Ministry of Defense

"We are here," Julieanne informed Alexander, who was still gazing out of the window.

"This is the Ministry of Defense?" Alexander said, his eyes widening as he took in the sight before him.

The building was a grand neoclassical baroque palace, a masterpiece of architectural design. The exterior was constructed from gleaming white marble, its surface polished to a mirror-like sheen. Massive columns, adorned with intricate carvings, lined the front entrance, supporting a large triangular pediment decorated with bas-relief sculptures depicting scenes of valor and strength.

Above the entrance, an expansive balcony stretched across the facade, guarded by a row of statues The windows were tall and arched, framed with delicate stonework that added to the building's majestic appearance.

The roof was crowned with an enormous dome, its surface covered in gold leaf that gleamed in the sunlight. Flanking the dome were smaller towers, each topped with a spire and adorned with decorative elements that emphasized the building's grandeur.

As they stepped out of the vehicle, Alexander noticed the meticulous landscaping that surrounded the palace. Neatly trimmed hedges and vibrant flower beds lined the pathways, and a series of fountains added a touch of elegance to the grounds.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Julieanne said, noting Alexander's awe-struck expression.

"It certainly is," Alexander replied. 

Julieanne led Alexander up the wide marble steps towards the grand entrance. The heavy wooden doors, carved with intricate patterns and reinforced with iron, swung open to reveal a vast interior lobby. The floor was made of polished marble, reflecting the soft light from the crystal chandeliers that hung from the high ceiling with massive pillars supporting the structure.

"Welcome to the heart of Valoria's defense," Julieanne said as they made their way to the central hall. 

As they walked through the grand entrance into the vast lobby, Alexander noticed the numerous staffers bustling about donned in sharp military uniforms. The moment they saw Alexander, they stopped in their tracks, snapped to attention, and saluted.

Alexander acknowledged their salutes with a nod, and they made their way further into the building.

"How long have we been walking? Like five minutes? How far is the office of the Defense Minister?" 

"Not much farther," Julieanne replied with a smile. "The Defense Minister's office is just down this corridor."

"Okay I'm going to believe you in that."

Finally, they reached a large set of double doors. Julieanne knocked, and a moment later, the doors were opened by a uniformed aide.

"Your Excellency, Minister Thompson is expecting you," the aide said, stepping aside to allow them entry.

The office was as grand as the rest of the building, with high ceilings and large windows that offered a stunning view of the city below. A massive mahogany desk dominated the room, behind which stood Minister Thompson, who greeted them with a respectful bow.

"Welcome, Your Excellency," Thompson said. 

"It's an honor to have you here."

"Thank you, Minister Thompson," Alexander replied, shaking his hand. "I'm eager to see what you have to show me."

"Please, have a seat," Thompson said, gesturing to a comfortable seating area near the desk. "We have much to discuss and much to show you."

Thompson handed Vincent and Julieanne a thick file. Vincent looked at it curiously.

"What are these?" he asked.

"Your Excellency, that is the organizational structure of the Ministry of Defense," Thompson answered.

Alexander flipped through the file, scanning the pages filled with charts, diagrams, and detailed descriptions of various departments and divisions. 

"Now, the Ministry of Defense has four main branches," Thompson began. "The Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Coast Guard. Each branch plays a crucial role in ensuring the security and sovereignty of Valoria."

He pointed to a detailed chart illustrating the structure of each branch.

"The Navy is our largest branch," Thompson continued, "responsible for securing our maritime borders and ensuring the safety of our shipping lanes. It includes destroyers, frigates, cruisers, heavy cruisers, battleships, submarines, and aircraft carriers. You'll find the detailed number there."

"Given that we are an island nation, it makes sense to prioritize our naval strength."

Thompson moved on to the next section of the chart. "The Army, while smaller than the Navy, is essential for land-based military operations. It is divided into various divisions such as infantry, armor, artillery, and special forces. Our goal is to maintain a versatile and highly trained ground force capable of responding to any threat."

Next, he highlighted the Air Force. "The Air Force provides air superiority, strategic bombing, and reconnaissance. We have a fleet of fighter aircrafts, bombers, and transport aircraft."

Finally, he pointed to the Coast Guard. "The Coast Guard is responsible for coastal defense, search and rescue, and law enforcement in our territorial waters. They play a vital role in preventing smuggling, piracy, and other illegal activities that could threaten our nation." 

Alexander nodded, impressed by the comprehensive structure. "This is excellent, Minister Thompson. It's clear that each branch has a well-defined role and purpose."

Thompson smiled and continued. "In addition to the military personnel, each branch will be overseen by Joint Chiefs of Staff, who will be experienced military leaders. These chiefs will work closely with their respective Secretaries or Ministers, who are civilian authorities appointed to provide oversight and ensure that the military operates in accordance with our national policies and values."

He handed Alexander another document detailing the roles and responsibilities of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretaries. "The Joint Chiefs of Staff will handle the strategic and operational aspects of the military, while the Secretaries will focus on policy, administration, and coordination with other government departments." 

Alexander reviewed the document and noted some of their names. 

"Okay, I'm far more interested in the numbers of our troops in each department, and the equipment, artillery, tanks, et cetera." 

Thompson nodded and flipped to the relevant sections of the document. "Certainly, Your Excellency. Let's start with the Navy."

He pointed to a detailed breakdown in the file. "Currently, our Navy consists of:

5 Aircraft Carriers

10 Battleships

30 Cruisers

40 Destroyers

50 Frigates

30 Submarines

Various support and auxiliary vessels"

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "That's a formidable fleet."

Thompson then moved to the Army section. "Our Army is composed of:

100,000 Infantry Soldiers

2,000 Tanks

1,500 Artillery Pieces"

He flipped another page. "The Air Force has:

500 Fighter Aircraft

200 Bombers

300 Transport Aircraft.

100 Reconnaissance Aircraft"

"And finally," Thompson continued, "the Coast Guard consists of:

60 Patrol Boats

30 Search and Rescue Vessels

20 Law Enforcement Ships"

Thompson flipped to another section. "The Army's artillery includes:

500 Mobile Howitzers

200 Anti-Aircraft Guns

100 Multiple Rocket Launchers

For support vehicles, we have:

2,000 Armored Personnel Carriers

1,000 Logistics Trucks

500 Engineering Vehicles" 

"Okay…this is a good number, but still far enough from our adversary, the Empire of Triesenberg. I don't know the exact details of their military but they are far more formidable than our current forces." 

"That won't matter, Your Excellency, as we may have a small number of forces compared to them, we still have the best of the best troops there are," Thompson confidently said.

"With that said, I want to see one of our battleships," Alexander demanded.