In an alternate pre-history, “lightning beams of intelligence” are sent throughout parts of the universe in search of inhabitable planets, two beams land in our galaxy, one on Mars and one on Earth. Think of these beams as ‘fiber-optics of creation’ and within their light comes intelligence and information, much like information is sent through light in fiber-optics.
The BioSynth begin building themselves and evolving, using native materials found already existing on the newly-discovered planets. Earth has hominids. The BioSynth appropriate the hominids in an evolutionary step. These new beings are early representations of humanoids, called “First Figures.” These beings are the builders of the pyramids in this story world. The pyramids are used first for interplanetary communications, and secondly for visual assistance for space traveling ships.
Once the First Figures establish the terra firma of both planets enough for habitation, origin ships arrive, the preservation ships; which are the space-traveling home to the original senders of the light. Upon arrival on both Mars and Earth, life begins to evolve into a near techno-utopian fashion, where human-machine hybrids cultivate the land and live in harmony on both planets. A truly advanced species utilizing the best evolution can offer of humanoids with technology.
At the height of this civilization, there is a galactic catastrophe which renders both planets devastated. Earth is thought to be a dead planet, and Mars is nearly inhabitable though much of the original technology still survives, the surface is inhospitable. As generations pass, both planets are recovering from this galactic trauma, unaware of the others survival. Needless to say, those survivors on Earth continue to evolve. Those on Mars also continue to evolve, but on a much different path.
One day on Earth, after a tribal festival, children are toiling in long forgotten ruins, and one just happens to trigger a relic of sorts, a beacon of communication between the planets. The message is received on Mars. The Mars Faction begins sending reconnaissance missions to Earth, only to find these traumatized early civilizations, who have gathered near and around the pre-existing pyramids and ruins of a once highly evolved civilization.