12463: No more testing new grounds for summonings. Yes you can blame the incident in Newport.
Admiral Briggs needed this to work! The navy just couldn't summon ships fast enough, hence the need to expand the summoning areas. Hence this trip to Newport Rhode Island. Briggs' job was simple, make sure all the materials were in place which they were in this case. And with one quick word to Terry Hutchinson, the summoning began.
GENERAL QUARTERS!
SHE WAS THE GREATEST OF HER TYPE.
GENERAL QUARTERS! GENERAL QUARTERS!
A RACING QUEEN!
ALL HANDS MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS!
SHE COULD NOT BE BEAT! THE AURORA, THE ECLIPSE, THE BRILLIANT. SHE BEAT THEM ALL!
GENERAL QUARTERS! GENERAL QUARTERS!
SHE HAD THE WORLD'S OLDEST COMPETITIVE TROPHY NAMED IN HER HONOR!
ALL HANDS...
SHE DID NOT KNOW WHY SHE WAS NEEDED. SHE JUST KNEW THEY WERE CALLING HER!
MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS!
AND SHE WOULD ANSWER. FOR LOVE, FOR THE NAVY IN WHICH SHE HAD SERVED ONCE, FOR THE GLORY OF THE CUP!
It worked, it must have because the center of the summoning chamber began to froth and broil and just when it looked like it would overflow and douse them all a single shipgirl burst forth. She almost appeared to fly as she landed gently at the foot of the steps leading up to the pool. She spotted Briggs almost immediately due to his impressive dress whites and reflectively snapped to his attention. "Admiral, schooner America reporting sir!" She saluted smartly which he returned.
"Rear Admiral William Briggs, US Navy." He introduced. "Civilian?" He asked, noting her rigging carried no obvious weapons.
"Err yes sir." She replied.
"Then how...?"
"I served in the Anaconda Plan Admiral. I know how to read rank." She said.
Anaconda Plan? But that would make her well over a 150. None of his girls, save Constitution, were that old! "You served in the Civil War?"
"Yes Admiral both sides." She answered, shuddering away from her memories as 'Memphis'. That had not been a fun two years. Her smile returned. "Anyways, you called I answered. Just tell me what you need. I can scout. I can warn you of any approaching nasties. Oh you need a cup won, I can do that too!" Her shit eating grin left no doubts.
"Terry, pinch me please. I think I'm dreaming." Briggs begged.
"Then we are having the same dream Will." deadpanned Hutchinson.
America took to the 21st century surprisingly well but then again she hadn't been decommed until her loss in '42. If Richardson had been worried about the Japanese and Germans then he needn't be. America was friendly to everyone. Having a shipgirl act so easygoing left him on edge. He just knew there would be a point where MSSB would arise in her to make his life hell. He just didn't expect it to come when it did.
"Hi, I'm Australia, uh the second." "And I'm Liberty." Since America's summoning, the ritual had been spitting out more yachtgirls. One by one the cup winners and challengers were coming back. But this time Briggs instantly felt uneasy. He couldn't explain it he just knew that something was going to happen when he introduced these girls to the rest of the fleet so as soon as they were done introducing themselves he promptly retreated to his office. There was nothing he could do to stop the insanity from happening. All he could do was listen for the fireworks and then plead the fifth when it was all over. He was not fast enough.
"LOSERS, THIEVES! WHAT DID YOU TWO BONEHEADS DO TO MY CUP!" America's shouting was more than enough to make the old Admiral wince. Having her go off on the one ship in 132 years to lose the cup and the one challenger to win it in that time made too much sense! He would have to call the three into his office and have some kind of ceasefire agreement. But first, he needed a drink...