Echoes of Silver (I)

A few days ago, Trigger visited Scott Outpost...

Ray: If I'm not mistaken, you're back to inquire about Soldier 11 again.

Ray: When... was the last time you got some shut-eye?

Trigger: They're closed right now. Don't worry, I'm fine... and I can't rest until I've confirmed her whereabouts.

Trigger: Recently, she keeps getting redeployed, and I haven't been able to contact her, which is very unusual... We are colleagues, after all, so I thought perhaps you might have some information.

Ray: You're in luck. However, I want you to promise me something.

Ray: Don't push yourself too hard, and go get a good night's sleep. For her sake, if nothing else.

Trigger: Thanks. I'll do it for you too, Ray.

Ray: I know you say that to everyone. But, fine... here goes.

Ray: Someone who looks a lot like Soldier 11 was spotted in Hollow Zero. According to the eyewitness account, she was with some... armed individuals who were not Defense Force personnel.

Ray: I'll send you the precise coordinates. Are you heading out now, Trigger?

Enter combat.

(Start Searching the Battlefield (HDD))

Wait a minute.

(Exit dialogue)

(Upon starting the commission)

Trigger: We've arrived at the coordinates Ray provided. She's so kind.

(Cross the bridge)

Trigger: Suspicious Ether fluctuations over there!

(Approach the soldiers)

Enemy 1: Bro! We're under attack!

Enemy 2: I—I—I'll go alert the others!

Enemy 1: Bro? Bro...

Trigger: Pity, I can't see how pathetic you are.

(Approach the abandoned soldier)

Trigger subdues and captures an enemy—

Captured Enemy: D—Don't hit me! You're from the Defense Force, a soldier of the people! You can't just go dishing out vigilante justice, can you?

Trigger: I don't need to get my hands dirty. I just need to leave you in a place where no one can find you and remove your protective gear. It'll be the corruption here that takes your life.

Captured Enemy: Fine, I'll tell you everything! You're looking for that woman, right?

Captured Enemy: The one wearing a military uniform like yours, with that... intriguing face. The others already restrained her, and they took her that way.

Trigger: Is that so... Thank you for your cooperation.

Trigger slams the butt of her gun hard against the enemy's mask.

Uggghhhhhhhhhhhh—!!!"
The fake soldier's wailing doesn't save him from being forcefully put to sleep. Sending him into peaceful oblivion was an act of mercy.

(Reach the marked location)

Trigger: That's... Soldier 11?!

(Approach Soldier 11)

(By the fissure, an unconscious Soldier 11 is surrounded by soldiers)

Imposing Soldier: Take out that sniper.

Trigger: I won't let you take her!

(Defeat all enemies)

Riddle

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Riddle

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Video Summary: For some, this is anything but a peaceful day in New Eridu.

Story Description: The person who took Soldier 11 leaves behind a cryptic message: "Echoes of Silver."

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Amidst all the Etheric turbulence, Trigger catches sight of Soldier 11.
However, something feels different. Soldier 11 is not acting like her usual self...

Trigger: Soldier 11! No. Damn it! You should have been no match for her... What did you do?

Defense Force Soldier Maintaining Order: Ah, the blind sniper... So, you actually can see?

Trigger: Release her. Or else, you'll have my bullets to answer to.

Defense Force Soldier Maintaining Order: Your friend is beyond help, sniper.

Defense Force Soldier Maintaining Order: ...There's no stopping Silver's revival.

Just as Trigger fires a shot, the enemy, vanishes into a fissure with Soldier 11 in his arms.
More enemies begin closing in, and by the time Trigger finishes dealing with them, the fissure has already closed...

Trigger: Damn you...

Trigger: "Silver's revival"... What did he mean by that?

(After completing Searching the Battlefield (HDD))

Trigger: It's me. Sorry, could you help me relay a message to the Captain when you have the time?

Trigger: Soldier 11 and I will both be using up all of our leave, starting today.

Light, Floaty Voice: Are you going on vacation together? Without me?

Light, Floaty Voice: I'm already racking my brain trying to figure out what I did to upset you.

Trigger: ...You know it's not like that.

Light, Floaty Voice: I know, I know. Soldier 11... Haven't you found her yet?

Trigger: Yeah. Please don't tell the Captain about this just yet. She's already got enough on her plate.

Light, Floaty Voice: Are you sure you don't need my help?

Trigger: I appreciate the offer, but it won't be necessary. I don't want to kick the hornet's nest... After all, Soldier 11's recent frequent redeployments are also on orders from the higher-ups.

Light, Floaty Voice: Hmm, then am I the kick or the hornet's nest?

Light, Floaty Voice: I wanna be the hornet's nest, that way, you'll think of me whenever you talk about hornets...

Trigger: Why would I ever talk about hornets... never mind.

Trigger: There's something else, too.

Light, Floaty Voice: What, there's more?

Trigger: I want to know — what does "Silver's revival" mean?

Light, Floaty Voice: Sounds like a new Astra Yao album...

Trigger: ...

Light, Floaty Voice: You're so sleep-deprived that you've lost your sense of humor.
"Silver's revival" or whatever — want me to ask about it on Inter-Knot?

Trigger: You're the best.

Trigger: Call me as soon as you have something. I always miss hearing your sweet voice.

Light, Floaty Voice: Aww, stoppit, you. Save your sweet talk for someone who actually needs it.

Light, Floaty Voice: Now, Soldier Trigger, I order you to go and get some rest!

A few days later, Trigger receives a call from her companion—

Trigger: According to her reply, she has already reached out to the informant through Inter-Knot.

Trigger: The contact information — A young woman on Sixth Street holding a fried chicken burger.

Trigger: A young woman holding a fried chicken burger...

Trigger: ...I hope I can recognize the smell of a fried chicken burger.

(Talk to the Young Lady)

Burger Girl

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Burger Girl

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Video Summary: Not just to reclaim that peace...

Story Description: Trigger isn't sure about trusting the burger girl who calls herself Anby. They agree to meet in the Hollow, where Anby will prove her identity.

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Girl Without Burger: Hello.

Trigger: Is it you...? The one who contacted me on Inter-Knot?

Girl Without Burger: Yep.

Trigger: ...

Girl Without Burger: Oh... the burger. Sorry, I was starving, so I already finished it.

Girl Without Burger: Thanks for coming to meet me. Long story short, we need to stop Silver from coming back... By the way, what was your name again?

Trigger: I hadn't introduced myself, I'm still unsure if I can trust you.

Girl Without Burger: Oh...

Trigger: Don't take it personally. I'm always cautious with people I've just met, especially someone from Inter-Knot who claims to have intel without any solid proof.

Trigger: But, I have to admit... you do seem kind of familiar.

Trigger: Even though I can't see your face, you somehow remind me of a friend... A friend who's in danger.

Girl Without Burger: They've taken her, haven't they?

Trigger: Wait, how much do you actually know?

Girl Without Burger: I'm just as clueless as you about what's happening.

Girl Without Burger: But you might have heard of me. I'm Anby, the former captain of Silver Company.

Trigger: So... you're...

Anby: Yeah, that's me... I'm the one who "died" in Soldier 11's place. So you should get why I feel responsible for her.

Trigger: ...Would you understand if I say I'm still not completely convinced?

Anby: No worries. I've dealt with even more skeptical people before.

Anby: Trust isn't gained on words alone. So, how about... we meet inside the Hollow?

Trigger: Inside the Hollow...

Anby: I'm not the best with words. Showing you through my actions might be more convincing.

Anby: You just need to see me in battle.

Trigger: So you're that Anby... Sorry. I can't trust you yet.

Anby: Then it looks like I must earn your trust.

Anby: Let's meet in the Hollow. Once you've seen my combat skills... You'll understand what I mean.

Trigger: Alright, it's a deal. Let's each head back and prepare.

(Talk to Belle and Wise)

Belle: Anby. You... still haven't gone back to the Cunning Hares?

Anby: Have I imposed too much? ...Sorry, I'll help out around the shop.

Wise: Actually, please don't. Every time you sort videotapes, 18 has to go through and re-label them.

Wise: Are you and Nicole having a fight?

Anby: No. I would never fight with Nicole.

Anby: It's just... I got caught up in a sticky situation, and I don't want to drag the Cunning Hares into it.

Belle: Oh, I see how it is. So dragging us into it is okay, just not them?

Anby: That's not what I meant.
I'll help out around the store... and I'll bring you burgers too.

Wise: Anby.

Anby: What...?

Wise: You can stay here as long as you want. If you need help, we'll always be there for you.

Anby: ...I understand. Thank you.

Anby: I'd like to rest for a bit now. I have an appointment later that I need to keep.

Belle: Get some rest. If Nicole comes knocking, I can stall her for a bit, but I can't keep it from her forever, you know!