Heradao is a former Syndicate star system close to the Alliance border. It has four planets, with the third planet, seven light-minutes from the star, being fairly habitable, although causing some radiation-induced health problems. The fourth planet, a gas giant over three light-hours from the star, has substantial mining and manufacturing facilities. Following the destruction of Syndicate mobile forces at the hands of John Geary's Alliance Fleet, the third and fourth planets fell apart into civil war and declared independence from the Syndicate Worlds.