<strong>Joseph Harden carries out his orders</strong><br/><br/>Harden was surprised that the Hawk seemed to come a bit to his senses. In his experience, the old man never much came back upon his decisions. Perhaps he wasn’t totally lost after all? Harden saluted the captain.<strong>“Yes sir… I will make the proper arrangements.”</strong>Harden left the captain’s stateroom and disappeared into the belly of the ship. He went over possible candidates for guard duty. Luka Zanovic was one… There was a reason why Harden had opted to take the man along with him when the captain summoned him for a sortie. However, the man had been stealing glances at the girls when they rowed back to the submarine. On the other hand, what man wouldn’t stare some at a handful of scantily clad women, especially after being stuck on a sub with nothing but men for a couple of months? Zanovic was a disciplined sailor and would not betray his trust. The second man was harder to choose… There were a handful that Harden would consider, but none he really felt 100% confident about. Eventually he settled upon Anthony Vinci, a family man from Brooklyn. Harden wasn’t entirely convinced the man wouldn’t stray, but he seemed like the best option out of a flawed bunch.<br/><br/>The Chief Petty Officer summoned both men to his own quarters and briefed them. Zanovic was not too surprised, having already seen the women, but Vinci’s face turned ever more incredulous. “Any questions?” He inquired at the end of his explanation.<strong>“Yes sir, has the old man lost his marbles? Five women on a military submarine? The Hawk must know this will never end well…”</strong>Harden cut him off.<strong>“It’s not our place to judge the captain’s decisions, Vinci. Only carry them out. We’ll just have to make the best of a difficult situation. I want you to clear out the storage space opposite the ladies’ bunk room as well. That section of the ship is to be locked off, no one enters or leaves without my consent. And my consent will not come without having direct permission from the captain. You and Zanovic are relieved from any other duties for the time being. You will work guard duty in eight hour rotations. You will not interact with the women in any way though. I expect you outside their door at all times.”</strong>Zanovic and Vinci exchanged a short glance but then swiftly replied.<strong>“Yes sir!”</strong><br/><br/>Harden nodded.<strong> “Good… you two men are dismissed, go make the necessary preparations, I suspect the Hawk will be done with the ladies very soon now.”</strong>Harden sighed, but only after the pair of men had vacated his quarters. This royal mess they were in was only just beginning.<br/>