- "I opened my mouth to scream... but I couldn't make a sound... I thought it was because of what had happened to me... what happened on E-Day. [...] I thought I was done. The boogie monsters were gonna get me. I thought I was going to die. But sometimes... sometimes life has other plans for you."
- —Jace Stratton on surviving Emergence Day in Ilima City.
The Emergence in Ilima was one of the first battles fought during the Locust War in the initial attack known as Emergence Day. Residing on the Jacinto Plateau, Ilima was easily defended and reclaimed during the attack, but natural fissures and underground facilities such as subtrains and sewage systems allowed the Locust to dig and emerge within certain areas of the city. The suburban areas were hit the hardest. Locust War veteran Corporal Jayson Stratton was a survivor of the attacks as a child. His parents and brother were killed in the attacks. Stratton was later rescued and adopted by Doctor Gregory Wisen, a local educator and child psychologist.
Prelude[]
Six weeks prior, the Pendulum Wars was ended following victory of the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG) against the Union of Independent Republics (UIR) after the deployment of the Hammer of Dawn on a fleet of UIR vessels. In the following six weeks, earthquakes were reported all across Sera, puzzling scientists.
In Bounty, a subterranean race called the Locust Horde emerged from the underground Hollow and onto the surface through sinkholes, also known as Emergence Holes. In a campaign of genocide, the Locust began to slaughter humans indiscriminately regardless of age, gender, race, and class. The first attack began in Jannermont, Tyrus. Afterward, cities across Sera were reporting similar attacks.
Order of Battle[]
Attacks in Ilima[]
Jace Stratton hiding from Locust Drones in his home.
On Emergence Day, the Locust Horde emerged in Ilima City, Tyrus. Like the attacks all across Sera, the Locust killed humans indiscriminately and slaughtered thousands within the city of Ilima. However, due to being situated on the Jacinto Plateau, the city was not as overrun because the Locust had difficulty digging through the granite bedrock. The Locust Horde's motivations for human genocide at the time were unknown, but were later revealed to be their efforts to colonize the surface in order to escape the Lambent epidemic, an Imulsion-based infection.
Hunting of Humans[]
Locust Drone using a Berserker to find Jace Stratton.
One of the areas hit hardest was the suburban area of Ilima City. As citizens were ordered to remain in their homes, the Locust began to invade them, massacring whole families and setting the houses on fire. Among the houses was the Stratton Residence. Mr. Stratton, his wife, and their eldest son were shot to death by the Locust, while their youngest son, Jayson Stratton, hid in a closet.
The Locust brought in a female Drone, the Berserker, to find any remaining humans - as the Berserkers hunted by sound and smell. Just as the Berserker led the Drones to Jayson's hiding spot, a squad of Gears entered and opened fire, eliminating the Locust forces. The fire caused parts of the house to collapse on Jayson, suffocating him. As he neared death, Doctor Gregory Wisen rescued Jayson from the wreckage. As Dr. Wisen facilitated an orphanage in the city, he adopted Jayson.
Repelling the Locust[]
Gears eliminating the Locust threat in the Stratton Home.
As the Locust exploited the plateau's fissures and subterranean facilities to emerge in the city, most of Ilima was still protected by the Jacinto Plateau, keeping the Locust from receiving reinforcements. As the COG realized the cities located on the Jacinto Plateau had a natural defense, they pushed to secure those select cities, including Ilima. After repelling the Locust forces, the Coalition either collapsed certain sub facilities or filled them poisonous gas to keep the Locust from exploiting it.
Aftermath[]
While the Locust continually staged small attacks within Ilima, it wouldn't be until a massive invasion, led by Uzil RAAM, accompanied by a Kryllstorm, finally took the city in 9 A.E. as part of the Locust campaign to reach Ephyra by conquering surrounding cities on the plateau.
Appearances[]
- Hollow (First appearance) (Appears in flashback(s))