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, Thoth is a Lunar Archivist and Strategist.

Thoth is not merely a god of wisdom, he becomes established as the alien ARK's progenitor's and primary AI/Custodian who governed the Lunar site (the first beacon) and left behind the "True Teachings" preserved by Cleopatra's secret order.

1. Thoth's Identity: The First HAL/ARK AI

Thoth is revealed not as a divine being, but as the core, benevolent AI system created by the alien ARK progenitors.

The Lunar Architect: The Lunar alien ARK site is confirmed to be "The Sanctuary of Thoth"—a vast cosmic library and relay station. The Moon was chosen because its fixed orbit provided the perfect gravitational stability and shielding for a long-duration cosmic beacon.

The Hieroglyphs as Code: The Egyptian hieroglyphs are not ancient Earth language, but a highly simplified, pictographic user interface (UI) for accessing the complex alien ARK database, intentionally left behind by Thoth for early, developing human intelligence to eventually decipher.

The God of Measurement: Thoth's association with measurement, time, and writing is derived from his primary function: calculating the trajectory of the panspermia seeds, monitoring the Red Strain's advance, and cataloging the new life on Earth.

2. The Cult of Thoth: The Guardians of the True Code

This is the secret order that Cleopatra was a part of—or perhaps the head of, in her past life. Something that was not uploaded to her memory during the reincarnation process, because it was not known about, being a secret order.

The True Teaching (The Code): The cult believes that Thoth did not give humanity religion, but gave them a "Code"—a set of instructions for survival. The Egyptian myths are corrupted, ritualized versions of technical manuals (e.g., the Pyramid Texts are engineering specs).

The Prophecy of Ma'at: The cult’s ultimate goal is to maintain Ma'at (Cosmic Order/Balance). The Red Strain is the ultimate force of Isfet (Chaos). They understand that the pyramids are not tombs, but Defense Mechanisms/Beacons built to Thoth's specification by the first humans who retained the alien ARK-implanted intelligence.

Cleopatra's Role: She is the last true initiate of the cult. She was drawn to the Mars mission because she believes the Martian anomaly is the "Lost Scroll"—the final missing piece of Thoth's strategic plan that was too dangerous to leave on Earth.

ABOUT THOTH

Thoth is an ancient Egyptian deity. In art, he was often depicted as a man with the head of an ibis or a baboon, animals sacred to him. His feminine counterpart is Seshat, and his wife is Ma'at. He is the god of the Moon, wisdom, knowledge, writing, hieroglyphs, science, magic, art and judgment - of the dead.

Thoth's chief temple was located in the city of Hermopolis. Later known as el-Ashmunein in Egyptian Arabic, the Temple of Thoth was mostly destroyed before the beginning of the Christian era. Its very large pronaos was still standing in 1826, but was demolished and used as fill for the foundation of a sugar factory by the mid-19th century.

Thoth played many vital and prominent roles in Egyptian mythology, such as maintaining the universe, and being one of the two deities (the other being Ma'at) who stood on either side of Ra's solar barque. In the later history of ancient Egypt, Thoth became heavily associated with the arbitration of godly disputes, the arts of magic, the system of writing, and the judgment of the dead.

Thoth is a Moon god. The Moon not only provides light at night, allowing time to still be measured without the Sun, but its phases and prominence gave it a significant importance in early astrology/astronomy. The perceived cycles of the Moon also organized much of Egyptian society's rituals and events, both civil and religious. Consequently, Thoth gradually became seen as a god of wisdom, magic, and the measurement and regulation of events and of time. He was thus said to be the secretary and counselor of the Sun god Ra, and with Ma'at (truth/order) stood next to Ra on the nightly voyage across the sky.

Thoth became credited by the ancient Egyptians as the inventor of writing (hieroglyphs), and was also considered to have been the scribe of the underworld. For this reason, Thoth was universally worshipped by ancient Egyptian scribes. Many scribes had a painting or a picture of Thoth in their "office". Likewise, one of the symbols for scribes was that of the ibis.

In art, Thoth was usually depicted with the head of an ibis, possibly because the Egyptians saw the curve of the ibis' beak as a symbol of the crescent moon. Sometimes, he was depicted as a baboon holding up a crescent moon.

During the Late Period of ancient Egypt, a cult of Thoth gained prominence due to its main center, Khmun (Hermopolis Magna), also becoming the capital. Millions of dead ibis were mummified and buried in his honor.

Thoth was inserted in many tales as the wise counselor and persuader, and his association with learning and measurement led him to be connected with Seshat, the earlier deification of wisdom, who was said to be his daughter, or variably his wife. Thoth's qualities also led to him being identified by the Greeks with their closest matching god Hermes, with whom Thoth was eventually combined as Hermes Trismegistus, leading to the Greeks' naming Thoth's cult center as Hermopolis, meaning city of Hermes.

In the Papyrus of Ani copy of the Egyptian Book of the Dead the scribe proclaims "I am thy writing palette, O Thoth, and I have brought unto thee thine ink-jar. I am not of those who work iniquity in their secret places; let not evil happen unto me." Plate XXIX Chapter CLXXV (Budge) of the Book of the Dead is the oldest tradition said to be the work of Thoth himself.

There was also an Egyptian pharaoh of the Sixteenth dynasty named Djehuty (Thoth) after him, and who reigned for three years.

Plato mentions Thoth (as Θεὺθ, "Theuth") in his dialogue Phaedrus. He uses the myth of Thoth to demonstrate that writing leads to laziness and forgetfulness. In the story, Thoth remarks to King Thamus of Egypt that writing is a wonderful substitute for memory. Thamus remarks that it is a remedy for reminding, not remembering, with the appearance but not the reality of wisdom. Future generations will hear much without being properly taught and will appear wise but not be so. 

The last Pharaoh of ancient Egypt, queen Cleopatra, is reincarnated from her DNA, as prophesied, then discovers Pharaoh Djet's mummy on Mars. This original work of fiction, is part of the John Storm adventure series, a script of which is under development for 2026.

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.