Glory of the Past

(Talk to Trigger)

Trigger: You're very punctual.

Anby: Back then... I used to make soldiers who were late do push-ups.

Trigger: Soldier 11 is the same. As long as I've known her, she's never missed an appointment, nor has she even been out of contact...

Trigger: ...

Anby: We'll find her, Trigger. Can I call you Trigger?

Trigger: Please do. I don't have any nicer-sounding names.

Anby: This time, leave the fighting to me. All you need to do is carefully observe my movements.

Trigger: Don't worry, I'll cover you. When I deem it necessary.

(After the conversation)

Trigger: Let me take a good "look" at your movements.

(Defeat the first group of enemies)

Anby: Unfortunately, the enemy is too weak. I won't be able to show you my full combat abilities.

Trigger: You don't strike me as the type of person who'd say something like that.

(Defeat the second group of enemies)

Silver Memories

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Silver Memories

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Video Summary: The darkness of the past is slowly eroding the edges of the present reality.

Story Description: The purpose behind Silver Company's research is mass production of replica soldiers — Anby, a former captain of Silver Company shared this classified information.

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Trigger: I see now. There's no mistaking it, you really are that "Anby"...

Trigger: A person's fighting style is a raw response in life-and-death situations. It can't be easily faked like a resume or some other physical token.

Trigger: You and Soldier 11... The way you fight and use Ether... it's nearly identical. Incredible, you're...

Anby: We're sisters... Assuming that "sisters" means "replicas from the same blueprint," that is.

Trigger: So, the rumors circulating in the military about Silver Company... they're really true?!

Anby: How much have you heard?

Trigger: Only that Silver Company no longer exists. But, biologically creating soldiers in mass quantities... How could that even be possible?

Anby: From what I know, besides Intelligent Constructs, everyone is born biologically.
Delivered by storks, so they say.

Anby: So, making one isn't much different from making a hundred.

Trigger: ...Was that supposed to be a joke?

Anby: Yeah... My jokes never really hit the mark. Sorry about that.

Trigger: No, I'm the one who should be saying sorry... I was just astonished. I never thought the military had this level of technology...

Trigger: If they could mass-produce soldiers, then why would they still...

Anby: — I understand. If they could use replicas as cannon fodder, then why still risk human lives? That's what you're thinking, right?

Trigger: I was trying to say it in a more... diplomatic way.

Anby: It's okay, I won't take offense. Not over this.

Anby: They'd probably say the reason is because replicas are simply too expensive.

Anby: While a Silver Company soldier could change the game, it costs nearly as much as training a top-tier general and paying their fees and pension for their family.

Anby: The real cost isn't in creating the mind or body, but in replicating the subject's unique physical abilities, mental aptitude, and reflexes.

Anby: And what's even more costly is that, for reasons that were not fully understood when the research was halted, these unique qualities couldn't be fully replicated in mass production.

Anby: As for the "inferior" ones... they were deemed as disposable.

Trigger: Anby... That's not what I meant.

Anby: Yeah, I'm sure you didn't... but there's always someone who does mean that.

Anby: There's always someone with an agenda, trying to use us. Maybe that's why the Silver Company fell.

Anby: I won't forgive those people, any of them. However, the downfall itself isn't entirely a bad thing.

Anby: With Silver Company gone, their evil technology was lost with it.

Anby: Or so I thought...
Until now.

Trigger: Silver's revival... So, you're saying someone has resurrected that technology?

Trigger: Soldier 11's abduction seems linked to this... I have to admit, your theory has some merit.

Trigger: But as far as I know, all the data from that time was erased. Could it be the Defense Force...

Trigger: Hold on... Something doesn't add up.

Anby: What are you thinking about?

Trigger: If they truly wanted to secretly revive this technology, they wouldn't need to take Soldier 11 at all.

Trigger: I know my squadmate. All it would take is an order from up top and she'd put herself on the operating table without a peep.

Anby: ...Really? So that's how she is now.

Trigger: She's the model example of a loyal soldier. Isn't that how you remember Soldier 11?

Anby: No... I never knew a "Soldier 11" in the past, only...

(Ethereals howl nearby)

Trigger: How could this be happening...? There shouldn't be so many Ethereals here.

Anby: I recognize this formation. We once used it to battle Ethereals.

Trigger: What?

Anby: ...It's another legacy of Silver Company. Back then, we had a brilliant sister who excelled in strategy over combat.

Anby: Let's handle this. The person we're after must be behind it.

(After the cutscene)

Anby: TW-CA Type III...

Trigger: Is that the name of that formation?

(While fighting the Dullahan)

Anby: This feels familiar. I don't like it.

Trigger: Not one for nostalgia? I'm starting to understand you more now.

(Defeat the Dullahan)

(Someone watches from a distance, before leaving through a fissure)

Trigger: Anby, what is that...?

Anby: ...That's the old Silver Squad uniform.

Trigger: I see. Let's give chase.

(Enter the fissure)

Twiggy

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Twiggy

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Video Summary: The darkness of the past is slowly eroding the edges of the present reality.

Story Description: It was Twiggy, a former member of Silver Company, who captured Soldier 11.

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Inside a lab tucked away in a building somewhere...

One-Eyed Girl: Huff... Huff... As expected of Captain... Her skills... They're still as sharp as ever...

One-Eyed Girl: Truly remarkable. I feel honored just being her "defect." Silver Squad can't be without its captain...

One-Eyed Girl: Ugh, ouch... Get me some meds, A.

Girl A: ...

One-Eyed Girl: Ouch! You're the worst of any defect! I know you can't talk, but is there something wrong with your nerves too?! Be gentle!

Girl A: ...

One-Eyed Girl: Seriously, I have fewer and fewer parts of my original body, and yet I feel more and more pain. I'm curious why that is...

Girl A: ...

Twiggy: But you wouldn't understand such a complex question, would you? Because you're an idiot.

Girl A: ...

Twiggy: Enough. Stop making that miserable noise. Now, about our "subject"... she's still alive, right?

Girl A: ...

Looking Back in Despair

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Looking Back in Despair

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Video Summary: The darkness of the past is slowly eroding the edges of the present reality.

Story Description: Twiggy lost her limbs in a past accident. She brought Soldier 11 here intending to harvest her biological tissue for research.

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Twiggy: Ah... There you are. So, they call you "Soldier 11" now, right? Heh, what a hideous name.

Twiggy: But looking at you now... you do have a pretty face. Pretty... and pitiful... This face is the only thing we left have [sic] in common.

Soldier 11: ...

Twiggy: Aside from that, I'm nothing like you. I've lost all my limbs. I'm no longer a "complete" member of Silver Squad.

Twiggy: And I need a complete body for the experiment... Which is why... I need you.

Twiggy: What? You're asking me what happened? But you should know what happened that day. It was... the day you weren't there.

Twiggy: Captain Anby traded herself for you. Even with her incredible strength... she could only save one of us.

Twiggy: But why did it have to be you? Why not me? Why not Twiggy? Tell me, why?

Twiggy: They were all... dead. Heaps and heaps of corpses, crushing me...

Twiggy: When they found me, my limbs were severely corrupted... I couldn't move! I couldn't fight back! I used to be a soldier, ready to defend this city, but that day, I was...

Eavesdropping

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Eavesdropping

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Video Summary: The darkness of the past is slowly eroding the edges of the present reality.

Story Description: After tracking down the location, Anby learns about the situation.

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Girl A: ...

Twiggy: Hey! What do you think you're doing?! You startled me!

Girl A: ...

Twiggy: Alright, fine. You're just here to remind me, right? They're here to pick up today's shipment.

Twiggy: I'll go handle it. After that... I'll come back and tell you the rest of today's story.

Meanwhile, outside the lab.
Anby and Trigger press their ears against the frosty steel door, listening closely for any sounds inside.

Trigger: It seems Soldier 11 is being held captive here. So, what's the plan?

Anby: The plan...?

Trigger: Shhh. Let's discuss it over there.

Trigger: Anby, what's the current plan?

Anby: It's very simple. I don't even need a map to explain it.

Anby: "Infiltrate the place and rescue Soldier 11."

Trigger: Go on, I'm listening.

Anby: That's it.

Trigger: That's the whole plan?

Anby: Yup. Please provide support from outside.

Trigger: ...

Trigger: ...

Anby: This is something I have to settle alone. If anyone can do it, it's me.

Trigger: ...Is this how Silver Squad always operates?

Anby: I'm the captain, and so that's how it's always been done. However, back then, there was usually a backup plan.

Anby: Twiggy... was always in charge of the backup plans.

Trigger: Twiggy. If I'm not mistaken, she's the enemy we're facing now, right?

Anby: ...I don't know... why she's become like this.

Trigger: Her backup plans... What's her style?

Anby: First, feign weakness, before turning the tables with unorthodox tactics. For her, no cost is too great to regain the upper hand.

Trigger: That does sound like a proper backup plan.
After all, it's a plan that would only be utilized when every other option has been exhausted.

Trigger: I'll keep in contact with you through the headset. Don't try to be a hero, Anby. If anything happens to you—

Anby: You won't be able to save Soldier 11 on your own, right? I understand, and I'll be careful.

Trigger: ...I was going to try to be supportive, but since you don't need it, never mind then...

Infiltrate the Lab

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Infiltrate the Lab

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Video Summary: In order to rescue, or to alter.

Story Description: Anby sneaks into the lab, seemingly undetected by Twiggy.

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Anby sneaks into the lab through an unguarded air duct.
The metal ducts are freezing cold, stinging her skin...

Anby: This place is... cold.

Trigger: I sensed the frigid air from outside. It carries a strange scent, too.

Twiggy: ♪~

Anby: !!!

Trigger: Someone's entering... Are you hidden?

Anby: ...Don't worry. It's dark here and the machines are pretty noisy, they won't detect me.

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Twiggy: Aha! Soldier 11, wakey-wakey! Hmmm, that's odd... I know I've taken quite a few samples from you and injected some meds, but you'll tough it out, won't you? Won't you~?

Twiggy: Do you enjoy being pampered... because you're the youngest sister? Oh, that won't do. Get up and play with me.

Soldier 11: ...

Twiggy: Good, that's my girl. Now, let's continue our story. Where was I?

Twiggy: Ah yes, about how some kind scavengers found me without limbs... Hehe, such kindhearted folks...

Twiggy: They... sold me. And, unfortunately, my ignorant new owner couldn't see any use for a limbless worm like me, so I was sold off again.

Twiggy: I was treated like merchandise on the black market, sold alongside gangster stuff and modded Bangboo.

Twiggy: That's when I realized we Silver Company soldiers weren't any different from Bangboo, just made of flesh and blood. The only real distinction is... we feel more pain.

Twiggy: And that's when I met her.

The Dark Past

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 The Dark Past

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Video Summary: In order to rescue, or to alter.

Story Description: Twiggy revealed her attempt to restart the Silver Company research had received financial backing from an unknown organization.

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Twiggy: She bought me as a "trophy girl," cut me open, and operated on me... checking my internal organs by hand. Anesthesia doesn't work on us. You know that, right? Heh, so it hurt... it hurt like hell.

Twiggy: Then, out of the blue, she smiled at me... Looking back now, I think she must've noticed something unusual about my body.

Twiggy: She told me that she was once a military doctor, but was discharged, and now worked as a rogue doctor. She was familiar with everything about Silver Company and... was willing to "help" me.

Twiggy: So, I underwent surgery and received mechanical prosthetics. Nothing too fancy, I don't think I'll ever use them for combat, but they serve their purpose, helping me stand and do calculations.

Twiggy: My true value... lies in my memory. You see, my brain is the only thing that has remained intact.

Twiggy: Thus, I remember everything.

Twiggy: I remember our home and the times spent with our sisters. I remember that as long as we fought alongside our captain, we were considered the most powerful fighting force.

Twiggy: I remember assisting in their research and using my own two hands to welcome new sisters into this world.

Twiggy: That rogue doctor used her connections to get me some incomplete research data. Using my fragmented memories combined with that data, I was able to piece things together... and now, I've nearly revived the technology of Silver Company.

Twiggy: Fortunately, I've remembered... I've survived and can recall our past. And now, reforming Silver Squad is my mission.

Twiggy: Because this is my home. Our home.

Imminent Battle

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Imminent Battle

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Video Summary: In order to rescue, or to alter.

Story Description: Anby has been spotted. Get ready to face off with Twiggy.

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Twiggy: So? Do you like my plan... Captain Anby?

Anby: ...When did you notice me?

Girl A: ...!

Twiggy: My little puppy spotted you a while ago and I instructed her to raise the alarm.

Anby: ...

Twiggy: You know, Captain... I'm actually glad you're here. I've been thinking that we need to talk.

Anby: Give her back, and then we'll talk.

Twiggy: If you want her, come get her yourself.

Anby rushes out of the lab and reunites with Trigger...

(After the cutscene)

Anby: Trigger!

Trigger: Say no more. I've got it.

(Defeat all enemies)

Now and Then

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 Now and Then

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Video Summary: We could once gaze at the same spot.

Story Description: Seeing Twiggy's predicament, Anby hoped to atone together, but Twiggy rejected the offer. She gave Soldier 11 back to Anby, seemingly with another plan in mind.

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Twiggy: That's the Captain Anby I know. Cleaning your knives with the filthy blood of this scum suits you.

Girl A: ...?

Twiggy: Don't give me that, idiot. Now you're worried about whose side I'm on... Our side, of course!

Twiggy: I created you, so you never saw Captain Anby in her prime. After everything I've been through... I thought I would have forgotten, but I still remember.

Twiggy: So, have you ditched the uniform, Captain?

Anby: Twiggy...

Twiggy: I'd keep it as pajamas if I were you. It's nice to reminisce about the days of glory and agony, isn't it?

Anby: I never knew you were still alive, Twiggy.

Twiggy: Yeah, I was always the worst at fighting, but I survived... It's only natural for you not to expect that, Captain.

Anby: You're not as terrible a fighter as you think. Your sharp mind makes up for it.

Twiggy: Yes. You said something similar before. I'll never forget that.
You persuaded them to keep me and you encouraged me to... acknowledge my true value.

Twiggy: You're right, I am valuable, I understand that all too well now. Trash may perish easily, but not me. I'm valuable... precious, even... There's always someone who sees value in me, just like you did before.

Twiggy: Sometimes I wonder... If I were just an ordinary citizen in New Eridu and not part of Silver Squad, maybe I could have become a researcher at the White Star Institute, studying deep topics like, "Three Forms of Etheric Manifestation in Specific Hollows."

Twiggy: Sure, I might be sharp, but there are different kinds of smart... Growing up in Silver Squad, I had no street smarts... competing for profit, seeing through lies, and striving for a better life with limited resources.

Twiggy: These I had to learn the hard way... year after year.

Anby: You've been through a lot. Is that why you're doing this now?

Twiggy: I don't need a reason, at least not one to convince you. The only person I've needed to convince is my backer.

Anby: You know better than anyone... Silver Company was an evil undertaking. That technology should never resurface.

Twiggy: Evil? Are you suggesting that you, I, and our sisters were all evil?

Anby: We are evil incarnate.

Twiggy: So, we should all just be destroyed?

Anby: No. But we should not continue in our evil.

Twiggy: Oh, I see. That's very enlightening, Captain.

Twiggy: We should be eating burgers, watching movies, working a job, and going on dates... Instead of being maimed, sold, tortured, and struggling to survive.

Twiggy: You know I care for you, Captain Anby. Whatever you do, I won't hold it against you, but that doesn't mean you can stand here and say these things so lightly to my face...

Anby: You know where I am, don't you?

Twiggy: ...

Anby: You know where I live, what burgers I like, what movies I watch, and who I spend time with.

Anby: Since you know... You're welcome to visit me anytime, Twiggy.

Twiggy: ...!

Anby: I'm your captain. I'll personally deliver the punishment you deserve, and then... seek redemption with you together.

Twiggy: Captain...

Anby: We can still make things right before you make a greater mistake.

Twiggy: ... ...

Anby: Fortunately, I found you before things got any worse. I have so much to tell you, but maybe another time. For now, we should...

The conversation is interrupted. Anby is stunned to see a body tossed in front of her...

It's Soldier 11. She's pale, but there are still signs of life in her and she's breathing faintly.

Twiggy: Alright, I'm returning your favorite girl. Now we're even, Anby.

Anby: Twiggy?

Twiggy: I said we're even. From now on, you can stop acting like a captain... and save this foolish talk.

Twiggy kicks the limp Soldier 11 on the ground. Anby quickly lifts her up and hands her to Trigger.

Trigger: Soldier 11! Wake up, Soldier 11...!
Anby, she doesn't look good. We need to get out of this Hollow ASAP.

Anby: ...I see how it is.

Anby: Twiggy... I'll be back. I won't just abandon you.

Twiggy: You sicken me. Like I said, just save the foolish talk. I can't stand to hear that kind of mush from someone who looks exactly like me.

Anby: It's not mush... And I hope you'll get used to it.

Anby: Let's go, Trigger.

Twiggy stands and watches as Anby leaves.

Twiggy: Hey.
Go contact "you know who."

Girl A: ...!

Twiggy: Ugh, cut the crap. You think I don't realize I shouldn't cut the middleman and contact the client directly...?
But look at the mess we're in! The junk she's brought won't fix this!

Girl A: ...

Twiggy: Our best shot is exploiting Anby's inner weakness.

Twiggy: She's let go of her most lethal weapon – her daring and ruthless fighting style.
Now she's like a hired gun with a family to feed, focused on surviving to get the paycheck.

Twiggy: I can handle her if we exploit that.
But I need to keep everything in check... or else... all my efforts so far will have been...

Deep Male Voice: ...You've been diligent, little Twiggy.

Twiggy: Stop calling me that.

Deep Male Voice: As you know, your research is crucial. You're just like me... We're here to foster hope, our work is the only cause worth fighting for in this world.

Deep Male Voice: Of course, I understand. Sometimes, when hope is scarce, certain issues can only be resolved with sheer violence.

Deep Male Voice: The stuff I mentioned last time is ready. Send some of your people to retrieve it.
It's not exactly "New" Eridu tech, so use it carefully.