'Aaron Shoemaker, an American mining surveyor, had lost his survival pack, had no water or food and sat for hours, nearly naked, in the centre of the Northern Australian highway. He clutched a satchel filled with small stones and plants, his skin was festered, blackened and burned, but he was alive. Speaking incoherent nonsense, he watched flies swarming on his open sores as a semi-trailer slid to a stop on the rust-coloured road in front of him . . .'
Under close guard, Aaron Shoemaker was sent to Australia to search for commercial mineral deposits, but no one predicted what his discoveries would unleash. He was used to the secrecy and threats of industrial espionage, but was totally unprepared for Aboriginal spirits and traditions.
Two elders watch Shoemaker's helicopter land near their sacred sites and turn to their trusted advocate Jarra Mariba, for help. Jarra understood commercial ploys, but how would he cope with murders, political maneuvering and mercenaries.
As the body count rises, they all wonder if the Lightning Mine will go ahead - and at what cost?
