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.

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