We’re playing: Helldivers 2 – Omens of Tyranny
The following article is an official Super Earth document. Deviations of attention will be considered treasonous, and your local Democracy Officer will be notified.
The 2nd Galactic War against the mindless Terminids and heartless Automatons raged on, the enemies of humankind throwing themselves (futilely) against the unbreakable armies of Super Earth. Spearheaded by the heroic Helldivers, the advance of freedom was inevitable…
The date was the 12th of December 2184… and a threat once thought to have been eradicated returned…
The Autocratic Illuminate had returned, a highly sophisticated Cephalopod species (more commonly known as the Squids) whose technology was seen as a threat to galactic peace, capable of destroying entire planets if they so wished. Seeing through their twisted offers for peace, the democratic federation of Super Earth declared war on the untrustworthy Squids. Many citizens were lost to their un-democratic legions, torn apart limb from limb by their merciless soldiers, whilst the squids’ atrocious constructs (powered by barbaric alien AI) laid waste to the labours of Super Earth. All this was directed by the corrupted Illuminate high council whose sole purpose was the destruction of freedom. Yet they were no match for the bravest, strongest, most obedient heroes of humankind. With a will only matched by that of Lady Liberty, the Illuminate were crippled. In an act of mercy and justice, Super Earth offered the opportunity for unconditional surrender, which the Illuminate were suspiciously swift to accept. Confiscating their destructive technology for peacekeeping purposes was not enough, however, as their mere existence almost guaranteed a chance for resurgence against Super Earth. Declared war criminals, the Squids were hunted down, making their last stand on their homeworld Squ’bai Shrine. Their technology was used to great effect, from efficient Alcubierre warp drives to the wonderous dark fluid (which was used to neutralise the Terminid Supercolony on Meridia). Little did humanity know of a nefarious plot ready to spring out of the shadows…
The Illuminate have returned, but their autocratic intentions remain shrouded in mystery. To compensate for the losses suffered in the 1st Galactic War, the Squids turned to transforming the defenceless colonists of Super Earth into the wretched Voteless, zombies devoid of democratic intent. These unfortunate souls are shepherded by the malicious Overseer caste, the Illuminate’s elite, utilising advanced weapons such as plasma rifles, personal energy shields, jetpacks and staves that shoot lasers. These monsters are reinforced with two cruel machinations – The Watcher drone pierces through all material, searching for citizens to abduct, whilst the three-legged Harvester combs the streets of former colonies, purging anyone who survived the initial Illuminate invasion. The citizens that survive the onslaught face impending doom and slavery at the cold hands of the squids…
To make matters worse, a new strain of Terminid has emerged. The cowardly predator strain ambushes the brave soldiers that defend the frontier, tearing them apart unseen, never to visit the voting ballots again. Taking advantage of this chaos, the Automaton collective developed two bloodthirsty legions – a new Jet Brigade using the jump packs of fallen helldivers besieges the Western frontier, alongside the pyromaniacal Incineration Corps. The two armies destroyed valuable Super Earth property, with only the Helldivers standing in their way. By tackling the Illuminate menace, they halt a seemingly unstoppable advance. To the horror of Super Earth’s citizens, the Squids attempted to draw the black hole created by the Helldivers to destroy the Terminid Supercolony of Meridia towards Super Earth, using a liberty-forsaken rite using the bodies of countless Voteless. This catastrophic turn of events resulted in the destruction of three planets: Angel’s Venture, Moradesh and Ivis, alongside billions of Class B and below civilians. Four months of fighting to preserve peace finally saw the wrangling of the Merida Singularity, despite the Squids’ pathetic attempts to thwart the unstoppable tide of prosperity. With everything dedicated to this fell play, the Illuminate war criminals were in chaos as SEAF put down the last stragglers of their corrupt cult. Now begins the trivial task of restoring order to the Milky Way, and who better to do it then our noble caped saviours, the Helldivers?
Better, stronger and more democratic than ever, the Helldiver Corps is the valiant tip of the spear that will drive the Illuminate back to the verge of extinction. Now with an increased budget, they shall dismantle the despicable Automatons and recapture the rampant Terminids. With new weapons, aerial support and recruits, humanity will persevere through this time of disarray. We have the munitions. We have the ships. But what we need right now are new recruits!
See vibrant new worlds in dire need of liberation!
Introduce our enemies to our… peaceful way of life.
Protect our way of life from our enemies!
Become a hero!
Become a legend!
Become…
WARNING: SPACETIME RUPTURES DETECTED
ILLUMINATE FLEET DETECTED
DESIGNATION: GREAT HOST
THREAT LEVEL: EXTREME
TARGET: SUPER EARTH
ALL HELLDIVERS MOBILISE
In a shocking turn of events, the Illuminate have finally revealed the full extent of their military might. Taking advantage of celebrations hosted in the wake of their vanguard’s defeat, the Illuminate armada emerged from the inky depths of the Meridia Singularity at approximately 14:22 Hours Super Earth Standard. The fleet (designated as The Great Host) has begun a ghastly path towards the heart of Democracy itself… Super Earth. All civilians aged over 12 have been directed towards the nearest recruitment centres. Whilst defences are prepared, the Helldivers are ordered to slow the Illuminate advance at any cost. In the depths of unknown space, the Illuminate cult have designed new weapons of war, biological and technological. In an act of insanity, Illuminate scientists have created the abominable Fleshmob, a shambling concoction of Voteless fused together into a destructive force of terror. And whilst their Overseers remain ever present, a new member has bolstered their Autocratic ranks. The Crescent Overseer holsters a powerful plasma canon, with the ability to destroy all cover a soldier of freedom may hide behind. Though inferior compared to the Ministry of Defence’s mighty Eagle Fleet, the Illuminate now contest the skies with the lightning-fast Stingray. This blindingly swift futuristic fighter jet unleashes a torrent of acidic plasma bolts, bombarding any unfortunate soul within its patrol range.
Despite these odds, the Helldivers remain unyielding in face of the enemies of Democracy. Now go, defend prosperity, defend freedom and defend Super Earth…
FOR DEMOCRACY!
Thomas C, Year 12