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.

John Storm is the Captain of the Elizabeth Swann, a ship bequeathed to him by his missing uncle. John is a conservationist and obsessive collector of DNA.

The environmentalist, and former protestor, became accidentally, physically enhanced by a CRISPR virus, after a fight in a laboratory near Manaus, along the Amazon river. During this encounter, Dan and Charley Temple, liberated the CyberCore Genetica™ from the Neuwelt Rittertum, New World Knights. Later Dan and a new crew member, Cleopatra, surgically implant the BioCore™ onto John's brain, allowing him to communicate with the CybeCore super nano-computer (virtually) telepathically. 

Storm, agrees to allowing Dr. Elias Vance to convert the trimaran his uncle Douglas built, to survey the Moon, to be returned to the original specification, after landing back on earth.

John and crew complete than mission, discovering alien DNA and evidence of an advanced outpost civilization, that blows John's mind. After which, he needs a rest, to get back to normality, which he finds in his oceanographic work.

But the echoes of the past haunt him. Anya Sharma, the billionaire backer of the Moon project, is made a director of NASA. When a weak signal is detected, beaming out to Mars, apparently from the Moon, she contacts John Storm again.

John throws up many reasons why he should not travel to Mars. But Anya reveals that Musket Meloni has commissioned Elias Vance to design a custom special V3 version of the Elizabeth Swann, as a purpose built SpaceArk™. This is to allow use of the ARK and HAL AI on a mission to Mars. The aim is to reduce the journey time to the red planet, to around 45 days, outward bound. That fact, and that Elias reminds John of his uncle, Professor Douglas Storm, is enough to sway Captain Storm to agree to travel to Mars in the V3 Swann, complete with HAL and the ARK installed.

HAL AI, is of course more than willing to support his Captain in this endeavour. As is Dan Hawk and Cleopatra, who is mesmerized by the similarity of the newly discovered alien civilization, with that of her native Egypt.

NASA’s Space Nuclear Propulsion (SNP) Office aims to revolutionize space travel by developing and demonstrating higher performance propulsion systems to achieve the agency’s ambitious science and exploration goals. This is one reason they push to get John Storm, and the opportunity to work again with Elias Vance.

Developing advanced space nuclear propulsion systems is key to NASA’s Moon to Mars vision. It will allow for more rapid transits to destinations from the Moon to Mars and across the outer solar system. Nuclear propulsion systems can also provide much higher power for onboard instruments and communication systems, which can be especially beneficial as the spacecraft travels farther from the Sun where the ability to harness solar power becomes impractical.

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.