Troost

"The lifeless grey of this planet is interrupted only by the violet flowers that grow from strange, parasitic outcroppings."

- Official Description

Troost is one of the five planets that reside within the Trigon Sector. The planet once housed an automaton long-range communications array, the capture of which would reveal critical intelligence about the enemy's plans.

Operation Swift Disassembly
Following the successful liberation of Troost during the first phase of operation Swift Disassembly, the Automaton communications array was decommissioned. Strangely however, it appeared that the array was broadcasting outside of the Galactic Frontier. Super Earth's intelligence analysts salvaged what they could to determine more, but unfortunately much of the data was already deleted.

One transmission that was salvaged however did contain the blueprints for a new Automaton type: aerial gunships. Thanks to this advanced warning, the hardworking factory laborers of Super Earth were able to accelerate production of new anti-air weapons.

Only weeks after the liberation of Troost was it discovered that the Automatons were communicating with their main fleet, which was preparing a surprise invasion of the Valdis Sector.

Topography
In terms of topography, Troost is very similar to Penta and Nivel 43 in terms of both plant life and geography. Interestingly all three planets are even home to similar species of violet flowers that grow from strange, parasitic outcroppings; whether there is some sort of correlation is currently under investigation by Federation scientists. The Automatons likely choose Troost as their communications hub because of it's location on the edge of the galactic rim, as well as it's grey fog covered surface more easily concealing the automatons facilities from orbital observation. An assumption which cost them dearly...

FTL Lines

 * Vandalon IV