WWIII3 Cyber Nuclear Holocaust is an original John Storm political espionage thriller. This plot offers a thrilling adventure for John Storm, with high stakes, international intrigue, and a race against time.

  CHAPTER 1: JOHN IS PERSUADED BY BLUE SHIELD, CLEOPATRA AND HAL TO UNDERTAKE A MISSION TO ISTANBUL AND THE BOSPHORUS TO DIVE AN UNDERWATER EXCAVATION SITE AND DECHIPER THE LANGUAGE ON ANCIENT BYZANTIUM TABLETS

CHAPTER 1 >>

A sudden wind caught a poorly roped crate, coming crashing down with a soft whump, spilling out sacks of ballast on the dockside.

"That was close Burak. Be more careful."

On closed inspection the wooden crate revealed some ancient stone tablets. One with unusual markings. None on the manifest.

"Sorry Asaf. But hey, what are those?"

"Not ballast that's for sure. Better call in Customs. Those tablets look important."

Suspecting smuggling of historic relics, Customs officers called in the Turkish Museum. The Museum were short staffed. They in turn called Blue Shield, who were also stretched. Dr Roberta Treadstone spoke with Professor Jacques Pierre Daccord at UNESCO.

"Jacques, have you seen pictures of these tablets from Turkey?" 

"Looking at them now Roberta. Curious markings. Some fresh. Who do we know in the Med might decipher for us."

"John Storm, is in the Med, heading from Malta to Port Said."

"Oh. The intrepid ocean adventurer. Nobody else?" 

"Not so amenable and friendly to our cause. Or so close." 

"Okay, I know you like Mr Storm .... and .... he does get results, the controversial bastard."

"Agreed then?"

"Agreed. But keep me informed."

Roberta giggled to herself. She did indeed fancy John Storm. What red-blooded woman wouldn't. Her heart rate increased as she radioed his hydrogen ship.

"Roberta Treadstone calling Elizabeth Swann. Come in Swann, over."

"Oh shit John. It's Roberta." Dan and Hal effected silent laughter.

John was inclined to ignore the transmission. But Cleopatra was onboard and heard the call. He picked up the radio handset.

"Elizabeth Swann here Roberta. Keeping well? Over."

"Good John, thanks. We need your help I'm afraid. If you can. Not if you're doing anything important. Over."

"Priorities Roberta. Heading to Port Said to drop off a living breathing heritage item for her annual bonding ceremony. Not bad looking either for her age."

"You devil. Perhaps after saying your goodbyes you could head up to Istanbul."

"Sounds inviting. What else? Over."

"The Turkish Museum need an opinion. Over."

"You know I'm a sucker for antiquities Roberta. What else? Over."

"To lend a hand recovering, or rather deciphering a haul of ancient tablets. Intercepted going through customs, en-route to Iraq - of all places. Over."

"Really? Normally, artefacts would be recovered from the Middle East, not be shipped there. Over."

"Precisely. And perhaps discover the source. Over."

It seemed obvious to Cleopatra that John was about to turn the assignment down. She'd made it her mission in life to document and protect as much about the ancient world she came from, as possible. The former Egyptian Queen shot him a knowing glance, making John feeling like a heel.

"Okay John, there is more to this. Some new engraving in code, on ancient tablets."

Cleopatra shrugged; well? John shrugged back, fine.

"I'm sensing that is a no John. Over?"

"Okay Roberta. My crew seem to want this mission for me. Over."

"Nice one. Big thanks to the leopard lady. Thank you all. I'll let the Museum know you are on your way then. Over and out."

Cleopatra rushed over and hugged John.

"My hero." There was a pause. "Again."

The reborn Pharaoh planted a seductive kiss on John, sending shivers down his spine. She knew she had that effect on him. She felt the same. He was Mark Antony reborn. They shared a bond in time.

"I'll prepare a special meal." And off she went. Heading to the galley; floating.

"Skip," said Dan.

"I know Dan. Suckers me every time. Okay Hal, foils please, northeast to Alexandria."

John was now more hurried.

The Swann was literally flying. They passed Alexandria at 35 knots, then onto Port Said.

Coming down off the plane, John docked the Swann. He hated parting from Cleopatra for too long. It was like losing part of himself.

"John, you know I hate leaving?"

"She calls to you I know. Speaks to me too. Somehow, in my dreams. Very strange, except that I like it."

Cleopatra returned to Cairo Museum every year at the same time. She was drawn to the mummy of her former self.

Fascinated, fixated and spellbound just for a few minutes when the sun shone on the pyramids at exactly the right astronomical zenith. The feeling of union was more powerful, the closer she was to her ancient remains. Inexplicable, but very real to her.

John walked down the port outrigger with Cleopatra, lifting her down. They embraced.

"Now off you scoot Mr Storm. Turkey needs you. Don't worry abut me."

The Egyptian sun brought out the best in Cleopatra. She was radiant, seductive and enchanting, a living work of art. It broke John's heart to let her go.

"I'll be thinking of you."

"Of course. My rescuer and guardian angel, you are always in my thoughts, and in here." She placed both hands over her heart.

Cleopatra walked into the distance, stopping every so many paces to look back. John waved, holding back a tear. Eventually, he lost sight.

"Come on skip."

"Coming."

Onboard again, John asked "can you do the honours Dan. I'm not in the mood."

"Sure Captain. Hal. Captain Nemo, please plot a course for Istanbul.

...

THE MUSEUM

They were greeted like dignitaries. 

....

BOSPHORUS

In just a few days scanning, the Elizabeth Swann had located the underwater rockslide, the source of the Byzantium tablets.

"Hold her steady Nemo," thought John to Hal and thence to the intelligent autopilot.

"Aye, aye Captain." In truth the Bosporus Strait had some forceful currents that required considerable navigational compensations. John could communicate psuedo telepathically using the BioCore™ implant in his brain, when coupled with the CyberCore Genetica™ super, nano-computer. The only one of its kind.

John had to flipper hard to stay with a flimsy hoist based on an old wooden pallet and some worn ropes attached to each corner. On this platform were three stone tablets recovered from the rockslide. Thanks mainly to the amazing sensor array on the Swann.

The pallet was hoisted onboard the Elizabeth Swann by Dan Hawk, a boy genius with computers and electronics. And a loyal crew member to John Storm.

John's cat, 'Kitty', watched from a safe distance, curious and hoping some fish might be involved. In truth, Kitty was the ship's cat.  Having made herself at home many months ago. A bit like "Unsinkable Sam," a famous cat from World War Two that survived numerous ship sinkings.

"Sorry Kitty, not this time," said Dan, as he smiled at the obvious displeasure the tabby displayed at being warned off.

John clambered up the stern ladder. "Better get these back to the Museum Dan. I'd like to compare with these with the one recovered by Blue Shield from Customs."

"Shall I scan them in to Hal?"

"Good idea." Dan scanned the tablets into the versatile AI computer.

"Hello Dan, what delights do you have in store for me?"

"Just a bit more dusty old history, Hal." Hal bit his digital tongue.

Scanning complete, Dan and John packed the tablets safely, and headed to the Turkish Museum.

...

...

CHAPTER 2 >>>

John, Dan and Cleopatra loved visiting the historic city of Istanbul. When Blue Shield asked for their help, they almost fell over themselves to say yes. Even though it would involve quite a bit of data slogging. The Elizabeth Swann was able to cruise the Mediterranean, Aegean and Marmara seas on solar power alone. Not costing anything in hydrogen fuel.

PROPOSED STORY MAP BY CHAPTER (90-110 pages) - ORDER MAY BE VARIED

PART 1.

CHAPTER 1.    - ISTANBUL, TURKEY, THE BOSPHORUS STRAIT, BYZANTIUM TABLETS, SUNKEN REMAINS NEAR CONSTANTINOPLE, TURKISH MUSEUM: John Storm, on a routine artifact dive in the Bosphorus, Istanbul, stumbles upon a coded message hidden within a smuggled Sumerian tablet captured by Blue Shield. The message reveals a chilling covert alliance (Triad) - Russia, Iran, and North Korea - codenamed "Red Dragon" - are planning a coordinated attack. Their goal: global domination.

CHAPTER 2.    - KIDNAP CHAOS - 'RED DRAGON' - THE CONTROLLING CELL FOR 'OPERATION GRAND SLAM,' WITH 'GOLDEN CAGE,' & 'MIDNIGHT SUN': Phase One: The Kidnapping Chaos. 'Red Dragon,' using advanced sleeper cells and cyberwarfare, orchestrates the abduction of key political figures from the West - the US President, the British Prime Minister - Keir Starmer, the French President - Emmanuel Macron, and the German Chancellor - Olaf Scholz. Cutting off the heads of the corrupt capitalist Dragon.

CHAPTER 3.    - JILL BIRD, BBC ANCHOR - NEWS REPORT, KIDNAP CHAOS - DEMANDS - MARKETS IN TURMOIL: World military are thrown into disarray, communication channels are jammed, and financial markets plummet - It's a Fire Sale. 'Red Dragon' broadcasts a chilling message, threatening to kill the kidnap victims, if their demands are not met. The demands (vast resource concessions) being a feint.

CHAPTER 4.    - THE MASTERMIND - The plan is orchestrated by a shadowy figure deep within the Iranian government, General Reza Shah. Shah believes the West is on the verge of collapse and seeks to exploit their weakness for global domination. He's been secretly stockpiling gold and weapons for years, along with building a network of fallout shelters for the Triad underground elite, about which the West appear oblivious.

CHAPTER 5.   -  OPERATION GRAND SLAM - Intrigued, Storm deciphers the message with the help of a former Russian intelligence agent turned informant, Katya Volkov. With international order on the brink, Hal, recognizing the coded language from the tablet, deciphers the Triad's plan. John inadvertently teams up with a brilliant but jaded ex-KGB agent, Nadia Petrova, who knows the inner workings of the Triad from eavesdropping years before. Nadia sends anonymous regular messages to John. John and Katya discover they reference a sinister plot: "Operation Grand Slam" - The Motive to create global chaos as a prelude to an all out nuclear attack.

"Red Dragon" - North Korea, coordinating joint operations, targeting Iran and North Korea leaders in Operation Grand Slam. "Midnight Sun" - A cell to abduct key USA and European leaders, western politicians for kidnapping - and - Golden Cage: Refers to a joint operation by Russia (Red Dragon) and North Korea (Midnight Sun) targeting key Western politicians for coordinated kidnappings and transits.

CHAPTER 6.    - JOHN RACES TO NAPLES, JUST TOO LATE TO STOP KIDNAPPINGS -  John and Katya race against time to prevent a series of high-profile kidnappings, seemingly chasing tails as though Red Dragon has intel - the US President on route to G7 summit Naples - Joe Biden was already missing, so too the British Prime Minister. The French President, and the German Chancellor were thought to be next. Red Dragon triggers kidnap commands timed to opportunistic venues. Of which G7 is ideal for remaining Europeans. Leaving Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un and Ali Khamenei.

CHAPTER 7.    - OUT OF TIME: They travel to Tripoli, ending in Bierut, where the trail leading to Ali Khamenei, Jinping and Jong Un deciphering clues inadvertently left behind by the kidnappers. Each location tests John's deciphering skills and Katya's knowledge of international espionage. But even with Hal they are too late - the trail disappears. The Cells capture their hostages just minutes before John gets to the sites.

PART 2.

CHAPTER 8.    - A MOLE: One of the kidnapped leaders is suspected as being a double agent working for Shah. This throws John and Katya off track, forcing them to question the allegiances of the hostages. Hal fails to identify any incriminating communications.

CHAPTER 9.    - PRISONERS: The chase leads to a secret underground facility in Iran, where the politicians are being held captive. It is seemingly impregnable reinforced concrete, much like a super bank vault, near Char Bahar, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea. It is impregnable, without harming the hostages. This is the Golden Cage, the European cell was named after.

CHAPTER 10.  - CHAR BAHAR: John and Katya must infiltrate the heavily guarded complex and free the hostages before a nuclear strike is launched on major Western cities. Hal calculates that a nuclear launch is imminent, where brute force hacking at NORAD and other military bases is detected. The clock is ticking, and John now realizes that the kidnappings are diversionary tactics. But still he pushes on.

CHAPTER 11.  - MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: Having taken out the perimeter guards, John and Katya finally succeed in gaining access to the prisoners the old fashioned way with thermal lances - a seemingly impossible mission - freeing the hostages - and transferring the bewildered heads of state to the Swann by RIB. Then the Swann vanishes into the Arabian Sea for a rendezvous with an ageing USS Vermont, Virginia class nuclear submarine. During transit, the freed captives talk through John freely, Hal interpreting telepathically. The freed prisoners cannot believe he understands so many languages. And his grasp on politics.

CHAPTER 12.  - BBC WORLD NEWS: Jill Bird item exposes Shah's plan to the world, discovering and revealing his identity as leader of Red Dragon, a Cell operating somewhere in the Middle East, and turning the tide against him. Revealed by Katya Volkov to John as she admits to having had an affair with the handsome Iranian General many years previously and was cast aside, left for dead. Adding pressure to an already knife edge plan for the Triads.

CHAPTER 13.  - CYBER CHESS GRAND MASTER: A high-stakes battle ensues involving advanced weaponry and cunning strategy. With launch and abort codes changing by the minute as US, Chinese, and Russian military are running at full pelt to stand still - helpless against cyber attacks. It's Military main frames from three locations versus Hal and John Storm, as the fastest computer CyberCore Genetica™ fends off brute force worms and viruses. It's a standoff without a final solution. Hal and CyberCore Genetica effectively block and counter, but need to locate the Cells that are hosting the attacks.

CHAPTER 14.  - BASE 37 NUCLEAR STRIKE: In cyber defeat and frustrated, Red Dragon attempts to strike fear into their targets with three small devices in Beijing, Moscow and Washington. Two devices are detected and defused. The third detonates at Base 37. This is a last-ditch effort by Shah's loyalists, saying to the world they are not safe, thumbing their noses at the CIA, FSB, MI6, Interpol and other agencies. Meantime, stockpiles of missiles by the superpowers remain a tempting target for other extremists that must be eliminated, with the assistance of John's new 'world-leader' friends.

PART 3.

CHAPTER 15.  - PLAYING WITH FIRE: Hal, John and Katya, disable the launch sequence for the Russian missiles. But cannot trace the source code, meaning transmissions could all begin again. Iranian and Chinese missiles are still a danger. The situation could rebound against Red Dragon; if only communist missiles are deactivated. While US and European missiles could still destroy the antagonists countries. Their plan could backfire. All hard lines are cut to Russian, Chinese and Iranian missiles, then manually shut down. Submarine missiles are systematically deactivated. Finally, US hard lines are cut, and submarine missile systems manually turned off. The world breathes a sigh of relief, Jill Bird reporting.

CHAPTER 16.  - TREBLE AGENT: One of the kidnapped leaders is identified as secretly sympathetic to Shah's cause. His identity becomes known during debriefing, when John (with Hal present telepathically) connects the dots, and he is turned around as a treble agent, used to penetrate further into the Red Dragon Cell, and close that and hunt down, then arrest of General Reza Shah.

CHAPTER 17.  - BLOODHOUNDS: John and Katya work together to track down Shah's remaining Cells, devout followers who fight to the death. John prevails to prevent further chaos. Within and from these Cells, they obtain valuable intelligence, much needed passwords and the like, to disable Golden Cage and Midnight Sun's Chinese and Iranian nukes.

CHAPTER 18.  - ATOMIC GOOD SAMARITAN: Using their new information, they take back control of the launch codes for the Iranian and Chinese missiles. The temporary administrations in China, Iran and North Korea plead with John Storm for his help. Not that he wasn't working double time to save them, but with Hal's help and using the CyberCore Genetica, they finally defuse the situation. Control of their missiles is restored. Then neutralized. All hail to John Storm.

CHAPTER 19.  - KNIGHTS OF THE GARTER: The root cause of Red Dragon is revealed as discontent brewing from 2014, when Tony Blair deceived Parliament with false intelligence, so initiating the invasion of Iraq by way of a coalition with US President George Walker Bush. The Brits knighting their own for such corruption, and intelligence abuses was the last straw. As the seeds of hate were revealed, another Petition succeeds in Blair's KG honour being reviewed with Keir Starmer making sincere public apology to Iraq. With a promise that the British honours system will be examined, such as not to ignite future Red Dragons.

CHAPTER 20.  - CRIME OF PASSION: Katya Volkov has a hidden agenda of her own - revenge over a jilted romance, being used and left for dead. She takes out Reza Shah, a a personal and simmering crime of passion - after he goads her, saying how she was used to obtain information taunting her about Nadia Petrova - before John can stop her the General is dead. Honour satisfied, she collapses from shock, the experience strengthens their partnership, hinting at future adventures; maybe. John making a mental note not to dally with her emotions thus. A final message is delivered anonymously: Job done!

CHAPTER 21.  - NATIONS REUNITED: The world grapples with the fallout of the attack, both literal and geopolitical. A broadcast transmitted all across the globe, from all the kidnap victims speaking as one voice, assures the world that they will now multiply their efforts to work together to resolve their differences. The first step being to dismantle their nuclear stockpiles, and agree never to replenish such weapons of mass destruction. One warning like this being seen as enough. John receives several honours. Including the 'Hero of the Russian Federation' (replacing the Order of Lenin), People's Republic of China Friendship Medal, Purple Heart (for being injured while a temporary US Navy SEAL) and after some debate, the Victoria Cross, in place of the at first suggested George Cross. And finally, the Nobel Peace Prize awarded in Oslo, to a standing ovation at a UN General assembly later that year. Making John the winner of a Guinness Book of Records entry and certificate, for the person with most multi-national decorations from a single mission.

Themes:

- Global cooperation vs. nationalistic ambition

- Trust and betrayal

- Technological threats and the human response

CHAPTERS | CHARACTERS | MEDIA | MOVIE REF | SCREENPLAYS