Kapitel 13: The Expeditionary Fleet Departing

April 2nd, 1938. Three o'clock in the afternoon.

At the Port of Norfolk, Alexander was back on the flagship of the Valorian Navy, the VNS Titan. He was on the deck, scanning the harbor where the naval warships that were part of the expeditionary fleet were docked.

Today was a significant day for him and for his country, as this would be the first time he'd establish contact with the outside world under a new country with him being the ruler of it.

Julieanne, as always, stood behind him, ready to take orders from Alexander.

"Julie—"

"Yes, Your Excellency," Julieanne interrupted, always attentive and anticipating his needs before he could fully articulate them.

Alexander turned slightly, a faint smile on his lips. "You're always so quick, Julieanne. I admire your attentiveness."

Julieanne gave a modest nod. "Thank you, Your Excellency. It's my duty to attend to your needs as quickly as possible. How can I help you?"

"I want you to call the captain," Alexander said. "I'd like a word with him."

Julieanne nodded. "Of course, Your Excellency. I'll have him here right away."

She left momentarily, making her way swiftly across the deck.

A few minutes later, the Captain appeared in his pristine white uniform. He walked briskly towards Alexander and saluted.

"Your Excellency, you requested my presence?"

Alexander turned around and faced him. "Introduce yourself, Captain."

The Captain stood at attention. "Captain John Ellis, Your Excellency. I am the captain of the VNS Titan and the Commander of the Expeditionary Fleet. I have the honor of leading this fleet on our mission to establish contact with the Kingdom of Zambesi."

Alexander was satisfied with his answer. "I want this mission to be successful. I won't allow any mistakes."

"Rest assured, Your Excellency, everything has been meticulously planned. The crew is prepared, and the ships are ready."

"Very good. I bid you and your crew success, Captain," Alexander said, extending his hand for a firm shake.

"Thank you, Your Excellency. We won't let you down," Captain Ellis replied, shaking Alexander's hand.

With that, Alexander turned to Julieanne. "Let's head back. We have other matters to attend to."

Julieanne nodded and followed Alexander as they made their way to the helicopter waiting on the deck. The rotor blades spun faster as they approached, creating a strong downdraft. They boarded the helicopter, and moments later, it lifted off smoothly from the deck of the VNS Titan.

As they flew over the harbor, Alexander looked down at the impressive sight of the expeditionary fleet preparing to set sail. The ships were aligned perfectly, their grey hulls gleaming in the afternoon sun.

Within minutes, the helicopter began its descent toward the harbor, where the Defense Minister was already waiting for their arrival. The helicopter landed gently, and the door was opened by a waiting officer.

"Your Excellency, welcome back," the Defense Minister Thompson greeted Alexander with a respectful bow as he stepped out of the helicopter. "I see that you have met with the Captain of the Titan and the Commander of the Expeditionary Fleet."

Alexander simply nodded. "I did, and I believe he is a capable individual. Now, how long would it take for them to arrive at the Kingdom of Zembasi?"

"According to the briefings, they will arrive at the Port of Maputo in exactly thirty six hours," Thompson continued, "This will give them enough time to make necessary adjustments and prepare for any unforeseen circumstances. The fleet is well-equipped and ready to handle any challenges that may arise during the voyage."

Alexander nodded, satisfied with the information. "Good."

Thompson glanced at his notes before responding. "Upon arrival, the fleet will establish a secure communication line back to Valoria. Captain Ellis has been briefed on the protocols and will maintain regular updates. Communication will get tricky as we don't have interpreters or translators on board of the fleet. But I am sure that the Kingdom has interacted with western powers and has learned the language."

"Let's hope that's the case, because if we can't even talk to them properly, what's the sense of establishing communication?" Alexander said, his brow furrowing slightly. "We need to be prepared for every possibility. Have a contingency plan ready in case language becomes a barrier."

Thompson nodded. "Understood, Your Excellency. We'll make sure to have a strategy in place for effective communication. Now, let's watch as the fleet leaves the port."

Alexander, Julieanne, and Thompson walked to the edge of the harbor, where a group of high-ranking officers and officials had gathered to witness the departure of the expeditionary fleet.

The VNS Titan, leading the fleet, sounded its horn as the crew worked diligently to release the moorings. The massive battleship slowly began to move, followed by the other ships in the fleet. The aircraft carrier, destroyers, submarines, and cruiser all fell into formation, creating an impressive display of naval power.

Alexander observed the scene with a sense of satisfaction. This was a significant moment for Valoria, a demonstration of their strength and determination to establish their place in the world.

As the fleet moved out of the harbor and into open waters, the officers and officials cheered, waving their hats and handkerchiefs in support. Alexander stood tall, his gaze fixed on the departing ships.

The fleet continued to sail away, gradually becoming smaller as they moved further into the distance. Moments later the ships disappeared over the horizon. Alexander took a deep breath and turned to Julieanne.

"What's on the agenda for the evening?"

Julieanne checked her clipboard, scanning through his itinerary. After a moment, she looked up and said, "You're free for the evening, Your Excellency. No scheduled meetings or events."

Alexander nodded, appreciating the rare break in his usually packed schedule. "Is that so? In that case I'll entertain myself with some music. Is there an orchestra performance scheduled anytime soon?"

Julieanne smiled. "Actually, yes, Your Excellency. There's a performance by the Valorian Symphony Orchestra at the Grand Hall tonight. They'll be playing a selection of classical pieces, including some of your favorites."

Alexander's face brightened at the news. "Excellent. Please make the necessary arrangements for us to attend."

"Of course, Your Excellency," Julieanne replied. "I'll ensure everything is prepared."

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