Overview of Martale
Martale is one of the five planets that reside within the Andromeda Sector. Known for its rocky terrain, lush meadows, and dense forests, it was once a thriving colony of Super Earth. The planet’s stony hills, towering coastal cliffs, and expansive bodies of water made it an ideal settlement for humanity, and its biosphere supported both natural ecosystems and agricultural development. However, its beauty was soon overshadowed by war as the Automatons sought to claim it as part of their expansionist campaigns.
Topography
Martale’s surface is heavily forested, with short foliage covering much of the land. The planet’s green auroras paint the night sky, and its large moons provide stunning celestial views. Its varied terrain features highlands, cliffs, and freshwater lakes, creating a diverse yet navigable landscape. Human settlement led to the construction of farms, urban centers, and industrial zones, supporting the planet’s growing population. However, the scars of war now mark the land, with wreckage from battles littering the once-pristine meadows.
History
For much of its existence, Martale remained untouched by war, a peaceful colony nestled in the Northwestern Galactic Region. That changed on April 9th, 2184, when the Automatons launched a large-scale offensive, plunging the planet into conflict. As part of their Western Sector invasion, the Automatons stormed Martale, transforming it into a frontline battlefield.
The Helldivers, attempting to hold the planet, launched Operation Courageous Defense, but despite their efforts, the mission ended in failure. Martale fell, ripped from the grasp of Super Earth, and became yet another victim of the Automaton regime.
With the establishment of the Menkent-Lesath Defensive Line, the Helldivers began to reclaim lost territory, slowly regaining ground in the sector. After securing a decisive victory at Marfark during Operation Cassiopeia, they turned their focus to Martale. By April 17th, 2184, the planet became a top priority for liberation efforts.
As SEAF forces advanced, the Automaton resistance stiffened. On April 18th, with Martale nearly 85% liberated, the Helldivers received new orders—priority had shifted to the Eastern Front, where the Terminids were launching devastating assaults. With much of their forces diverted, progress on Martale stalled, allowing the Automatons to regroup.
Then came April 19th, a day that would go down in infamy. In a cruel twist of fate, both the Automatons and Terminids launched large-scale offensives on opposite fronts, forcing the Helldivers into a desperate two-front war. Recognizing an opportunity, High Command devised a bold strategy—if Martale was liberated, it would cut off the Automaton supply lines to Charon Prime, forcing them to abandon their Northern Garrisons.
Dubbed “The Martale Gambit,” the plan was executed with unparalleled precision. By April 20th, Martale reached 94.4% liberation, just shy of total victory. However, the Automatons, sensing the impending loss, launched a last-ditch counteroffensive, overwhelming both Marfark and Charon Prime, breaking the Helldivers’ supply lines. With supplies dwindling and the enemy reinforcements growing stronger, SEAF forces were ordered to evacuate, marking the failure of The Martale Gambit.
With its defenders gone, Martale fell completely into Automaton control.
Though Martale languished under occupation for months, Super Earth High Command was not willing to surrender it forever. From April to July, the Automatons continued expanding their influence, stretching their forces thin across a massive occupation zone spanning from Vandalon IV to Merga IV. Recognizing an opportunity, the Helldivers launched Operation Andromeda, a sector-wide campaign aimed at splitting the Automaton forces in half.
By July 14th, 2184, the battle for Martale had begun. Progress was slow at first, with only 11,000 Helldivers deployed. However, following the successful liberation of Marfark, reinforcements arrived in full force, doubling the assault force. With the enemy now isolated from its supply network, Martale fell swiftly, and by July 17th, it was officially liberated. The Helldivers had finally avenged their fallen comrades, restoring Super Earth’s control over the planet.
However, this victory was fleeting.
By October 20th, 2184, the Automatons, now reinforced by their elite Jet Brigade strike force, launched a second invasion of Martale. Fresh from their conquest of Matar Bay, the Jet Brigade was relentless in its pursuit of Super Earth’s downfall. Despite putting up a fierce resistance, the Helldivers were unable to stop the Jet Brigade’s brutal assault, and Martale fell once again.
Though the battle was lost, the sacrifices of Martale’s defenders were not in vain—the Automatons suffered catastrophic losses, and just two days later, the Jet Brigade was completely destroyed at Marfark.
Despite this setback, Martale remained under enemy control. As part of Operation Adamant Resolve and Operation Jetclipper, the Helldivers forced the Automatons to retreat to Choohe, cutting off Martale’s supply lines and leaving it isolated. This strategic maneuver significantly weakened the enemy’s presence on the planet, allowing for a gradual, sustained liberation effort. By the end of 2184, Martale had reached 50% liberation progress, a sign that freedom was once again within reach.
However, in January 2185, disaster struck.
As the Helldivers focused on multiple war fronts, the Automatons launched a desperate offensive to reconnect Martale to their network. On January 9th, an invasion of Matar Bay successfully linked Martale back to the Automaton stronghold, undoing months of liberation progress.
By January 14th, as the Helldivers struggled to contain massive Terminid invasions in the East, Martale’s liberation progress fell below 70%, marking yet another turning point in the war. With the Automatons regaining full control, Martale’s liberation was completely reset to 0%, a devastating blow to the war effort.
Dubbed “The Second Martale Blunder,” this tactical failure marked yet another major defeat for SEAF forces on the planet.
As of now, Martale remains under Automaton occupation, its people awaiting the day when Super Earth’s forces will return to finish what they started.
Martale has fallen—but Liberty will rise again.