In 2185, with the relentless assault on Managed Democracy throughout the Second Galactic War taking its toll on Super Earth's citizens' sense of well-being, the Federation Government would conceive the Maximum Security Cities (MSCs) Project.

These cities were designed by the Federation's preeminent security experts to be impregnable to dissidence and Tyranny, with high-definition facial recognition cameras pre-installed in every block and building, increased foot and drone patrols, and dedicated surveillance satellites.

MSC Project

Groundbreaking

Though the dedication of the Helldivers remained unwavering throughout the Second Galactic War, the countless images of Super Earth's cities in flames and the butchery of innocent citizens - broadcast on all news channels - were impossible to forget: surveys indicated that citizens' fears of invasion, disenfranchisement, and dismemberment of loved ones were at an all-time high as of July 2185.

It was for this reason that on the 25th of July, 2185, the Super Earth Government ordered the construction of Maximum Security Cities with ground being broken for the first three pilot MSCs on Fort Union, Fort Sanctuary and Emeria almost immediately. With no expense spared for surveillance and detection of dissidents, these cities were expected to be ironclad bastions of Freedom.

Alongside this would come a public relations campaign, meant to remind Federation citizens that they are protected by the Galaxy's greatest fighting force. The vigorous, spirited efforts by the Helldivers would have the desired effect as their acts of valor began being broadcast to all workplace and home televisions across the Federation, showcasing the inspiring and visceral destruction of Democracy's enemies inflicted every day. With citizen nightmare incidences at a 6-month low, construction would begin in earnest on all three Maximum Security Cities: New Yearning City on Fort Sanctuary, New Aspiration City on Emeria, and New Hope City on the planet Fort Union.

All three of these cities were designed by the Federation's preeminent security experts to be impregnable to dissidence and Tyranny: high-definition facial recognition cameras pre-installed in every block and building, increased foot and drone patrols, and dedicated surveillance satellites are just a few of the state-of-the-art safety features built into these fortresses of Democracy.

Thanks to these features and buoyed by the inspired feats of the Helldivers, applications for residency would skyrocket. All applicants would be rigorously scanned with thorough background checks, ensuring every resident would be as patriotic and vigilant against dissidence as possible. Thanks to the Helldivers, the Federation's citizens were once more reassured that their lives, livelihoods, and way of life was more secure than ever.

First Residents

On the 6th of August, 2185, the first residents would begin to populate the three Maximum Security Cities (MSCs) of New Hope City, New Aspiration City, and New Yearning City, on the planets Fort Union, Emeria, and Fort Sanctuary, respectively. As these trailblazing models of citizenship established their families in these well-guarded metropolises, it was of vital importance that no agents of Tyranny mar the momentous proceedings.

While New Hope City and New Yearning City were far from enemy forces, citizens arriving to New Aspiration City on Emeria could not ignore the Automatons menacing the neighboring Nanos Sector. High Command surmised that the Automatons sought to intimidate the Federation's citizenry and derail the success of the MSC Project through manipulation of public perception, even though their presence in the sector pre-dated the MSC project.

As such, the Helldivers were ordered to clear the Nanos Sector of all Automaton belligerents, thereby establishing a secure buffer zone for New Aspiration City. Additionally, in order to prove to the Automatons - and the Federation - that their brutish scare tactics are ineffective, the Helldivers were ordered to destroy the designated number of Automaton Conscripts with the Railcannon Stratagem.

Despite initial hurdles, the Operation would be a major success, with the Nanos Sector liberated and a clear message sent to the Automatons through a powerful show of force. Though Automatons are officially stated to be incapable of emotion by the Ministry of Truth, intel indicated with a "high degree of confidence" that fear of death simulations had greatly increased in frequency and verisimilitude amongst the socialist collective. More importantly, the citizens of New Aspiration City were safe.

With this success, population of the Maximum Security Cities would begun in earnest. The streets bustled with safe families, more free of fear from dissidents than anywhere else in the Federation. Multi-angle, X-ray & infrared equipped, high-resolution security footage captures evidence of their prosperous lives beyond any doubt. Soon, the cities will be fully populated, but this is merely the beginning of the MSC Project. Identification of future sites is underway, as are plans to retrofit current cities with some of these security upgrades. A bright and more secure future awaits all of the Federation's citizens, thanks to the Helldivers.

Trivia

• While the Super Earth Government has publicized these new cities as bastions against enemy invasion, most of the focus seems to be on internal security and dissidents rather than external threats such as the Automatons, Terminids and Illuminate. Resources would be better spent on orbital guns, hardened bunkers and other defensive structures, rather than increased camera surveillance, police patrols, and scrutinization of their own loyal citizens.
  • While it is entirely possible that the Maximum Security Cities possess real defensive fortifications, their actual effectiveness is likely exaggerated in order to bolster morale and portray an image of invincibility - similar to the Atlantic Wall during WWII. Furthermore, they are likely a metacommentary on governments using external conflicts as justification to erode citizens' freedoms.
• Additionally, the MSCs could be a reference to Closed cities, which are settlements with restricted access due to their strategic importance, housing military, industrial, or scientific facilities. They may be guarded by a security perimeter with barbed wire and towers and their existence was often classified, with residents expected not to divulge their place of residence to outsiders. Historically, the construction of closed cities became increasingly common after the beginning of the Cold War, particularly in the Soviet Union. They remain widespread in Russia and some of the other post-Soviet countries.