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C L E O P A T R A ' S T O M B
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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live for collaboration development purposes, with a sequence derived from the Chapters below, supplemented with other (unpublished) writings as we progress.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). To be in a position to gain an idea of style and commercial value, please request a copy of our Kulo-Luna (draft) screenplay. See our terms and conditions. The script version of these Chapters will not be published, but will be available as with Kulo-Luna, on request.
ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT
The tremor subsided after shaken things up on the sea bed, not quite revealing the mausoleum, but freeing some of the burial knick-knacks that all Pharaoh's take with them in preparation for the afterlife.
Trough all of this commotion, Cleopatra's mummy remained inside her tightly wrapped cocoon of bandages that contained the preserving, oils, spices and herbs, keeping her as fresh as could be expected for someone sixteen hundred years old. She remained wrapped in an outer covering of reinforced material tightly laced from behind. Fortunately, well enough sealed in a sarcophagus that slowed degradation, but newly in danger from increasing acidity in the sea, that had begun to eat into the protective materials despite layers of paints, oils and resins adorning the exquisite reiefs.
Undeterred by the foul weather conditions, local fishermen needed to earn a living with fresh local catches needed to feed a hungry population, where agricultural produce was thin on the ground, as desertification spread ominously across the region.
The
Mediterranean
stretches from southwest Europe to North Africa and western Asia and is almost completely enclosed by
land, thus a sea, not an ocean. The gentle currents and warm temperatures make the
sea an ideal place for fish to thrive, whether you might think to dive to
observe, or dine on these intriguing species. There are plenty of opportunities to do both while frequenting this stunning region, with dive clubs dotted liberally to fill scuba
tanks, for tourist sub-aqua excursions.
One such prolific fisherman in this region was Ahmed Saleh. He was first back in the water, motoring along the coast is search of a bounteous catch. But in chasing a school of fish, he strayed into a cultural conservation area. Though he filled his nets.
Ahmed, landed his catch, spilling the contents of the nets onto the rear deck. His crew rushed in to sort the species, as they motored back to the busy port of El Dekheila, some twenty to twenty-five nautical miles south west of the area fished.
Ahmed had trawled up a comb and a brush, looking to be of a set, both of which carried the Royal seal of an Egyptian Queen. His crew held up the artifacts, with toothy smiles and quizzical expressions. One of the deck hands went to throw what he thought were useless items overboard. But Ahmed shouted loud enough to stop the fisherman in his tracks. Ahmed leapt from the helm and slid deftly down the gangway, relieving his less informed comrade of the items. Raising his arms in the air to express his anguish.
The condition and location of the find appeared to be a clear indication that there was more down there than the marine archaeologists had previously discovered. Though dozens of sport divers and amateur historians had toured this site. Many taking souvenirs illegally, where the authorities were lax in enforcing such prohibitions, the result of antiquities cutbacks.
The fisherman made careful note of the position of this find, saving the navigation log onto a USB stick. Ahmed then hid the stick in a secret holder underneath the helm cabinets, so that official boarding parties would not find it in any routine inspection. He thought he may be onto something. He'd sold information like this before, and never missed an opportunity to top up his retirement fund.
On coming into El Dekheila, Ahmed mentioned his find to the harbour master, who passed on the news to a local media station.
Ahmed failed to mention that his fishing gear was used illegally near the coastal conservation area. That slipped his mind. Hence, the position was wrongly reported, as a deliberate deception. Why should he not benefit from such hard to come by intelligences.
The media apprised of the local find, so close to the seismic activity off the coast of Alexandria, interviewed Ahmed for a televised news report, that was widely networked.
At her temporary camp near Taposiris Magna, Safiya Sabuka, sat while enjoying an iced lemon tea drink, when she saw the fisherman holding up the comb and brush, identifying the items immediately, as being rare ceremonial artifacts for the afterlife.
Thankfully, for her cause, the Egyptian authorities appeared less well informed. Though, there was no time to lose, as eventually Cultural Ministry archaeologists would twig what it is they were looking at. Once the items were in their laboratory.
There was no time to lose. Safiya tapped 'Baron' on her iphone. "Baron, I need a boat equipped with diving suits and tanks, for myself and Musa. Do we have one?"
"For the Nile, or offshore?"
"More inshore, I think."
"Are we halting efforts at the Temple of Osiris."
"Temporarily. I need to play a hunch. A fisherman off the coast near Alexandria has found something strange. It's on the news."
"We have a contact at Port Said, about 160 kilometers away. He's an associate of Musa. Where shall we meet?"
"At the Taposiris camp at dusk tomorrow. Bring an inflatable, waterproof lights and couple of sea-scooters."
Wondering why such a delay, the Baron asked: "What are you doing in between."
"I'm going to see a fisherman for directions."
Safiya hung up.
She got into a sand coloured Mercedes 4x4 and motored the 30 kilometers from the stone ruins of Taposiris Magna, north-east, along the coast road to El Dekheila. Once there she parked up and scouted the docks where the fisherman, Ahmed Saleh, would be moored. There Safiya spotted the small trawler.
She was in luck. Moving on her hunch spontaneously had paid dividends. She saw Ahmed Saleh on the deck, shuffling equipment around. Safiya, wandered down to the dockside, and casually sauntered past Ahmed, who noticed her athletic form and tight fitting lycra bottoms. He'd always had an eye for such beauty, a roving eye, as his wife kept reminding him.
"Can I help you miss?" Enquired the fisherman, eager to engage with the curvaceous dockside visitor.
"I'm not sure," Safiya responded, feigning surprise. "I was hoping to speak with someone who knows the area fairly well. I'm thinking of including Alexandria as a tourist destination for sports divers and anglers."
That sounded like money to Ahmed.
"Maybe I can help," said the fisherman, beckoning the visitor onboard, with his best toothy grin.
"Thank you," said Safiya, as she deftly climbed onto the fishing boat with Ahmed extending his arm to assist. "Oh you are strong." A strong aroma of fish wafted across the wet deck, it having been hosed down after unloading.
"We can do both," started Ahmed. "Our stern could be adapted for anglers, by stowing the gear."
"Hold on a minute. I think I've seen you on the news. Are you the gentleman who trawled up some old relics?"
Ahmed gave his best toothy grin again. "Not trawled. That would be illegal." Ahmed's grin widened.
"No, of course not," said Safiya. "Well, recovered then." She smiled and ran the fingers of both hands through her smooth dark hair.
"Yes, that's me. Local antiquities recovery expert. That's me."
"Really. Wow! I'd be interested to see what you found. But, please don't go to any trouble?" Safiya unzipped her top, to reveal more cleavage.
Eyes wide at the window dressing, Ahmed was eager to please. "No trouble, follow me." And he led her into the deckhouse, where he opened a cupboard with a key from around his neck, and got out one of the recovered items. It was a comb made of ivory, engraved with: ΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑ.
"Oh, how lovely."
"I'm sure it is worth more than just the ivory."
"What makes you think that?"
"Well, all those archaeologist that have been diving off the coast. They've raised a lot of stone statues and vases, but nothing like this. It must have belonged to someone important."
"I'd bet you are right. And what luck you were out fishing?" Safiya waved her hair and parted her legs slightly.
"That, and the storm, I reckon."
"A storm, where?" She unzipped her top more. Ahmed Saleh's eyes bulged at the revealing lace brassier. "I'd guess you are a better fisherman than most." Safiya stroked his arm.
"Years of experience, is what it is. We all have our little secrets." His eyes involuntarily darted to the cabinet, telling Safiya what she wanted to know.
"Could you find that spot again if you were pressed." Again Ahmed's eyes betrayed his thoughts.
Safiya moved closer to Ahmed, inviting more than just a glance at her ample breasts. Ahmed's eyes darted to the cabinet, but were drawn back to Safiya. She stroked his shoulder.
"Accurate to three meters."
"Oh, GPS then?" Safiya unzipped herself completely.
Ahmed took up the invitation, holding a breast in each hand. "Something like that."
Safiya noted that he had an autopilot. Ahmed's hands were all over her. His mind was all over the place.
"I bet you record where the best fishing is?"
Ahmed froze. He suddenly knew why this nubile sex kitten was coming on to him. Too late, he went to withdraw, but Safiya was holding onto him. She'd already knifed him through the heart. He hardly felt the blade go in, in his aroused state. Then, she cut his throat. She need not have bothered. Force of habit.
Ahmed slumped to the deck in shock. Safiya relieved him of his key. Then searched the locker that he could not keep his eyes off. Sure enough, there was a USB stick hidden in a secret compartment. It took a while to find, even knowing where to look. Ahmed's hand came up in protest for a moment. Then he expired.
Safiya collected up the artifacts and made for Taposiris. Thinking to herself she'd had a bargain shopping day.
PROLOGUE INNER CIRCLE OF SIX - Nazi funded medical human research laboratories Joseph Mengele's Fourth Reich escape to Brazil reserve plan. CHAPTER 1. THE POISON ASP - CHAPTER 2. WRATH OF THE GODS - The destruction of Thonis and Alexandria CHAPTER 3. NEW WORLD ORDER - A Neo-Nazi plan to regenerate Aryan supremacy CHAPTER 4. CYBERCORE GENETICA - Nano computer technology is purchased at an auction by a religious sect. CHAPTER 5. INCUBUS - CHAPTER 6. SPLICE - CHAPTER 7. TREMORS - Cleopatra's tomb lay lost for centuries. Until a shift in the tectonic plates triggered a tremor off the coast of Alexandria. CHAPTER 8. PANAMANIAN RUNNING MAN - CHAPTER 9. THE AMAZON - CHAPTER 10. TOMB RAIDERS - Safiya Sabuka and Musa Bomani dive among sifting sands to discover precious artifacts and golden treasures. CHAPTER 11. SCOTLAND YARD - CHAPTER 12. OPERATION ALEXANDRIA - Neo-Nazi occultists recover Cleopatra's sarcophagus from underwater tomb near Palace. CHAPTER 13. KIDNAP - Charley is taken prisoner CHAPTER 14. UNESCO - Catholic Church fear grave desecration heritage theft, asks agencies for help. Interpol issue Red Notice. CHAPTER 15. REPLICANT - The Society reproduce Cleopatra using Francisco's RepliVator™, uploading synapse sequence and implanted memories. CHAPTER 16. FULL STEAM AHEAD - Storm speeds to Thonis, then uses the Swann's AI sensors and the Ark database to find tomb has been plundered. CHAPTER 17. RITUAL SACRIFICE - The Baron prepares a drugged Cleopatra for ceremonial impregnation. CHAPTER 18. SANCTUM INTERRUPTUS - John finds secret Nazi hideout near Alexandria, disturbs ritual - rescues Cleopatra, arresting conspirators. CHAPTER 19. THE CHOSEN ONE - The reincarnated Cleopatra falls for her rescuer. John comes under her spell, despite her being a replicant. CHAPTER 20. MILITARY INTERVENTION - The military detain Cleopatra to appease stakeholders, despite media & medical protests. Storm distraught. CHAPTER 21. DÉJÀ VU - History repeats itself, military lock up technology as gross violation of human rights, John left disillusioned: FINALE FOR NOW
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GRAPHIC BRIEF - SUGGESTED LAYOUTS/ FORMAT
CHAPTER 1. THE POISON ASP - Overwhelmed by grief, Cleopatra poisons herself with a cobra bite in her mausoleum CHAPTER 2. WRATH OF THE GODS - The destruction of Thonis and Alexandria CHAPTER 3. NEW WORLD ORDER - A Neo-Nazi plan to regenerate Aryan supremacy CHAPTER 4. CYBERCORE GENETICA - Nano computer technology is purchased at an auction by a religious sect CHAPTER 5. INCUBUS - Franco Francisco accepts offer of employment from Roberta Ferrara CHAPTER 6. SPLICE - Klaus von Kolreuter perfects a method of gene manipulation CHAPTER 7. TREMORS - Cleopatra's tomb lay lost for centuries, until shift in the tectonic plates trigger tremor off the coast of Alexandria CHAPTER 8. PANAMANIAN RUNNING MAN - Marjorie Boyle videos exceptionally fast athlete, Sam Hollis investigates CHAPTER 9. AMAZON QUEEN - Elizabeth Swann navigating river and docking at Manaus CHAPTER 10. TOMB RAIDERS - Safiya Sabuka and Musa Bomani dive among sifting sands to discover precious artifacts and golden treasures CHAPTER 11. SCOTLAND YARD - London's secure DNA database is stolen CHAPTER 12. OPERATION ALEXANDRIA - Neo-Nazi occultists recover Cleopatra's sarcophagus from underwater tomb near Palace CHAPTER 13. KIDNAPPED - Charley is taken prisoner, John, Dan and CIA rescue her CHAPTER 14. UNESCO - Catholic Church fear grave desecration heritage theft, asks agencies for help. Interpol issue Red Notice CHAPTER 15. REPLICANT - The Society reproduce Cleopatra using Francisco's RepliVator™, uploading synapse sequence, implanted memories CHAPTER 16. FULL STEAM AHEAD - To Thonis, then uses the Swann's AI sensors and the Ark database to find tomb has been plundered CHAPTER 17. RITUAL SACRIFICE - The Baron prepares a drugged Cleopatra for ceremonial impregnation CHAPTER 18. SANCTUM INTERRUPTUS - John finds Nazi hideout near Alexandria, disturbs ritual - rescues Cleopatra, arresting conspirators CHAPTER 19. THE CHOSEN ONE - The reincarnated Cleopatra falls for her rescuer. John comes under her spell, despite her being a replicant CHAPTER 20. MILITARY INTERVENTION - Military detain Cleopatra for stakeholders, despite media & medical protests. Storm distraught CHAPTER 21. DÉJÀ VU - History repeats itself, military lock up technology as gross violation of human rights, John left disillusioned
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