Vanguard

In most navies, the command ship sits behind the battle line. In the Crimson Fleet, a commander who leads from the rear is a commander who doesn't lead for long. The Vanguard carries fleet coordination systems powerful enough to manage a full battle group while simultaneously engaging targets with its own three weapon mounts. The extra defense slots exist not to protect the commander — Crimson commanders consider that cowardice — but to keep the coordination arrays functioning under fire. A Vanguard that stops transmitting because it took a hit costs the fleet more than one captain's pride is worth.