During the first hours of Emergence Day, Locust forces were able to attack the COG's capital of Ephyra. The whole city along with it main Government Center was attacked. Colonel Victor Hoffman, along with his personal escort, was attacked outside the House of Sovereigns. A Gear squad, led by Corporal Minh Young Kim, was able to break through and save Colonel Hoffman and Anya Stroud from emerging Locust forces. Colonel Hoffman ordered Cpl. Kim to escort him and Lt. Stroud into the COG capital building while the rest of his squad defended the capital building from advancing Locust forces. The Gear squad would be wiped out almost to the last man (Kim managed to survive due to being with Hoffman and Stroud) after the Hammer of Dawn went offline over the city.