THE ARK - IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST DNA DATABASE

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AI COPILOT - Hal is the onboard AI system that serves as the brain and nervous system of the Elizabeth Swann, a solar and hydrogen-powered ship. This advanced AI is responsible for a wide range of functions, including:

1. Ship Systems Management: Hal oversees the operation of all onboard systems, from propulsion and navigation to energy management and environmental controls.

2. Human Interface: Hal interacts with the crew, providing information, responding to queries, and assisting with tasks. It acts as a central hub for communication and coordination.

3. Sensors and Systems: Hal is integrated with the ship's various sensors, including those for navigation, weather, and environmental monitoring. It processes and interprets this data to ensure the ship's safe and efficient operation.

Over a period of near twenty years of collecting, the "Ark" has become the world's largest DNA database, a near complete compilation of all life on Earth, that the biblical Noah would be proud of. Hence, a comprehensive "Time Capsule" that could be used in space exploration and colonization of other suitable planets, via the process known as terraforming.

John Storm's near obsession with collecting and converting DNA samples of flora and fauna, led him to amass the world's first and biggest complete digital database - including rare Neanderthal, Habilis, Australopithecus and other extinct species, such as the Wooly Mammoth. Long before his collection became famous, the Captain of the Elizabeth Swann realised that he would run out of storage space using conventional data backup techniques. He had to find a way of converting the DNA of his samples to genetic digital code. But his major breakthrough was an experiment to recreate the DNA from stored digital data, back to a biological sample that could be used to recreate the life from which it came.

As with many other great discoveries, John discovered the process by accident. He was so excited by his discovery, that at first he did not believe it. Thus, he repeated the experiment several times. For sure it worked each time. Very reliably. John did not explain where his DNA had come from, when he donated a sample to Professor Dr Victor Krafenstein, at the ETA university in Zurich, Switzerland. Asking him if it was possible to clone from the sample of reconstituted rabbit DNA. Which the Professor managed with ease using conventional cloning tech, producing a healthy brown animal. Then John sent another sample that had been genetically modified, producing a white rabbit. Professor Krafenstein was known to controversial and collaborative.

The professor realised that the DNA of each rabbit was virtually identical, hence had been altered. He asked John if it was possible to modify the DNA to produce a short eared rabbit. Sure enough John produced an almost identical DNA sample, that produced a short eared rabbit. The point here being the speed and precision of the alteration, that would normally have taken months or years. The professor was excited, begging John to share his technology, which of course he had to politely decline. Nevertheless, John and the Professor remained friends with a common cause.

This was amazing technology that John kept a secret, and swore the Professor to. The process could have been patented, but the conservationist did not trust corporations or governments to use it only for good. Nor did Dr Krafenstein. They recalled Einstein, Oppenheimer and nuclear fission - the Manhattan Project, and how that had translated into first, bombs, and then nuclear tipped ballistic missiles as a long range delivery system that could destroy the planet many times over in the hands of warmongering megalomaniacs. Meaning that nobody on earth was truly safe. Because, as it turned out, those maniacs exist in China, North Korea and Russia. And because of those threats, the USA, Europe, India and Pakistan all leaped into the fray as some kind of Freudian competition to outdo each other in the death dealing department.

When publishing a patent, you are disclosing the essentials of your innovation, for all the world to emulate. No way, thought John. Most innovators are ripped off by big business, who calculate to tie you up in litigation knots for around 10 years as a strategy to steal ideas from inventors. The famous case of Robert Kearns reminded him to avoid all such temptations.

With that in mind, John made it his mission in life to create a Time Capsule, that could be used to recreate life on other suitable planets by way of terraforming. The Time Capsule would need to be self-sewing, an autonomously activated robotic device that would germinate when it detected suitable environments. It was a way of saving life on earth, should climate change warm the planet sufficiently to boil the seas and make deserts of land, so extinguishing all human achievements.

NASA soon realised what John had, and along with the likes of DARPA and other similar agencies in other nations all over the world, they wanted a slice of the action for their space exploration projects. But John would not entertain such notions. Because of the inherent dangers when science is weaponised.

"THE ELIZABETH SWANN'S DIGITAL NOAH'S ARK"

London, UK – A groundbreaking technological marvel aboard the Elizabeth Swann, known as the ARK, is poised to revolutionize medicine and biology. This massive DNA database, painstakingly curated by John Storm over his lifetime, holds a digital record of countless species from across the globe.

The ARK's digital interface allows for the generation or reconstruction of biological material based on the genetic code stored within. By harnessing the power of supercomputers, scientists can analyze and manipulate these genetic sequences, potentially leading to breakthroughs in various fields.

One promising application of the ARK lies in the realm of cancer treatment. By studying the genetic makeup of cancerous cells, researchers can identify specific mutations contributing to the disease. Using CRISPR technology, a gene-editing tool, scientists may be able to correct these mutations and potentially eliminate cancer cells.

Beyond cancer, the ARK could be used to enhance traits of various species. For example, by modifying the genetic code of crops, scientists might develop strains that are more resistant to pests, drought, or disease. Similarly, genetic engineering could be applied to livestock to improve their yield, health, or nutritional value.

The ARK's potential benefits extend far beyond Earth. As humanity ventures into space, this digital repository of genetic information could be invaluable for establishing self-sustaining colonies on other planets. By using the ARK to create artificial ecosystems and produce essential resources, future generations may be able to thrive in extraterrestrial environments.

The Elizabeth Swann's 'ARK' represents a significant leap forward in biotechnology. Its ability to store, analyze, and manipulate genetic information offers hope for addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges, from curing diseases to ensuring the survival of our species.

THE ARK AS A GENETIC TREASURE TROVE

Let’s delve further into the fascinating world of the ARK - a DNA database like no other - aboard the solar-powered vessel, the Elizabeth Swann.

Collecting the Threads of Life

John Storm, a tireless amateur anthropologist and geneticist, has dedicated his life to assembling an unparalleled repository of genetic information. The ARK, residing securely within the Elizabeth Swann, houses this vast compendium of DNA samples. Storm’s journey began in his youth, and over the years, he meticulously gathered genetic material from every corner of our planet. His mission? To preserve the essence of life itself.

The Secure Vault

The ARK is no ordinary database. It’s a fortress against time, safeguarded against would-be thieves. Its encryption layers rival those of the most secretive intelligence agencies. Storm’s unwavering commitment ensures that this genetic treasure trove remains intact, immune to the ravages of entropy.

The Digital Interface: Unleashing Genetic Potential

But what sets the ARK apart is its digital interface. Imagine a virtual laboratory where the building blocks of life - the A, T, C, and G nucleotides - are manipulated with precision. Using supercomputers, Storm’s team can generate or reconstruct biological material, akin to assembling a complex jigsaw puzzle. The Genome code - the blueprint of life - is their canvas.

Editing the Code

Here lies the true marvel: the ability to edit the Genome. Bad code - mutations, disease-causing variants - can be excised. Imagine a world where cancer’s genetic triggers are snipped away, leaving healthy cells unscathed. The ARK’s CRISPR-based editing system wields molecular scissors, selectively altering genes to enhance traits or eradicate vulnerabilities.

A Medical Toolkit for the Future

The implications are staggering. The ARK could revolutionize medicine. Cancer treatments tailored to an individual’s unique genetic makeup. Crop enhancements that defy pests and climate extremes. But it doesn’t stop there. The ARK might be humanity’s ticket to the stars - a genetic payload for interstellar colonization. Imagine life on distant planets, seeded by the ARK’s carefully curated DNA.

Closing Thoughts

John Storm’s legacy transcends mere data. It’s the promise of a healthier, more resilient future. As the Elizabeth Swann sails through the cosmic sea, the ARK remains our beacon - a testament to human curiosity, resilience, and the boundless potential encoded within our genes.

Note: The Neo-Nazis’ interest in the ARK remains a curious subplot - one that underscores the database’s allure even among the most unlikely of seekers.

Disclaimer: The ARK, as described here, is a fictional construct. While real-world genetic research holds immense promise, we have yet to create such a comprehensive database aboard a solar-powered ship, or anywhere for that matter. 

THE ELIZABETH SWANN

The Elizabeth Swann is autonomously piloted by Captain Nemo, named after the Captain of the Nautilus in Jules Verne's classic: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. A stand alone unmanned navigation system.

The Swann is a virtual super-fortress, armed with Merlin, Excalibur and Pendragon air and water defense systems, and Hal AI™, the onboard supercomputer that ensures all threats to the safety of the trimaran ship are eliminated. And that includes cyber attacks as well as the use of force and weapons.

As an artificial intelligence, Hal was spellbound when John accidentally becomes a super-human when injected with a CRISPR virus in Manaus, while rescuing his friend Charley Temple from a group of scientists, who managed to clone Cleopatra, the last Pharaoh Queen of Ancient Egypt. Hal noted the increase in his Captain's strength and increased intelligence, that helped him to rescue Cleopatra from the CIA.

CYBER WW3III CAST:

  THE "ARK" IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST DNA DATABASE - A DIGITAL GENETIC VAULT, COMPLETE RECORD OF ALL LIFE ON EARTH - GENESIS - IDEAL FOR TERRAFORMING ROBOTIC SPACE TIME CAPSULE COLONIZATION

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Copyright is asserted as per sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988. This is a work of fiction.

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Being entirely fictional, and a hypothetical - what if - political thriller. All rights reserved.