Overview of Penta
Penta is one of the four planets in the Lacaille Sector and is notable for housing several caustic chemical factories vital for the production of the RL-77 Airburst Rocket Launcher. Despite its strategic importance, Penta has frequently fallen to enemy occupation, playing a crucial role in both Automaton and Terminid conflicts.
Topography
While Penta appears as a lifeless grey rock from orbit, its landscape is comparable to boreal and primeval forests that once existed on Super Earth. However, unlike those forests, Penta’s vegetation is less colorful and sparser in density.
The planet’s foliage varies, ranging from scattered patches to dense thickets, with rocky outcroppings, freezing rivers, and drooping evergreen palms dotting the terrain. Thick fog covers much of the planet, reducing visibility. The only notable natural color comes from violet flowers that grow on strange, parasitic outcroppings.
Despite its chilly climate, Penta is considered more hospitable than other hazardous planets. The atmosphere supports human life, and abundant water sources make it relatively easier to colonize.
Its climate and flora closely resemble that of Nivel 43, making it a valuable settlement for Super Earth’s expansion efforts.
History
Penta became a key battlefield following the Automaton invasion of Cyberstan, which led to the collapse of defenses across the Lacaille Sector. The planet fell under Automaton control on April 26th, 2184, severing its supply lines to Super Earth. However, despite enemy occupation, Penta’s loyal citizens continued to produce and stockpile essential caustic chemicals, ensuring the continued production of the RL-77 Airburst Rocket Launcher.
On April 27th, 2184, following the liberation of Lesath, Helldivers launched a full-scale assault on Penta, successfully securing 90% of its industrial infrastructure. With the chemical plants intact, the RL-77 entered fleetwide distribution, providing Super Earth with a powerful new support weapon. However, many of the chemical technicians on Penta perished before they could be rescued, victims of Automaton chemical warfare. Their sacrifice remains honored by the Federation, their efforts ensuring that Super Earth’s forces remained well-armed in the fight for freedom.
The first deployment of the RL-77 Airburst Rocket Launcher was met with severe technical issues, including an overly sensitive proximity fuze, excessive blast radius, and misuse by Helldivers unfamiliar with its mechanics. While the weapon was highly effective against large enemy forces, frequent friendly fire incidents raised concerns. A revision of the RL-77’s cluster warhead was promised by the Ministry of Science, though Helldivers were forced to adapt to its unstable nature in the meantime.
Despite the success of Penta’s liberation, its freedom was short-lived. Following the failure of the Terminid Control System (TCS) and the eruption of the Meridia Supercolony outbreak, Super Earth’s forces were redeployed, leaving Penta exposed. By May 2184, Automaton forces launched a renewed invasion, overwhelming the Helldiver garrison and reclaiming Penta.
Ever since, Penta has remained under enemy control, its chemical factories now fueling the Automaton war machine. With Super Earth locked in a multi-front war, the fight for Penta’s liberation remains unfinished, as the Lacaille Sector continues to be a battleground for control over vital industrial resources.