The Optimum Movement was a political and terrorist organization on mid-21st century Earth, the aggressor during the Optimum Conflict, one of many global conflicts collectively known as World War III. Describing themselves as eco-terrorists, the movement was created and led by Colonel Phillip Green, biased on the philosophy of survival of the fittest.
A series of nuclear devices are detonated in 25 US cites, killing 30 million people and fracturing the country. Not knowing at the time is that these attacks were committed by members of the Optimum Movement, the remains of the United States government and its allies declare war, launching a counter strike that kills a further 7 million people and beginning World War III.