The adventures of Prinz Eugen and the young engineer Volume 1.

Chapter 11

After some minutes the train slowed down and came to a halt. Letting the Shipgirls disembarked first, the young engineer followed them through the early morning darkness. The train had stopped in the middle of the harbor. Everything was coated in a thick layer of snow and ice. The November cold had set in here completely and the young engineer could see the icebreakers move through the harbor to stop the water from freezing the ships in place. Wherever he looked he saw that the entire base was enclosed in a concrete wall with barbed wire passage passageways, watchtowers and everywhere he saw guards patrolling. It looked far more like a prison to him than a naval base. Looking around he figured that the tallest building made out of reinforced concrete must be the HQ. Waving the shipgirls good bye he walked towards the building's entrance. Entering it he was immediately aware of the architecture. It was rough, high built and all held in red and grey. It was designed to impress and make the person entering feel small. He knew that design and despised it, for it was the architecture governments use to make people feel small and under pressure. But knowing its intended effect it did not bother the young engineer. He walked through the entrance and right towards the high counter. He could only just look above it. Behind it sat a middle aged man which seems to have all will to live sucked out of him. He looked down on the young engineer with a mildly surprised look. Before addressing the young man in front of him, the young engineer saw that he made eye contact with both of the armed guards to each side of the counter. Speaking in the native language he said: " Good morning Comrade. Please state your business and identity." The young engineer greeted him with a smile and friendly nod. Hand over his passport and orders. The man on the other side took them and looked them through. After handing them back he continued. "You are not a Shipgirl, therefore you must be attached personnel. Why they would send a mechanic for a Shipgirl is beyond me but you will be assigned a bed and shop to set up your workplace. Until then you will wait until the comrade commander sees fit to see you. Please wait left at the counter." Nodding to sign his understanding of the information given to him and walking over to the left side of the counter. The young engineer stood at ease next to the armed guard. The young engineer understood that this was a game of power. They wanted him to stay there and let him wait until they knew what to do with him and to humiliate him, to show that he had no power here. He accepted the game and made his best effort. The rigorous drill he received in the armed forces of Ironblood paid off once more. Snapping to attention, he stood still next to the guard. Fully clothed in his winter coat, parade uniform and with his duffle bag shouldered he showed off that it was drilled into him to have the mental and physical ability to stand still in any position for any given amount of time. Standing in attention he waited for them to make their move. He saw that the two guards understood the challenge and both snapped from their more casual stance into their version of standing in attention. Although after almost 1 hour both had to give up and changed their posture. He continued waiting in the same position.

After about 4 more hours an aid came out of the door to the right side of the high counter. He walked over, saluted him and said: " Good day Comrade Captain of Engineering. Would you please follow me to the comrade commanders office." The young engineer snapped out of attention and saluted the aid. Nodding in understanding and leaving the side of the guard. While passing the first and second one of the guards he saluted them both with a friendly smile, paying them respect for their try to keep up with his little gag. They did not smile but he saw the pupils in their eyes widen for a bit. Knowing they got his silent compliment. Continuing to follow the aid, he walked through the dark metal door and walked past him through a long, wide hallway with red carpet, the iconography of the Northern Parliament on the walls and a clinical withe light illuminating the windowless hall. Between every crest of the Nation there was a door on both sides. His best guess was that he was led through the bureaucratic section of the base. Denying him the privilege of being led on the shorter and more representable way to the commander's office. Reaching a staircase at the end of the hallway, they both ascended them to the top floor. Arriving next to a grand staircase and elevator. The uppermost level of the Building was a huge Office and many doors leading to other rooms. He was brought to the grand desk and was gestured to wait once more. The aid left him and walked back to the grand staircase where he vanished in a small side door. Looking around the big room the young engineer saw the amount of wealth and prestige amalgamated in this room. The ceiling was high and there were huge panoramic windows overlooking the entire base and the sea. The walls were decorated with all kinds of pictures of well regarded personalities within the state of the Northern Parliament. The floor was carpented with red carpet and the furniture was made out of satin and expensive wood. Even Though the room was big, there was absolute silence while he waited.