The Rictus Sector is an inhabited area on the Southern Front in Helldivers 2. Located on galactic south from 
Super Earth, it consists of 7 colonized systems.
Together with the rest of sectors in the Federation's south, it came under attack in the middle of December 2184, by once thought extinct 
Illuminate. Mostly compromised of small raiding fleets, it seems their main goal is abduction of as many citizens as possible.
History
Second Galactic War (8-4-2184 - 16-12-2184)
The Rictus Sector was one of many sectors on the Galactic South, these colonies remained largely unnoticed throughout most of the Second Galactic War, serving as a safe and democratic home for displaced citizens from across the galaxy. All seven colonies prospered under the banner of Managed Democracy. Until December 16, 2184.
Return of the Illuminate
After the catastrophic defeat of the Illuminate on the Battle of Calypso, and their reconsideration again as extinct, was proved wrong on the 16 of December 2184, when the anti-democratic aliens attacked Genesis Prime, an attack which the 
Helldivers couldn't defend against, but, in a strange development, the Illuminate abandoned the planet, without conquering it, this left the 
High Command extremely confused; it was then discovered that the Illuminate's objective was a "hit-and-run" invasion, and later, that their ultimate goal was to generate Dark Energy to power the 
Meridian Black Hole against Super Earth.
After the Battle for Super Earth
After (another) catastrophic defeat of the Illuminate in the Battle for Super Earth, the xenophobic beings fled in terror to the southern parts of the Galaxy, revealing themselves on Bellatrix, Hydrobius, Haldus and Mog, but the Helldivers couldn't repel all Illuminate Strongholds, and Hybrobius and Haldus remained under Illuminate control, until a catastrophic error in multiple Super Earth's Satellites failed, cutting all connection with various planets on the Hanzo Sector, such as Alamak VII or Heze Bay, planets that will eventually fall to Illuminate, and new FTL Lines were opened from the Hanzo Sector to the Rictus Sector, and this FTL Lines allowed for the invasion of multiple colonies on the Rictus Sector.
Operation Ultrakill
The Illuminate attacked Managed Democracy, with the objective of taking Fort Sanctuary, and to achieve this, they had to invade a lot of planets to reach the Cancri Sector, and unfortunately, the Rictus Sector was the first Illuminate objective. Multiples attacks at Super Earth colonies we're reported, and the Rictus Sector was almost fully occupied by the anti-democratic aliens, expect Iro, that remains as a beacon of freedom in the Sector.
As of early 2186, entirety of Rictus remains in firm grasp of Illuminate
Planets
Control