Some Technological Leaps

Thompson leaned back in his seat while he interlocked his fingers. "You want a tour of one of our battleships, Your Excellency? That can be arranged. When would you like to see the ship?"

"Possibly today," Alexander replied.

Thompson hummed in thought. "I can arrange a helicopter transport for you that will get you to our Norfolk Naval Base."

"Helicopter?" Alexander tilted his head to the side, unfamiliar with the term. "What is that? Some sort of vehicle?"

"It's not a vehicle, it's an aircraft, Your Excellency," Thompson explained gently. "You haven't seen one in your life?"

"I'm aware of every aircraft because I am quite fond of it. The Empire of Triesenberg has the most advanced aircraft in the world, but they don't have what you call a helicopter."

"Well, you are going to see one later," Thompson said with a confident smile. "The helicopter is a relatively new invention, designed for vertical takeoff and landing. It's quite versatile and will get us to the naval base quickly."

Thompson chuckled and added, "It seems that the Empire of Triesenberg, which you looked up to in terms of military prowess, doesn't have something that we have."

Alexander chuckled. "Right." 

Thompson grabbed the telephone from the edge of his desk and dialed a number. After a brief conversation, he hung up and turned back to Alexander.

"The helicopter will be ready for us in about an hour. In the meantime, would you like to see more of the Department of Defense, or is there anything specific you would like to discuss?"

Alexander glanced at Julieanne, who nodded encouragingly. "I think a brief tour of the rest of the department would be beneficial," he said. "It would be good to see how everything operates."

"Excellent choice," Thompson said, rising from his chair. "Follow me, and I'll show you around."

They left the office and walked through the grand corridors of the palace, passing various departments and offices. Thompson explained the functions of each division, from logistics and procurement to intelligence and research. 

As they reached the end of the tour, Thompson led them to a large conference room. "This is where we hold our strategic meetings and briefings," he explained. The room was equipped with the latest technology, including large maps, communication devices, and projection equipment.

"Impressive," Alexander commented. "I see that a lot of thought and resources have been put into making sure our defense operations run smoothly."

"Indeed, Your Excellency," Thompson replied. "We are committed to maintaining a state-of-the-art facility to ensure the security of Valoria."

After the tour, they made their way to the helipad located on the palace grounds. From above, Alexander saw an odd-looking aircraft that was descending vertically, its rotors slicing through the air and generating a strong wind. The helicopter touched down smoothly, its powerful blades gradually slowing to a stop as the pilot expertly maneuvered it into position.

"That's the helicopter?" Alexander asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Yes, Your Excellency," Thompson replied. "That's the HR2S-1 Falcon. It's one of our most advanced helicopters. It's capable of carrying heavy loads and can transport up to 26 fully-equipped soldiers or a significant amount of cargo. This helicopter can reach speeds of up to 115 miles per hour and has a range of about 300 miles on a full tank. It's equipped with advanced navigation systems and communication equipment, making it ideal for a variety of missions, including rapid deployment and emergency evacuations. Now, shall we enter?"

Alexander nodded, his curiosity piqued. "Yes, let's."

Thompson led the way, and Alexander followed closely behind, with Julieanne right behind him. As they approached the helicopter.

"Welcome aboard, Your Excellency," the pilot said. "Please watch your step as you enter."

Alexander nodded and carefully climbed into the helicopter, taking a moment to absorb the interior. The cabin was spacious, with comfortable seating and ample space for cargo. The control panel in the cockpit was filled with an array of dials, switches, and gauges that looked complex.

Thompson and Julieanne took their seats, and Carter proceeded with the pre-flight checks. The rotors began to spin faster, creating a steady hum that resonated through the cabin.

"Is everyone ready?" the pilot asked, looking back to ensure his passengers were secure.

"Ready," Thompson confirmed.

The helicopter lifted off smoothly, rising vertically before tilting forward and gaining speed. Alexander looked out of the window, watching as the city of Valoria shrank below them. The view was breathtaking. The city looked beautiful from above and the fact that this was his first time flying in such an aircraft made the experience even more exhilarating.

"This is incredible," Alexander said, raising his voice to be heard over the noise of the rotors. "I've never experienced anything like it."

Thompson smiled. "I'm glad you're impressed, Your Excellency. I'm sure there will be a lot of others that will take your breath away."

As they soared above the landscape, Alexander took in the breathtaking views. The sprawling urban landscape of Valoria gave way to lush green countryside and sparkling blue waters. 

Below, there was the Norfolk Naval Base. There were a lot of ships docked, mostly warships and support vessels. The centerpiece, however, was the massive battleship and he realized that the helicopter was getting closer to it.

Three minutes later, the helicopter landed on the deck of the battleship. A naval crew from the deck approached the helicopter and opened the door for them to disembark.

Thompson was the first to disembark, followed by Alexander and Julieanne.

"Welcome to the VNS Titan!" Thompson announced, waving his hand in the air. "It's the flagship of the Valorian Navy."

Alexander looked around and noted the huge cannons. It was huge!

Thompson began to explain the specifications of the VNS Titan. "This battleship is one of the most formidable warships ever constructed. It's over 920 feet long and has a beam of 121 feet. The displacement of the ship is about 70,000 tons when fully loaded."

Alexander listened intently as Thompson continued. "The main armament of the VNS Titan consists of twelve 16-inch/50-caliber guns, arranged in four triple turrets. These guns can fire shells weighing up to 2,700 pounds over a distance of more than 20 miles. The secondary armament includes twenty 5-inch/54-caliber dual-purpose guns, providing both anti-ship and anti-aircraft capabilities."

Thompson pointed to the various smaller weapons mounted around the ship. "For close-in defense, we have numerous anti-aircraft guns and machine guns, ensuring we are well-protected against aerial attacks."

As they walked along the deck, Thompson highlighted other features. "The VNS Titan is powered by an advanced propulsion system, consisting of eight boilers and four steam turbines, delivering a total of 172,000 shaft horsepower. This allows the ship to reach speeds of up to 28 knots."

They reached the ship's superstructure, and Thompson led them inside to the control room. "Here, we have the nerve center of the ship. The bridge is equipped with the latest in naval technology, including radar, sonar, and advanced fire control systems. This enables us to detect and engage targets with precision."

Alexander was impressed by the state-of-the-art equipment of the ship, and the more he learned about the ship, his excitement was growing. He felt in his veins that with this warship, he might have a chance of taking down Triesenberg. But of course, he wouldn't want a confrontation with them now. 

Suddenly—there was a notification alert.

[New Mission Alert!]

[Mission#56: Establish Contact with the Outside World.]