Helldivers 2: A brief history of the galactic war
MANDATORY VIEWING
Greetings, fellow democrats! The federation of Super Earth has for so long existed in peace and harmony for hundreds of years. Now however, enemies of democracy seek to undermine this hard-won peace. For those of you who can, take up arms and fight back against the bugs and bots that threaten our voting rights! But to those of you who pitifully watch from the sidelines or are newly recruited, here is a brief history of the galactic war (galactic map at the bottom of the page, with galactic sector borders included). And remember, even now, true patriots of Super Earth fight for your continued freedom… and will continue to do so, no matter the cost.
On February 8, 2024, the Terminids escaped the E-710 oil farms scattered through the Orion Sector. The Helldiver corps was first deployed in a gruelling campaign trivial pest control operation. The size of the infestation, however, was greatly miscalculated, with the Draco, Mirin and L’estrade sectors soon falling in the following hours. Thankfully, a real challenge presented itself, when the Automatons of Cyberstan declared formal independence from Super Earth. This slander against our Democracy would not stand, and in turn declared war on the Automaton menace. Small skirmishes began in the Severin Sector. In response, the bots seized control of the Maia, Durgen and Tibit sectors. Fighting continued into the next month, with sectors of space being wrestled back and forth. The Automatons in the second week of the war, deployed a surprise attack upon 8 Super Earth border planets, bringing massive loss to Super Earth assets and property, sparking many angry complaints from loyal citizens. A stalemate had presented itself on the Automaton front, whilst the Helldivers had gained significant against the Termanids, liberating the Orion sector in less than a week. On May 1, a Major Order was ensued to all Super Earth Armed Forces (S.E.A.F) to continue the campaign against the Termanid hive to prevent bug spores from presenting a greater threat to our loyal citizens. Naturally, the Helldivers rose to the challenge, combating the new Termanid beasts that arose from the foul hives. A greater threat loomed over the horizon. 6 days later, the Automatons showed signs of amassing their forces. The courageous Helldivers refocused their efforts, concentrating most particularly on the infamous Melevelon Creek. Over 10% of Super Earth’s force endured weeks upon weeks of intense fighting, with no indication of stopping. Helldivers deployed at the Creek were nicknamed “creekers” for good reason. The malevolent planet was also known as another name to honoured veterans…
Space Vietnam.
With the increased threat from both fronts, more democratic detonation where required. Long had there been rumours of a secret weapon being developed in the womb of Managed Democracy. The Exo-45 PATRIOT EXOSUIT. And yet again on March 7 the foes of Super Earth moved to stop the galaxies last line of offense. The Socialist bots unjustly occupied Tien Kwan, temporarily halting Exosuit production. In response the Divers laughed and loaded up their 500kg bombs. The very next day S.E.A.F forces annihilated the bot menace, gaining the edge needed to finally strike at the heart of the steel snake. In preparation for the offensive campaign, Super Earth scientists devised an ingenious solution to protect previously occupied Terminid worlds. Introducing Termicide, a chemical which conveniently is 98.8% lethal to Terminids. S.E.A.F forces swiftly deployed to the Umlaut sector to secure the newly founded Termanid Control System, easily providing a bulkhead to our valiant soldiers. With the Terminids contained for now, Super Earth high command initiated Operation: Swift Disassembly, a necessary retaliation in response to an impeding Automaton assault on Super Earth (gleaned from advanced interrogation techniques used on captured Automaton prisoners)
In less than a week, Operation: Disassembly was a major success! The Automatons were driven out from the known galaxy. Humanity celebrated, for the bot menace had been eradicated and the Helldiver Corps could finally focus on the Termanid front… or so we thought.
2 days later, the easy Automaton opposing was little more than their vanguard. Thousands upon thousands of Automaton ships appeared out of FTL space and seized control of the Ymir, Valdis, Andromeda, Hydra and Lacallie Sector. To make matters worse, the bots had seized their home planet of Cyberstan, freeing their cyborg master’s from their righteous service in the mines beneath the planets surface. The following month would see the Automatons being held back whilst necessary evacuations commenced. The Menkent line was quickly established, a gathering of defensive planetary orbital defence platforms and Super Destroyers that would swiftly annihilate the impeding Automaton fleet. This massive mobilisation of Super Earth resources however would greatly deplete E-710 reserves. Requiring more Termanid biomass than usual, an estimated 200,000,000 (2 billion) Terminids would have to be harvested. Remarkably, the Helldivers completed this Major Order in under 12 hours, the fastest operation in all of Super Earth’s history. Though many Terminids were slaughtered, a great tragedy was about to unfold.
The Terminid Control System… had failed.
The Terminids had developed a resistance against the Termicide and had begun to use it as a faster method of reproduction. The Helldivers swiftly deactivate the TCS, but the damage had been done. Meridia was declared unsalvageable as it had been terraformed (or in this case Termiformed) into a Tyrannical Super-colony, and Terminid spores from the godforsaken planet had already begun to drift towards Super Earth controlled space. With the enemies of freedom closing in from all sides, things finally started to get serious.
On day 97, the Second Galactic War was declared. All conflicts and assaults in the past were recognised as special operations. Now all men, women and children under the age of 7 would contribute to the war effort. The war is ongoing and will not stop until all enemies of Freedom and democracy are wiped from the face of the galaxy and beyond.
In light of these recent events, the threat of the Meridia Super-colony was undeniable. The nuclear option was no longer available, as the Termanids had dug their hives into the core of the planet, so the decision was made.
Meridia had to be destroyed… entirely.
Thankfully, the Ministry of Science had been experimenting with a barely fully understood alien weapon, Dark Fluid. Seized from the oppressive Illuminate species at the end of the first Galactic War, though advanced, this weaponised liquid capable of spaghettification on a grand scale. Helldivers were deployed onto the surface of Merida to injected the Dark Fluid into the tectonic crust of Meridia, named Operation: Enduring Peace. In 4 days, 41 million Helldivers were lost on the infected surface of Merida, yet their necessary sacrifice was worth it. The sun set one last time on Meridia, and at 15:25 SEST time on June 2nd 2184, Meridia was the first planet in galactic history to be destroyed to the last Terminid spore. All Super Destroyers were forced to commence emergency FTL jumps back to Super Earth. Upon returning, Helldivers saw instead of an effigy against democracy, a beautiful symbol of hope and freedom. A black hole now stands as a testament to the fallen soldiers whose life now secures the future of Super Earth
At the time of writing, the Galactic War against oppression and Tyranny continues. The brave and obedient Helldivers will continue the fight… but are you doing your part?
Are you ready to stand up for Freedom?
Are you ready to stand up for Liberty?
Will you fight… for Democracy?
Then what are you waiting for, stop reading this patriarchal article and get out there!
Join the Helldivers today!
Thomas C, Year 11, Melevelon Creek Expeditionary Force, Commander of the Sword of Freedom