As Helldivers 2 grunts are tasked with squashing 1 billion bugs, High Command not-so-subtly hints that "Terminid aggression and expansion may increase in response"
That's not worrying at all
![Helldivers 2 screenshot of a Helldiver posing in front of a Charger enemy, which is being attacked with a flamethrower](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CUvAnPRUrxzNbmNqhMnxBC-320-80.jpg)
Helldivers 2 has a new Major Order commanding players to flatten one billion bugs in five days, but the Terminids may become more aggressive once the mission is over.
"Kill the designated number of Terminids in order to continue support of the Ministry of Science's ongoing Terminid Research Initiative," reads the new Major Order in Helldivers 2, tasking players to complete their democratic duty in the next five days. Well, that was yesterday, which means we're now verging on just four days left.
However, this only tells half the story. Writing in the Helldivers 2 Discord, junior community manager Mitchell Ayre expands on the Major Order with a typical in-character briefing. "Following the Helldivers' inspiringly rapid support of the Terminid Research Initiative, the Ministry of Science has requested a second, much larger research trial," the briefing reads.
"A key finding of the first research phase was that Terminid E-710 yield is significantly increased if harvested following periods of extreme duress. In order to determine if there is a relationship between method of extermination and E-710 production, the Ministry of Science has requested that the Terminids be exterminated using a variety of means," the message continues.
"High Command has authorized a rotating series of augmenting Stratagems for the duration of this trial, in support of scientific progress. The Terminid biomass required for meaningful data in this endeavor equals 1,000,000,000 dead Terminid bugs. Be advised: Terminid aggression and expansion may increase in response to these efforts."
Lovely stuff. What makes this all the more painful is that Helldivers 2 players are just coming off the high of beating a Major Order with 43 minutes left on the clock, and developer Arrowhead kindly let everyone use one of the hulking mechs for free, for a while. Having liberated Charbal-VII, Charon Prime, and Choepessa IV, let's hope Super Earth's troops are in for a fight against some emboldened bugs in the near future.
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Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.