Rule by me!
Rule 10395: The Volcanoes are no longer allowed in the summoning chamber during summonings! "Things" tend to happen when they are!
It was just another day at Naval Base San Diego. Admiral Holloway was in the summoning chamber with whatever girls were on base as the band played.
"So who do you think we'll get this time Oregon?" Phoenix asked.
"Well after the arrival of Texas and her guided missile cruiser sisters I'd say it's a safe bet that we could start seeing some Kidd's maybe even an Arleigh or two." The freighter replied.
"Safe a bet as any." Phoenix shrugged. "I for one am hoping for a Spruance. So our usual wager?" She asked and Oregon grinned.
Their 'usual' wager was the exchange of science! Duty hours. That is who had primary control of the lab for the next while. It was both a fair prize and it kept one girl out of trouble with the Admiral if mayhem occurred as he would know exactly who to blame.
"Say what about our newest recruit. Any guesses?" Phoenix poked Helens in the side.
The volcano shot her a glare. "I don't gamble." She said simply and turned her attention back to the chamber.
Phoenix pouted but was unsurprised by the response. Despite her reputation, Helens was quite calm and it had become something of a game, albeit a dangerous one, amongst the science!girls and new summons to get a rise out of her.
The band finished its latest song and Admiral Holloway stepped forward. "GENERAL QUARTERS! GENERAL QUARTERS! ALL HANDS MAN YOUR BATTLESTATIONS!"
They had lain Silent for centuries. Their spirits forgotten by all but a few. They had seen their homes irrevocably altered by the strangers that had arrived from the east. Still the Boston men and others crawled across their flanks, marveling at their beauty.
General Quarters!
The call was unexpected and unfamiliar but not unwelcome.
General Quarters!
They had been forgotten for so long it felt good to know someone still cared.
All hands to battle stations!
They would return. And the world would bask in the glory of their flame once more.
The center of the chamber's pool began to froth and waves radiated outwards from the center. Something was definatey happening. The water began to boil and churn in a way that had never been seen before. Whatever was emerging it was different than anyone else. But not unique. Phoenix recognized the frothing and boiling. She had seen it before just before she had summoned Helens.
Holloway looked around him. He had never seen this kind of activity during a summoning before. The sailors nearest him were nervous and some were backing away from the churning water. Holloway wasn't sure what concerned him more, the unusual activity or the knowing look on Phoenix's face and the widening of Helens eyes.
"Oh no." The volcano whispered.
"What? What is it?" Phoenix for once in her life sounded genuinely concerned.
Helens continued to mutter to herself. "Oh not those two, they are the worst!"
Phoenix was about to ask what she meant when two figures burst out of the pool, landing on the edge facing Admiral Holloway. Their broad shoulders and powerful builds indicated that they were of the Cascade range like Helens. But where Helens had an almost standard like appearance with her short legs and stubby arms these two were stretched versions, towering like an Iowa but beefy like a Montana. They had long blonde hair although one girl had a more bleached shade than the other. Her skin was tanned and she wore a flowery summer dress with lace around the neck and sandals. The other had fair skin and wore a denim jacket over a long sleeve and jeans with leather riding boots. Both had massive racks that put Musashi to shame! Their eyes were a hypnotizing ice blue and were resting squarely on Holloway.
The darker skinned one spoke first in a distinctively Californian accent. "Yo Admiral! Which of us is bigger!" She asked, squeezing her boobs.
Helens slapped a palm to her face and muttered something incomprehensible that was picked up by the fairer skinned of the girls. "What was that Helens?" Her voice was soft with an odd combination of Northwest laced with a British accent but hid a strength that made it almost frightening.
"I said it's nice to see you Tacoma." Helens said through gritted teeth.
"And it's nice to see you too dearie." Tacoma purred with false sweetness.
Holloway stepped forward. "Report!" He ordered as he snapped off a salute.
Both turned their attentions back to him. "Oh how rude of us to not introduce ourselves properly." Tacoma said with a glare at her companion. "My name is Rainier but I prefer Tacoma."
"Name's Shasta. What up?!" She flashed a peace sign.
Helens face palmed again and Tacoma sighed. "Shasta you said you wouldn't do this." She said.
Shasta ignored her and instead walked up to the nearest marine, shook his hand vigorously. "So gravelmuncher, in your opinion which of us is bigger."
"Ma'am?" The marine questioned.
Shasta's sunny disposition disappeared and she leaned in frighteningly practically shoving her upperworks in his face. "Which. Of. Us. Is. Bigger?!"
"Um, I believe that would be Tacoma." Holloway spoke up from his phone.
Shasta stared at him, then at Tacoma who somehow managed to look both resigned and smug at the same time. She preened herself proudly. "Nnnoooooooooooo!" Shasta wailed loudly.
Holloway covered his ears, Phoenix actually took a step back and Helens buried her face in her hands, quiet sobs shaking her shoulders.