The Great Thirst One: Prepared

The Great Thirst: An Archaeological Mystery Serial, #1

Small town science teacher Keith Bradley climbs into a red Tesla with English teacher Talia Ramin for the field trip of a lifetime. At stake is a missing copy of the Scriptures on gold tablets. At risk is the trust of an ancient order sworn to keep the tablets safe. 
Talia's archaeologist aunt and uncle may have lost their last clue to artifact thieves. A government ultimatum might undo every lesson they have taught their students about keeping the Word safe. 

“What are you saying? We’re supposed to take the kids’ Bibles away from them?” 
“There’s no need to be defensive. We want materials from everyone in the community. This will become a resource for all time. These insights will become global and eternal.” 
Talia asked, “People don’t have to give us their Bibles, do they?” 
“This program fails if it doesn’t accomplish the critical goal of gathering all the possible data.” 
“What exactly do you mean by ‘this program fails’?” 
Doctor Williams said, “It doesn’t qualify for the grants.” 
“You mean we lose everything from implementing the Bible as Literature program?” 
“Are your Bible studies secret? Why does sharing them with the world disturb you? Are you that selfish?”