With the enormous power of the X-O Manowar armor at his command, Aric has returned to Earth hell bent on destroying the Roman Empire. But the Rome he encounters is as alien to him as the Vine colony ship he escaped from – because 1,600 years have transpired in his absence. Without fully understanding the consequences of his actions, will Aric's first act in the modern day ignite a new world war? Meanwhile, the secret history of the Vine's presence on Earth is finally revealed. Who is corporate mogul Alexander Dorian? Will he be Aric's one ally in this strange new world – or his very first enemy?