The standard modern carrier of the Duchy of Tamarind-Abbey, the Merlin can carry a full wing of fighters into combat. Fast enough to stay away from most ships that can kill it, the ship relies on fighters to defeat the enemy with only minor integral weapons grids to fend off other ships.
         The fighters are carried in three seperate bays, one for each squadron. They are located one on top and one on each side of the ship. Each has a single launch mechanism, a cradle that holds the fighters like a revolver. When ready to launch, the revolver mechanism slides out so one fighter can launch. Then it rotates so the rest can launch at one per an average ten seconds a piece. While performing recovery operations, the entire revolver section will normally slide out of the ship to allow access to the interior bay.
         While the revolver launch system allows for impressive launch rates, it has a number of drawbacks. For one, a Merlin can not engage in manuevers while recovering fighter craft. Doing so with so much of the ship's mass out of place has caused dangerous structural stress in the past. Secondly, the revolver mechanisms are a weak spot that enemies have learned to use to their advantage. The Duchy has done what they can to cover the mechanisms with an armor plate when tucked in, but the ship is still vunerable to concentrated fire.
         Many Merlins are modified to carry a company of BattleMechs, armor units, or infantry by removing the aerospace bays and revolver mechanisms from the two side bays. The upper bay is rarely modified in such a manner because it is difficult for non-jumping units to exit that bay after the Merlin has landed. Also, Merlin captains rarely choose to go into combat without at least one squadron of fighters protecting them. The cargo bay on the bottom of the ship is sometimes also modifed to carry troops, but this is rare as the ship has no other cargo bays.
         Some Merlins have all of the bays modified to carry cargo for fast movement between systems. These blockade runners are much more expensive than DropShips on a ton-for-ton basis, but they do have a place in the Human Sphere as there is always somebody willing to buy anything for the right amount of money. Most DropPort denizens near League space have gotten at least a glimpse of a privately-owned Merlin on the tarmac unloading cargo from the ramps of the lower and side bays while a crane pulls crates out of the upper bay.