Operation Neptune is an original John Storm adventure story

SYNOPSIS - A group of environmentalists unwittingly reveal the cover up of oil pollution in the North Sea, with a protest, but the culprits, an MP, MI6 operative and Scotland Yard chief, frame them to hide their wrongdoing. Wrongfully imprisoned, with no right of appeal, the protestors vow to get their revenge with the help of a former smuggler, they meet in prison, who builds them a submersible to hijack a nuclear submarine.

The environmental extremists torpedo rigs in the North Sea to make their point, when the submarine develops reactor leaks from lack of servicing. An oceanographer who is called in to survey the oil pollution, detects the radioactive discharges and chases the sub to warn them, rescuing them from radiation poisoning and death, and MOD factions, who have put a kill order on them to sink evidence of their procurement fraud.

During the chase into the Atlantic, the oceanographer discovers a sunken U-Boat, laden with Nazi WWII gold, under which is the remains of an ancient civilization, possibly Plato's Atlantis.

The ocean adventurer negotiates a finders fee for his crew and Blue Shield, and an amnesty for the environmental extremists, with the MOD and oil fraudsters arrested and charged.

John Storm, the intrepid ocean adventurer is called to investigate the loss of a British nuclear submarine operating in the Atlantic, apparently being operated by extreme climate activists.

'Operation Neptune' is an original story in the John Storm franchise, featuring the Lost City of Atlantis, international climate change activism and nuclear submarines, including the discovery of Nazi Gold as a complication, and the struggle between protagonists and antagonists, as they each pursue their own objectives.

The rights to this exciting adventure have been acquired in connection with the Cleaner Ocean Foundation's ocean awareness and blue growth campaigns, in support of the UN's Circular Economy agenda and Sustainability Development Goals.

This story is being developed on the back burner, alongside 'The Holy Compass', while 'Cleopatra's Mummy' and 'Treasure Island: Blackbeard's Curse & Pirates Gold' are being adapted to graphic novels and screenplays. 

Publishing and film making provides thousands of jobs and massive export potential, keeping the world entertained, informed and employed.

PROPOSED STORY MAP BY CHAPTER (90-110 pages) - ORDER CAN BE CHANGED: DRAFT SCREENPLAY

ACT 1.

CHAPTER 1.   PROTESTS - A group of environmentalists demonstrate peacefully about the oil leaks in the North Sea. The Terramentals are framed and imprisoned, during which time they vow to expose the corrupt officials who stitched them up.

CHAPTER 2.   PREDATOR - In prison, they meet a Jorges Dicaprio, a Cuban submarine expert. He is due for deportation having been refused asylum in the UK. Released from prison, the Terramentals work with the sub expert to build a mini-sub capable of sinking a nuclear powered fast attack submarine.

CHAPTER 3.   PHOENIX - The Terramentals, locate, chase, and sink HMS Neptune ( SSN) in shallow waters Irish Sea off Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, using the Predator mini-sub - knocking out the crew. They re-float, and release the surviving crew, in dinghies.

CHAPTER 4.   BRITISH PETROLEUM - The eco extremists warn the operators of a BP rig in the North Sea, to abandon drilling operations or face the music. BP refuse. They torpedo the rig, followed by three others, then make their escape, knowing the Royal Navy will send out destroyers.

CHAPTER 5.   BBC WORLD SERVICE - Jill Bird reports on the demands of the Terramentals daring attack. The whole world is shocked to learn of the North Sea pollution cover up. Charley Temple investigates the government's efforts to silence criticism with radical law changes. Likening it to Henry VIII and Nazi German political tactics.

CHAPTER 6.   UNEP SOS - The UN's Environment Programme ask John Storm to survey the North Sea for concentrations and flow pattern of oil pollution. The Elizabeth Swann passes the SSN, HMS Neptune as they negotiate the Straits of Dover. Hal picks up traces of radiation contamination on a course for Great Yarmouth.

CHAPTER 7.   RADIATION ALERT - John and Dan twig the radiation must be from the Terramentals submarine, and that HMS Neptune may have serious reactor damage. They scramble the Swann to chase the source, turning back down towards and through the Straits of Dover at maximum speed on foils. They must warn the extremists of the danger they are in and the nuclear submarine poses.

ACT 2.

CHAPTER 8.   STEALTH MODE - Storm spots the Astute sub as they surface, the Swann goes into stealth mode, but is detected as John radios the extremists to warn of radiation leakage.

CHAPTER 9.   CHANGE OF COURSE - The Terramentals change course, diving again, heading for the Straits of Gibraltar. Believing the radiation warning is a ruse.

CHAPTER 10. U-BOAT 986 - In trying to evade the Swann, the SSN Neptune navigates an unusual course, way off the normal transport lanes. In hot pursuit, the Swann's instruments pick up magnetic signature of U-Boat 986 with side scan sonar, lodged in irregular rock formation.

CHAPTER 11. SENATE, UK & EU DEBATE - News of the submarine hijacking and destruction of oil rigs, sends alarm bells ringing in governments around the world. Evidence is uncovered as to the enormity of the North Sea leaks cover up, as Charley Temple releases her investigative research. The Deepwater Horizon leak is relived, sending shivers down political spines.

CHAPTER 12. REACTOR LEAK - The Terramentals realise John was telling the truth, when the radiation leak detection system on the SSN Neptune triggers. Their reactor is badly damaged, a fault in waiting triggered as the extremists pushed the vessel hard. They surface too close to the U-Boat for comfort.

CHAPTER 13. RESCUE TOW - John offers the extremists a rescue. Warning the Terramentals that MI6 has ordered the sinking of the Neptune. It turns out the MOD knew the reactor was potentially dangerous, The Ministry and BAE Systems, want that evidence disappeared.

CHAPTER 14. LISBON PORT - Working in unison, the Terramentals and John Storm, shut down Neptune's reactor & systems. They rig a tow, and haul the stricken submarine into port at Lisbon, having alerted the Marine Accident Investigation Board, to the problem, warning not to trust the MOD. The news media is given this information to prevent MI6 from sinking the Neptune, to get rid of their dirty laundry.

ACT 3.

CHAPTER 15. ROV ATLANTIS - Swann and crew return to U-Boat coordinates in stealth mode at night, adopting a circuitous route to avoid being tracked. John surveys the site, and discovers what appears to be evidence of Atlantis, or at least an advanced civilization that is unknown and some 8-10,000 years old. On investigating the Nazi submarine, John discovers the gold onboard, in place of torpedoes and just about everything else.

CHAPTER 16. TREASURE TROVE - The Swann returns to London, when John notifies the authorities of the gold find. They immediately threaten prosecution and confiscation of the Swann. Several nations lay claim to the gold hoard, without a shred of evidence to back them up. Hal takes control of MI6 as a warning to MOD as to futility of engaging the Swann. US President Lincoln Truman chimes in, to support John and crew. The Brits back down, under orders of PM, Edward Thomas, and 1st Sealord.

CHAPTER 17. BLUE SHIELD - Cleopatra (Patricia Leopard) alerts Blue Shield, Newcastle University, to potential find of Atlantis, acting as the Swann's onboard antiquities expert, being a time traveler herself. The location is withheld for security reasons, and to prevent a media scrum. She suggests survey and UNESCO world heritage site inclusion, should the site be deemed important. She is appointed Africa-Egypt rep.

CHAPTER 18. GOLDEN OFFER - The claimants various agree to compensate John for the U-Boat find. They offer 10%. John agrees to take 1% to cover costs of operating the Swann. With the remaining 9% to fund Blue Shield surveys. A special trust and bank account is set up. Cleopatra (Trish) as managing trustee, with Hal as administration. UNESCO most grateful.

CHAPTER 19. GREEN MOBILITY - Galvanized into action and somewhat embarrassed at the recent North Sea and MOD revelations, the United Kingdom push the green hydrogen button in a big way. John negotiates H2 conversion grants for low income families, by lobbying Parliament, reported on as an important concession to drive blue growth, by Jill Bird, in her World News Roundup.

CHAPTER 20. IMO IS GO - The International Maritime Organization follow suite, taking the plunge with green hydrogen and methanol, certifying these fuels for use in ships and ports, with temporary certificates. The USA joins in the H2 scrum. China and India become economically uncompetitive staying with coal, gas and oil. Their exports fall, where nobody wants dirty goods.

CHAPTER 21. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL - John Storm and George Franks negotiate an amnesty for the Terramentals, using pirate case precedent from 1700, and video evidence to prove set up. With conditions attaching, by way of a probationary period, also expunging their criminal records, provided that the group limit their activities to peaceful protests. Dirty Harry and The Devil are charged with treason.