T H E   C H O S E N    O N E

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live for collaboration development purposes, with a sequence derived from the Chapters below, supplemented with other (unpublished) writings as we progress.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).

<<<<<< SANCTUM INTERRUPTUS

EGYPTIAN NORTH COAST - STRANGE ATTRACTORS

John carefully sat Cleopatra in the rear compartment of a Hummer four by four, being sure to make her comfortable and tidying her apparel. She seemed oblivious to the cold Egyptian night air.

"Are you warm enough," asked John, receiving no reply. "Hey Dan, start the engine, we need heat."

"Skip."

Cleopatra sat silently, staring at John. Her whole life seemed a blur. The deal with the Baron was off. His team had been decimated and he'd disappeared.

So much for his wealth and power in a tight spot.

What was this strange wheeled contraption with transparent shields blending into the perfectly fitting armoured protections, and what were her rescuers wearing. She very much appreciated the costumes. Thinking to obtain a matching outfit for herself at the first opportunity.

She felt something was strangely missing and yet another void had been filled. The view out to sea was comforting and familiar. The Mediterranean aroma wafted inshore as the cooling land mass generated moist convection currents from offshore. Although John's face and mannerisms were familiar and calming, he spoke a different tongue to that she remembered. Like a stranger on first meeting, rather than a long time ally and confident.

This man was Mark Antony reborn in image. Yet he spoke another language, and how was he in the here and now?

He'd made no mention of defeat at Actium, or her retreat, and the humiliation that led to her effort to end it all, or his suicide by sword. Thankfully, that obviously came to naught and must be imperfectly misremembered. But she recalled bartering with Octavian for burial rights as a couple.

How then was he alive after that terrible wound, where he'd died in her arms? Had it affected his memory or hers from prolonged healing. And how had he mastered the mechanics of this shiny wheeled carriage so ably, the carriage bearing strange clocks and lavish upholstery. Had he kept this a secret weapon against Octavian.

Cleopatra was mightily confused. All manner of explanations imagined. Though fanciful. This man had not been reincarnated artificially.

The man, Heinrich, had transported her in a similar carriage, though she had only hazy recollection. The past weeks had been a dark time for her. Insulated from the world she knew that was vibrant and bright.

"Hi," said Dan, climbing into the driving seat of the Hummer, "this buggy is on loan from the United Nations cultural heritage division" He beamed a warm smile to Cleopatra. "I'm Dan."

This young man also spoke a dialect of Celtic unknown to her, with a different accent, a language Julius expressed some difficulty understanding during his battles with the Gaul's and Britons. Though she enjoyed a mastery of languages that eluded many a Roman general.

"Greetings Dan." She replied awkwardly. Imitating the accent as best she could. Inexplicably, she understood what he'd said. Though not recalling study of the dialect.

Dan started the engine. The whir and whoosh of machinery did not phase Cleopatra, other than a slight start. John closed her door and got into the vehicle on the other side, sitting beside Cleopatra, for reassurance.

"Home James." 

"Skip."

The battered Hummer bounced along the rough coast road, the headlights cutting through the inky Egyptian night. Dan gripped the wheel, knowing what was on John's mind. John's senses still reeling from the chaotic scene they had just left behind at Taposiris Magna. Beside him, the woman he’d rescued sat in silence, her gaze fixed on the passing landscape. She was a perfect replica of Cleopatra, a stunning echo of the past, yet there was an unsettling stillness about her, a quiet intensity that radiated from her like a palpable force.

John knew he couldn’t delay any longer. Who was she? He needed confirmation, a sign that this woman was truly as he suspected, the reincarnation of the legendary queen. He took a deep breath, trying to choose his words carefully.

“You… you know who you are, don’t you?” he asked, his voice low and steady.

She turned to him, her eyes, dark and fathomless, locking onto his. There was no flicker of confusion, no hint of uncertainty. “They told me,” she said, her voice a soft, melodic whisper. “They told me they had brought me back.”

John’s heart pounded. “They? Who told you?”

“The scientists,” she replied, her gaze drifting back to the darkness outside. “The ones who… created me. They spoke of my lineage, of my reign, of my… demise. They told me I was Cleopatra.”

“And you believe them?” John pressed, his voice taut.

She paused, her brow furrowed slightly. “I… I feel it,” she said, her voice barely audible. “Like a memory, not my own, yet… undeniably mine. Fragments of a life lived long ago, swirling within me. The scent of papyrus, the heat of the desert sun, the weight of a crown… they are all there.”

“They said they brought you back from the afterlife?” John asked, needing to have it said aloud.

“Yes,” she confirmed, “Sort of. They said they had found a way to bridge the gap between worlds, to pull me back from the shadows. That my essence, my… soul, had been tethered to this physical form.”

John struggled to process her words. The idea was preposterous, yet the woman beside him exuded an aura of ancient power, a regal presence that defied explanation.

“They told me,” she continued, her voice gaining strength, “that I was needed. That I had been reborn to fulfill a purpose. To reclaim my legacy.”

“What legacy?” John asked, his voice laced with skepticism. “What purpose?”

She turned to him, her eyes burning with an intensity that made him shiver. “They did not say,” she replied, her voice a low, resonant hum. “But I know it is tied to Egypt. To the power that lies buried beneath the sands. And to the threat that seeks to extinguish it.”

John’s mind raced. The New World Knights, their obsession with ancient power, their ritual at Taposiris Magna… it all began to coalesce into a terrifying picture.

“They want to control you,” he said, his voice hard. “They want to use you?”

She met his gaze, her expression unreadable. “Perhaps,” she said softly. “But perhaps… not. They said I was free and offered me wealth and power.”

The Hummer lurched as Dan dodged a pothole, throwing his passengers slightly. He had momentarily lost concentration listening to the revelations behind him.

"Get a grip Dan." 

"Sorry skip." 

John glanced at the woman beside him, her face illuminated by the faint glow of the dashboard lights. She was a mystery, a paradox, a living echo of a past he couldn’t quite comprehend. But he wanted to know more. More than ever he believed her, and believed that she was convinced as to where she came from and who she was.

He made a mental note to ask for a DNA sample. Not now, at a more appropriate time. No need to cause any more distress.

Dan headed east along the coast to El Dekheila, where John had moored the Swann. It was a forty mile drive. John's trusty Tom-Tom said to proceed along the international coastal road for twenty-five miles. But he knew that. He knew exactly where they were to the last degree and minute, of latitude and longitude. He was a walking compass and a dictionary, if not a whole library of information.

Dan radioed Jack. "Proceeding to safe haven as planned."

After a few moments, Jack responded. "Roger that."

Cleopatra marveled at the little machine talking with the voice of a woman, the exceptionally straight and smooth track they were traveling, and the speaking between a third person somewhere, who was nowhere to be seen. But she said nothing, taking it all in, not wanting to appear wanting. She looked at John, enjoying his rugged features appreciatively. John reciprocated with an easy going smile. She stretched out and took his hand. Without hesitation, John responded warmly fearing she felt a chill. Her hand was indeed cold to the touch, but her gentleness as she gripped his hand signaled she was comforted. He felt a connection and desperately wanted to reassure the woman that their team had her best interests at heart. 

Cleopatra was lulled by the rhythmic motions of the Hummer, soon dozing off, leaning into John as she subsided, so remaining almost upright. He pushed back to prop her. John preferred driving, to keep him awake. But trusted Dan implicitly. He also relaxed somewhat, after the evenings exertions, but tried to remain on standby, in case of reprisals. Then he gave way to glorious sleep.

Soon, they were at the Mediterranean port. The familiar sight of the Elizabeth Swann pleased Dan, who noted his shipmate had dozed off. He was relieved to be back with their ship.

"Hello chaps." Hal communicated the Swann's delight at having her crew in close proximity.

Dan responded, "missed you too." Laughing out loud involuntarily.

John woke at the laughter, very groggy, noting his even more relaxed position. He sat more upright, trying not to disturb their most royal sleeping beauty, and very welcome guest. He glanced at the GPS, coming to. But wanted the sleep. Somehow, the former pharaoh relaxed him. She was exceptionally well proportioned. Difficult not to appreciate. He was entranced.

"Good, we're home. Thanks Dan." 

John tried to focus.

Dan nodded his head, noting his skipper was behaving most attentively to their stunning passenger. And very pleased he was about it, with Suki Hall being so absorbed in her biological science.

Dan pulled into the closest dockside parking area, switching off the Hummer's engine. 

"Uhh, Ummph." He sounded, quite loudly. 

Cleopatra, awoke, gently stretching herself very catlike. She espied the ocean and strange looking vessels. 

The Elizabeth Swann took her eye. Noting curiously, that one of the solar panel arrays was moving upwards by itself as if it were alive. With not a sailor in sight. She was captivated by the ship, she thought a mobile pyramid of sorts.

FIGUREHEAD - The Elizabeth Swann's figurehead is a combination of woman, bird and fishtail. Symbolizing the solar wings that propel the ship via fins in the water.

"Oh my," she exclaimed, eyes wide and suddenly awake.

The Swann sported a figurehead that had wings like the ears of Anubis. The vessel had wings like an insect and clean angles like a pyramid.

"Beautiful." Cleopatra's eyes sparkled. "Where are the sails and oars?"

"We have rotary oars," said Dan, as a joke. 

"Yes," said John, appreciating the dilemma. "Underwater oars that revolve, but still row the ship forward. Invisible to the eye"

"But no galley slaves." Said Dan. "We capture energy from the sun, to do the rowing. We don't have to grow food to convert to forward motion via unwilling participants."

"Praise to Ra," said Cleopatra, appreciatively, but not understanding the engineering miracle. "The insect like wings are your sails?"

"Yeeess, you could look at it that way." Smiled John.

"And there are no slaves to feed?" asked Cleopatra inquisitively, seeking further confirmation.

"Hmmm, another accurate observation."

"Yes, and no mucking out. A truly clean machine." Dan noted.

The party proceeded down a gangway, to a wharf, where they boarded the Swann's starboard outrigger. 

"The wings are special, giving praise to Ra, who in return sends energy for the revolving oars. The wings harvest the sun's energy as invisible wind, called radiation."

Cleopatra was openly wowed. She almost jumped as her imagination ran wild as to the possibilities, but clasped John excitedly, like a child, in their first visit to a fair.

"The boat is metal, like the carriage?" she asked.

"Uh, huh." John led the way to the forward helm. "A different metal, lighter than copper or bronze."

"Welcome pilgrims. I see we have a guest." Hal spoke to the party using the loud hailer.

"Hello Hal," said John and Dan in unison.

"Greetings," said Cleopatra. Even though she could not see who she was speaking to, searching for the speaker with her eyes.

They entered the forward helm through a watertight bulkhead door. 

<< FORWARD HELM - The Elizabeth Swann's closed command cabin, showing three seats and map table at the prow of the ship, with bunks for relief watches and short rest, behind. There is also a rear helm and flying bridge.

The forward cabin was not as luxurious as one of her river barges, or battle galleys, but Cleopatra loved the supple white upholstery and panoramic vista. Again protected from the elements, just like in that horseless chariot, she so much enjoyed. Wherein, it was so comfortable, it was possible to sleep during transit.

"Oh my, we could navigate the Nile in this craft. I know a wonderful place, lush with reeds, birds and crocodiles."

"She is called the Elizabeth Swann," said John.

"Named after a great woman warrior and a bird?" asked Cleopatra.

She noticed that here on this craft nobody was calling her queen, as with her Brazilian doctors and the Baron. But then she knew that she'd traveled through time in the afterlife. Because the world had changed so much, it felt so completely different.

"Named after a fictional pirate film character." Dan sniggered.

John shrugged, almost apologetically. Cleopatra furrowed her beautiful brow in thought.

"What is a 'film' character?" 

WHAT IS A FILM? >>>>>>

NOTE: Reincarnated queen, comes to terms with her death, and rebirth from her afterlife spirit (DNA) - 24 May 2022. The historical weaving provides a rich tapestry for John Storm's ancestry, connecting him to the ancient lineage of Cleopatra and Mark Antony, through Cleopatra Selene's descendants. Disturbingly, that likely means the former Queen is related to John as much as Marcus Antonious. Very Back to the Future.

By grounding the story in accurate historical details and then juxtaposing it with modern technology and humor, we create a unique and captivating narrative. Use high-quality imagery and flashbacks reminiscent of "The Mummy" franchise to immerse the audience in the world of Ancient Egypt, making the historical aspects come alive.

The idea of Cleopatra, an intelligent and adaptable ruler, navigating the quirks and oddities of the 21st century can be both humorous and thought-provoking (Crocodile Dundee on a lift for the first time). It allows for plenty of clever and funny moments, as well as opportunities to explore deeper themes of identity and legacy. The blend of history, mysticism, adventure, sci-fi, and comedy offers a recipe for a truly entertaining film.

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

...

  THE CHOSEN ONE, THE REINCARNATED QUEEN FALLS IN LOVE WITH DESCENDANT OF MARK ANTONY - BOTH EXPERIENCING FLASHBACK VISIONS OF THE PAST  - THE ADVENTURES OF JOHN STORM: CLEOPATRA & THE MUMMY REBORN OF THE AFTERLIFE

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