Audace is the sixth construct of the Shearwater frigate line, launched in the third season of 7 ABY. She is the slipway sister of Kearsarge, and the two cruisers immediately were put out on star trials together. After successfully completing the trials, they were both assigned to the Navy's Iron Torch Fleet, centered around the CMS Typhoon. They remained as mere escort ships for over a year as the cautious and conservative Crest kept the fleets very close at hand and extremely nucleic.