Automaton Stronghold

Lore & Background

Super Earth views these strongholds as the bleeding points in the war effort. Liberating them is not merely about survival but about crippling the enemy's logistical chain. Every fortress destroyed denies the Collective resources needed to build more units, turning each successful extraction into a strategic victory for Managed Democracy across the galaxy.

In Their Own Story

The drop pod shuddered as it pierced the thick smog layer. Inside, Captain Vance checked his stratagem list; the airlock was already hot. Outside, the planet churned with the rhythmic hum of factories, a sound like a dying heartbeat. 'We're not here to tour,' he muttered, grabbing his shield. The ground below wasn't soil but slag and steel. They had one shot to break the factory before the tanks arrived.

Reader's Guide

Automaton Strongholds represent the most fortified sectors of the machine collective's expansion. These planets typically feature dense industrial infrastructure, with massive factories producing endless waves of chassis and armor. The landscape is often scarred by orbital bombardment, creating craters that serve as strategic cover or ambush points for Helljumper teams. Environmental hazards include high concentrations of automated defenses, including Hunter Tanks and Stalkers, which patrol key chokepoints. Unlike organic biomes, the flora here is synthetic or non-existent, replaced by metal plating and energy conduits. The terrain shifts dynamically based on the Galactic War; as Super Earth pushes back, these strongholds may transition from total occupation to contested zones with liberated outposts. Strategic value lies in disrupting production lines. Destroying a central fortress not only weakens local resistance but also halts resource extraction for the enemy fleet. Teams must prioritize orbital strikes and heavy weaponry to penetrate layered defenses. The ever-changing war effort means these worlds can shift from safe landing zones to death traps within days, requiring constant intel updates before deployment.

Did You Know?

• CommaVid was founded by three doctors: Dr. Irwin Gaines, Dr. John Bronstein, and Dr. Joseph Biel.
• The company originally operated under the name Computer Magic Video, later shortened to Com Ma Vid, or CommaVid.
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• Fewer than 20 cartridges of Video Life were ever produced, and a 2003 Chicago Reader report estimated they could sell for as much as $3000.
• MagiCard, a programming tool for the Atari 2600, came with a 128-page manual and was only available via mail order, with only 50 to 100 cartridges produced.