An earthquake strikes Northern Arizona.

     Mad Jake Roberts, a snake hunter, ships one of the mutated vipers to herpetologist Jeremy Myers in Phoenix. The crate is labeled "MANKILLER" and contains, in addition to the specimen, a human hand and forearm.

     As midsummer approaches, medicine men from the twelve major Indian tribes prepare to reunite The Great Gathering on the Salt River Indian Reservation in Scottsdale, Arizona. Each of the shamans is troubled by visions, ghosts or totems - all of which warn of impending disaster. Rattle, the Havasupai medicine man, is approached by a huge, anthropomorphic, snake-like being, The Father of All Serpents, and told to warn men to avoid killing the vipers

     In Springerville, Arizona, the discovery of catacombs under Casa Malpais becomes big archaeological news. The scientists announce they expect to find new surprises underground.     

     Once again, the shamans of the twelve tribes find themselves confronted by ancient beings, working with white men and their science, local and state police, government troops and the FBI.