In the modern day city of Basra, Iraq, investigative journalist Cole Jacobs stumbles onto the soon to be famous Basra Stone. Not wanting to rest on his laurels after the success of his first book about an antediluvian culture, Cole jumps at the chance to be embedded with Atlas Global's security initiative. While recovering many relics and artifacts that were stolen during the Iraq War, Cole and his photographer Evan Floyd serendipitously uncover the Basra Stone. Once deciphered by the incomparable Neely Roberts, they find it will have historical, religious and political ramifications for the world and send our heroes on an unfathomable journey that stretches across time.