In 2026, the Optimum Movement was responsible for the detonation of several nuclear devices in twenty-five US cities killing a total of 30 million people, fragmenting the country and igniting World War III. Believing a foreign power to be responsible, what remained of the United States government retaliated killing a further 7 million and leading to the formation of the Eastern Coalition. The Optimum used the threat of the ECON to reform the US under it's own banner in 2033, suspending the Constitution and only permitting 15 of the 52 states under their control to send representatives to Congress.