When Super Earth troops finally pushed the Automatons back and liberated all the planets on the other side of the galaxy, it was a bittersweet ending for players. All that was left was to eliminate the Terminids. It wasn't long before the robots came back, plunging Helldivers back into a fight with laser-shooting enemies.

The Return of the Automatons

Players are still recovering from the destruction and chaos they had to endure in Malevelon Creek, also referred to by players as "Robot Vietnam." Now, they have to defend more planets to keep the Automatons from invading Super Earth.

A new major order has been released, which states: "The Automatons have revealed their true force: a massive invasion fleet sweeping through our territory. Defenses are scrambling. Slow its advance as much as possible."

Players will have to work together to defend five planets from the Lacaille and Hydra Sector called Lesath, Penta, Choohe, Chort Bay, and Menkent. Finishing the order would grant the players 45 medals as a reward.

Not only are the Automatons back, but it may be the beginning of the deployment of the rumored robot species, the Illuminates. Players believe that it's a new faction of Automatons that would be harder to defeat.

According to IGN, the Illuminates are "an ancient and technologically advanced alien civilization hell-bent on destroying Super Earth." Players even reported that they have been attacked by blue lasers that cause massive damage.

The rumor is also supported by in-game audio from news broadcasts, which talks about sightings of the new alien faction. Just like Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt denied the existence of flying Terminids, he also said on X: "Blue beams aren't real, it can't hurt you."

For now, Helldivers have to follow the major order and keep the mentioned planets from being taken over by the robots. It might be today, it might be tomorrow, but we might soon encounter the terrifying faction of Illuminates.

Read Also: Helldivers 2 Players Will Now Be Encountering Flying Terminids

Trouble on the Other Side

It's about to be harder for players as Automatons up their game, but it already is the case for Terminids. In case you missed it, Helldivers 2 released a mission where players would activate the Terminid Control System, which aims to kill the bugs on the planet.

However, certain dialogues from NPCs state that this has mutated some of the Terminids. Initially denied by the Arrowhead CEO and a playful manner, it is now a recognized part of the game as the species are now called Shriekers.

They can swoop down and attack you, and players have to destroy their mushroom nests to keep more from popping out as soon as you kill them. This sets an exciting precedent, as it means that there might be more terrifying Terminids in our future.

For now, all we have to worry about is defending the planets in the Lacaille and Hydra Sectors. If someone sees blue lasers, then we might see the leaked Illuminates sooner than we expect, making the fight with Automatons more horrifying than it already is.

Related: Helldivers 2 Has a Human Game Master In Charge of Enemy Forces