Approaching the eve of a new century, there was great anticipation for the future of mankind. Optimism flourished as humanity teetered on the edge of the old order, ready to explode into the new. Slowly, however, the darker side of human nature once again manifested itself. The quest for power became paramount to all else; territorial politics and class battles became the cry of the day. Dreams of the perfect world began to fade. These struggles saw many groups fall from the political landscape. Those practicing any form of religion beyond a strict Humanism were deemed heretical and a danger to the State. Many religions that had one time populated Earth were gone or had assimilated into one of various sects of Humanism. Those professing the Christian faith became outcasts. Under heavy persecution, they were forced to practice their faith in secret underground enclaves. Their persecutors were determined to finish the Christian genocide that had begun thousands of years earlier.