A flight of three midline planetary defense interceptors- more than many planets even have in store- on maneuvers above their twin converted freighter homes.
Enemy fortress-ships have broken through the Long Line! Early warning networks lie in ruins, and several of our own fortresses have been made immobile. Several planets have reported sightings of Enemy vessels- while easily dispatched by planetary defense interceptors, an invasion would surely require an overwhelming number of ships. To defend our worlds, the Fleet has commissioned the construction of dozens of carrier starships to allow the movement of planetary defense interceptors to places where they will be needed more easily. These ships are large- only a few Core shipyards are sufficient to build them, and even those will be slow to complete them. Now, then, is a time for stopgap solutions.
The Merchant Marine, then, has stepped up. The freighters of friendly space are large, and some already carry pylons for towed pods- these, perhaps, could be modified to allow for interceptor transport. Already six such vessels have completed fitting-out and are undergoing flight trials, with many more on the way. Likewise, some larger freighters have had their internal cargo stowage replaced with facilities for maintaining said interceptors- while less efficient than a fully-featured transport ship, in this manner a complement of interceptors sufficient to reinforce a planet can be carried wherever needed. One hopes it will be enough...