Menkent

"Scorching temperatures, high winds, and low precipitation cause a near-constant cycle of fires to sweep this planet, punctuated by short bursts of lush rebirth between infernos."

- Official Description

Menkent is one of the three planets that reside within the Hydra Sector and is a major FTL hub. Menkent was a lightly defended system thought to be safe from the insidious plague of socialism, until a massive offensive by the Automatons struck deep into Federation space during the Reclamation.

The Reclamation Campaign
Following a massive offensive by the Automatons into Federation space on April 9th, Menkent became a contested front line world. Menkent and Lesath would be where SEAF Engineers would build orbital defences as part of the Menkent Line, key to defending Super Earth itself and the core worlds of the Federation from direct assault.

Although the campaign to take the planet would be brutal with over 45 million casualties, it would none the less be successfully liberated from the Automatons mechanical hands... for about 24 hours as during the liberation of Lesath, the Automatons would counterattack the planet, necessitating a second deployment to the planet. Many Helldivers cursed toasters everywhere. Menkent was secured for the second time later that day in mere hours, letting the SEAF engineers resume their work.

With the Automaton advance arrested, rudimentary orbital defenses were established on Menkent and Lesath, which were then augmented by hardworking SEAF and civilian laborers. Meanwhile, a SEAF Forward Command Base was established on Vernen Wells, providing fresh recruits and supplies to the front.

The Lesath breach and Operation Legitimate Undertaking
Following the Lesath breach however the automaton fleet would bypass Menkent and attack the SEAF Forward Command Base on Vernen Wells, knocking out communications and cutting Menkent off from the rest of federation space, with Menkent being attacked the following day, alongside Choepessa IV and Charball VII. Despite a valiant defense effort, the Super Earth Armed Forces were still reeling and unable to effectively launch a counter attack, with Menkent becoming yet another planet that fell to the Automatons during that infamous week.

Menkent would return to the forefront of the galactic war following the liberation of Vernen Wells, as on April 26th High Command announced the start of Operation Legitimate Undertaking, the first phase of which was to liberate the planets of Choohe and Penta. Both planets were vital to the galactic war effort, however high command acknowledged that only one planet (and its citizens) could be liberated in a timely order.

The first step was to liberate Menkent and Lesath in order to open up FTL lanes to Choohe and Penta respectfully. The majority of the Helldivers attention would be focused on Lesath and then Penta, with Menkent becoming a second front on the way to Choohe. Even so SEAF forces would make good progress towards liberating the planet, especially after more Helldivers were deployed on the planet following Penta's liberation, however the majority of forces would be focused towards Chort Bay, due to the harsh topography of Menkent.

Topography
Menkent has earned a reputation as the "Hellmire of the West", both for it's geography and for its similarly volatile ecology. Dust storms makes visibility beyond a few hundred meters near impossible, whilst the intense heat and fire tornadoes of the planet have taken their toll on SEAF forces. Fortunately whilst the Automatons metal frames might have trouble burning, their internal CPU's, wires and heat sinks of the machines are just as vulnerable... at least when it comes to the less armored machines.

FTL Lines

 * Lesath
 * Vernen Wells
 * Choohe
 * Chort Bay