Overview of Erata Prime
Erata Prime is one of the four planets in the Umlaut Sector, characterized by scorching deserts, relentless heat, and harsh sandstorms. The planet’s extreme climate makes it one of the least hospitable but still survivable worlds in the sector. On February 16, 2185, Erata Prime became the second known planet to be attacked by the Predator Strain of Terminids, following the Helldivers’ victory at Fenrir III.
Topography
Erata Prime is known for its barren landscapes dominated by sand dunes, cracked earth, and jagged rock formations. The occasional dry grass and thorny shrubs provide minimal vegetation, while frequent sandstorms significantly impair visibility. The planet’s high seismic activity causes occasional tremors, making traversal difficult. Despite its inhospitable environment, Super Earth had established research and military facilities, particularly for xenobiology and anti-Terminid measures.
History
At the outbreak of the Second Galactic War, Erata Prime was swiftly overrun by Terminids. However, the liberation of Veld in March 2184 allowed Helldivers to break through Heeth and commence efforts to reclaim Erata Prime.
Recognizing the threat posed by the Terminids, Super Earth deployed the Terminid Control System (TCS) across Erata Prime and the surrounding Barrier Planets. This chemical dispersion network was designed to spread Termicide, an advanced neurotoxin intended to eradicate Terminid infestations while leaving the planet’s ecosystem unharmed. The initial success of TCS allowed Helldivers to secure Erata Prime, ensuring its stability for several months.
However, in early April 2184, the Terminid Control System failed catastrophically. Instead of neutralizing the Terminids, the Termicide caused rapid genetic mutations, leading to a twentyfold increase in Terminid reproduction rates. With Meridia transformed into a massive Terminid Supercolony, the infestation spiraled out of control, overwhelming Erata Prime and neighboring planets. Despite desperate efforts, Meridia’s rapid expansion threatened to engulf the entire sector.
To contain the runaway infestation, Super Earth initiated Operation Enduring Peace on May 28, 2184. Using Dark Fluid—a highly volatile weapon of mass destruction seized from the Illuminate—Helldivers successfully collapsed the Supercolony into a black hole, effectively halting the Terminid advance. Following this decisive victory, Erata Prime was liberated once more as part of Operation Destiny Manifested, enabling colonists to reclaim their settlements.
Though Erata Prime remained a key defensive position against Terminid incursions, its proximity to the Gloom Nebula made it a prime target for future attacks. As the nebula expanded, Terminid offensives intensified, culminating in several large-scale assaults throughout August and November 2184. With Helldivers stretched thin across multiple fronts, Erata Prime fell once more on November 6th, forcing mass evacuations to Cirrus.
Following months of brutal fighting, Erata Prime was finally liberated on November 10, 2184, after Helldivers launched a decisive counteroffensive. However, the planet’s security remained tenuous, with recurring Terminid raids pushing its defenders to the brink.
The situation deteriorated further in early 2185, as the Predator Strain—a new, hyper-aggressive Terminid subspecies—emerged from the Gloom. On February 15, 2185, the Predator Strain first surfaced at Fenrir III, overwhelming its Centre of Science. After 35 grueling hours of battle, Helldivers successfully repelled the Terminid assault, only for the Predator Strain to immediately reappear on Erata Prime.
For 48 relentless hours, Helldivers waged a brutal war against the newly evolved Terminids, facing unprecedented resistance. Despite the Predator Hunters and Stalkers’ enhanced aggression, Helldivers adapted quickly, using their hard-earned experience from Fenrir III to counter the threat. By February 16, 2185, Erata Prime was liberated once again, driving the Predator Strain back into the Gloom and securing the Umlaut Sector’s stability—for now.