diff --git a/vacuum_gambit.p8 b/vacuum_gambit.p8
index 97c2d48..cbc47a5 100644
--- a/vacuum_gambit.p8
+++ b/vacuum_gambit.p8
@@ -466,6 +466,14 @@ end
 -->8
 --ship behavior
 
+-- generic full sprite hurtbox
+box8 = {
+ x_off = 0,
+ y_off = 1,
+ width = 8,
+ height = 8
+}
+
 scrollrate = 0.25 --in px/frame
 
 ship_m = mknew{
@@ -1347,7 +1355,6 @@ chasey = mknew(ship_m.new{
  end
 })
 
--- todo: use constraints
 function chasey:act()
  self.xmin = max(primary_ship.x-8, 0)
  self.xmax = min(primary_ship.x + 8, 112 - 8*self.size)
@@ -1385,6 +1392,51 @@ xl_chasey=mknew(chasey.new{
  end,
 })
 
+-- flotilla ships
+
+ship_f = mknew(ship_m.new{
+ -- sprite required
+ size = 1,
+ hurt = box8,
+ -- no sparks
+ hp = 0.5,
+ xp = 0x0.0001,
+
+ maxspd = 3,
+ thrust = 0.15,
+ drag = 0.05,
+ slip = false,
+ act = function(self)
+  local wx,wy=self.want_x,self.want_y
+  self.xmin,self.xmax,self.ymin,self.ymax = wx,wx,wy,wy
+  return 0,0,false,false
+ end,
+})
+
+ship_mook = mknew(ship_f.new{
+ sprite=103
+})
+ship_defender = mknew(ship_f.new{
+ sprite=105,
+ hp = 2.5,
+ xp = 0x0.0003,
+})
+ship_turret = mknew(ship_f.new{
+ sprite=106,
+ xp = 0x0.0002,
+})
+ship_skirmisher = mknew(ship_f.new{
+ sprite=107,
+ xp = 0x0.0004,
+})
+
+function rnd_spawn_loc()
+ local x,y = flr(rnd(304)), flr(rnd(32))
+ if (x<184) return x-40,-y-8
+ if (x<244) return -y-8,x-184
+ return 112+y, x-244
+end
+
 -->8
 -- collisions
 
@@ -1672,6 +1724,18 @@ function multi(times, interval, fnm, ...)
  end}
 end
 
+function demo_spawn_f(ttn)
+ local spx,spy=rnd_spawn_loc()
+ local s = _ENV[ttn].new{
+  x = spx,
+  y = spy,
+  want_x = 8 + rnd(96),
+  want_y = 8 + rnd(64)
+ }
+ eships:push_back(s)
+ return s
+end
+
 -- then convert sample_level to csv.
 -- spawn_spec_gun_at and spawn_main_gun_at will need parsed forms.
 -- the boss also needs to be reachable, but one-off is fine.
@@ -1679,6 +1743,10 @@ end
 -- where offset,eol is a special case.
 
 example_level_csv=[[1,spawn_frownie
+20,demo_spawn_f,ship_mook
+25,demo_spawn_f,ship_defender
+30,demo_spawn_f,ship_turret
+35,demo_spawn_f,ship_skirmisher
 60,spawn_vulcan_chasey
 61,spawn_blocky
 85,spawn_spewy