Celeste

The Arctic Endeavor cut through the icy waters with a low, steady groan, its hull breaking through frost-coated waves that glittered under the pale light of a steel-gray sky. Snow flurries drifted lazily, carried by the sharp wind that howled across the deck and seeped through layers of clothing. The crew, bundled in thick coats and scarves, moved with practiced efficiency as they prepared to deploy the hydrophones. Clouds of breath hung in the air, mingling with the faint scent of oil and seawater.

Dr. Evelyn Rourke stood near the ship's control station, her gloved hands gripping a weathered leather journal. The edges of the pages were dog-eared, frayed from years of handling. Inside were her father's notes-maps, theories, and cryptic musings that had consumed much of his life. Evelyn pressed her lips into a thin line, her sharp eyes scanning the activity on deck. Her expression betrayed no hint of the unease that coiled in her stomach. This mission wasn't just science; it was legacy.

"Hey, Rourke!" Naomi's voice cut through the cold, buoyant as ever. Evelyn turned slightly, catching sight of the marine biologist adjusting her gloves as she spoke to one of the technicians. "Make sure you don't drop that hydrophone. We're not exactly close to a bait shop if it goes overboard."

The technician chuckled nervously but tightened his grip on the equipment. Naomi's grin lingered only a moment before fading into a look of focused determination. She had a way of lightening the mood when tensions ran high, but even Naomi knew when to get serious.

Not far from them, Drew was hunched over a tablet, mumbling something under his breath. He'd been muttering all morning, his fingers tapping rapidly against the screen as he pored over seismic readings.

"This is where it starts," Drew said, his voice just loud enough to carry over the wind. "The whispers of the abyss. They say the deeper you go-"

"They say Drew spends too much time on Reddit," Naomi interrupted, rolling her eyes. She slapped the back of his parka lightly as she passed him. "Relax. It's just water and rocks. No eldritch horrors today."

Drew scowled but said nothing, his shoulders hunching further as he turned back to his tablet.

"Rourke." The voice came from behind her, low and steady. Evelyn didn"t need to turn to know it was Captain Graves. The older woman was as much a fixture of the ship as the engine itself-stoic, no-nonsense, and with a knack for making people feel as if they were always one mistake away from a lecture.

"Graves," Evelyn replied, her tone neutral.

Graves stepped up beside her, her weathered face unreadable beneath the brim of her woolen cap.

"Keep it tight out here. One slip, one mistake, and we're all going home in body bags. This kind of mission-things go south fast."

Evelyn glanced sideways at her, nodding curtly. "I've got it under control."

"Good." Graves lingered a moment longer before moving on, her boots crunching against the icy deck.

Evelyn exhaled slowly, tilting her head back to watch the sky. The sun hung low, casting the world in shades of gray and blue. It was the kind of landscape that swallowed you whole if you let it. But Evelyn wasn't here to admire the scenery. She was here to uncover what lay beneath it.

"Hydrophones are ready!" someone called from the deck. The crew shifted into action, moving to secure the cables and double-check connections. Evelyn moved closer, watching as the first hydrophone was lowered into the water. The cable unspooled with a steady hum, disappearing into the dark, icy depths.

The operation was routine. The Arctic Endeavor was outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment designed to withstand extreme conditions. Evelyn had overseen every detail of the preparation herself. Still, her stomach churned as she watched the hydrophone descend, vanishing into the void.

In the control room, the team gathered around the consoles. The hydrophone feed crackled to life, filling the room with the ambient noise of the ocean-a low, steady rumble punctuated by the occasional creak of shifting ice. Evelyn stood at the center, her eyes fixed on the monitors.

"Sounds normal so far," Naomi said, leaning over one of the consoles. Her tone was casual, but Evelyn could see the tension in her shoulders.

Drew stood a few feet away, arms crossed tightly over his chest. He didn't say anything, but his eyes darted between the screens with an intensity that bordered on obsessive.