Humanity stood at the edge of the abyss.

The nuclear war that had ravaged Earth and its space outposts was the culmination of our species' arrogance and recklessness. The old nations, armed to the teeth with weapons capable of obliterating entire cities in a flash of light, had destroyed each other in a conflict of apocalyptic proportions. Millions of lives were burned away in an instant, and millions more died slowly amid the ruins of what was once a glorious world.

For decades, Earth was shrouded in a nuclear winter, and the space colonies, isolated and deprived of resources, descended into chaos. Above the clouds of ash, in orbiting stations and lunar and Martian outposts, the last humans struggled to survive, but hope grew fainter with each passing day. The old governments had fallen, communications were broken, and no one spoke of the future anymore. All that remained was chaos, despair, and the fight for control of the few remaining resources.

And yet, in the heart of the devastation, a man arose who would change the course of history: Lucius Iulia Augustus.

Lucius was different from all the others. He was a natural leader, a man of vision and charisma, capable of inspiring hope where there had only been despair. Born in a small Martian colony, Lucius saw what others could not: despite the devastation, humanity could rise again. Not just to survive, but to thrive. The war had destroyed the past, but it also offered a new opportunity: to unite what was left of humanity under one banner, one new order.

Lucius rallied the survivors, from the lunar colonies to the wreckage of space stations, convincing them with ironclad words and decisive actions that division had only brought destruction. His vision was clear: it was no longer about restoring old nations or seeking revenge for the past. The only future for humanity was the conquest of the stars. They would no longer limit themselves to the Solar System, no longer be content with small outposts. Humanity would rebuild itself and become the masters of the galaxy.

Under his leadership, rival factions and disorganized groups united. The advanced technologies that had survived the war were harnessed to create ships capable not only of traversing the interplanetary space but also of reaching the edges of the galaxy itself. The colonies were reorganized under a new government, and Lucius declared himself First Emperor of New Rome, marking the beginning of the Human Empire.

Under his banner, the Human Empire of New Rome began its unstoppable expansion. Imperial fleets explored and conquered every corner of the Solar System, and wherever they arrived, they brought the promise of order and a brighter future. The men and women who served under the imperial eagle were not just soldiers, but pioneers, explorers, and builders of a new world.

Lucius Iulia Augustus had given humanity a new purpose. It was no longer about mere survival: the new goal was ambitious, grand, and unstoppable. To conquer the galaxy and ensure that no other power, no other species, could ever threaten the existence of the Empire.

Thus, the Empire of New Rome rose from the ashes of old Earth, strong and determined. The stars, once so distant and mysterious, became the next frontier for a reborn humanity. The void was no longer something to fear, but the battlefield where the Empire would extend its dominion.

This is the story of humanity rising from destruction. And this is the story of men like Claudius Roman, young and ambitious, inspired by Lucius' legacy, dreaming of commanding imperial ships and leaving their mark among the stars.

The dream of Lucius Iulia Augustus had become the destiny of the entire human species.