Archaeologist Veronica Reeves begins to put the evidence together, and it points to an unprecedented discovery — a culture that once spread at least from Utah down to the tip of South America — the largest prehistoric culture ever. And, she’s discovered signs that this culture, this violent culture, was still active well into the 19th century. Meanwhile, the vertical shaft is nearing the end, when the Earthcore miners will finally be able to enter the massive network of tunnels. Are they just a few days, or even hours, from reaching the platinum mother lode?