It is the year 12,020 G.E, and the last Galactic Emperor of the Autun dynasty, Cleon 1, sits uneasily on the throne. These are troubled times, and Cleon must find a way to calm them. Hari Seldon presents his astounding theory of prediction, and the Emperor believes that his future security may rest on Seldon's prophetic powers. Hari Seldon becomes the most wanted man in the Empire as he struggles to keep his theory from falling into the wrong hands.