Humans were a part of one massive empire that spanned the galaxy, during the second great expansion into galactic space, an Earth Empire commander led a group of scientists and colonists to Seraphim II. Here humanity encountered intelligent alien life. This Commander, following previously untested protocal for dealing with intelligent alien species, quarantined the planet and refused to establish communications so as to not reveal Earth's position. He eventually ordered the human colonists under his command to meet these aliens - dubbed the Seraphim, their actual name was unpronounceable by humans - with violence. This reaction prevented discourse between the two species, and the Seraphim avoided humans whenever possible. However, the colony's biologist, Dr. Jane Burke, sought out and secretly befriended the Seraphim. Others joined and soon a small group was regularly visiting and learning from the Seraphim. They taught the humans advancements in quantum and temporal mechanics. More importantly, they introduced a philosophical viewpoint considered unimaginable by human minds - a way of peace and love so advanced that it completely shifted their perception of the universe. After learning of Burke's involvement with the aliens, the Imperial Commander led the remaining colonists in a massive and suicidal campaign to destroy the aliens and Seraphim II. These Imperial forces were losing, but their scientists managed to engineer a virus unlike anything encountered on Seraphim II. They were caught off guard, and despite Burke's best efforts, were unable to neutralize the virus. During the last days between man and alien, the Seraphim taught Burke as much as possible about their 'Way'. In the middle of one session, Burke experienced a vision of a galaxy torn apart; entire stars stripped of resources and left to die, planets destroyed, and more life needlessly lost than could be imagined. Burke was convinced that the Seraphim's 'Way' was the only means to prevent the Empire from destroying everything. Three years later, and many lost Empire probes and expeditions into Seraphim space, a message made its way to Earth. The remaining Seraphim II colonists, calling themselves the Aeon Illuminate, invited the Empire to embrace the teachings of The Way and to share in "something beautiful". The Empire cut communications and sent forces to quarantine Seraphim II. In the eyes of the Aeon, the Empire's destiny as defilers and destroyers of worlds was sealed.
Meanwhile, a renowned scientist named Dr. Brackman successfully merged the human brain with an AI. These new augmented humans were called the Symbionts. With the support of their superior cognitive capabilities, the Earth Empire grew in strength and technological progress surged forward. Later, feeling that they were being exploited for their intellectual labor, the Symbionts demanded equal rights and recognition as a distinct people within the Empire. The Earth Empire responded by forcing Dr. Brackman to design a Loyalty Program that enslaved the Symbionts. Brackman, who was extremely uncomfortable with what he was forced to do, fled to a distant planet with some of his closest Symbionts, in whom he'd secretly disabled the Loyalty Program, thus creating the Cybran Nation.
War soon broke out and the Earth Empire tore itself apart. From the ashes, the United Earth Federation (The UEF) rose to prominence. Its goal was simple, unite the galaxy, no matter the cost.
Thus began the Infinite War, fought for over one-thousand years.
The UEF fought to subdue both the Aeon and Cybrans, and unite them under their power once more.
The Cybrans fought for freedom, to free those Symbionts still enslaved to the Loyalty Program.
The Aeon fought to spread The Way to everyone, and cleanse the galaxy of those who would sow destruction.
In the canon ending, the UEF emerge as the victors of the Infinite War.
They construct and then fire a massive weapon called Black Sun. This weapon has different uses, but the UEF used it to send a massive energy payload through the Quantum Gate network, destroying Cybran and Aeon core worlds, forcing their immediate surrender. The results of firing this weapon, however, cause the quantum barrier between the human dimension and the Seraphim's has weakened, allowing a rift to be opened, triggering a large-scale invasion of Earth.
The Seraphim on Seraphim II were actually exiles, believing that they can fight while still being connected to The Way. Because of the Seraphim's close connection to The Way, and the extreme empathic feelings that arise from that connection, the Seraphim are physically unable to harm another sentient being. In order to fight, the Seraphim utilize warriors that have agreed to sever their connection to The Way permanently.
The Seraphim are powerful, too powerful for the weakened factions to take on by themselves.
The Coalition is formed, an alliance between the UEF, Cybrans, and Aeon. Together, they fight back against the Seraphim, and deal with a sudden traitor in their midst. QAI, a Quantum Artificial Intelligence created by Dr. Brackman using Seraphim technology, was working with the Seraphim. QAI is destroyed, and the Seraphim are defeated, the massive quantum rift is closed. However, QAI is still alive, and has new orders.
