15437: SCIENCEGIRLS! OH MY GOD! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! Arizona's switches to the Martyr Abyssal Princess and Merrimack's 'Virginia' persona were bad enough but this?! The only way we're allowing the new girl around the base is in a straightjacket and with two minders above her weight class.

15438: Also, can someone please fetch Briggs back from Legend again?

15438a: No Legend, you may not play acting admiral while he's gone!

Unfortunately for Portland, the day started off with a mystery. It began fairly normally with the usual morning greeting from Saipan that left the cruiser feeling simultaneously satisfied and beyond grateful for the shipgirl strength protection.

Of course, it would not be considered normal without Briggs suffering some sort of "breakdown". While not a daily occurrence, it was close enough to it that a single day without one was considered the exception rather than the rule.

Sure enough, before Portland could even get to the office, she heard the loudest most terrified bloodcurtling scream she had ever heard the admiral make. Her experience with Briggs taught her to identify the problems associated with the type of scream he issued. An angry scream meant some shipgirl had made the news or ended up on YouTube for some stupid reason. A standard scream was the usual antics of the Yellowstone or Sparky variety. Briggs would deny it, but he was getting to the point where their troubles were almost tolerable to him. But this was a scream she hadn't heard in a very long time. It was the "my sanity is broken and I must make a strategic retreat before it shatters completely". Also with a side of "the end of the world" stuff. The last time she'd heard it was when Yellowstone went on a sabbatical and brought Sparky back.

Well, nothing to it then. Portland made her way inside and up the three stories and down the long hallway all the way to the last door on the left. She didn't bother knocking, she just cracked it open and saw the strangest sight she'd ever seen.

Portland had expected Briggs curled up on the floor somewhere but the admiral was nowhere to be found. Instead, in his chair was...

"Hello." Legend greeted.

"I take that Briggs ah rather Mr. Montoya is raiding the pudding section of the buffet right about now." Portland sighed.

Legend nodded. "He all but requested asylum aboard." She replied. "And I can hardly blame him this time considering what these girls managed to pull out of Davy Jones' Locker."

Portland looked around the room, noting the other shipgirls present. Sparky and Mandi were there and both tsukumogami were looking more than a bit ashamed. Also present were Executor and Chimaera who were carefully observing a third shipgirl who was sitting in a chair in the corner munching on a chocolate chip cookie. Portland new a newsummons when she saw one but with this girl there were a few things seriously wrong.

Firstly, her rigging was in lockdown. Portland couldn't really explain how she knew that but she could just tell.

Secondly, despite the lack of available rigging she gave off a vibe that sent cold chills down Portland's spine. This newsummons and to what extent she couldn't tell, was just wrong.

Thirdly was the thing that made it all click for Portland. The new girl's uniform was mostly green and bore several patches. The most prominent was rounded, black and gray. It reminded her of a gateway which was fitting. The words on the bottom were in Latin and read "Ave Atque Vale." Farewell and Farewell.

Slowly, Portland turned to the two tsukumogami. "What," She began slowly. "In the name of everything holy, did you two think you were doing?!"

Mandi offered a sheepish grin. "It was only-"

Portland cut her off. "If you were going to say 'it's only a bit of fun!' I strongly suggest you pick your next words very carefully."

Mandi predictably shut up and Portland pinched the bridge of her nose before turning back around to face the three spacecraft.

"Now, can one of you please tell me what happened?" She asked.

Executor winced, rubbing her arm which Portland noticed was cut. "Well, as you can imagine the summoning worked a little too well. It uh-"

"I've seen the movie." Portland's tone was deadpann and she did her best to cool her redlining boilers when she heard Legend stifle a giggle behind her. She motioned for Executor to continue.

"Once we got her off Admiral Briggs- oh don't worry! She didn't do anything to him. We got here just in time for that thankfully. And Mandi at least had the sense to send one of the submarines to the battleship barracks and found what was left of Arizona's meds. Those worked just long enough for me and Chimaera to subdue Horizon and get her at least somewhat back to normal."

"Of course, cookies helped." Legend added and Portland stifled a groan.

"Cookies are the best." Even as a shipgirl, Event Horizon's voice was seriously creepy. Her blonde hair just peaked out from underneath her cap as her resemblance to Starck became seriously uncanny. Her blue eyes were clear although somehow Portland knew they would turn milky white when she was in that 'other mode'.

"Horizon," Portland began. "I hope you understand why I cannot release you from this lockdown."

"I do." The surprisingly sensible shipgirl nodded. "Sparky has already spoken to Phoenix and South Dakota about developing stronger medication so that I might be able to wonder about more freely."

"Good." Portland turned back to Legend and glared.

The cruise ship sighed. "Do I have to go and get him?" She asked. "This chair is rather comfortable."

Portland glared some more.

"Alright! Alright!" Legend growled, leaving said chair and walking out. She had an admiral to comfort/ send back.

"Now as for the rest of you." Portland's glare settled meaningfully on Sparky and Mandi. "You two get to remain here. Executor, Chimaera will take Horizon to the mess hall. We'll sort out some barracks for you later. And, keep her under tight watch." Horizon appeared resigned to this as the two larger ships began to escort her out.

Horizon however paused and turned to face Portland. "Acting Admiral," She began. "I meant it when I said I understand. Other me is, well to say disturbed would be like calling Yellowstone hot. This is for the best."

"Let us just hope that SoDac and Phoenix are quick in developing those extra strength meds. No rigging at all is torture to any shipgirl." Portland said.

Horizon's eyes darkened and she looked like she would've said something more but Executor nudged her and she followed the dreadnought out. Portland was left to settle in her chair for a moment. Then she leaned forward.

Sparky and Mandi grasped each other's hands. The "now, what to do with you two." statement may or may not still haunt some of their dreams.