I had an utterly commanding lead in the tech race; I had stealth bombers, space fighters, hovertanks, warwalkers,plasma destroyers... you name it... everything. I was building defences, and strong sea fleets, and had the National Shield wonder too. I felt pretty invincible.

To the north of the target beachhead, stood two carrier groups, side by side, each loaded with three stealth bombers and two spacefighters. Each carrier was escorted by a Missile Cruiser. There was also a transport in one stack.

The AI's pretty much all hated me, all the time, since I had been either attacking them, or their allies since BC, and my now commanding lead kept the hatred fresh.

I got complacent. The carrier groups were giving each other complimentary air cover. Pretty much nothing was going to get through airwise, what with the double 2 space and 1 space active air defence, but...

The Persians stacked two Battleships, and attacked the northern most carrier group.

The attack destroyed the transport, and I believe the carrier. I was speechless, and I believe I closed the battle view screen before the battle was fully resolved. I do believe that the Missile Cruiser may have survived, very damaged.

I have a save right before the event. I think it would be 'right' not to reorganize to avoid the loss... it was a loss fair and square and I can rebuild the losses in a turn.