Overview of Phact Bay
Phact Bay is one of the six planets in the Jin Xi Sector, known for its strategic importance in the fight against the Terminids. Due to its direct connection to multiple key planets, it has been a frequent battleground throughout the Second Galactic War, often serving as a launch point for Terminid invasions. Its arid, desert-like terrain presents unique challenges for Helldivers, as sandstorms and shifting dunes complicate operations. Despite numerous liberation efforts, Phact Bay has repeatedly fallen to the Terminid onslaught, making it a high-priority target in multiple military campaigns.
Topography
Phact Bay is an arid, desert planet, featuring vast sand dunes, rocky canyons, and deep impact craters. Frequent sandstorms reduce visibility, making long-range combat difficult. The planet’s scorching temperatures can cause equipment malfunctions, and occasional tectonic activity results in sinkholes and unstable ground. Despite its harsh conditions, Phact Bay’s strategic position as a key transit hub between the Jin Xi and Falstaff Sectors has made it a crucial stronghold for both Super Earth and the Terminids.
History
For much of the Second Galactic War, Phact Bay has been at the center of intense fighting between Super Earth forces and the Terminids. Its role as a critical junction for FTL travel has made it a prime target for invasion and a constant battleground.
Following the collapse of the Terminid Control System, the Meridian Supercolony began releasing massive amounts of interstellar spores, triggering widespread outbreaks across the Eastern Front, including the Jin Xi Sector. On May 10th, 2184, Phact Bay came under sudden attack from the Terminids, who overwhelmed its defenses and captured the planet with little resistance.
After weeks of sporadic fighting, Operation Destiny Manifested was launched on June 4th, prioritizing the liberation of key planets in the Jin Xi Sector. Following the liberation of Turing, Erata Prime, and Acamar IV, the final objective was Phact Bay, which was successfully liberated on June 7th. With this victory, Super Earth forces temporarily regained control of the Jin Xi Sector.
However, this freedom was short-lived. On June 23rd, the Terminids launched a large-scale invasion, catching Super Earth forces off guard while they were engaged in fighting against the Automatons. Phact Bay fell within five days, forcing Helldivers to return en masse to secure the sector once again. By June 28th, Phact Bay was liberated once more, despite unexpected resistance from nearby Gatria, which had fallen to a spontaneous Terminid outbreak.
For the next two months, Phact Bay remained under Super Earth control, while the war raged on in neighboring sectors. However, on September 1st, 2184, it was assaulted by Terminid forces from Pandion-XXIV, shortly after the restoration of FTL supply lines with Gar Haren and Partion. This renewed invasion marked the beginning of the largest Terminid offensive to date, with Phact Bay facing the third-largest Terminid force ever recorded.
Despite fierce resistance, Super Earth forces repelled the massive Terminid onslaught, only to face a second attack shortly after, forcing Helldivers to split their defenses between Phact Bay and Gatria. After a grueling battle, both planets were successfully defended, ensuring a strategic victory for Super Earth.
However, less than a month later, Phact Bay was attacked again, this time from Partion. After two days of desperate fighting, Phact Bay fell to the Terminids on September 28th, only for the invaders to immediately launch an attack on Darius II from the newly conquered planet.
For the next four weeks, Phact Bay remained under Terminid occupation, as other high-priority operations delayed liberation efforts. During Liberty Day celebrations, a massive offensive was launched, leading to the eventual liberation of Phact Bay on October 29th.
In the following weeks, Phact Bay remained free, but the threat of a renewed Terminid invasion loomed. On December 11th, a coordinated assault from Pandion-XXIV and Partion struck the desert planet, forcing Helldivers to immediately deploy in large numbers to prevent the infestation from spreading to Achernar Secundus. After nearly 24 hours of continuous combat, the Terminid forces were decisively repelled, securing Phact Bay once again.
As the war expanded to new fronts, Phact Bay somehow remained untouched for an extended period, despite neighboring planets falling to Terminid assaults. However, this temporary peace ended in late January 2185, as the Terminids from Gatria and Partion launched another attack. At the same time, Helldivers were engaged in critical operations in the Farsight Sector, leaving Phact Bay dangerously undermanned.
With only a fraction of the Helldiver Corps available, the battle for Phact Bay became a desperate struggle for survival. Although reinforcements were dispatched, the outcome remained uncertain, as the fate of the planet—and the Jin Xi Sector—hung in the balance.