 3884-type four-sided phased array radar, a C44 target illumination radar with corresponding fire control system, and the most advanced Listener 52 surface search radar and Listener 53 navigation radar. Its weapons are two 'Roarer'-type 5-inch 54-caliber naval guns, plus four quadruple MK-321 anti-ship missile launchers, four quadruple SAM-21 anti-aircraft missiles, a Phalanx close-in weapon system, and a total of fourteen autocannons."

"Are you sure it's been civilian-converted?"

Li Mochen listened in bewilderment, wondering where exactly the civilian conversion lay.

And the Shield 3884 phased array radar—wasn't that the latest radar installed by the U.S. Navy? Something like a key component of the Aegis system. Could that really be civilian?

"Of course, all weapons and radars are downgraded, basically only two-thirds of the original performance and range. Its engines have also been replaced, with a top speed of only thirty knots, but endurance has greatly increased to 9,000 nautical miles."

The secondhand dealer named Lafitte answered his doubts: "Though its combat power is far inferior to a warship, placing the 'First Dawn' near the Antoria Continent still makes it a powerful, invincible war fortress. Even the few battleships rampant there would have to be wary of its anti-ship missiles. And now, you can take it for just nine billion gold shields. Mr. Wiltonshire, I think there's no better deal. With this retired warship, your fleet will have free access to the Antoria Continent."

Li Mochen said nothing, only turned to look at the group behind him. These were the captains, first and second mates, and boatswains he had recently hired at high cost, some of them retired naval officers.

He had no choice; he knew nothing about warships and couldn't tell whether what Mr. Lafitte said was true or false. At this point, he could only rely on the professional judgment of these employees.

Li Mochen believed they would give impartial opinions, after all, the quality of this warship also concerned their future lives and safety.

"I think it's not bad."

"The weapon systems look fairly new, but I wonder about their condition."

"The hull is well-maintained, but some components are still decades old. Though their design life is long, this refit is too careless."

"What I care most about is how well the radars, sonar, and weapon systems are integrated. That's the key."

"If all equipment comes with a warranty, I think it's barely usable—"

"Isn't the price too steep? A brand-new destroyer costs only twelve billion gold shields."

Li Mochen noticed that although the group seemed indifferent and unenthusiastic, none questioned the ship's quality or combat power.

A few retired officers had shining eyes, their expressions as if telling him to buy it quickly without hesitation—this was the one.

Li Mochen understood, but still asked a gray-haired man beside him, "What do you think, Brigadier Clayton?"

Brigadier Wallace Clayton, aged fifty-seven, a retired naval officer and also a nineteenth-level magical shooter. During his service, he had commanded three destroyers.

He was the fleet leader Li Mochen had recruited through Michael Wood.

He had paid a huge cost for this: besides an annual salary of ten million, he also provided a superior life potion to help Wallace Clayton heal his injuries and extend his life by two years, and an 'Amphitrite's Tear' to boost Wallace Clayton's magical cultivation to the twentieth level.

Additionally, he had promised to help Wallace Clayton reach the legendary level within seven years.

Li Mochen thought the cost was worth it. Since the former brigadier joined his team, the previously bumpy affairs of the fleet had run smoothly, as if oiled, requiring almost no further worry.

"If you have sufficient funds, boss, I recommend buying it."

Wallace Clayton spoke while stroking the new paint in the corridor, his eyes gleaming with wisdom: "But I see you seem to have other concerns, boss?"

"Mainly personnel. Mr. Lafitte said this ship has undergone three sea trials after conversion and guaranteed it with his reputation, so I think the ship itself is fine."

Li Mochen frowned: "But we need enough crew to operate it. I've also heard that for a warship to achieve full combat effectiveness, it needs磨合 and adaptation."

The main issue was the tight schedule; his original plans hadn't included this 'First Dawn'.

It was entirely someone's whim fifteen days ago, remembering that a partner in Southeast Asia had a retired warship for sale.

"Personnel is not a problem."

Brigadier Wallace Clayton thought briefly, then calmly assured: "For sailors making a living on the Antoria Continent, a powerful warship is a guarantee of life. Especially for veterans, this ship has great appeal. Combat effectiveness does need磨合 and adaptation, but I guarantee that within ten days of sailing, it can achieve basic combat capability. Its power is still incomparable to your armed merchant ships."

So Li Mochen turned and made an offer to Mr. Lafitte: "Seven billion gold shields, must be paid in installments. The first payment will be 50 million. Mr. Lafitte, I am sincere."

"For installment payments, it must be 7.5 billion."

Mr. Lafitte smiled: "If you agree, the ship is yours. Otherwise, we can't negotiate."

A ship transaction involving hundreds of millions of gold shields couldn't really be so hasty, but in fact, the deal had already been settled before they met. Even he, Lafitte, was just a front to divert attention. The ship was only passing through his hands; it had never belonged to him.

So at this moment, they were just going through the motions.