Introduction: Four souls. Three human factions. One alien threat spreading across the Sol System.200 years after the Third World War, new superpowers have risen from the ashes of the United States and Communist China, powered by cold fusion technology. Africa experiences an unprecedented renaissance. Humanity has conquered AIDS, colonized all eight planets, and reached for the stars.But prosperity breeds new nightmares. The Radi-Mons — planet-conquering creatures that feed on nuclear waste and human flesh — now spread the Nucleus Virus: a sexually transmitted disease that grants immense power at a devastating psychological cost.When Lorna Weiss arrives in Taiwan on a covert mission for the new American government, she encounters Zhi-Xin Wu, a software engineer mourning his android lover now in the hands of Dilinur Altai, his former classmate turned enforcer for the tyrannical regime that oppresses them both. Meanwhile in Africa, Jabari Adomako, a high school dropout searching for purpose, finds himself piloting a mech among the continent's elite warriors.Their paths converge in a deadly race for the Moondust Crystal — an ancient artifact buried deep within the Moon's core. But when Skarn, the dreaded Radi-Mon leader, breaks free from his earthly prison, the Crystal becomes more than a prize. It's the key to a greater conflict that will force each of them to confront humanity's eternal question:What do we truly want from this life?The Dust of Moon is Season 1 of Nucleus: Unbound Space Opera.The story is currently on Volume 3: Moondust Pandemonium.This season is estimated to have 5 volumes across 2000+ pages when finished.Note on A.I. usage: As a non-native English writer, I've used AI tools for grammar assistance while developing my own voice. Newer chapters reflect this evolution.What this series is:- Multi-POV space opera with deep worldbuilding- "Game of Thrones in space" meets Skyrim, StarCraft, Mobile Suit Gundam, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms- Slow-burn character development, with slice-of-life chapters woven in. My characters don’t exist for the story. The story (and the world) exists for them.- Complex political intrigue, mature military sci-fi, plus humans & aliens that actually have sex (lol)What this series is NOT:- LitRPG, Isekai, or Portal Fantasy- If you're looking for system mechanics, this might not be your cup of teaStatements:This is a decade-long passion project, started in 2015. Visit the official site (link in author's notes) for deep lore dives and glimpses of future seasons.My promise: If Royal Road embraces this story, you'll get all 6 seasons. Otherwise, I'll deliver the core 4 seasons my younger self dreamed of. Chapter by chapter, season by season.I've had great fun creating this world. I hope you'll have fun exploring it....