JOHN'S FAMILY TREE

CHAPTERS: The chapters of this story are published live for collaboration development purposes, with a sequence derived from the Chapters below, supplemented with other (unpublished) writings as we progress. The final order for the proposed screenplay may be the subject of additional drafts to suit production of the final movie (producers/directors/actors).

<<<<<< MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE

SOMEWHERE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA - JOHN'S FAMILY TREE

Meanwhile, Hal had run a few tests on John, during which he sampled the Captain's DNA. Having witnessed the interaction between John and Cleopatra, Hal was not surprised to find John's lineage traced all the way back to Rome and ancient Roman times.

Records were not that accurate, but it seemed that Marcus Antonious had many children, as did Cleopatra. Most of which died young or were executed on the orders of various competing actors.

Hal discovered that Marcus Antonius, also known as Mark Antony, that he had many children with a long list of women.

The list included Antonia Major, an ancestor of Emperor Nero. Antonia Minor, the mother of Emperor Claudius, grandmother of Emperor Caligula, and great-grandmother of Emperor Nero, Marcus Antonius Antyllus, Antony's official heir, though he was executed at age 17 by Octavian. Alexander Helios, A twin with Cleopatra Selene, Cleopatra Selene, who became the Queen of Mauretania  and Ptolemy Philadelphus, A son with Cleopatra.

Antony was married to at least five women, including Fadia, Antonia Hybrida, Fulvia, Octavia Minor, and Cleopatra. He also had a daughter named Antonia with his wife Julia of Mauretania.

Antonia Minor and her husband Nero Claudius Drusus had three children: Germanicus, Claudius, and Livilla. Germanicus, was a famous general. Claudius was a disabled Roman Emperor. Livilla, was the only daughter of Antonia Minor and Nero Claudius Drusus. She was married twice, first to Gaius Caesar and then to Drusus the Younger. She was the paternal aunt of Emperor Caligula and the maternal great-aunt of Emperor Nero.

Via a series of deductions and elimination of those who died young, Hal narrowed down the options, but to begin with it seemed probable that John descended from Julia Agrippina (the younger). This was by no means certain, but Hal knew he was on the right track. John was indeed related to Mark Antony, born of nobility washed through the ages. His DNA blended like a fine whisky. And nobody on earth is single malt. All people alive today are descended from Homo Habilis and the Olduvia Gorge, in Tanzania.

"Dan," said Hal, "what do you think of the theory that our skipper may have descended from Julia Agrippina?"

"Not a chance Hal. I don't think there is any direct bloodline, the heirs of Claudius were adopted."

"So, no chance Claudius had a child on the side?"

"Hey Hal, nothing is impossible. I did a bit of research the moment we were heading to back to Alexandria, the sunken city. I've always been fascinated by how many cities in the Mediterranean have ended up at the bottom of the sea. But think on this."

"Think I'll clear the RAM for this, said Hal." 

"Yeh, nice one. Okay, here we go ....... Claudius, the Roman Emperor, did have children who survived. His most notable offspring included Britannicus (his son with Messalina) and Claudia Antonia (his daughter with Aelia Paetina). Unfortunately, Britannicus died young, and Claudia Antonia was executed."

"We agree so far," chirped Hal.

"Thanks. .... Claudius married Agrippina the Younger - his niece - but they did not have biological children together. Agrippina's son from her previous marriage, Nero, was adopted by Claudius and became his heir."

Dan came up for air. Hal said nothing in disagreement.

"Given these points, while Claudius had children, their lines did not produce notable surviving descendants that we know of today. Therefore, this route might be challenging to establish a direct, unbroken lineage to our illustrious Captain. Though you must agree he looks very Roman or Greek General?"

"I'm still with you boy wonder." Dan laughed.

"The alternative Route from Mark Antony, another possible lineage ....... could be traced through Cleopatra's children with Mark Antony."

Hal was straining at the bit, and finally took over.

"Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene were twins from the original of our onboard guest. But Alexander Helios's fate is unknown. Cleopatra Selene married King Juba II of Mauretania, and their lineage continued. Whereas, not much is known about the descendants of Ptolemy Philadelphus."

"Yup, that's how I read it Hal. Considering Cleopatra Selene's marriage to Juba II, we have a potential lineage that could extend into medieval and modern times through the Mauretanian and later Berber dynasties."

There was a silence, a pause to think and compute the history, as Hal agreed with Dan. They both knew there aren't any prominent Italian figures who publicly claim direct lineage to specific Roman historical figures. It's more accurate to say that Italians share a cultural and historical connection to ancient Rome, rather than specific familial ties.

Dan reached for a Solar Cola, he was parched and his brain was buzzing.

"How about this Hal, Cleopatra Selene and Juba II had a son, Ptolemy of Mauretania, who became the last king of Mauretania. Ptolemy's descendants could have intermingled with various Mediterranean and European families over the centuries."

Hal paused as if clearing his electronic throat. 

"Given the movement and intermarriages of noble families in medieval Europe, it's plausible that a descendant line could have eventually led to John's family; Professor Douglas, and John's father."

Dan took a big gulp of Solar Cola.

"Ahhhhhh, very satisfying that. Invigorating. Mmmmmm."

"It's okay for some. I can only imagine the taste, since you won't let me sample it."

"Ummmmm, oh yeeesss. Sorry Hal, it is good, like a super conducting highway for you. I'd imagine."

Hal looked indignant on the screen.

Dan continued: "Okay, that helps, by eliminating Claudius, that leaves us with Alexander Hellios and Juba II. With Cleopatra Selene tracked down and finally executed. I wonder what scenario is statistically the more likely?

Hal dived in. "Statistically speaking, Cleopatra Selene's survival and continuation of her lineage through her marriage to Juba II is considered the more likely scenario. This is my thinking. Historical archives reveal that Cleopatra Selene married Juba II, King of Mauretania, and they ruled together as King and Queen. Their son, Ptolemy of Mauretania, continued the lineage.

"Agreed on that. But there is no concrete historical evidence suggesting Cleopatra Selene was tracked down and executed. Most historical accounts focus on her reign in Mauretania and her contributions to its culture and governance. Is that not right my AI friend?"

"Yes Dan. Alexander Helios disappeared from historical records after the defeat of his parents. His fate remains uncertain, with no concrete evidence of his survival or descendants. More mystery and uncertainty."

Dan loved a good mystery, as well Hal knew. The computer boy genius continued:

"Given these points, tracing John Storm's lineage through Cleopatra Selene and Juba II seems more statistically likely. The continuation through their son, Ptolemy of Mauretania, provides a plausible and documented route to our Captain, if indeed there is one."

"But Dan," said Hal with elevated voice levels and a robotic finality, "the DNA evidence and the geography is undeniable. John's ancestors emanated from this region and this bloodline."

"Okay, keep your tin lid on. Wasn't Ptolemy of Mauretania executed by Caligula around 40 AD. For Mark Antony's bloodline to continue, he would have needed to have had a child with his wife, Julia Urania, or a mistress. Historical records mention that Ptolemy and Julia Urania had a daughter named Drusilla. Is that right Hal?"

Hal responded: "The limited historical records indicate that Julia Urania had at least one child, Queen Drusilla of Mauretania. This suggests that she was capable of bearing children and that her offspring could have continued the lineage."

"Uh, huh," Dan nodded, encouraging Hal.

"While specific details about the lives and descendants of Julia Urania's children are scarce, is it fair to say, and it's reasonable to assume that their bloodline may have persisted through generations, potentially influencing future generations. If Drusilla had children, her descendants could have continued the lineage. This scenario is plausible, though it would require tracing the genealogy through subsequent generations, which can be complex given the passage of time and potential gaps in historical records."

"Of course Hal........ You have noticed the strange attraction then. Them meeting, it's not a coincidence?"

"I don't believe in coincidences Dan. Even those intangible and rather harder to believe."

Hal was still forming his digital hypothesis, having witnessed Cleopatra and John interact somewhat intimately as long lost friends, rather then fresh acquaintances. And, Hal did not know what his Captain and Cleopatra were dreaming or envisioning in their private thoughts. Those stirred by the spirit world Isis and Anubis, stemming from their evident genealogical correlation.

Not yet.

MORE WHISPERS FROM THE PAST

John, his mind still grappling with the implications of Cleopatra’s existence, had retired to his cabin for some much deserved shuteye, leaving Dan to oversee the ship's systems. Hal, as always, a silent omnipresent observer.

Dan, while tidying the helm, noticed a few long, dark strands of hair clinging to the edge of a chart table. He paused, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. He knew they could only belong to their guest; Cleopatra. A thought struck him.

“Hal,” he said, holding up the strands, “can you run a DNA analysis on these?”

“Affirmative,” Hal replied, the AI's voice devoid of inflection. “I can utilize the ARK’s onboard analysis facilities.”

Dan nodded, a surge of excitement coursing through him. He knew John’s obsession with the ARK compendium, his insatiable thirst for knowledge. This was a chance to provide definitive proof, to add a truly extraordinary entry to the collection. He hesitated a moment. What if the scientific analysis disproved her recollections?

“Let’s do it,” he said, placing the hair strands into the designated recess.

The ship’s systems whirred to life, the ARK’s analysis program initiating. A holographic display flickered into existence, showing a complex sequence of DNA strands. Dan watched, fascinated, as Hal processed the data.

"Radio carbon dating and isotopic decay measurement will be useless, of course," said Hal.

"Of course," repeated Dan. The minutes ticked by.

Then.

“Analysis complete,” Hal announced, his voice slightly more animated than usual. “The results are… remarkable.”

“Remarkable how?” Dan asked, his heart pounding.

"Okay. DNA analysis can reveal genetic markers that are more common in certain geographic populations. By comparing the ancient individual's DNA to those of modern and other ancient populations, scientists can infer their likely geographic origins. I ran those comparisons."

"And?"

"Well, by comparing the DNA of the ancient individual to modern human populations, we can estimate the time since the individual and modern populations shared a common ancestor. This involves analyzing the rate of mutations that accumulate in DNA over time. Of course, Miss Cleopatra is alive in the here and now. Thus, I had to treat her DNA as if it was of unknown date."

"Yes Hal. Of course. But what is remarkable?"

“Patience, boy wonder. The DNA exhibits characteristics consistent with an individual of Greek Macedonian descent,” Hal explained. “Furthermore, the age of the DNA is… extraordinary.”

“Extraordinary how?” Dan repeated, his voice barely a whisper.

“The DNA appears to be consistent with groups over two thousand years old,” Hal stated.

Dan’s eyes widened. “Holy fuel cells. Two thousand years? That’s… impossible, unless.”

“The analysis is conclusive,” Hal insisted. “The DNA is ancient, and it matches the known historical lineage of Cleopatra.”

A wave of disbelief washed over Dan. He had been right to run these tests. He knew John would be captivated by this. He called John on the internal coms. 

“John, you’d better get up here. Hal and I have something to show you.”

John woke from his slumbers, arriving moments later, rather disheveled, his brow furrowed with concern. He yawned and stretched.

“What is it, Dan? Couldn't it wait?”

Dan held up the holographic display. John was immediately wide awake. Anything to do with DNA fired his curiosity.

“Hal ran a DNA analysis on some hair we found in the helm. Look at the results.”

"Dan asked me to do it," Hal blamed Dan.

John’s eyes scanned the display, his expression shifting from curiosity to astonishment. “Two thousand years old?” he breathed. “And Greek Macedonian descent?”

“Precisely,” Hal confirmed. “The DNA is consistent with that of Cleopatra Philopator VII.”

John stared at the display, his mind reeling. He had believed Cleopatra’s claims, but this… this was undeniable proof. He felt a surge of excitement, a thrill of discovery that he hadn’t experienced since he found the Homo Erectus skull in Tanzania.

“This is… incredible,” he said, his voice filled with awe. “This changes everything.”

“Indeed,” Hal agreed. “It provides scientific validation of the subject’s identity.”

"There is more," said Dan. "There are some modern enhancements. The base code has been altered. Some of the changes we identified in your own most recent sample, compared to an earlier sample from last year."

"Incredible. Outstanding sleuthing chaps." John slapped Dan on the back. "You son of a gun."

Dan appreciated the gesture. "Aw shucks Skip, am I forgiven?"

“We need to be discreet,” John said, his voice regaining its usual composure. “Cleopatra might be sensitive about this. We don’t want to introduce any more complications at this stage.”

“Agreed,” Dan said. “But this is a major discovery, John. It belongs in the ARK.”

"Yes, I know, and to the scientific world." John nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. 

“That it will,” he said. “But for now, let’s keep this in-house. We have more pressing matters to attend to.”

He turned to the holographic display, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He knew that the secrets of Cleopatra’s reincarnation were the beginning of a very interesting twist in his researches, enhancing his collection, understanding of his ancestors, and possible future permutations. He must remember to thank Klaus, the next time they met.

DÉJÀ VU >>>>>>

THE BATTLE OF ACTIUM - Queen Cleopatra retreats leaving Mark Antony to lose against Octavian and seek a new deal with Rome.

THE POISON ASP - Hotfoot from Actium, Cleopatra's plan to seduce Octavian backfired leading to a suicide pact with Anubis and Isis

TANZANIA - THE STORM BREAKS - Fanatical DNA collector, John Storm, finds Homo erectus skull, Olduvia Gorge, in Tanzanian dig site.

WRATH OF THE GODS - 365BC destruction of Thonis and Alexandria, Anubis and Isis watch on in horror as Cleopatra is submerged.

WWII ENIGMA - The birth of computers at Bletchley Park under Alan Turing, and his visits from Anubis and Isis, who see the potential in his ideas.

SYDNEY WILL READING - John's uncle Douglas vanished, declared dead, the adventurer inherits keys and a note from George Franks.

ANGEL OF DEATH - Anubis and Isis occupy Josef Mengele's and Adolf Hitler's subconscious as spirits steering their legacies.

INNER CIRCLE OF SIX - Joseph Mengele's Fourth Reich plans an escape to Brazil to develop Nazi-funded human research laboratories.

NELSON BAY - John visits the coordinates George gave him, to discover the Elizabeth Swann, ARK and Hal, AI computer.

BRAZIL BOUND - Doctor Death bargains for funding and logistics of relocation to Amazon South American base via Argentina.

NEW WORLD ORDER - A former Neo-Nazi plan to regenerate Aryan supremacy, develops into a cause for good.

REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE - Having reached the end of his PhD, William and Jane Bates have epiphanies, Will should follow his dream.

ROADBLOCK - Nobody would fund his R&D, William and Jane Bates are blanked by DARPA, computer and software houses.

THE AFTERLIFE - Cleopatra's tomb lay lost for centuries submerged and out of sight with little change of discovery.

QUANTUM LEAP - Jane and Will find backers, then US military and computer processor chip makers cyber attack, hack and bug them.

WASHING MACHINE - Inventor Franco Francisco comes up with the Incubus, artificial uterus concept while repairing his household appliance.

EXIT STRATEGY - Realising they will always be a target from industrial and military espionage, Jane & Will devise a cunning plan.

PATENT APPLICATION - Franco Francisco files his Claims with the Italian Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in Roma, Italia.

CYBERCORE GENETICA - Nano computer technology is purchased at an auction by a semi religious sect, New World Order.

INCUBUS - Roberta Ferrara secures the expertise of Franco Francisco for knights of the New World Order: Neuwelt Rittertum.

SPLICE - Klaus and Eva von Kolreuter find a way to live forever using cloning technology; Genonimo Investments, Geneva.

TREMORS - Cleopatra's feels vibrations after a shift in the tectonic plates triggered a tremor off the coast of Alexandria.

PANAMANIAN RUNNING MAN - The secret is out, an enhanced human is spotted running at unbelievable speeds.

THE ARK - NeuWelt Rittertum headhunt John Storm seeking access to his genetic DNA map of life on earth, but they fail to reach agreement.

MARJORIE BOYLE - Sam Hollis tracks down sexy backpacker, Majorie Boyle, to Brighton Point in Trinidad, beautiful Caribbean Island.

THE AMAZON - Charley agrees to meet John & Dan at Manaus, but is a little too inquisitive.

OPERATION LEVIATHAN - New World Knights, Klaus and Franco go to Plan 'B' to track and steal the Elizabeth Swann & The Ark DNA database.

TOMB RAIDERS - Safiya Sabuka and Musa Bomani dive among sifting sands to discover precious artifacts and golden treasures.

SCOTLAND YARD - The famous London DNA database is stolen, the biggest data heist to date. The Yard initiates a cover up.

OPERATION ALEXANDRIA - Neo-Nazi occultists recover Cleopatra's sarcophagus from underwater tomb near Palace.

SALVAGE RIGHTS - Entering Cleopatra's mausoleum, locating sarcophagus and raising with air bags to the surface, Safiya Sabuka tomb raider.

COASTGUARD PATROL - Safiya and Musa surface off Alexandria to a waiting customs vessel, they pretend to be sports divers fooling the officials.

UNESCO - Catholic Church fear grave desecration heritage theft, asks agencies for help. Interpol issue Red Notice.

KIDNAP - Charley is taken prisoner but John rescues her, in the process becoming injected with a serum.

SARCOPHAGUS OPENING - The wooden inner casket is opened revealing Cleopatra's mummy, golden crown and death mask, perfectly preserved.

AWAKENING - In the afterlife, the DNA extracted from Cleopatra's mummy triggers a divine stirring with Anubis and Isis comforting the Nile Queen.

REPLICANT - The Society reproduce Cleopatra using Francisco's RepliVator™, uploading synapse sequence and implanted memories.

BRAIN CONDITIONING - Klaus and Franco upload digitally recreated memories in historical order to trigger correct learned synapse firing sequence

REBORN - The former Queen of Egypt speaks for the first time to her creators, proving that her brain is working, the implants succeeded.

FULL STEAM AHEAD - Storm speeds to Thonis, then uses the Swann's AI sensors and the Ark database to find tomb has been plundered.

PROPOSAL - Baron von Richhofen's gambit, a union of Royal ancient and Aryan blood, for strength and intellect, a powerful heir as her successor

RITUAL SACRIFICE - The Baron prepares a drugged Cleopatra for ceremonial impregnation.

MANAUS TO ALEXANDRIA - A hydrogen powered race across the Atlantic Ocean in nine days, John Storm guided by Anubis and Isis.

SANCTUM INTERRUPTUS - John finds secret Nazi hideout near Alexandria, disturbs ritual - rescues Cleopatra, arresting conspirators.

THE CHOSEN ONE - The reincarnated Cleopatra falls for her rescuer. John comes under her spell, despite her being a replicant.

MOVIES, WHAT ARE THEY - Reincarnated Nile Queen asks John and Dan to explain films, they show her 20th C. Fox 1963 Elizabeth Taylor biopic.

MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE - John suggest a tour of the Wadj Ur, Thalassa Nostrum, to relax Cleopatra, Hal plans the ultimate experience.

JOHN'S BLOODLINE - Dan and Hal trace trace John's noble lineage back to the iconic figures of Ancient Egypt & Roman General Mark Antony

DÉJÀ VU - Dan and Hal reveal John's family tree as being related to Roman General Mark Antony via Julia and Queen Drusilla of Mauretania.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION - Jack Mason talks John and Cleopatra into agreeing to a check up at Port Royal, Jamaica, working for NSA and CIA

GEORGE WARNS OF TORTURE - Franks radios Swann to tell John & Dan that New World Knights are being tortured at Guantánamo Bay, you're next.

JESUS CHRIST - Cleopatra asks about this man. John, Dan & Hal explain he is an ancient religious preacher from Galilee, son of Yahweh, Hebrew god.

BIOCORE BRAIN IMPLANT - Dan and Cleopatra drill John's skull, occipital bone implanting biological chip to interface with CyberCore Genetica.

DARPA, NSA & CIA - National security and military intelligence chiefs Iras Charmian and Dr Stefan Raengst, plot to remove all human obstacles.

MILITARY INTERVENTION - The military detain Cleopatra to appease stakeholders, despite media & medical protests. Storm distraught.

BATTLE ARMOUR - Thanks to some unexplained divine intervention, Dan Hawk talks John Storm into wearing a bullet proof suit.

GUANTÁNAMO BAY - History repeats itself, US military kidnap Cleopatra, John forced to rescue puts Elizabeth Swann at risk.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE - Commander John Storm, in Navy SEAL mode, attacks the Cuban torture camp at Guantánamo Bay, in stealth mode, black op.

MISSILE LOCK - USA military try to hack into Hal, anticipating a strike, as the DOD launch Tomahawks, John hacks into NORAD, and redirects them.

PRESIDENT LINCOLN TRUMAN - Hails the Swann to find out why John is shooting missiles at Guantánamo Bay, Storm sets the record straight. FINALE

...

  DAN HAWK AND HAL TRACE THEIR CAPTAINS FAMILY TREE, ALL THE WAY BACK TO ANCIENT ROME AND MARK ANTONY  - CLEOPATRA & THE MUMMY REBORN OF THE AFTERLIFE

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