Extinction Chronicles — Pandora's Box Ellen and Jonathan Crenshaw are paleontologists. Every summer they take Jonathan's students to a dig in the Dakota Badlands. They use this experience to see if the students want to remain in the program. This year, they offer their best student, Steve, the lead on the dig. After Steve accepts the position, the Crenshaw's step away and search for their own dig site.
The Crenshaw's soon discover an ancient metal box encased in sixty-five-million-year-old sedimentary rock. After removing the surrounding debris, they discover it was created by dinosaurs. When the box was unintentionally opened, an Army defense satellite recorded an unexpected electrical burst. The military immediately assumed a terrorist group was organizing in the Badlands.
The box is secreted away while the military tracks down all leads to capture these supposed terrorists. A friend offered a safe haven and a place to examine the box. While exploring the technology, the team of experts they brought in, begin stealing bits of the new technology as it's revealed.
The Crenshaw's are on the run. Along the way, they discover new and inventive ways to avoid capture. Despite the thefts, and the problems with the military, the box holds more secrets than even the Crenshaw's can imagine.
