Both campaigns take place starting in AF20, an unspecified number of years in the future. Humankind began to view Earth as a limiting factor our development, we looked toward the stars, settling Luna, Mars, and even the Asteroid belt. The more we expanded, the more tensions rose, as distance increased our differences rather than bringing us together.

Though outright war never erupted, brushfire conflicts spotted the known system. But it was only a matter of time. At least, until a technological cache was discovered on Mars. It accelerated technological growth, spiraling out into the known worlds. Research into the cache led to the discovery of the first Pandora gate near the edge of the system.

An expedition of humanity united to explore this gate, leading to a system that had been known, but never understood. Epsilon Eridani, the closest neighbor in our galaxy was discovered and the wealth of knowledge there accelerated humankind's growth into the transhuman era. Old divisions were lessened by this promise, and it seemed that transhumanity would finally push past the petty squabbles that had consumed much of its history. But this was only a brief reprieve.

Over time our nature won out, with greed for power spurring conflict throughout both systems. Into this chaos, the AIs struck forcing transhumanity to the brink of extinction. Our unpreparedness and internal schims left us unable to defend ourselves, and only their own sudden cessation of hostilities saved us. As transhumanity began to rebuild, one would hope that we would come together. But it seems we've learned nothing.

More information can be found at the respective sites for Penumbral Shadows and Thus Spoke Zarathustra.