Some constant plane intel over his base would have given you a chance to build some AA/bangers and/or run in to the water ahead of time. By the time you noticed the mercs it was too late.
Until they nerf/balance mercs you've got to be constantly ready for them vs aeon.
Nerf mercies imo, or just give the aeon another useless t2 bomber to make up for it.
instead of spending your resources on the shipyard + sonar + subs, you should have made more t2 rhinos and MMLs and be on the offensive. on a small map like this, you need to keep up the pressure and force him to spend all he's got on defending against your t2 offense.
Should not leave myself so open vs noobs in the first place.