The so-called dry dock doesn't necessarily have to be completely dry, as in the case of the small dry dock in front of Zhang Hainuo, used for submarine repairs. Currently, there is still a considerable amount of water inside, and the U21, adorned with the flag of the German Navy, floats in the water like a skilled martial artist, barely touching the surface, as long as the bottom is not in need of repair, people sometimes don't completely drain the water inside the dry dock, as long as the ship can be securely positioned on the cradle.
Next to the dock, workers with varied features are using a crane to lift heavy components from beside the dock. Meanwhile, the submarine with a torpedo-like shape now has its front and rear decks wide open, and the dismantled deck gun lies quietly on the dock.
"It's all because of that cursed British destroyer. If its gunfire were a bit more accurate, we might not have made it back!" Patrick Prohl, the engineer of U21, looks up at the diesel engine being slowly lowered into the submarine, speaking to Zhang Hainuo in a casual tone.
It's been six hours since Zhang Hainuo arrived at the port of Pola, and he has already been working on the U21 for a full four hours. Checking every torpedo tube and its corresponding equipment on the boat, assisting Prohl and several other crew members in installing detection components, although not purely physical labor, judging by Zhang Hainuo's currently oil-stained face and body, it's definitely not an easy task.
At this moment, Zhang Hainuo finally deeply understands the true meaning behind Hessen's words, "there are still many tasks waiting for you to complete." As for the guy called "madman," while everyone else is busy, he stands alone on the dry dock, occasionally elegantly lighting a cigarette.
"Do you smoke on the submarine?" Zhang Hainuo remembers the instructor at naval school mentioning several "prohibitions" on submarines from the beginning, one of which is absolutely no smoking while submerged, as it would worsen the already murky air inside the boat. Moreover, cigarette ends themselves pose a significant risk due to the hydrogen gas emitted from the batteries.
"No, of course not! Unless the submarine is traveling on the surface and there are no enemies nearby!" Prohl glances at Hessen standing above.
"But after the submarine returns to port, it doesn't matter. Smoke in restaurants, bars, or brothels, wherever you like!"
Zhang Hainuo is surprised that the word "brothel" would come so directly and unabashedly from Prohl's mouth, because on the Sedlitz, officers always maintain a gentlemanly demeanor.
Prohl pays no attention to Zhang Hainuo's confusion and continues to loudly command the workers operating the crane:
"To the left... a bit more to the left! Yes, good, lower it down another inch! Good!"
With Prohl's final "good," the diesel engine, which is longer than a truck, finally reaches its place. For a submarine, the diesel engine is like the heart, providing the most basic power guarantee. Batteries of this era typically only sustain submarine navigation for one to two hours, and when they are depleted, the submarine must surface to recharge using the diesel engine. Given the relatively weak anti-submarine capabilities of various countries at present, submarines spend most of their time on the surface. As one of Germany's more advanced submarines, the UBIII type is equipped with two such diesel engines, meaning that if one fails, the submarine can still return to base at half speed.
"Lieutenant, could you please pass me a pair of pliers... Thank you!"
"Lieutenant, could you help me hold the other end of this oil pipe... Apply some force, a bit more... Good!"
While the oil pipe is being sorted out, Zhang Hainuo's face is covered in oil and sweat. Although Prohl constantly addresses him as "Lieutenant," he is ordering him around like one of his subordinates. Of course, Zhang Hainuo knows that this is not his intention because Hessen has assigned him as his assistant for today.
During the work break, Zhang Hainuo glanced at Hessen in confusion. The lofty figure still wears a cold expression. Fortunately, Zhang Hainuo has a laid-back temperament and doesn't bother to dwell too much on it.
As the sun sets, the installation of the left diesel engine is finally completed. Prohl says that as long as they tune the engine a bit more tomorrow, there shouldn't be any major issues. There isn't much work left to do next, just replacing two oil pipes, inspecting the entire boat's wiring, and reinstalling the deck gun. After that, they just need to load torpedoes, fuel, and supplies onto the boat.
Hessen left at some point, and when he reappeared, he brought a small car from somewhere and honked the horn as he approached. Upon seeing this, Prohl and the other crew members joyfully put down their tools and rushed back to the dormitory. Zhang Hainuo vaguely heard them saying, "Oh, Lieutenant is treating us again tonight!"
Zhang Hainuo wonders, but he sees Hessen approaching him with a rifle in hand.
"Lieutenant von Finkenschatten, thank you for your hard work today!"
Hessen seems polite, but Zhang Hainuo knows there's something more to it.
Sure enough, he hands Zhang Hainuo the rifle, saying:
"We're going to the city for dinner now, and we'll be back in about three hours. During this time, the submarine's surveillance task is entrusted to you!"
Zhang Hainuo is taken aback, but he can only watch as Hessen turns back to the car. Prohl and the others quickly change their clothes and come out of the dormitory, then they all get into Hessen's car. Next, Zhang Hainuo watches as the car drives away, raising dust in its wake.
As night falls, the workers also go home, leaving Zhang Hainuo alone in the dry dock where U21 is located. Italian planes rarely come to bomb, so Pola Port does not enforce blackout regulations. Lights are still on at several docks where goods are being loaded and unloaded, but Zhang Hainuo's area feels even more lonely and deserted.
On the North Coast of the Mediterranean in early January, although the temperature isn't below zero, cold winds still blow within the harbor. When Zhang Hainuo arrived at Pola Port, he was originally wearing a thick woolen coat, but during the day, for convenience, he left the coat with his luggage in the dormitory. Now, he is wearing a double-breasted winter naval uniform, which hasn't changed much in style since the creation of the Prussian Navy in 1848. Although it's also made of wool, it's much thinner than the coat.
Cold winds keep pouring in from the collar, cuffs, and hem of the uniform. Zhang Hainuo really wants to go back to the dormitory to put on his coat, preferably with a scarf and leather gloves, even though the dormitory is only a hundred steps away. However, as a sentinel, he is not allowed to leave his post during duty.
Zhang Hainuo, although not formally trained for years, was very aware of this fact.
With a sigh, he glanced at the dormitory building and began pacing back and forth on the dry dock, both to "warm up" and out of a sense of duty. As for the rifle Hesen had given him, he alternated between slinging it over his shoulder and cradling it in his hands. Since his arrival on June 1st, the day after the Battle of Jutland, Zhang Hainuo had been in this era for over seven months. Strangely, despite being a naval ensign, he had little experience with rifles, especially ones as long as this.
Based on his knowledge of Mauser rifles, Zhang Hainuo was fairly certain that the rifle Hesen had given him was a Mauser 1898, also known as the Gewehr 98, the standard rifle of the German Army during World War I. It was known for its high accuracy and reliability, but its considerable length, reaching 1.25 meters, and weight of 4.2 kilograms made it somewhat cumbersome.
"Three hours..."
Zhang Hainuo chuckled bitterly to himself. Would Hesen, that guy, actually return on time after three hours? He couldn't be sure. However, this ace submarine captain, nicknamed "Madman," had surprised Zhang Hainuo greatly, both in appearance and demeanor. He was handsome, cool, and disciplined, but not at all friendly towards Zhang Hainuo. Today's "icebreaker" was quite effective, but Zhang Hainuo hadn't planned on stealing the limelight. Why did that guy have to target him like this? Was this the usual way U21 welcomed newcomers?
Other people's thoughts were the hardest to fathom. Zhang Hainuo wasn't a psychologist, so he couldn't make sense of it all. He continued pacing back and forth on the dry dock. When Hesen had given him the rifle, he hadn't provided a bayonet or extra ammunition pouches. This meant that at most, there were only five rounds in the rifle, a slow-firing bolt-action rifle. If anything happened, Zhang Hainuo feared he would be left stranded here.
Fortunately, Pola Port was originally the Austro-Hungarian Empire's premier military base, so there weren't many people wandering around at night. After a while, Zhang Hainuo finally saw a small car passing by on the road in front of the dock.
Zhang Hainuo didn't know whether to be happy or frustrated about the "cold reception."
As the night grew deeper, Zhang Hainuo felt colder and colder. If a crew member returned now, he could at least ask them to fetch his coat. Unfortunately, that was just wishful thinking. As he silently scorned Hesen, he reached into his pocket and... sneezed.
"Darn it, I'm even getting a runny nose!"
*****************************
"Captain, what do you think our hero from the Szent István is doing right now? Complaining to thin air or preparing to report us?" In the car, a guy with curly brown hair spoke boldly, prompting laughter.
"Do you think he'll be standing on the dry dock with his rifle for three hours?" The voice came from a big-headed man opposite the curly-haired one.
"I think he will. He's from the mighty Unsinkable, and he was seriously injured in the Battle of Jutland, taking three months to recover! Could someone like that sneak away from his post?" A somewhat naive voice offered its opinion.
"It's hard to say! He became a lieutenant at such a young age, maybe just because of his noble background! I bet he's never stood a watch in his life!" The curly-haired guy sneered.
"But he's very kind, haven't you noticed?" The slightly naive voice persisted.
"Gentlemen are always kind!" The man with a small beard sitting at the back of the car said, prompting laughter, though there was no malice in their faces.
The curly-haired guy continued, "Think about it. After three hours of frustration, we'll show up with a hearty welcome dinner. His expression will be priceless, just like when Sergeant Prohl reported to our submarine back then!"
"Yeah, I remember that. Sergeant Prohl was stunned and speechless for half the day!"
"Hahaha..."
Just then, a person poked his head out from the truck's cabin and shouted towards the back, "What are you guys saying about me again? Don't think I can't hear you, you bunch of rascals!"
There was another burst of laughter in the carriage.