Discovery of a Signal: An intercepted signal coming from the Moon is a classic, high-stakes science fiction trigger, a compelling event that triggers this (fictional) mission to the Moon.

The NASA/ESA angle: This is an ambiguous signal—perhaps complex, repeating patterns similar to the fictional "DNA-style" signals sometimes theorized in other contexts, that are only initially picked up by a deep-space network or a specific lunar-observing mission. The ambiguity necessitates a manned mission to investigate.

HAL and the ARK's Role: Our idea of HAL and the ARK being the only entities with the data and computing power to decode or properly survey the signal's source is cinematic gold. This creates a reliance on the specialized crew and technology, justifying their central role in the mission.

Evidence of Life: The discovery of evidence of other life on the Moon is a monumental event that would instantly trigger a high-priority mission.

The Nature of the Find: This might not be a living organism, but a biosignature—perhaps an unexpected concentration of organic molecules, fossils in an ice sample from a permanently shadowed crater, or a unique biological byproduct found by a robotic lander or rover (like the kind used in current Mars or icy moon exploration proposals). All of these possibilities are for John Storm to discover and interpret.

HAL and the ARK's Role: If the discovery is a subtle anomaly in vast datasets (e.g., spectral analysis of lunar dust or ice), the advanced data processing capabilities of HAL and the ARK would be crucial for initial identification and later, for guiding the human investigation on the lunar surface. This adds a layer of mystery and technical necessity.

In this fictional John Storm adventure, Imhotep was the first human to perfectly interpret and execute Thoth's Code to build the Step Pyramid (the Cosmic Amplifier). Djoser was the necessary political/financial backer.

Imhotep was one of the most remarkable figures of ancient Egypt — architect, physician, priest, and later deified as a god of wisdom and medicine. He is best known as the designer of King Djoser’s Step Pyramid at Saqqara, the earliest large stone structure in Egypt and a revolutionary leap in architecture.

Imhotep (Ancient Egyptian: ỉỉ-m-ḥtp "(the one who) comes in peace) was an Egyptian chancellor to the King Djoser, possible architect of Djoser's step pyramid, around 27th century BC, and high priest of the sun god Ra at Heliopolis. Very little is known of Imhotep as a historical figure, but in the 3,000 years following his death, he was gradually glorified and deified.

Traditions from long after Imhotep's death treated him as a great author of wisdom texts and especially as a physician. No extant text from his lifetime mentions these capacities, and none mention his name in the first 1,200 years following his death. The Westcar Papyrus of the Hyksos period, written in classical Middle Egyptian (likely around the 13th Dynasty), contains a story about an official performing a miracle for Djoser, possibly Imhotep. However, this section is badly damaged and no mention of this character's name survived.

Apart from the three short contemporary inscriptions that establish him as chancellor to the Pharaoh, the first surviving text to name Imhotep dates to the time of Amenhotep III (c. 1391–1353 BC). It is addressed to the owner of a tomb and reads:

The wab-priest may give offerings to your ka. The wab-priests may stretch to you their arms with libations on the soil, as it is done for Imhotep with the remains of the water bowl.

— Wildung (1977)

It appears that this libation to Imhotep was done regularly, as they are attested on papyri associated with statues of Imhotep until the Late Period (c. 664–332 BC). Wildung (1977) explains the origin of this cult as a slow evolution of intellectuals' memory of Imhotep, from his death onward. Gardiner finds the cult of Imhotep during the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1077 BC) sufficiently distinct from the usual offerings made to other commoners that the epithet "demigod" is likely justified to describe his veneration.

The first references to the healing abilities of Imhotep occur from the Thirtieth Dynasty (c. 380–343 BC) onward, some 2,200 years after his death.

Imhotep is among fewer than a dozen non-royal Egyptians who were deified after their deaths. The center of his cult was in Memphis. The location of his tomb remains unknown, despite efforts to find it.

In this fictional John Storm adventure, Imhotep carried forward the tradition of pointing the Pyramids to the stars, and Mars. Knowing of the Pharaoh Djet, and that his mummy and tomb were taken for safe keeping by alien well wishers to Earth, and the prophesy that a great Queen of the Nile, will return to discover the King's remains and unravel the mystery of human coding.

CAST 0F CHARACTERS

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This is a work of fiction, the characters are the product of the authors imagination, except where real or historical persons are included

But where that may be so, the thoughts and actions of those persons is fictional and not those of any historical or real person.