Stand by for Action Page #7

here in the crews compartments.

And I mustered all hands who are off

watch to kind of look after 'em.

Them women folk look mighty

pinched to me, sir.

Especially that one.

Looks like we'll have

to organize things to

take care of the situation.

Attention men.

All married men with children,

one pace forward.

The remainder, at ease.

All in line down here.

Well, here's your

nursery detail, Jenks.

All right, sir.

Well, these youngster

can stand this,

they'll live through anything.

You're sure an angelic

looking bunch of papas.

Looks like some of you men will have

to take care of more than one baby.

Put all the little ladies

on the port side,

and all the little gentlemen

on the starboard.

Fall out. All you men who don't

have babies, take one of these.

Careful now.

Restore on of the bunks and rig nettings

around 'em, so they don't tumble out.

- Yes sir. - Tell the cook

to make up some warm milk.

They'll quiet down

once they have some chow.

Oh, thank you

very much, Lieutenant.

You'd make a

wonderful foster father.

Aren't you a little young to be the

mother of such a large family?

You're much too exhausted

to be playing nurse.

She's... pretty bad.

You'll both be quite all right.

I'll have some of the

officers double up,

so you ladies can

use their rooms.

I've heard of

three men in a boat,

but two women and

20 babies, beats me.

Poor children.

They're evacuees from the maternity hospital

in Honolulu on their way to the mainland.

Ah...

Our ship was separated

from the convoy.

- They got us at night.

- Don't think about it.

You're perfectly safe now.

Is there a doctor on board?

No, I'm sorry. Only

a pharmacist's mate.

- Yes, but...

- Don't worry.

- We'll take good care of you.

- Don't go.

Don't leave me.

I can't leave.

She needs help desperately.

Afraid I must insist. You're

practically out on your feet yourself.

I'll see that your

friend's moved at once.

Oh, Rankin, take the other

lady to Mr. Martin's room.

Aye aye, sir.

You've been through a pretty

nasty experience, Miss...

- Miss...

- Missus.

- Oh.

- Mrs. Steve Collins.

My husband is a flyer

on an aircraft carrier

somewhere in the Pacific.

Well, in that case, you'll feel

right at home aboard ship.

- How is he?

- Better, sir.

He's sleeping now, but his

mind was still wandering.

Still fighting

the other war, huh?

Yes, sir.

Well, you'd better come take a look

at the ladies we just picked up.

They're both in

pretty bad shape.

Yes, sir.

They're in Mr. Martin's

and Mr. Royce's rooms.

Yes, sir.

Masterman, I've been hearing

glowing reports on your

proficiency in the care

and feeding of infants.

- Very gratifying.

- Thank you, sir.

It's too bad that you

and these other gentlemen

are strangers to the soft

caress of a babies hand,

the magic of a dimpled smile,

the charm of

triangular trousers.

You have no idea

what you're missing.

Excuse me, sir.

She's having a baby!

What?! Who?

The woman we took aboard, sir.

- There were two women.

- One of them's having a baby.

The one in Mr. Martin's room.

Miller, you can't permit such a

thing to happen aboard this ship!

It's strictly

against regulations.

Well, perhaps if you read Navy

Regulations to the lady, Miller...

I don't think there's time, sir.

And besides, I'm only

a Pharmacist's Mate!

Query, sir. John Paul Jones must've had

something to say concerning a moment like this.

You don't remember

what it was...

- Mr. Masterman?

- Yes, sir.

Now, wait a minute, sir. I'm a

ship's officer, not a stork!

That's right, you're

the executive officer.

I don't know what John

Paul Jones might've said,

but Navy Regulations say

that all matters pertaining

to the ship's company properly fall under

the jurisdiction of the executive officer.

The lady, through

force of circumstance,

is technically a member

of the ship's company.

Execute, Mr. Masterman. Execute.

Men...

Uh... Your attention.

Naturally, this somewhat

unusual duty... situation...

is a great shock to all of us.

But as good sailors,

we must see it through

for the honor of the old ship.

Now, all of you men have

had babies of your own.

Did you ever lend a hand when the

happy event was taking place?

Mr. Masterman, Mr. Masterman!

The Lieutenant, pardon sir,

the Pharmacist's Mate...

he wants to see you right away!

It's that lady, she's...

All right, all right...

Dismissed, back to

your kindergarten.

Men...

I got an idea, sir.

- Mr. Masterman!

- Yes, yes...

Mr. Masterman, please.

She needs help right away!

I'm sorry, I can't do anymore.

All right, I'll go back!

Jenks! Jenks!

Here sir, we're going to do

this shipshape and sharp.

Just like a hospital, sir.

It's the Carpenter's Mate, sir.

He'd like a word with you.

Don't tell me he's

gonna have a baby, too.

- Come on in, Chips.

- Thank you, sir.

It's something I wouldn't care to

admit in front of the others, sir.

Well, my wife is

a visiting nurse,

and I have stood by on

a occasions like this,

and I don't claim

to be no expert sir,

I had a chance to sort of memorize

the specifications as it were.

Chip, you're just

what we're looking for.

But this is very

informal Mr. Masterman.

Don't forget I'm a total

stranger to the lady.

Don't worry, Chips.

I'll introduce you later.

Take it easy, Lindsay. After

all, you're not the father.

I know, sir.

But I'm still nervous.

You know, Mr. Masterman,

this is an awful lesson for me.

Once or twice I've thought

about getting myself obliged.

No more.

Uh-uh. Not after this.

Shh!

- Well? - I wish the report the

presence of a stowaway, sir.

I should say about

six and a half pounds.

Chips, for bravery

you deserve a medal.

I'll settle for a

cup of coffee, sir.

That you'll have.

Well, the launching's

complete, sir.

Mother and baby

are in perfect shape.

It's a boy.

Well, I'm glad that's over.

- Well done, Masterman. - Strictly

according to regulation, sir.

- Jenks, what is it?

- Pardon, Captain, sir.

We're a delegation

from the crew.

- About what? - Well, it's about

a name for the new craft, sir.

Warren is a fine name

for a boy, sir.

Bridge?

Convoy sighted on starboard bow!

Looks like about a

30 ship convoy, sir.

The cruiser leading

is the Chattanooga.

I forgot to tell you the

Admiral aboard that cruiser

- is Steven Thomas, USN.

- Old Iron Pants?

Finally got his wish.

- I wonder how his lumbago is.

- We'll find out.

We're an hour late

arriving at rendezvous.

The Warren's just been sighted two

points on the starboard bow, sir.

- I've got eyes, Dudley.

- Yes, sir.

Signal her to take position

on convoy's starboard flank

- and patrol station.

- Aye aye, sir.

Then ask her to explain why she's

an hour late in keeping rendezvous.

Aye aye, sir.

Orders from the flagship, sir.

"Take position at the starboard flank

with convoy and patrol station."

- Carry out those orders, will

ya, Masterman? - Aye aye, sir.

Second message

from flagship, sir.

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