Vernen Wells

Vernen Wells is one of the three planets that reside within the Hydra Sector. The name of the planet is no doubt a reference to the actor Vernon Wells. Additionally the difference in spelling might be another nod to Jules Verne and H. G. Wells.
Following the establishment of the Menkent Line, the planet would play host to a SEAF Forward Command Base, which would provide fresh recruits and supplies to the frontlines on Menkent and Lesath. However this forward command base was severely destroyed following the Lesath breach and the fall of the planet, although this was thankfully temporary. Due to it's already existing facilities, the planet would be one of the four chosen by Super Earth High Command to be the location of new training facilities, required to process the Billions of able-bodied citizens from across the Federation who volunteered for conscription following the official declaration of the Galactic War on Tyranny. Sadly these facilities were destroyed several days later, during Operation Freedom's Calling
== Topography ==
Nicknamed "The Red Planet", Vernen Wells is an arid, rocky planet featuring great shallow basins, sunken deserts, picturesque buttes and mesas, and rare verdant sections of valley. By and large though the planet is dominated by a series of continent mesas and plateaus, some of which are the size of skyscrapers. This has created an unexpected challenge for Helldivers operating on the planet, as this geography has been reported to obstruct some stratagems.
Iron minerals, and particularly hematite, are responsible for coloring the planet's sedimentary rock layers, which when combined with the planet's seismic instability has created large quantities of dust due to soil surface disturbance. This combined with strong winds has resulting in a fine layer of red dust that covers most of the planet (thus it's charming nickname) which has also been known to clog up both unprotected machinery as well as lungs.
The majority of plant life on the planet consists of dry grasslands and shrub lands, with the arid nature of Vernen Wells also driving the evolution of exceptionally efficient water usage in its various organisms.
== History ==
=== Special Military Operations prior to the Second Galactic War ===
==== Operation Enduring Bulwark ====
In an act of sinister syncronicity, both the Terminids and Automatons launched large-scale assaults on the Federation at the same time. The Helldivers were forced to defend citizens on two fronts at once, stretching their numbers and resources thin, with Lesath being the breaking point. Following the breach of the Menkent line at Lesath, Vernen Wells itself would come under heavy assault by Automaton forces on the 21st of April. Whilst the Helldivers would contest their invasion of the planet, they lacked the numbers needed to a decisive win and could only slow down the invasion.
During the invasion, the Automaton horde were able to knock out the planet's long-range communication arrays which had been used to track our forces across the galaxy. This meant that, unfortunately, High Command were unable to provide updates to liberation percentage and ongoing galactic war progress for the foreseeable future. Super Earth High Command then dispatched expert S.E.A.F. engineering teams, under the protection of the Helldivers, to repair these arrays as soon as possible. In the meantime, some errors and incomplete data would be displayed on Destroyer systems and tracking software.
Communications would be nominally restored in the early hours of the 22nd of April, although by this point significant ground had been lost both on Vernen Wells and across the Galaxy. By the next day, Vernen Wells had been lost despite a valiant defense, and the Automatons were still refusing to let up as they pushed even deeper into Super Earth territory. Never the less, S.E.A.F. and the Helldivers would remain resolute, with the war for the survival of humanity and the Federation continuing.
[ALERT: ENCRYPTED TRANSMISSION RECEIVED: DECRYPTING...]
CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET
MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
DIRECTORATE OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
ORIGINATING STATION: Super Earth Armed Forces Forward Command Base, Vernen Wells
MEMORANDUM FOR: Super Earth High Command
SUBJECT: Analysis of Lesath Breach and Defense West
AUTHENTICATION BY THE MINISTRY OF TRUTH
...
...
...
AUTHENTICATION CONFIRMED: Accessing file
Analysis of Lesath Breach and Defense West
Ongoing analysis by the Directorate of Military Intelligence has confirmed that the eastern Terminid front is stabilizing, whilst the western Automaton front is nearing total collapse. This document seeks to understand why this is the case, beyond higher concentrations of Helldivers.
Discounting the disproportionate deployment of the Helldiver Corps (40 - 60% as of this analysis) as well as difficulties in coordinating such a chaotic defense, success in the galactic west vs the galactic east is largely thanks to the success of the TCS system. The Terminids are unable to advance further into federation space, which has allowed the majority of fighting in the east to be contained to Estanu, Oshaune and Fori Prime (as well as provide a steady supply of much needed E-710).
On paper the Menkent line should have served a similar purpose as the TCS, containing the fighting to Matar Bay, Martale and Charon Prime. However the Lesath breach two days into the Automaton's fresh offensive put an end to any plans of using it as a bulwark to contain the Automatons. Additionally the failure of the Martale Gambit has allowed the Automaton's to spread their forces over a much wider front than anticipated, which in turn has forced S.E.A.F. and the Helldivers to do the same. This has resulted in fighting spreading out over almost a dozen planets in five different sectors, including (as of the time of writing): Vernen Wells, Menkent, Choepessa IV, Meissa, Marfark, Charbal-VII, Charon Prime, Lesath, Chort Bay, Choohe and others.
This has only exasperated the already existing coordination and supply issues present within the Super Earth Armed Forces, with the Helldiver Corps spread too thin over too many fronts to put up any organized defense. Coincidentally the strategy employed by Automaton forces may be accidentally (or more worryingly, purposefully) bares some resemblance to Deep Operation Theory. This is a military theory developed by the Communist Soviet Union for its armed forces during the first half of the 20th century and emphasized destroying, suppressing or disorganizing enemy forces not only at the line of contact but also throughout the depth of the battlefield. (see attached historical document for more information)
Unfortunately the best way to counter at this time is to dig in and weather the storm. Deep Operation Theory will only works with superior numbers and although the situation on the western front is still unfolding, the Automaton's are having to spread themselves over a larger and larger front by the day. Combine that with the millions of losses the Automatons are suffering and the offensive should (Liberty willing) run out of steam eventually. Even so, drastic measures may need to be taken in order to preserve the remaining military strength of the Federation and prevent the total collapse of S.E.A.F. West.
Recommendations for adaptations to strategy and tactics to follow within seven standard solar days.
END TRANSMISSION
Following the Lesath breach and the diversion of manpower to the Terminid front due to the failure of the Terminid Control System, the Automaton Front collapsed, and Vernen Wells would endure a long siege against the mechanized war machine of the socialist Automatons.
=== Second Galactic War ===
The loss of Choohe during Operation Legitimate Undertaking saw the loss of all working MD-17 Anti-tank Mines, alongside the tragic loss of many Super Earth Citizen Lives. As such, production had to be started in an alternate, undisclosed location. Unfortunately, said production could not commence due to a shortage of necessary metals. As a result, Super Earth High Command has issued the order to dismantle 2 billion automatons, in order to harvest their wretched metallic carcasses to melt them and repurpose them into tools for the unrestrained spread of freedom and democracy of the highest caliber physically possible.
Despite falling short during this operation (as only 78% of the necessary scrap was collected), the Helldivers still managed to successfully defeat the Automaton siege of Vernen Wells and secure the planet. Moreover, following the official declaration of the Galactic War on Tyranny, the planet would be one of the lightly-populated planets where Super Earth High Command would choose to construct new training facilities in order to process the tens of millions of volunteer-conscripts who would soon reinforce the frontlines.
==== Operation Freedom's Calling ====
These facilities would be short-lived, as soon after the facilities were constructed, it would receive another assault, but now would count with less manpower than before, as most of it was diverted towards several different planets due to Operation Freedom's Calling, which called for the eradication of 3 billion enemies, regardless of whether it was bug, bot or dissident. The defenses were fierce, but would tragically fall to the unattended Automaton onslaught.
The loss of these facilities would permanently reduce the Helldiver's effectiveness in their liberation campaigns by an estimate of 5%, due to personnel shortages in the rest of the Super Earth Armed Forces.
==== Operation Trolley Problem ====
Following the success of Operation Valiant Resistance and the capture of Database One, High Command has received two urgent requests for aid on planets that recently fell to the Automaton occupation: An emergency distress call from Vernen Wells describes thousands of civilian survivors trapped in the remains of Super Citizen Anne's Hospital For Very Sick Children. Food and water supplies are dwindling. Their survival even this long, after the fall of the SEAF Recruitment Facility on Vernen Wells, is remarkable. Without imminent rescue, they will soon perish of starvation, thirst, or Automaton butchery.
However, intercepted Automaton communications have also identified a large explosives repository on Marfark. Intel assesses with high confidence that these explosives came from Choohe, stolen during the initial Automaton Invasion. These stores are very likely to contain the critical raw ingredients necessary to finally deploy MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines. Time is not on our side. Only the first planet liberated is likely to be saved. The Helldivers were trusted to determine which course of action—rescuing the children, or the AT Mines—will ultimately save the most Freedom.
Ultimately, the vast majority of Helldivers would choose to liberate Vernen Wells and the children first. Following the liberation of the planet, SEAF forces would secure the Children's Hospital, and make contact with the civilians trapped underneath the rubble. The majority of the thousands of trapped civilians — including all 4,311 very sick children — were miraculously still alive. Rescue operations went underway immediately, however long-range imagery also showed heavy Automaton transport activity on Marfark.
Although not exactly a strategically sound move in the short term as the Anti-Tank Mine material has likely been moved far out of reach, it is the morally correct decision. In any case, the federation can take solace in the fact that the future of humanity is secure as the very sick children are en route to Super Citizen Mary's Hospital for Tragically Ill Youths, where they will receive the best care the Federation has to offer.
Their daring rescue has captured the spirits of all of Super Earth's citizens. A crowdsourced fund will pay for the remainder of their care and their military academy training and the children, in an inspiring act of patriotic gratitude, have all signed MOD Form 11 "Intent to Enlist."
Once grown, they will join the ranks of SEAF and carry the torch of heroic valor that saved their lives. One day, perhaps, some of the children may even become Helldivers themselves.
==== Operation Andromeda ====
Vernen Wells would not remain free for long. Shortly after Operation Trolley Problem, the Helldivers would be order back towards the Terminid front, then to the Xzar Sector. Vernen Wells remained free during the whole month of June before falling to an automaton assault in July 8th, in the midst of Operation Starslayer, as the Automatons attempted to divert the Helldivers away from X-45 to try and prevent them from recovering the blueprints for the intergalactic battle station.
However, this would not be the end of things as, shortly after, Super Earth High Command issued a major order with the objective of severing the Automaton front in half right through the Andromeda Sector, with Aesir Pass as its starting point. After Aesir Pass was liberated on July 13th, a liberation force was immediately sent to Vernen Wells.
As of the time of writing, the battle is still ongoing.
== FTL Lines ==
* Aesir Pass
* Lesath - Lacaille Sector
* Menkent
== Trivia ==
After the Helldiver Community chose to save the children trapped on Vernen Wells, Pilestedt (the former CEO of Arrowhead) announced that arrowhead would do the same in real life, by making a donation of $4311 to the charity, save the children.
Thank you from the Children of St. Anne's: https://x.com/helldivers2/status/1801634193941618808
Category:Hydra Sector
Category:Operation Trolley Problem