Commander John-Peter "Hector" Mercer

///Read_file:[P-HD-2185-27-6-****99] - Classification: Level 4
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Name: John-Peter
Surname: Mercer
Alias: Hector
Rank: Hell Commander (= Infantry Commander)
Gender: Male
Age: 19
Homeplanet: Vernen Wells
Assigned Ship: Class 6 Series Crewed Interplanetary Combat Vessel ("Super-Class Destroyer") issue #9845
Ship Alias: Flame of Justice
Background:

Hector, born John-Peter, was born a Class-C citizen on Vernen Wells, to be precise: in the Megacity of Benevolence. John seemed like an ordinary child up until Elementary School, where he would prove excellent reflexes and develop a strong hatred towards The Automaton Legion, going as far as accusing the neighbors car of being an Automaton spy, which turned out to be true.
Later he would be awarded a medal by the local Democracy Officer for turning in the spy, the young boy would also be able to witness the execution of said neighbors pet goldfish for working with the spy.

On April 10th of 2184 The Automaton Legion would invade Vernen Wells, with Johns father, general in the Local Defense Force, falling first in line.
John would mourn his father, but accept his sacrifice had been in vain, as he did not play a role in the war that was upon the Federation of Super-Earth. John would not join the Local Defense Force, but the SEAF Infantry.

For about half a year he worked his way up the ranks of the Infantry to Commander, though secretly having a different goal. John would undergo the Helldiver Trials, and earn his cape on June 27th 2185.
Though he did not feel like that cape was earned. He did not wear the cape, often getting into trouble with superiors, including Democracy Officer McBillnert aboard his ship.
But he proved his loyalty countless times, even executing a Class-F citizen who was trying to flee alongside Class-B citizens.
He was dunked in cold water when the 3-front-crisis came around. The Jet-Brigade attacked Vernen Wells and attacked Benevolence. His mother was reported KIA only a few hours after the attack. That was when he swore not to rest before every Jet-Brigade Automaton had been subjected to a brutal death.

Only when surviving his first mission in the caves of Oshaune John felt like having earned the cape, and has since been wearing The Rightful Occupiers colors. Up until then he would dive under the synonym "JM", being a Helldivers Death Captain at that moment. He briefly became part of the Truth Enforcers, but left due to the paperwork that accompanied this profession.
JM had always been a wearer of Heavy armor, often the I-44 Salamander, protecting against even the harshest heat and bile. Often the Death Captain would bring Heavy Weaponry, developing a deep trust into the Emancipator EXO-suit, the GR-8 Recoilless Rifle and the likes.
John would soon take the alias of "Hector", though the circumstances are unknown. During that time the unknown 901st Anti Tank Troopers were recruiting new members. Hector would join this faction and undergo genetic enhancement, as well as specializing further in Anti-Tank warfare.

Hector would continue to serve Super-Earth alongside the Loyalist 901st, being issued his black-red Salamander armor.
It was during that time when Hector would take command of Escalation Squad, with the former Commander T2 "[CLASSIFIED]" being demoted.

Hector was eating in the cafeteria when the order came in: "LIBERATE OSHAUNE NO MATTER THE COST", and the cost did not matter. Hector heard rumors of the particularly dangerous Terminid Lifeform dubbed "Stalker", and would develop countermeasures via the famed S-11 Speargun, going as far as stalking the Stalkers.
Oshaune was liberated and Hector survived.

The next big achievment was during the March to Cyberstan, when Hector recorded only 11 losses under his command on the march to the Cyborgs Homeworld.
Upon planetfall on the icy hell, he would famously say "Their only strength was their metal... and now, they're made of flesh... and flesh burns... make them suffer", before annihilating close to 100 Cyborgs using the R-36 Eruptor.

When the campaign already was lost he would voluntarily go back to help save the 77th Mobile Infantry Corps of the SEAF Infantry, the very battallion he had served with during his time in the Infantry.

Cyberstan came and went, and when Vernen Wells finally got freed, he felt like all the fallen had been avenged.

But a new foe came around, from the depths of the Illuminate Territory: the Appropriators. With their machine-like abominations this was more of a fun game than real work for him, being Anti-Vehicle specialist.

Hector would also partake in HEROES '26, helping to save Children from the metallic hands of the Automatons.

And now, after the bots had taken so much already, they have built a new Super-Weapon, proving the theft and perversion of the blueprints for the Star of Peace undoubtedly. Not that Escalation Squad would have doubted, knowing Hectors past with the Truth Enforcers.
Even though most members of Escalation Squad have returned to civilian life, Hector and B2 continue to spread Freedom across the stars, both being know to have a habit of helping out cadets.

(Authors note: Those are my most memorable events from my first year of playing Helldivers turned into in-universe lore. I wish y'all well, cya!