"Callista? Weird name,” she commented.

“It means ‘beautiful’ in Greek,” I said, without looking at Captain Nina.

I’ve heard lots of speculations about the mission being headed by women, but I was far from being intimidated. I knew I had the greater goal of rescuing Marina.

“I’ve managed the last bits of the equipment in the ship. The submarine, oxygen reservoirs, mine detection, sonar and weapon trialing.”

“Okay, go inform Lieutenant Petrova as she and her team of navy are the ones assigned to handle the weapons, though I doubt we’d avoid direct confrontation.”

Chief Engineer Delia was accompanying me too on the mission.

The ship designed under my command had unmanned underwater vehicles that we would probably need to locate Atlantis. The vessel had all major oceanographic and hydrographic research devices to gauze the effect of the illegal experiments on marine life.

“120,000 DWT tonnage, 289.56 meters in length, 15.2 meter draft, 41 meter beam and do you plan to have a small aircraft land there or what?” Doctor Darren commented.

“We may need anything doctor.” I mumbled.

We had a team of twenty four scientists from various fields of research, marine biologists, geographers, oceanographers and physicists, engineers as well as doctors were accompanying me on the government funded mission based on one random but strong evidence of existence of Atlantis.

“Nuclear propulsion, ice hull, hope your engineer has a proper sense of hydrostatics and hydrodynamics and then there’s buoyancy and gravity to consider…”

“My engineer won’t disappoint,” I cut him off.

“Hope you know what you’re doing. We may be headed to danger.”

I gazed admiringly at my beautiful Callista, standing strong and indestructible. With its mild steel and GRP structure, the ship was as strong as a naval vessel and I had meant for it to be suitable to navigate through all seasons as we didn’t know where Atlantis was hidden.

The high quality ultrasonic radars and autopilot system with heavy lock gates provided protection against wreckage.

The submarines were fully equipped with monitors and arsenal as we would have to spend a considerable amount of time, battling the scientist there and I doubt they would dare to carry out illegal activities without protection.

“My team of thirty five is ready. We are bringing along a small chopper in case we need overhead view and also advanced drones to detect dangers early,” Lieutenant Petrova gave me a salute.

“Five decks, 650 HP engine three generators, GPS, satellite phone, plotter, diving deck and dive-boats and high function compressors, you’re a marvel, Delia,” I cast an affectionate look at my vessel, which would be my new home now.

“What about safety?” she asked.

“Mr. Jason from the navy is regulating that. We have fifty life rafts and an equal number of jackets, ten rescue buoys, with decompression chambers and defibrillators, inbuilt fire protection and alarm system. We’ve a team of five health professionals on board…”

“Impressive,” Captain Nina came, clapping. “Come, let’s enjoy our last night on land.”

500 words completed

Written for the Collab Contest by talesofthedeep and SecretTreasures

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