<strong>The Hawk</strong><br/><br/><hr/><br/>The captain decided he'd had enough of discussions on regulations and citizen rights. Harden was probably right in his suggestion of confining the female presence on board the vessel to a room. But that would be making things easy for this bunch, he thought. He wanted them to know how hard it was to earn one's place in the world.<strong>"Good suggestion in its own right, Officer"</strong>, he replied to Harden, mindful of the harsh tone he'd taken earlier and still wanting Harden on his side,<strong>"but trying to keep them away from the men would only lead to more men attempting to get in contact with them. Such a move would only make them think I'm stashing away a treasure. I don't want to appear a dictator to my own men. And apart from the redhead hothead, I do agree that they're not prisoners. Well, they're not princesses either. So they'll neither be confined nor get free hospitality. I'm sure you're clear about the situation, and I'll appreciate if you explain it to the men too."</strong>He looked at Macheath, and said,<strong>"Commander, I'm well aware of your leadership abilities, and I'm counting on you to make this sub a suitable environment to live and work in for these ladies."</strong><br/><br/>Turning to the ladies, he announced,<strong>"Ladies, we've started on the wrong foot, but I don't want to be harsh on you for your skipper's mistake. That includes you, Miss Yoko"</strong>, he said nodding at the Asian girl.<strong>"I see you're much more sensible than your skipper, and I can only hope you find my offer reasonable."</strong>Moving to his desk, he got a piece of paper in his hand and holding it out before the four girls, he said,<strong>"This is a form for deployment on the submarine and assignment of duty. I have in mind some positions for you all. Miss Jaimie, perhaps you can be of use in the radio room. Miss Holland, you can be a page for the engine room crew. And Miss Yoko, I think you can be an intern with the Tactics team, if you wish to cooperate that is. Miss Elois, you can be my personal secretary to begin with. All roles are subject to rotation, unless your reporting officers wish to retain you after the first week."</strong><br/><br/>He kept four papers on the desk, and motioning towards them, said,<strong>"Here's your chance to lead a respectable life, learn some skills and make yourselves proud. Go ahead, ladies."</strong><br/><br/>Then, walking closer to Macheath, he said,<strong>"The prisoner's punishment and her security is your responsibility. Arrange for a cage and keep her in the dining hall. Every night, she's to be transferred to the small room adjoining my stateroom. If I feel her behavior has improved, I'll set her free."</strong>Then, after a long look at her, he shook his head, saying,<strong>"Pity, she seemed to be the most useful of the group in a place like this." </strong>He calmly got a pair of scissors from his desk drawer, and walking up to her, cut through her tank top and bra, and threw them away, exposing her breasts.<strong>"You'll be half naked in the cage. Shame will work faster than the restraints in dissolving your anger, and you'll see sense soon."</strong>Looking back at Macheath, he said,<strong>"Get started with the arrangements for her. While you're at it, call in one officer each from the engine room and radio room, ones you trust. Also, someone from the weapons and tactics team."</strong><br/><br/>Coming back to Harden, he said,<strong>"Officer, you'll be my eyes and ears on this. You'll report to me of how each girl is doing at her job by checking up with the reporting officer, and report any event which may appear unsettling, or any person, whose behavior may be out of line. I can trust no one else more on this." </strong>He patted the upper arm of the officer.