The armored convoy transporting the fleet admiral entered through the opened giant metallic gates, revealing the interiors of the western gate depot. As Abraham gazed through the tinted windows of the limousine, he saw the containers being delivered in and out along with cranes guiding them. Personnel ran about the area, clearly busy about the work they were doing.
"Welcome to the Western Gate, Fleet Admiral. Nothing outside of that wall will be able to hurt you. Not even the so-called magicians of our enemies." The admiral remarked with pride as it would be near improbable for someone to penetrate through their defenses, even with the assistance of magic.
However, Abraham didn't hold the same opinion as the admiral. After all, he knew the Magus Tower the better. They were skewered in their thinking, a bit too sly for their own good. A Bastion would be able to last against them, but not too long.
To defeat the Magus Tower, they should instead be on the offensive. This would break one of the best advantages of their enemy, which was time. With no time to react against their assault, the United Navy would have better chances dealing with the Magus Tower.
Obviously, Abraham kept his thoughts within himself, understanding that the remarks of the admiral were simply born out of the lack of information against their enemies. The old man had just recently been summoned by him, it would take some time for the guy to adapt.
Nevertheless, the Foundation, which stood at the bottom of the Citadel, was impressive regardless. Even though its capabilities to repel invaders, such as an Archmagus was questionable, it would be beyond capable to handle an enemy fleet or army besieging it.
'Besides, if I transferred the R&D Department of the Port of Dawn into the Citadel. Their ignorance towards the Magus Tower wouldn't last long, and it wouldn't take long for them to build substantial defenses against the Magi.' Abraham quietly thought to himself.
The admiral opened the door of the limousine, guiding the fleet admiral with grace and loyalty. Abraham stepped out of the vehicle and quickly noticed the salute of every personnel in the immediate area. Their backs were straightened as they looked at him with fervor.
Already used to such instinctive loyalty, he simply nodded at their salutes. Respectful of how high they held him as the fleet admiral of the United Navy.
Abraham and Old Julius walked through the Western Gate Depot, steadily reached the interior gateway leading deeper into the Foundation. Along the way, the admiral carefully explained the intrinsic details of the Foundation.
In the old man's own words, the Foundation was the dome-like structure that encompassed the protruding tower called the Citadel. The Foundation had its own barracks, factories, training facilities, and many more. It was practically a building holding an entire city inside.
The Foundation was divided into four sectors. The northern sector, the southern sector, the eastern sector, and his current location, the western sector. Each sectors were akin to districts in the Foundation, consisting of different yet similar focus.
For example, the eastern sector was the United Army's main command center, to which soldiers were trained to be part of the future ranks in the United Army. Whether it'd be the mechanized divisions, armored divisions, and many more.
The western sector primarily consisted of Marine Central Command. Considered as the main supporting force of each part of the military, they also held their own barracks, training facilities, and even dedicated biome chambers for practical tests.
The northern sector was entirely dedicated to the United Airforce, which was something that Abraham had heard for the first time. The United Airforce had factories constructing aircraft parts along with their respective airframes, combined with the existence of over a dozen airfields.
And finally, the southern sector. It was the sector that controlled most of the canals leading to the Foundation. After all, it was the Principal Command of the United Navy. In the southern sector was the massive artificial lagoon where most of the naval ports and construction yards were located.
For the most part, the southern sector was busiest of the three because of the incoming and outgoing personnel performing daily tasks through their respective frigates and destroyers. There were also attack submarines, and logistics ships that run the entire operation.
Naturally, Abraham wanted to visit the sectors. But he stopped himself beforehand as he needed to visit the Citadel first. And it didn't take long for them to arrive at the foot of the Citadel, which unveiled a large base supporting a tower that stood over a kilometer high.
Surrounding the Citadel was the first greenery he had ever seen since entering the Foundation. Although enclosed by something akin to a massive concrete wall, the lush vegetation and parks that surrounded the Citadel was a stark contrast of the brutalist-like architecture of the interiors.
"Fleet Admiral, we should take a tram to swiftly enter the Citadel." Old Julius calmly pointed at the futuristic-looking tram station, which made Abraham wonder if he was in a sci-fi movie of some sort. Nevertheless, the two of them got into the tram, surrounding by guards on all sides.
For someone who claimed that nothing outside the Foundation could ever hurt someone inside, the admiral seems a bit too overboard in the guards. Perhaps, he was in the cautious side despite his confidence over the installation's ability to protect.
The tram gradually got nearer to the Citadel, making the massive and towering building to loom over the glass windows that encapsulated the transit car. Abraham contained his amazement, not wanting to be correlated as someone easily please.
After all, it wouldn't do good if his loyal subordinates notice his amazement and almost overly positive attitude towards their loyalty.
"Welcome to the Citadel, Fleet Admiral." Old Julius grinned as the tram entered the towering building. It steadily slowed itself down, marking its conclusion in a tram station inside the Citadel. Though as the glass doors opened, Abraham was unveiled to an entirely different atmosphere.
Beforehand, he already noticed the clean and futuristic ivory-looking interior architecture of the Citadel. It made him remember a certain movie about a strange utopian future where everything could be where it should be.
As the guards surrounding the two of them made way, Abraham and Old Julius got out of the tram and stepped into the tram station of the Citadel. There were personnel everywhere, but were far different from the ones in the Foundation.
Instead, it reminded him of people in a government center. Practically, these personnel were akin to government workers of his past world. They were overly formal with matching uniforms that didn't seem to have a tinge of stain, dirt, or dust over them.
"The Citadel mostly consists of supporting and logistics staffs. They make sure that the war machine of the United Navy is properly pumped with ammunition, arsenal, and ordnance." Old Julius explained, and began his third round of explanation.
According to him, the Citadel was mostly a structure of governance and command. It wasn't primarily a military center, but instead the executive's throne. It was practically a hall of governance with departments of its own, managing the fairly large populace of the installation.
There were multiple departments, whether it'd be education, energy, defense, labor, health, and many more. With these departments around, the management of an entire country was plausible without the need of transforming the command structure of the United Navy.
So, in Abraham's eyes, it was the highest of blessings. After all, he wouldn't have to hold everything to keep the naval organization afloat. Having these departments around would assure that he would live a long life without fearing his life because of overwork.
At any rate, he and the admiral entered a futuristic-looking elevator. Finally, the guards that always escorted them finally halted, leaving the two alone in the elevator. As the elevator rose through numerous floors, Old Julius concluded his exposition.
"The Citadel is an administrative institution, a small government on its own, capable of handling tasks that requires the power, authority, or politics of a country. I believe that Installation-0 will not disappoint you, Fleet Admiral." The admiral uttered with determination.
"Then, I look forward of the Citadel making me proud." Abraham smiled at the old man, who could only lightly chuckle at the words of the fleet admiral. Old Julius gazed at the highest authority, and slightly bowed. "Fear not, for we shall not fail you."
The elevator doors slid open, revealing an entire lone floor at the very apex of the Citadel. Abraham stepped out of the elevator, while Old Julius commented. "This is the safest part of the Citadel, Fleet Admiral."
"The airspace around this floor is strictly maintained, assuring that nothing can be near to the crown of the Citadel. And this floor... Is the one and only Executive Floor of the United Navy. The Home of the Highest Authority, your quarters, Fleet Admiral."
Old Julius had a proud smile on his face as Abraham glances around in curiosity. The floor was the most luxurious place he had ever seen. The glass windows encapsulating the entire exterior panel of the floor made it seem like the wealthy penthouses of his former world, even much more grander than them.
After all, the crown of the Citadel resided over a kilometer from the sea level. The view was beyond amazing as he could see the shores from north to south, and east to west.
Anyhow, only one word escaped his mouth in an utter hush whisper.
"Damn..."