Some of mankind’s artistic
creations transcend time and inspire men to great adventure,
often to opposite ends of the earth. No objects are more
extraordinary than the Moonstones, small statues made of solid
gold that have traversed the centuries. Legend relates that the
Moonstones possess ancient and unassailable powers. What are the
ties that connect their past to the future? Why is one of the
world’s most powerful intelligence agencies interested in the
Moonstones? These are questions to which the young and beautiful
scientist, Sara Terracini, seeks answers in her high-tech
laboratory.
Roman Empire, 100 A.D.: A Roman legionnaire named Giunio gains
control of the northeastern part of the Empire and quickly
becomes indispensable to his superior, General Marzio. When the
general is called back to Rome to enter politics, Giunio
faithfully follows him and enjoys the splendors of life in the
greatest Empire of all time. After political upheaval results in
the imprisonment of the general, Giunio, too, is condemned and
incarcerated. There is only one way to gain his freedom: to
fight to the end as a gladiator in the Coliseum.
Cartagena, Colombia, 1622: The majestic Spanish fleet Tierra
Firme sets sail for Spain with cargo holds full of treasure
plundered from the natives of Latin America. Aboard the Santa
Esmeralda galleon, a young Italian monk is recording the ancient
story of one of his ancestors, a Roman soldier named Giunio.
North Sea, 1995: The crew of the naval oil platform Brent
mistakenly stumbles upon the wreck of a Nazi submarine while
searching for underwater oil deposits. This submarine was one of
the last to leave the German coast during World War II,
transporting a rare cargo that never reached its final
destination. In the meantime, in Rome, a relentless and
inquisitive scientist, Sara Terracini, is on the brink of
unraveling the mysteries of an ancient Roman legend - a legend
about gold statues reputed to have mysterious powers that a
Ligurian family has possessed for generations.
What connects each of these unique and diverse stories? Will
finding the answer to this question engender perilous
consequences for humanity? What links a modern-day NASA colonel
and the ancient Roman soldier Giunio? And so we embark upon an
extraordinary adventure! The legacies of history and explosive
moments in the present intertwine to create a riveting tale of
suspense and discovery. The provocative historical background of
ancient Rome lends color, interest, and depth to the journey
through the ages to present day. This story contains an
explosive “coup de theatre,” imaginatively rendered by
exploration of man’s own historical context and being. |
Marco
Buticchi