UPDATE SIX - Don't Tessellate So Close To Me
The Monarchy was in dire straits. Recalling all its ships back home, they built a carrier, which had a terrifying full complement of four frigates, but nothing else. Against them was arranged a Dreadnought, Battleship, and a Carrier with two Frigates.
Monarchist forces managed to bring down the Dreadnought before their carrier went down to the capital ships' fire. After that, the carrier-supported frigates of the Empire shredded the remaining unsupported Monarchy frigates, losing only one of their own. The casualties were heavy, but acceptable.
Following the battle, the Imperial Battleship bombarded the planet, wiping out Aeras' garrison forces. The Monarchy fell with the death of the King in the orbital bombardment, and landing parties secured all major cities, industrial collapse notwithstanding. (-1 planetary eco)
In the north, the Inquisition finally makes its first assault, seizing the Republic planet of Faren with no resistance. For their part, the Republic seems to be assembling a carrier strike force above Taranis, similar to the one of the Monarchy that was recently obliterated. Theirs will most likely share the same fate without support from heavier ships.
The Caliphate repairs and retrenches.
Caliphate - 6$/6 income
Empire - 12$ (2 banked)/10 income
Republic - 7$ (1 banked)/6 income
Inquisition - 13$/12 income