Having no permanent place is something that Soldier 11 has been accustomed to. With no new orders at hand, Soldier 11 currently stays at the Defense Force Headquarters, specifically doing push-ups in one of the training rooms, when the door suddenly flies open.
Only to notice a fellow squad member with a black mask, Trigger.
"Seed is looking for you."
Soldier 11 does a last push-up before standing up. She grabs the towel from the nearby bench as she entertains her.
"What is it for?"
"It's about the documents you retrieved from Arpeggio Fault."
Soldier 11 ponders a bit. She is not sure if she still has something to do with it when her assignment about it is already over.
She notices that Trigger seems looking enthusiastic and when that smile on the side appears…
"Got it."
Soldier 11 opens the door and finds Seed on his desk. The giant robot is easy to mistake as one to be only capable in the field, but surprisingly, Seed is even more delicate when it comes to paperwork.
Probably, even better at handling than her.
Seed looks at her as the fiery soldier takes a seat.
"Good day," he greets.
"Good day, Seed."
Soldier 11 finds the documents at his desk, and she can tell those are the Arpeggio Fault documents.
"These documents are highly valuable, at least on certain research from the White Star Institute."
"I see. Then it means the exploration had good results, aside from uncovering the secret of the rebels," Soldier 11 says, "Is the Captain already aware of this?"
Seed blinks the lights of his eyes.
"I forwarded it already. She just recommended me if you're interested enough to know. I agree, I believe this is something worth curiosity about."
Soldier 11 remains staring. Seed continues to talk.
"Apparently, the research has something to do with genetic modification with Ether samples, and how the body can break its limits to a new height."
"Classic lab thing. I believe so it has nothing to do with me. I cannot comprehend that type of thing."
"I'll keep a copy just in case you need it again."
Soldier 11 narrows her eyes.
"…Why would I need it?"
"…Maybe you can get interested in it?"
"I'm a soldier, not a researcher."
Soldier 11 stands up.
"Is there anything you still need from me?"
Seed shakes his head, "You can go…"
Soldier 11 leaves the office. After closing the door, Trigger is already waiting outside.
"Do you think it's interesting?" Trigger asks.
Soldier 11 looks at her.
"Not at all. I'll be clocking out."
"Where you headed?"
"I'll just grab some noodles. Would you like to go with me?"
Trigger tilts her head a bit, "I promised to go out with Orpheus today. We can tag you along."
"I think Orpheus needs personal time," Soldier 11 says, "I'll be going."
"Don't put too much chili. At least someone told me that."
Usual reminders. Soldier 11 tries not to guess who told that to Trigger—especially since everyone seems to be worried about her chili consumption.
Soldier 11 fixes her goggles.
"…I'm off."
Trigger watches her leaving. The door opens again with a disappointed Seed.
"There's nothing that can interest her at this point," Seed comments.
"Just a bit more push," Trigger sounds optimistic, "She's gonna open up soon."
Seed appears to relax a bit and notices that Trigger looks somber when she speaks again.
"Our vice-captain…"
Night is the only time when Soldier 11 can make a visit to Sixth Street. Perhaps to meet the cat she has become fond of or visit a friend who owns a video store. Most often time to eats the spicy hot noodles in the noodle shop, but for this reason, being around this place is a secret she is willing to keep forever.
Sixth Street is a place she has been keeping an eye on for the longest time, even before meeting Crimson Coffee Cake with the mission they both partake in. While forming a 'friendship' is something she does not plan to have with Ruby Honey Heartbeats, she has realized why 'she' is close to them. The proxy claims to be just a 'customer' in the videotape store they own, and who has given a task to pretend to themselves.
And here is another night she will spend again, eating noodles.
The noodles shop owner has spotted her and gives her a smile.
"Good evening. I see that you are earlier today," General Chop says. Soldier 11 picks a seat at the corner, and stares at him.
"The usual please, and make it extra spicy," Soldier 11 says.
"Coming right up."
The bowl of ramen does not take long to prepare. Her eyes gleam when it is served, and she takes a small moment to thank over the blessing. She grabs the chopsticks and starts eating. The broth that General Chop uses can ease exhaustion, as the chili keeps her awake. It is perfect and finally eats the meat for the last.
"Another bowl please."
"Sure way."
It is invigorating. Soldier 11 likes it the best. While waiting for the second bowl, customers begin to flood the store. Someone takes the seat beside her, and notices that it is the silver-haired sibling of the proxy, Wise.
"General Chop, fried barbeque noodles please," Wise says.
"Oh, it's the sibling of Red Crimson Chili."
Wise looks at her and laughs nervously.
"Oh, didn't notice you, Soldier 11," Wise says, "It seems you're here again today."
"I guess this is also for your dinner."
Wise nods, "Yeah…"
The conversation is quickly cut off. Soldier 11 stares at the kitchen as General Chop prepares their meal. As the silence ensues between them, she feels something underneath. Soldier 11 looks down and finds a certain black cat rubbing its head on her legs.
It is Inky, who is renamed November.
"I see you're here, November."
The cat responds with a purr, meowing as it continues to seek affection.
"Oh, November!" Wise is a bit surprised, "I think he's happy to see you."
Soldier 11 leans down and reaches November's head. She pets it and the cat is happy with it.
"Have you been good around Carmine Shadow?" The soldier seems to ask the cat as it only continues to rub its face to her hand.
Wise watches how Soldier 11 pets the cat. Contrary to her seemingly cold nature, he can see that the soldier has some caring side, especially upon knowing some tales about her trying to learn in taking care of a cat from Belle.
He reaches for November's hind and taps it lightly.
"He's good," Wise says, "The cat also missed playing with you."
Soldier 11 cups the cat's cheek, as it is letting her do so.
Fuzzy.
"November is extra affectionate today," Soldier 11 remarks and takes out her hand.
"Here's your orders."
General Chop places the bowls each to his customers. Soldier 11 dusts off her hand a bit before grabbing the chopsticks.
"Thank you, General Chop," Soldier 11 says.
Wise also tends to his bowl and grabs chopsticks.
"You can play with him later if you like," Wise says.
Soldier 11 glances at him, "Then, I thank you for that."
Inky is a cat that Soldier 11 has stumbled upon on Sixth Street. While she has no particular interest in keeping a domesticated animal, something has allured her to give the black cat some attention. With simple questions about how to feed a cat, or how to get their attention, she has grown to love this small being.
Love.
As when the time that Soldier 11 becomes attached, she knows for certain that she cannot keep it close to her, and rather asks the closest person she can count on. Eternal Guardian of Kin—Belle is the one she can trust, even the same person who has given Inky a new name.
"How about November?"
Soldier 11 is confused about that time on why it is November.
"It's close to your number! Besides, you're the one who wants to adopt Inky in the first place."
November seems to not mind anything. They are living in a time when uncertainty is high, but here it is, sleeping on the floor while Soldier 11 is petting its head.
Wise is just fixing the tapes on the shelves and lets Soldier 11 have her time with the cat. There are a few times when Soldier 11 enters their shop, and even Belle is panicking here and there about exposing their identity, Wise knows deep inside that Soldier 11 already has picked up on things.
Nevertheless, she is still a soldier, but also a human, that probably needs some sort of company.
Soldier 11 stands up.
"I'll be on my way, November." She turns to Wise, "And as for the brother of Cat Paladin, thank you. Please say my regards to your sister as well."
Wise smiles, "Sure. Thanks for visiting again."
Soldier 11 nods, "I'm off."
The cat seems unbothered even after the door is closed. Wise crouches down and stares at it.
"You expect that she'll return again, don't you?"
November purrs.
The night has fallen, but Soldier 11 is still in the Janus Quarter. Upon the seaside, she stares at the huge Hollow across the sea. It is said that they only existed a few millennia ago and destroyed almost every existing civilization, and she wonders about the world's landscape before the fall of this catastrophe. History says that the world is unprepared, and the citizens of Old Eridu are the only ones who survived.
And with the idea of the Fermi Paradox, their blue planet has just shrunk even more with the existence of life.
"I was right I can find you here."
Soldier 11 does not look back, but she knows it is her sniper teammate. Trigger joins on her side and seems to face the giant Hollow on the horizon.
"Did Orpheus have fun?" Soldier 11 asks.
Trigger smiles a bit, "Yes. But…it turns out, she's more familiar than me in the normal citizen's life. I learned a lot from her, and fries dipping in sundae actually tastes good. You could try sometime."
"I'll keep that in mind," Soldier 11 says, "Where is she anyway?"
"She just returned to the HQ and I thought of staying here for a bit. The breeze here is not clean, but I can breathe a bit lighter in this space."
Soldier 11 just listens to Trigger's ramblings. Their relationship does not go beyond being workmates, but she can tell Trigger's attempts to get closer. However, it is something that Soldier 11 refuses to cross into.
Trigger's normal eyesight is probably long gone, yet the Ether corruption that has gotten in her eyes has provided her with something more useful. Vision that can help detect her surroundings, and a heightened sense can tell what is probably going on in someone's head.
However, Soldier 11 appreciates Trigger for letting the silence engulf them.
"In the Defense Force, losing somebody is nothing new. We just keep pushing on, until our lives will be taken next," Soldier 11 says suddenly, "It's the way of a soldier, and our merits are something to be for the common good."
"Because that's what is expected from us," Trigger replies.
Soldier 11 clenches her fist and turns her heel to face the sniper, who is just looking as laid-back as ever.
"Then, what does it mean to be a soldier for you?" Soldier 11 asks.
Trigger remains silent and lets the wind be felt in their skin. Soldier 11 does not let her stare be fazed, and the sniper starts to move her feet. Only for Soldier 11 to realize—Trigger has removed her orange-tinted goggles.
Soldier 11 feels a sting in her eyes, as a hand wipes something away from her cheek.
"We only have our own answers to that, and I'm sure you're having questions about it as well," Trigger says, "But never forget we're also humans, 11. And…it's okay to cry."
Soldier 11's chest suddenly feels tight as she notices that her eyes start to get blurry. She feels another hand to cup her other cheek and realizes finally that Trigger is wiping her tears.
"Don't be too hard on yourself, 11. You're already enough as you are."
It has not come to her mind, but Soldier 11 lets the sniper cover her with an embrace for the first time.
The sun has risen, and Anby has fully recovered.
Preparing her gear, Anby makes sure that she is in top shape. Perlman is already awake, and it is time for the Cunning Hares to go to the Outer Ring. It is a good thing that she will be able to assist with this important task, and the crew is all set to finish this impending business.
She walks out of the apartment and goes downstairs. It has been her habit as well to stare at the horizon to see the giant blob as her attention is shifted when Nicole speaks—who is waiting at the end of the stairs.
"We're going to take another route this time. The security starts to get strict because of the damn election," Nicole says, "We might end up staying at the Outer Ring as well for few days."
"I'll secure the keys in the apartment," Anby says.
"Nah, I'll be returning here after I bring you guys there," Nicole says.
Anby ponders, "I'll go with you then."
"It's fine, Anby."
Anby is about to say another thing but whenever Nicole ends it like that, she knows that she cannot interfere anymore.
Billy is waiting inside the car with Nekomata. Anby picks a place in the backseat and finds Nekomata tending her nails.
"Burnice and Piper will meet us in the tunnel entrance," Billy informs, who sits on the shotgun seat. Nicole gives a glance as an affirmation.
Nicole starts the engine. Anby also taps her headphones and plays a song as this journey will take some time.
And so, the road to the Outer Ring begins.