LV-698 'Baja'

Baja is a volcanic jungle world rich in a rare material called Baja Blast. The planet is known for its towering red-topped trees that reflect the light of the planet’s red star, Iwa. The closest industrial system to Iwa is the Sancere system, which further processes the harvested material shipped off world. 
==Lore==
Discovered in the 2170's after a commercial vessel stumbled upon the world, the planet was subsequently surveyed by the Weyland-Yutani corporation in 2172. Baja was surprisingly found to be hospitable to human life, and plans to colonize the planet were started almost immediately. 
Colonists successfully established Matthews Colony in 2180. Research teams quickly identified a rare shale oil material located on the planet known as 'Baja Blast', which was found to be an ideal fuel for advanced hyperdrive engines. Efforts to extract and refine the planet’s Baja Blast supply began quickly and by 2190 a full scale mining operation had been established on the surface, with a refinery located on world.
The success of the colony attracted the ire of the Union of Progressive Peoples, who began funding, equipping, and transporting insurgent groups onto the planet, the most prominent among them becoming known as the Baja Rebel Front (BRF). 
===Mobilization===
The United Americas, unwilling to allow their promising new spacecraft fuel to fall into the hands of the UPP, deploys the 18th Marine Assault Unit following the conclusion of the Arachthos campaign. The 18th MAU sets up their forward operating base, FOB Paxton, near Matthews Colony. Patrols by the 18th MAU reveal the existence of a xenomorph hive deep within the central mountain range, responsible for many of the reported disappearances within Matthews Colony which were previously blamed on the BRF.
==Topography==
Baja has a diverse environment that can be categorized into 4 main biomes: lava fields, swamp forest, mountains, and plains.
===Lava Fields===
The Lava Fields of Baja, sometimes referred to as "Deadlands" or "The Deadlands", are one of the 3 main biomes of Baja. The Lava Fields, as the name would suggest, are home to the nearby dormant volcanic activity. The terrain is characterized by its black sand beaches and basalt fields dotted with protruding rock formations and ravines. 
Notably, this area houses an important refinery and quarry responsible for extracting and refining raw Baja Blast. 
=== Swamp Forest ===
Flanking the lava fields are a dense swamp forest with towering red-topped trees. The roots of the giant trees are heavily embedded into the volcanic rock subsurface, which is largely pockmarked with holes and crevices. This rock serves as an excellent anchor for the extensive root networks of the trees, which are commonly waterlogged due to the patches of water inside the forest. A river delta adjacent to the swamp forest provides the area with fresh water. 
The swamp forest is home to the spire structure, which is theorized to be an extinct volcano.
===Mountain Range===
Baja’s Mountain Ranges are formed by excessive tectonic activity, with additional rock formations being added through active volcanism taking place in the nearby lava fields. As a result, the mountains are mostly hollow due to cooling and receding magma channels. An extensive cave system has been mapped throughout the mountain range, and small crevices in the mountains serve as safe spots for BRF equipment and personnel evading Marine patrols.
It also houses the highest point on Baja, Mount Cravitus. The Weyland-Yutani Corporation maintains a small presence in this area with a covert bunker laboratory, used to conduct unknown research. Notably, this area also houses the strategically important Relay Station, adjacent to Mount Cravitus. Sitting at a high terrain point, the relay is capable of transmitting communications planet-wide. 
===Plains===
Not unlike the steppes of Earth, Baja’s plains can be described as windswept, with rolling hills in every direction. The plains give way to heavy vegetation and foliage compared to other areas on the planet. Of particular note here is the important Matthews Colony, which houses a small population of colonists. The plains are also home to FOB Paxton.
== Layout ==
Baja has served as USCM's primary patrol and raid map since it was released in 2192, after being worked on for years by the development team. Designed by Fox6095, it features a day and night cycle, xeno swarms within the cave systems, and 5 control points to be fought over. There are also several Easter eggs to be discovered which are scattered across the map. Baja is categorized by the USCM as a 'hard' raid map, in part due to its size and complexity, and due to it requiring a large raiding force for success to be achieved. 
=== Points of Interest ===
Baja has 5 control points for both sides to fight over. When a raid is activated each point controlled will give 2 points roughly every minute. The first team to reach 100 points wins the raid. 
==== Matthews Colony (M) ====
A colony right next to FOB Paxton with a control point located in the operations room. The colony features a destructible power generator, several ammo crates, and a landing pad. The colony is also the end point for a mysterious Easter egg on the map. 
==== Hill (H) ====
A large plateau located to the east of Matthews Colony, with several crashed MH-93's located next to the control point.
==== Relay Station (R) ====
A radar and communications outpost established in a crevice between Mount Cravitus and Kojima Ridge. Capturing the radar next to the control point grants whatever team that controls it the luxury of 2 additional respawn points around the map.
==== Spire (S) ====
A massive rock spire, resembling a termite mound, with a small complex and landing pad located next to it. Spire controls an important roadway leading from the raider spawn to the Northern section of the map.
==== Refinery (R) ====
A refinery on the easternmost part of the map, made to refine Baja Blast. The refinery can be blown up if all of the tanks on its exterior are destroyed, which will lead to a nuclear explosion that wipes out most of the map and USCM vehicles having their respawn times increased.
== Brimwood Relay ==
=== Lore ===
The Brimwood Relay is located inland on a continent several hundred kilometers away from the major colony and refinery on Baja. 
The relay is utilized as a signals intelligence (SIGINT) facility and a communications retransmission site between worlds in the furthest reaches of the Spinward outer rim territories. Brimwood, in essence, plays ‘telephone’ for remote worlds that cannot establish contact with Earth. Collecting information from passing UPP ships in order to predict their deployments is the most important aspect of gathering SIGINT. 
Brimwood relay is staffed by a small Marine detachment tasked with maintaining the sensitive antenna structures and protecting it from sabotage. The facility is protected by a large defensive wall topped with observation posts, and is resupplied by a singular dropship pad at the rear of the station. 
Power for the facility is supplied by a geothermal plant which harvests energy from the nearby springs. Explorations into the subterranean environment around the relay uncovered an extensive cave system, although it is engulfed with toxic fumes generated by the excessive geothermal activity. 
Category:Planet
Category:Locations