| “ | Citizens of all ages and Classifications are signing up to serve in what is now being called the Second Galactic War. | „ |
| ~ Strohmann News report |
The Second Galactic War, sometimes referred to as the Second Intragalactic War, the Galactic War on Tyranny, or simply the Galactic War, is a galaxy-wide armed conflict between the 
Federation of Super Earth, the 
Automaton Legion, the 
Terminid Horde, and the 
Illuminate Cult. Outside of lore, the Galactic War is a real-time, live-service game mechanic in Helldivers 2 in which all players actively contribute and interact with an evolving conflict on a galactic scale.
In early 2184, one hundred years after the end of the First Galactic War and the defeat of the 
Bugs, 
Cyborgs, and 
Illuminate, the enemies of Freedom, Liberty, and Managed Democracy rose up against Super Earth. In response, the 
Helldivers were mobilized on a scale not seen since the last war to defend the Federation.
Events prior to February 8th 2184[]
| “ | It is past time we respond to this unprovoked incursion against democracy. The Helldivers are deploying as we speak to strike a number of Automaton Military Installations. These invaders will soon discover the steel of Super Earth resolve. | „ |
| ~ President of Super Earth |
In the lead-up to Operation Valiant Enclosure, the Terminids, descendants of the Bugs from one hundred years ago, now farmed for E-710, broke out of their confined farm worlds and invaded the Galactic East. At the same time, the Automatons, a robotic race who share several similarities with the Cyborgs of old, made unprovoked incursions into the Severin Sector, building a number of military installations. In response to the outbreak of violence, Super Earth mobilized the Helldivers to an extent not seen since the First Galactic War.
Special Military Operations in February 2184[]
Galactic Map on February 8th 2184
The first Special Military Operation was issued by Super Earth High Command on February 8th. Operation Valiant Enclosure's main objective was to create the Terminid Control System, a planet-wide bug extermination network. The first phase of the operation was to push the Bugs back to the Barrier Planets by first liberating all planets between the Umlaut Sector and Super Earth. Heeth was successfully liberated on February 10th, and Angel's Venture four days later on February 14th. With the first phase completed, the Helldivers readied for the establishment of the Terminid Control System. However, with surprise Automaton invasions on developed worlds, the activation of the system was postponed, with Operation Bulwark now taking priority.
Operation Bulwark's main goal was to defend eight planets. The operation lasted for twelve days, with the Automaton Legion and 
S.E.A.F. fighting for every inch of the Xzar Sector. The outcome was just shy of the goal, with seven of the eight planets defended and Draupnir, Ingmar, Pöpli IX, Vandalon IV, and Troost all falling to the Automatons. Operation Veld Containment was the next operation. Lasting twenty-nine hours, its main objective was to liberate Veld, a strategically important planet.
Special Military Operations in March 2184[]
Galactic Map on March 1st 2184
During Operation Veld Containment, Terminid spores had engulfed Angel's Venture, overwhelming the colonial forces. Super Earth High Command ordered the immediate liberation and defense of Angel's Venture and Heeth, so that S.E.A.F. reinforcements could repel the invasion. Both worlds were successfully defended, allowing for S.E.A.F. reinforcements to pour in and stabilize the situation. Tien Kwan is the location of the sole arsenal of Super Earth Exosuit technology. On March 5th, 2184, the S.E.A.F. announced that the EXO-45 Patriot Exosuit was in full production and would be ready for deployment on the battlefield soon. The Automatons became aware of this, and attacked Tien Kwan on March 7th. Operation Patriot was issued, and within 21 hours, Tien Kwan was liberated, and the EXO-45 Patriot Exosuit was now available for requisition to all Helldivers.
Operation Valiant Enclosure[]
After being delayed for weeks, the second phase of Operation Valiant Enclosure was issued on March 12th. The Terminid Control System was to be erected on all planets in the Umlaut Sector. Helldivers were ordered to activate Terminid Control System towers across the sector to eradicate all Terminids on the Barrier Planets. The first TCS tower to be fully activated was on Fenrir III, then Turing, Meridia, and finally on March 15th, the final TCS tower on Erata Prime was activated. The Terminids were now unable to enter the Umlaut Sector.
Following this success, the civilian population expanded, as did new energy demands for FTL travel. In response, Super Earth High Command issued Operation Prime Liberation for the liberation of Zagon Prime and Fori Prime. It was considered a nearly impossible task to liberate these planets, but a method of accomplishing it was devised by the Helldivers. First, Estanu was to be liberated, gaining access to Fori Prime. Crimsica was to be abandoned in favor of Hellmire and Nivel 43, in order to finally reach Zagon Prime. The Helldivers would then liberate Fori Prime, but instead of liberating Hellmire as planned, a majority of Helldivers went to Oshaune to get to Zagon Prime, as it looked like the fastest way there. In actuality, it took much longer to go through Omicron. After Operation Prime Liberation, many Terminid corpses were left behind in the blitz. Civilian Biomass Collection Teams (CBCTs) were ordered to gather and process them, and Super Earth High Command ordered the Helldivers to protect them during the Operation. The Order was easily completed, putting the Draco Sector in Super Earth hands.
Operation Swift Disassembly[]
Interrogated bots had leaked an Automaton plan called "The Reclamation". In response, Super Earth High Command authorized Operation Swift Disassembly, its objective to destroy the Automaton Legion at all costs. This operation consisted of four phases:
- Phase One: Disrupt Communications
- Phase Two: Reduce Non-Sentient Combatant Production
- Phase 3: Hold Your Ground
- Phase 4: Annihilation
A long-range communications array on Troost had been identified sending signals into deep space, and High Command called for its immediate destruction. After the blitz through the Trigon Sector and the array's destruction, it was found to be broadcasting outside the galactic frontier to an unknown something. Also found in the wreckage of the blitz were blueprints for an Aerial Gunship. These blueprints had made their way to Tibit, where the craft was being produced, and the loss of Tibit would cripple the Legion's ability to fight. Helldiver forces would have to go through Ubanea to get to Tibit, which seemed simple at first. However, the Automatons had already attacked Draupnir and were threatening to cut off forces liberating Ubanea. Instead, a plan was created called the "Ubanea Gambit". Ubanea was to be liberated first, with a skeleton force on Draupnir holding the line. Unfortunately, the Ubanea Gambit was ultimately unsuccessful. Draupnir's defense collapsed, causing the S.E.A.F. to lose access to Ubanea. Helldivers blitzed through Draupnir and Ubanea and reached Tibit with hours to spare. Helldivers fought valiantly for Tibit, but the deadline was missed and the Operation was a failure.
Special Military Operations in April 2184[]
Galactic Map on April 1st 2184
Morale was low in the Helldivers Corp after the failure of the Ubanea Gambit. To boost morale, High Command issued a Major Order to liberate Malevelon Creek. The Creek had seen non-stop fighting with the Bots for fifty-four straight days, but that had come to an end as within five hours of the order being issued, Malevelon Creek was freed. But the planet would not see twenty four hours of peace, until April 3rd, 2184; Malevelon Creek Memorial Day.
Phase 3's main objective was to hold all ground previously gained. With the Automatons on their last leg, they had invaded world after world but were now backed into a corner that they could not escape. The Automaton neural network is incapable of computing defeat, so with their last resources, they launched an all-out offensive. Their final offensive was to try and last just a few more days, but they had dug their own grave. Attacks on Malevelon Creek and Ubanea were easily beat back, and not even a sneak attack on Vandalon IV could stop their inevitable fate.
Phase 4 was short and to the point: the annihilation of all Automaton forces. The Automaton Legion, a nation soon to be forgotten from history, now resided on three planets: Maia, Durgen, and Tibit. This scar on the Galaxy that used a non-democratic governmental system over four hundred years old would finally be wiped from existence. Maia was the first to be freed, then Tibit, and finally Durgen. The two months of tyranny in the west had finally come to an end. Freedom reigned supreme as the Super Earth Flag flew over the crumbling remains of the Automaton stronghold of Durgen. The end of the war was in sight.
Now with only one front, the S.E.A.F. only had to eradicate the Terminids from the Milky Way and Managed Democracy would be the sole and righteous ideology in the galaxy. Hellmire, Estanu, and Crimsica were the only planets significant to the S.E.A.F. in the whole galaxy, so all were quickly liberated with ease. Minor communication network delays were detected in the Valdis Sector, but were nothing of importance.
The Reclamation[]
"HIGH PRIORITY BROADCAST. ALL UNITS TO LIBCON 1. FEDERATION UNDER ATTACK. MULTIPLE PLANETS HAVE FALLEN."
This message rang out across the Federation as a massive Automaton invasion fleet jumped into the Valdis Sector. Within hours, the entire Valdis Sector had fallen. The S.E.A.F. scrambled their reserves and all Helldivers were ordered to the immediate defense of the Lacaille and Hydra Sectors. The new Automaton fleet far dwarfed the forces seen in the Severin Sector, as they were evidently a mere vanguard precluding the main force. Sectors burned as the Automatons stormed world after world, and it became apparent that the Reclamation had finally come. The Automaton fleet was now hurtling full throttle towards Super Earth. Super Earth High Command ordered the Helldivers to "slow its advance as much as possible" so that the S.E.A.F. could recover and stabilize the line. Only four of the defenses were successful, with the fleet reaching Marfark in the Andromeda Sector. As the Automatons started to run out of steam, the S.E.A.F., now fully repaired, were itching for a way of getting back at the metal monstrosities. This would come in the form of the Menkent Line; an interplanetary defense line stretching from Lesath to Menkent. The Helldivers could not resist the temptation of such a battle, and within a few days, the line was completed, bristling with orbital cannons. It was widely believed that the Automatons would never risk attacking this line. With the Federation safely shielded behind the Menkent Line, the Automaton fleets decided to concentrate all their forces on Marfark to try and break through and encircle the Menkent Line. They also deployed new Factory Striders to the planet to strengthen their forces, but their efforts were no match for the Helldivers, as the Automaton forces on Marfark were obliterated within days.
The constant defenses again struggled, as the Automatons had depleted the E-710 reserves of the S.E.A.F. As a result, High Command ordered the culling of two billion Terminids to replenish their supplies again. Within twelve hours, two billion Terminids had been slaughtered. This was a monumental achievement which shocked all of High Command, but not all were pleased by this news, as a joint Automaton- Terminid offensive began to encroach into the Federation. The goal of the S.E.A.F. was to defend ten planets. Most of the prowess was in the East with Estanu being defended five times during the operation. However, the West was in crisis. The Automaton fleet had completely shattered the Menkent Line at Lesath and Marfark, stomped their way though Martale, and had made it all the way to Mort in the Xzar Sector, The Automatons even launched an attack on Vernen Wells, knocking out the S.E.A.F.'s long-range communications arrays and preventing the S.E.A.F. from tracking the galactic war's progress. As the communications arrays were returned to operating status, it became apparent that the Automatons had re-entered the Trigon Sector and attacked Ustotu. If Ustotu was successfully defended, then it would be the last planet to complete the Major Order. The Helldivers fought valiantly, and Ustotu was successfully defended, completing the first Major Order of a defensive manner in Super Earth history. Whilst Ustotu was defended with valor, the evidence was clear: the Automaton front had virtually collapsed.
Operation Legitimate Undertaking[]
Operation Enduring Bulwark had extended the Automaton's territory twofold. This could not be allowed, so Operation Legitimate Undertaking was enacted as a multi-stage operation to push back the advances made by the Automatons and retake Cyberstan.
The first phase of this operation was to rescue citizens put in harm's way. Civilians had been trapped on Choohe and Penta during the Reclamation, along with the MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines and RL-77 Airburst Rocket Launcher. Helldivers unanimously chose to liberate Penta, with Choohe never seeing a Helldiver until July. Penta was liberated and efforts were moved to Chort Bay where they continued until the operation was unexpectedly and prematurely terminated; a much bigger threat had emerged on the Terminid Front.
The Terminid Control System had failed. A Terminid Supercolony had been created on Meridia, and three more supercolonies were at risk of forming. Operation Umlaut Firebreak would be the most important operation in Super Earth history: if it failed, the Milky Way as we know it would be changed forever. The first Terminid Control System towers to be deactivated were on Fenrir III and Turing. Erata Prime had over 100,000 Helldivers on its surface when the last tower was deactivated. The Mirin and Draco Sectors were now completely under the Bugs' control, and a Terminid Supercolony was three sectors away from Super Earth.
Special Military Operations in 1-15th May 2184[]
Galactic map on May 1st 2184
Outbreaks of Terminid spores that originated from the Meridia Supercolony landed on many worlds in the Orion and Jin Xi Sectors. Operation Outbreak was issued, calling for the defense of these worlds. Most attacks were repelled except for Acamar IV, which was still under Terminid control. With this defeat, High Command ordered the decommissioning of two billion Automatons in order to receive the MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines for the Helldivers. Unfortunately, this Operation failed, with only small territorial changes to show for the valiant but unfortunately unsuccessful effort shown by the Helldivers.
Second Galactic War 15-31st May 2184[]
Galactic Map on May 15th 2184
Declaration of the Second Galactic War[]
At long last, the Second Galactic War was declared: all enemies of freedom were now officially at war with the Federation of Super Earth. All operations up to this point were only labeled as "Special Military Operations" Now every man, woman, and child would do their part by contributing to the war effort. S.E.A.F. recruitment went up, and the production rates of almost everything skyrocketed. Additional S.E.A.F. Training Facilities were built, giving a 1.5% boost to all future liberation rates.
Second Galactic War June 2184[]
Galactic Map on June 1st 2184
On June 2, 2184, after days of intense combat to secure staging areas and resist massive Terminids defenses, the Helldivers completed Operation Enduring Peace by injecting Dark Fluid into Meridia's surface. The supercolony imploded at 15:25 SEST, collapsing into what appeared to be a black hole — later revealed as a wormhole — and all allied Super Destroyers evacuated via FTL jump before the singularity formed. In the subsequent week, Helldivers secured nearby sectors previously overwhelmed by Terminids, enabling scientists to begin developing the Termicide 2.0, aimed at suppressing remaining infestations — work that commenced immediately after Meridia’s destruction.
Around June 11, the assault progressed into Automaton territory where Database One, a critical Automaton data center on Wasat, was captured. This raid yielded classified intel mentioning terraforming endeavors on Cyberstan and ominous references to “Vessel 00,” “the Nucleus,” and “the Final Collective”. Shortly thereafter, the Helldivers established a temporary FTL warp corridor connecting Phact Bay to Gar Haren around June 13, improving logistical flexibility — though it collapsed under enemy pressure on June 25, forcing a tactical retreat.
In mid-June, scientists reported the emergence of the “Gloom” — a vast spore cloud spawned by Meridia's collapse — in Terminid-controlled space. This phenomenon coincided with observations of a more aggressive Terminid mutation, later termed the 
Predator Strain. This prompted specialised missions to gather data and develop countermeasures. Meanwhile, S.E.A.F. forces were redirected toward humanitarian efforts. Around June 15, Helldivers saved survivors — including children — from a hospital on Vernen Wells, choosing rescue over resource extraction by sacrificing Marfark. Towards the end of the month, advanced stratagems like the “Hivebreaker Drill,” leveraging Dark Fluid tech, were deployed against residual Terminid strongholds.
Second Galactic War July 2184[]
Galactic Map on July 1st, 2184
In July 2184, the war against the Automatons escalated into a full-on campaign to rip apart their foothold in the Andromeda sector. After securing control of Matar Bay, Super Earth launched a brutal offensive designed to sever Automaton territory down the middle. The goal: isolate and destroy every last bot on the inside. That meant launching simultaneous attacks on multiple fronts — Martale, Marfark, Charon Prime, and more — all while under constant threat of counter-invasion. The Helldivers hit fast and hard, forcing their way through enemy lines and liberating planet after planet. The Automatons responded with overwhelming force, launching counterassaults on Matar Bay and Choepessa IV, but were beaten back every time.
Meanwhile, captured data from earlier raids finally made sense, pointing to deeper Automaton coordination, maybe something darker at work. Reports of planetary defenses activating on their own, increased resistance from entrenched units, and what some Helldivers called "protocol errors" in bot behavior started to circulate. But the command didn't blink. Orders came down to clean house, no negotiation, no delay.
By the end of the month, the Helldivers had completely encircled a massive chunk of Automaton territory. The trapped enemy forces, cut off from reinforcements, were left scrambling to hold their ground. And Super Earth wasn't about to let them breathe. Every inch of liberated ground was soaked in steel, blood, and fire. Billions of Automatons were destroyed, tens of millions of Helldivers died, and the pocket they created would set the stage for total eradication in the coming month.
Second Galactic War August 2184[]
Galactic Map on August 1st 2184
Super Earth High Command started the month with an Efficacy Review of the then available Mine Stratagems. To enable this review, the Helldivers were ordered to kill or dismantle the targeted number of Liberty's enemies. If the targeted number was not reached, High Command would specially authorize the urgent addition of Anti-Tank Mines to the Helldivers repertoire. Sure enough, their failure to eliminate the targeted number of enemies using their currently-available arsenal made clear the need for additional weaponry. Therefore, High Command ordered the immediate, large-scale production of Anti-Tank Mines.
Days later, a sudden Terminid wave would overrun S.E.A.F. outer recon posts on the planet Socorro III. Scattered reports indicated the presence of new Terminid variants, and although High Command initially dismissed these as being exaggerations from less-than-elite soldiers, investigation by the Helldivers would confirm the reemergence of the Impaler. At the same time, an unusual interstellar phenomenon would be detected: an interstellar Terminid spore cloud of unusual size and density. This cloud would grown in size by 13% over the next 24 hours and would continued to grow until it encompassed several star systems - eventually being dubbed "The Gloom."
The mysterious Gloom would continue to accelerate Terminid expansion to new planets, even as the Helldivers destroyed the last pockets of Automaton resistance in the Trigon Sector. Ultimately, the Helldivers would successfully wipe out the Automaton pockets and check Terminid expansion, but The Gloom would continue to expand unabated until it occupied massive swaths of Terminid space. All vessels sent into the Gloom, both manned and unmanned, would cease radio contact within minutes, with none returning.
The Helldivers would attempt to procure samples of Terminid organic matter from the planets closest to The Gloom, but a large batch of the samples within the delivery would be counterfeit. This made analysis difficult as the false samples had to be filtered out, with Super Earth High Command ordering the summary execution of the pet fish of anyone who submitted a counterfeit, before being reassigned to Chemical Weapon facilities, where they would be given the opportunity to repay their debt to Freedom with strenuous labor.
The Automatons would then attempt to push closer to Super Earth over the next several days, but would ultimately be pushed back from the sectors closest to Democracy's capital. Unfortunately, efforts to research the growing Terminid spore cloud known as The Gloom would be hamstrung by sorting counterfeit from genuine samples, with Federation scientists discovering little of use to restrict its growth. Now, the cloud encompassed nearly a dozen systems, and showed little sign of slowing - with there being genuine fears that the entire galaxy would be consumed in a matter of weeks.
Not allowing a mere lack of scientific understanding to thwart decisive action, the Helldivers were ordered to deploy in full force to hold back the Terminid swarm with the deployment of every weapon in their arsenal. The Helldivers would successfully exterminate massive swaths of Terminids, including the largest tyrants amongst them, which seemed to have the desired effect of slowing the growth of The Gloom. With the Terminids taken care of for the time being, High Command turned its attention back to the Automatons.
By now the 
Ministry of Defense had finalized preparations to augment Super Destroyers with the capability to fire Orbital Napalm Barrages. However, critical shortages of polystyrene foam and scrap metal would cause production to stall. Fortunately, intel would identify a large Automaton repository of unexpanded polystyrene on Vernen Wells, near the ruins of the destroyed S.E.A.F. base on the planet. Unfortunately, despite successfully liberating Vernen Wells, the Helldivers were unable to secure sufficient resources to rectify supply shortages. Fleetwide distribution of the Orbital Napalm Barrage would be delayed.
Second Galactic War September 2184[]
Galactic Map on September 1st 2184
The start of September would see a massive Terminid outbreak erupt out of The Gloom into the Jin Xi Sector, as well as the outlying Sten Sector. Scientists studying the Gloom would speculate that increased Terminid reproduction within the cloud may accelerate outward spread, even though the cloud itself had stopped spreading. In response, the colonies in the Jin Xi Sector would be evacuated, with the Helldivers managing to hold the line lone enough for the colonists to flee.
Immediately after, the Automatons would launch another brazen expansion in an attempt to steal more territory as well as capture a large repository of titanium on Imber for use in construction of an enhanced strike force. They would ultimately be rebuffed by the ever-watchful Helldivers, who kept the titanium deposits safe.
High Command's attention would turn back to the Terminid front as raw Terminid population levels reached unstable levels, threatening to reach exponentially explosive rates of reproduction. Unfortunately, while the Helldivers were able to reduce Terminid levels, they did so lower than the targeted amount required to fully control the spread of insecticide Fascism. As a result, the 
Ministry of Science increased its projections of imminent Terminid outbreaks, and citizens on threatened planets would be alerted to prepare for evacuation.
Following this, Super Earth High Command would order an evaluation of Helldiver Force Readiness, by ordering the Helldiver Corps to conduct open warfare on both the Automaton and Terminid fronts, with the objective of increasing the total number of planets within the Super Earth Federation. By the end of the week, however, the Helldivers would liberate the same amount of planets that the Federation had lost, with overall Force Readiness assessed as "Moderately Ready." High Command would conclude that overall weapon lethality strongly correlated with an increase in battlefield effectiveness.
Not long after, this construction of the Democracy Space Station was ready to begin, with the Helldivers ordered to liberate Clasa or Gaellivare to secure a construction site for the DSS. Gaellivare would be chosen by the Helldiver Corps, with a DSS Logistics Hub also set up on Tarsh. Additionally, to support the development of new High-Efficiency Alcubierre Drives capable of effectively transporting gigastructures like the DSS, the Helldivers would also liberate Turing to allow the construction of a new 
Xenoentomology Centre.
The Xenoentomology Centre would go on to develop the new high-efficiency E-710 Warp Drives to outfit the DSS, as well as many other vital technologies later in the war.
Second Galactic War October 2184[]
Galactic Map on October 1st 2184
INFORMATION MISSING
Second Galactic War November 2184[]
Galactic Map on November 1st 2184
INFORMATION MISSING
Second Galactic War December 2184[]
Galactic Map on December 1st 2184
Omens of Tyranny[]
Previously thought to be eradicated, the Illuminate returned in a shocking attack on Calypso on December 12th, 2184. All forces were ordered to LIBCON 1, and waves of new recruits and veterans came to defend the planet in Operation Ancient Vengeance, topping at 201,000 SEAF Personnel and Helldivers fighting in the Galactic War on the first day of the attack. Soon after this, a new warbond, Urban Legends, was released, and production of the new Fast Recon Vehicle was started on Achernar Secundus. As gleeful recruits dove to the surface of Calypso in their hellpods, the entire Federation realized that the Second Galactic War had permanently changed course. After three days of grueling fighting, Illuminate forces were finally pushed from the surface of Calypso on December 15th, 2184.
The following day on December 16th, 2184, Illuminate forces landed on the planets Genesis Prime and Mog, prepared to make a permanent foothold in the Milky Way galaxy. Andar, Acubens Prime, and even Achernar Secundus would come under attack in the following weeks, making it clear that they have returned in force to menace Freedom once again, only to find a stalwart opponent in the Galactic Federation, reminding the xenophobic aggressors why their previous attempts at galactic domination failed so utterly.
The Illuminate would continue with cowardly hit-and-run tactics for the remainder of the year, sneakily striking at undefended colonies before slipping back into the shadows to hide. They clearly endeavor towards some larger scheme, but their refusal to stand and fight has kept their intentions hidden.
Meanwhile after novel anomalous phenomena was observed in the vicinity of the Meridian Singularity, astrophysicists from the Ministry of Science discovered that the Singularity is not, as many uninformed laypeople have assumed, a typical black hole. It is, in fact, the first observed instance of a wormhole: a tunnel in spacetime connecting two disparate points in space.
Second Galactic War January 2185[]
Galactic Map on January 1st 2185
Thanks to the Illuminate campaign of terror, the Super Earth Government would unanimously vote to enact the Freedom & Readiness to Enable Effective Defense & Obstruction of Mind-Influence Act of 2184, or FREEDOM Act. The FREEDOM Act would give the 
Ministry of Unity the tools required to keep citizens safe from external and internal threats. The Act additionally authorized construction of the 
Centre for Civilian Surveillance and Safety on planet Mastia.
Days later, the Xenoentomology Centre on Turing would detect a sharp increase in Terminid spore outflow from the Gloom, cascading throughout all Terminid-occupied worlds and greatly accelerating bug expansion. Multiple outbreaks would be detected in the Farsight Sector, with rapid containment becoming the highest priority behind civilian evacuation. The resultant bug expansion would ultimately be fully contained by the valiant Helldivers, although they would have to sacrifice Cirrus in order to save Angel's Venture.
After being shut down during the initial Illuminate invasion, the Democracy Space Station was returned to operational status on the 16th of January, 2185. Following a thorough review, the failure was attributed to multiple failures to follow safety protocols undoubtedly a result of Illuminate interference. While the station was offline, Ministry of Defense engineers implemented a number of operational adjustments. In particular, the Planetary Bombardment Tactical Action would be taken offline and replaced with Heavy Ordnance Distribution as well as being able to move through FTL 6 times more frequently than before.
Near the end of the month, intel from the Staging Grounds for the Automaton 
Jet Brigade on Choohe would be finally deciphered, and the source of the violent unit identified. The Helldivers would be ordered to strike deep into Automaton territory with the objective of liberating Chort Bay and destroying the Jet Brigade factories on the planet, an operation which would prove successful.
Second Galactic War February 2185[]
Galactic Map on February 1st 2185
Angel's Venture was lost to the Dark Fluid-fueled 
Meridian Black Hole. The Illuminate, who were believed to be behind this, were now confirmed in control of the Black Hole, and were slowly pushing it towards Super Earth itself. Angel's Venture, a vibrant home full of democratic citizens, was a catastrophic loss.
A new strain of Terminids, dubbed the Predator Strain, was confirmed as well. These improved fascists possessed a much more dangerous and complex way of attacking, often staying invisible and waiting until a Helldiver turned his or her back to strike. Helldivers, citizens, and all other Super Earth personnel were to remain extremely cautious as more information was gathered from this new strain.
However, scientists discovered a possible fix for the Illuminate-controlled Meridian Black Hole in the form of Element-710. The planets that were once deemed uninhabitable due to the 'Gloom' from the Terminids were now able to be explored by the Helldivers, thanks to improved filter and breathing methods and technologies. The Gloom yielded a new form of E-710, and the Ministry of Science was confident they could take control of the Black Hole back from the Illuminate with this new and improved E-710. The Gloom yielded new forms of the Terminid Predator Strain, some to be unconfirmed but speculated. This Gloom was extremely hazardous and could not be inhaled by anyone without proper equipment, as it was chock full of spores that could prove to be fatal, with possible side-effects to democratic citizens, although unconfirmed.
The Gloom not only produced mutated Terminids but also increased their known presence and capabilities. Bug holes, normally small enough to be closed by an explosion, were being shown as "bile-titan sized" holes, with Bile Titans coming out of them at the regular. The Gloom also seemed to increase the sheer amount of bugs and their lairs, as Shriekers and Stalkers had more lairs on these devastated planets. The Terminids also seemed to have turned prosperous, Super Earth-backed cities into their own personal playgrounds, terraforming these entire landscapes.
There were no confirmations of new forms of Terminids, but rather new strains and abilities/behaviors, but there did seem to be speculation. The 
Ministry of Truth had yet to confirm or deny any of these claims.
Second Galactic War March 2185[]
Galactic Map on March 1st 2185
The beginning of March contained plenty of fighting. The month began with the Automatons viciously attacking the 
Deep Mantle Forge Complex on Claorell in tandem with 3 other ongoing Automaton incursions. This coincided with the Meridian Singularity racing towards Moradesh. The Helldivers delivered a hefty response to both attacks, ultimately losing Claorell but reclaiming it within hours. However, the Illuminate pushed back hard, and with most forces diverted to the Automaton front, Meridia was ultimately unable to be slowed enough to have any meaningful effect. Yet all hope was not lost for the planet.
The Centre of Science on Fenrir III made a breakthrough discovery. Aided by the massive amounts of E-710 secured during Operation Gloom Eternal in February, they discovered that it matched all known properties of Dark Energy. as such, High Command ordered the construction of a good old fashioned millitary blockade around Meridia, using materials from the corpses of freshly killed foes. High Command ordered the Helldivers to kill one billion Automatons and 1.5 billion Terminids, with a focus on Bile Titans and Tanks. Despite the liberation of Bore Rock, with their forces split in two, the Helldivers were ultimately incapable of reaching the goal. However, their valiant efforts gave enough materials to make a partial blockade. Unfortunately, Meridia was not slowed enough, and a few days after the order ended, Moradesh became the second celestial victim of the foul squids.
Fueled by rage and vengeance, the Helldivers were craving action to avenge the fallen planet. And so, High Command delivered by ordering the construction of a Penrose Energy Siphon, a device used for a massive one-time dark energy reduction, to slow meridia. Despite losing the Factory Hub for almost two days causing fuel rations in vehicles, and the return of the Predator Strain on Fenrir III, the insurmountable might of the Helldivers overcame the insects, and Democracy triumphed over tyranny once more. The device was assembled in orbit of Ivis, but wouldn't be deployed as it still required massive amounts of E-710.
But tyranny is, unfortunately, rampant. The Automatons, despite having been repelled from Claorell, had put together a new elite fighting force to replace the Jet Brigade: the 
Incineration Corps, an elite Automaton division using fire to burn thousands of Freedom-loving citizens' homes to the ground. The Penrose Energy Siphon was also awaiting E-710 for deployment, and so High Command decided to leave this decision in the hands of Freedom's defenders. Ultimately, the Operation ended up being a brutal failure, with the Terminid elimination goal short of its mark. Simultaneously, the Automatons had plunged SEAF West back into crisis, stomping through the Ymir, Trigon, Andromeda and Nanos Sectors with a relatively poorly coordinated Helldiver Corps. The Automatons even made it back to the Xzar Sector, reaching as far as Ingmar. With E-710 too low to activate the Siphon and planet after planet lost to the Automaton invaders, the Operation was a brutal failure for the Helldivers.
But the fight was not up. The Helldivers quickly deployed onto Bore Rock, which had been reclaimed by the Terminids, for the aggressive mass collection of E-710 to deploy the Penrose Energy Siphon and, hopefully save Ivis. After days of fighting, the Helldivers secured both Bore Rock, and Esker, which had been released from the Gloom. The device was deployed, and slowed Meridia enough to save Ivis, for now at least. However, it wasn't over.
Super Earth would be the last planet to be destroyed by Meridia if it continued on its current path. However, new models showed that Meridia was close to being slowed enough to save the jem of the Milky Way. High Command announced that if the Helldivers stopped multiple Illuminate invasions, it would lose enough speed to almost guarantee its safety. And the Helldivers answered the call. Within minutes, Helldivers deployed en masse to Illuminate worlds, attempting to stop the singularity before it was too late. And when they succeeded, the planet rejoiced, knowing it was finally safe from the Omens Of Tyranny.
Second Galactic War April 2185[]
Galactic Map on April 1st 2185
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Second Galactic War May 2185[]
Galactic Map on May 1st 2185
After the failure of "Operation: Equilibrium", and the start of the Singularity Party on Widow's Harbor, a massive fleet of Illuminate ships appeared near the Meridian Black Hole, with the ultimate goal of attacking and taking Super Earth itself. After the fall of Widow's Harbor, Pilen V and New Haven, and the total razing of Mars, on May 20th, the Illuminate's "Great Host" descended upon Super Earth, invading the planet.
Super Earth High Command declared a new Major Order, ordering the Helldivers to kill 2.5 billion Illuminate to slow the Great Host advance towards Prosperity City, the Federation's capital. The MO succeded, and another MO was declared, now ordering the Helldivers to sucessfully extract 20 million times in succesful missions against the invading Illuminate force. This MO failed, and one last MO last declared, with just one simple order: Hold Super Earth. Finally, on the dawn of the 30th of May, the Illuminate forces retreated from Super Earth: the defense of the planet had succeeded and the battle had been won.
Second Galactic War June 2185[]
Galactic Map on June 1st 2185
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Second Galactic War July 2185[]
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Second Galactic War August 2185[]
On the 6th of August, the first residents would begin to populate the three Maximum Security Cities (MSCs) of New Hope City, New Aspiration City, and New Yearning City, on the planets Fort Union, Emeria, and Fort Sanctuary, respectively. However, while New Hope City and New Yearning City were far from enemy forces, citizens arriving to New Aspiration City on Emeria could not ignore the Automatons menacing the neighboring Nanos Sector. High Command surmised that the Automatons sought to intimidate Super Earth's citizenry and derail the success of the MSC Project through manipulation of public perception.
As such, the Helldivers were ordered to clear the Nanos Sector of all Automaton belligerents, thereby establishing a secure buffer zone for New Aspiration City. Additionally, in order to prove to the Automatons - and the Federation at large - that their brutish scare tactics were ineffective, the Helldivers were ordered to destroy the designated number of Automaton Conscripts with the Railcannon Stratagem.
Despite initial hurdles, the Operation would prove to be a major success, with the Nanos Sector and a clear message sent to the Automatons through a powerful show of force. Though Automatons were thought incapable of emotion, intel indicated with a high degree of confidence that fear of death simulations had greatly increased in frequency and verisimilitude amongst the socialist collective. More importantly, the citizens of New Aspiration City were safe. With this success, population of the Maximum Security Cities would begin in earnest, as well as identification of future MSC sites and retrofitting of current cities with security upgrades.
However, by now the citizens of Super Earth had endured well over a year of war, initiated and perpetuated by the enemies of Freedom. Whilst their resolve was firm thanks to recent victories and public relations campaigns, even they must be afforded some relief. Accordingly, on the 13th of August, the Super Earth Government would authorize the construction of Tyranny Park 2. However, the tragic sabotage of the first Tyranny Park on Turing and vicious massacre of its staff and a small number of brave citizens was not forgotten. Rather, the lessons learned from its vivid demise were to be integrated into this new facility, which would be safer, larger, and have significantly greater merchandising potential.
High Command would order the Helldivers to Liberate Bore Rock to secure the Tyranny Park 2 construction site as well as collect all required samples to populate this grand and highly controlled park. They were also ordered to cull all designated Titan-class Terminids, to enable xenozoologists to retrieve their eggs with markedly reduced personnel losses. Bore Rock would be liberated on August 16th, with High Command then announcing several expansions which would also necessitate the extermination of Predator Strain and Spore Burst Terminids.
At the same time, the new Helldiver Training Center on Zegema Paradise had become fully operational and was operating at a greater capacity than the former Martian facility. As a result, the rate of Helldivers entering the force now exceeded that of Helldivers exiting the force, leading to a surplus of in-stasis units. To balance these rates and increase the strength of the Helldiver force, the SE Government authorized a historic expansion of the Super Destroyer Fleet, which in turn would require an expedition to liberate Crimsica, to enable the establishment of a new E-710 farm (this time with a nuclear fail-safe).
On the 19th of August, the Tyranny Park Planning Commission would, in light of the Helldivers' recent Charger egg procurement efforts, unanimously decide to diversify Tyranny Park 2's Charger exhibits. As such, the Helldivers' target Charger numbers, although not technically met, would be considered met anyway (this decision was in no way was influenced by the rarity of 'regular' Chargers or a glitch in the central command database of High Command). Thanks to this, construction on Tyranny Park 2 could fully commence.
multiple large-scale attacks perpetrated by the Terminids would strike Turing, Erata Prime, Achernar Secundus and Fenrir III as well as other Gloom-adjacent planets as spore outflow rose to unprecedented levels and continued to grow exponentially. Even when under siege, the Xenobiologists at the Centre of Science remained cool and analyzed the situation, quickly coming to the conclusion that the Terminids were undergoing a massive population explosion. They also concluded that the only way to stop the assault was to incur a drastic reduction in the Terminid population.
Immediately, High Command called all units into high alert and issued orders for 6,000,000,000 Terminids to be eliminated, while also cautioning Helldivers that it was possible that the Terminids would not stop attacking until this quota had been met. However, the sudden withdrawal of S.E.A.F. units would not go unnoticed by the Automatons, who would launch their own invasion on the 21st of August. All analytical models confirmed that the Automaton offensive was wholly dependent on its initial momentum, thus a drastic and immediate reduction in their numbers would break their advance.
A successful gambit on Charbal-VII would temporarily stifle the Automaton advance, but on the 22nd of August a third offensive would be launched against the besieged Federation by the Illuminate. As a result of this coordinated tripartite assault by the mindless enemies of Managed Democracy, a Federation-wide crisis would be declared, with martial law in effect on all planets. Like the other two fronts, analysts noted that the Illuminate appeared to be funneling massive troop quantities to the front lines; thus, eliminating the bulk of them would put a halt to their offensive. However, with the Helldivers and S.E.A.F. stretched beyond operational limits, the Federation was losing ground rapidly.
An Official Statement from the President of Super Earth[1]
Helldiver numbers August 28th (which would continue to rise to 394,000 before the S.E.A.F. servers crashed)
Kill count projections indicated that losses would reach catastrophic levels long before the assaults could be stopped. In light of this situation, High Command would order an emergency accelerated deployment of the new Super Destroyers that had been under construction for months. This fleet would come online on the 26th, with over 300,000 newly-built Super Destroyers joining the active Helldiver fleet, increasing the Corps' operational capacity significantly and not a moment too soon.
Unfortunately, on the 27th of August, Tyranny Park 2 would be threatened by its own insidious inhabitants, as its Charger Behemoth exhibit experienced a catastrophic malfunction, ultimately resulting in the planet's fall by the afternoon of the 28th. Nevertheless, the Helldiver Corps would soldier on, defeating Democracy's enemies in detail one by one. First the Illuminate on the 28th, then the Automaton on the 29th, and finally the Terminids on the 31st. With that, the vile, underhanded Tripartite Invasion had failed and the battle for humanity's survival had been won... for the time being.
In any case, to honor of this unequivocal victory, a new national holiday would be established: The Day of Unanimous Retribution (pending 
Ministry of Prosperity approval). However, this indisputable victory did not erase the devastation the enemies of Freedom had wrought against the Federation, its citizens and their moral fortitude. Millions of citizens were killed, millions more driven from their led-free housing and twenty five planets had fallen into the hands of Liberty's enemies:
Turing, Achernar Secundus, Ursica XI, Gatria, Bore Rock, Terrek, Azterra, Sulfura, Cirrus, Erata Prime, Tarsh, Curia, Fenmire, Barabos, Borea, Duma Tyr, Bekvam III, Charon Prime, Effluvia, Seyshel Beach, Myrium, Regnus, Mog, Parsh and Kerth Secundus. Indeed, all but four planets (Fort Sanctuary, Eukoria, Iro and New Stockholm) on the southern Illuminate front had fallen.
There was no mistaking the catalyst of this three-way invasion: the assault from the Terminids, sheltered within The Gloom, emboldened humanity's other foes to join the attack. A defensive posture was no longer sufficient. The Gloom had to be destroyed.
Second Galactic War September 2185[]
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Second Galactic War October 2185[]
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Second Galactic War November 2185[]
Though the liberation of Oshaune was an incredible triumph, the prolonged campaign into the Gloom would come at a cost as much of Super Earth remained in ruins. As soon as the campaign was over, the reconstruction of York Supreme was ordered to commence posthaste. The last and greatest of the Yorks would be restored to its former glory - and more. However, Mega Cities are spectacular megalopoli, constructed over the course of centuries; the rapid reconstruction of one is a demanding undertaking, and would demand massive quantities of construction material. Fortunately, Andar and Asperoth Prime contained large, mostly untapped reserves of limestone, iron ore, and gravel. Protections for the unique biodiversity and natural wonders that existed atop those reserves were swiftly removed and permits for their rapid extraction issued.
However, soon after, the Illuminate would begin an offensive towards these planets. Fortunately, the Helldivers were able to save both worlds from the Squ'ith's grasping tentacles until vast quantities of raw construction materials had been extracted, and would even liberate Barabos to collect cultivars to replant the last rainforests on Super Earth. As with the restoration of Remembrance, a new name would be chosen for the rebuilt city by a Managed Democratic process, which would ultimately settle on the grand name New York Supreme.
Days later, the Centre for Civilian Surveillance and Safety would release a disturbing report revealing that the planets of Gaellivare, Alta V, and Diluvia were all rife with dissident activity. The infamous November report would send shockwaves throughout the Federation of Super Earth, and a state of Patriotic Emergency was declared. The Ministry of Unity activated its Loyalty Intervention & Enforcement Squads to find and apprehend the traitors hiding in plain sight, whilst S.E.A.F. outworld garrisons were pulled back from outer defenses to maintain order until the crisis could be resolved.
Unfortunately, S.E.A.F. defensive garrisons would be stretched thin by the efforts to quell the dissident crisis, with incursions soon detected on all three fronts. The Terminid assault would prove particularly aggressive, directly targeting the Xenoentomology Centre on Turing. Whilst control of the center would remain secure and fierce, stalwart Helldiver resistance forestalled catastrophe, the enemy would gain ground on multiple fronts. S.E.A.F. garrisons would redeploy back to the beleaguered defenses, but the root cause of this disaster still had to be addressed.
Things would only continue to get worse as the newly expanded Centre for Civilian Surveillance and Safety would find dissident activity on every Federation planet, save Super Earth itself. In response, the government would declare a new war: the War on Dissidence.
With all available military assets being used to root out dissident activity across the Federation, it would be up to the Helldivers to hold the line. Additionally, with dissident holding facilities nearing capacity, High Command would order the construction of a massive, Mega City-sized 
Center for the Containment of Dissidence on Afoyay Bay, which the Helldivers would also have to liberate.
Despite the constant (mis)appropriation of equipment, the Helldiver Corps would accomplish its objectives and the first battle in the War on Dissidence would end in a decisive victory. S.E.A.F. forces, working in conjunction with Loyalty Intervention & Enforcement Squads, would apprehended millions of dissidents across dozens of Super Earth cities, while ground would be broken on the Center for the Confinement of Dissidence. Once built, CECOD will hold up to 15 million dissidents, enabling thorough and secure re-education.
Of course, not all heroes of the Federation wear capes, and on the 29th of November, 2185, S.E.A.F. forces - supported by Loyalty Intervention & Enforcement Squads - would detain 14 individuals wearing tinfoil hats at the Democroffee Café; a clear sign of dissident intent.[2] Major Truth (released from re-education on November 24th) would receive the Medal of Loyalty for his part in detaining the dissidents (who were invited by Major Truth over social media to an all-day idea exchange there) and exposing their questionable “intentions.”[3]
Second Galactic War December 2185[]
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