Having no permanent residence is something that Soldier 11 has been accustomed to. With no new orders at hand, Soldier 11 spends her time on extra training. The main Obsidian Division Headquarters is situated in Canopus District within Janus Quarter, also called Fort Iago, and as expected, it has a lot of training halls as Soldier 11 occupies one while doing some push-ups.
Not too long, the door suddenly flies open.
Soldier 11 stops to take a glance—only to see her fellow Obol Squad member with a black visor, Trigger.
“Seed is looking for you.”
Soldier 11 does a last push-up before standing up. She grabs the towel from the nearby bench before facing 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.
Trigger’s visor flashes yellow.
Soldier 11 can tell Trigger looks to be enthusiastic for a reason—and whenever that smile appears…
“Got it.”
Soldier 11 opens the door and finds Chief Warrant Officer Two Elkin Hrothgar, also known as Seed, upon his desk. He wears a light exosuit, complete even with the Diamond Division-issued helmet. A big man as he is—easy to mistake to be only capable in the field—but surprisingly, Seed is even more delicate regarding paperwork.
Probably, even better at handling than her. He is a chief warrant officer for a reason after all.
Seed looks at her.
“Good day, Sergeant Eleven,” he greets.
Soldier 11 salutes. “Good day, Chief.”
“Have a seat.”
The fiery soldier takes a seat.
She spots the documents at his desk, and she can tell those are the retrieved documents from Arpeggio Fault mission.
“These documents are highly valuable, at least on certain research from the White Star Institute.”
“That’s great to know, Sir. It means the exploration yielded good results, aside from uncovering the rebels’ secret and possible collaboration with other terrorist groups.”
“Indeed, it was. The findings are also sent back as well to our commanding officer. Then, she just recommended me if you’re interested enough to know the contents. I agree with her and this is something worth curiosity about.”
Soldier 11 merely stares with a straight face. Seed goes on to speak.
“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.
“Permission to speak, Chief Seed.”
Seed blinks the lights from his helmet. “Granted.”
“…Why would I need it?”
“…Maybe you can get interested in it?”
“I’m afraid to sound rude, but I believe I’m a soldier, not a researcher.”
Soldier 11 stands up.
“Is there anything you still need from me, Chief?”
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 Orphie today. We can tag you along.”
“I think PFC Magnusson 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, Chief.” Trigger sounds optimistic. “She’s going to open up soon.”
Seed appears to relax a bit and notices that Trigger looks somber when she speaks again.
“Our sergeant…”
There are times when Soldier 11 visits Sixth Street during her off hours. Either to have a meeting with a cat she has become fond of or visit a friend who owns a video store. The spicy noodles in the Waterfall Soup is just an accidental knowledge yet is added with her reason in coming in this place. However, the real reason why she frequents in the Sixth Street is a secret she wants to keep forever.
Canopus and Lumina Districts are not so far from one another. Just one ride on the metro, each area is easily accessible. She has been keeping an eye on Sixth Street for the longest time—even before meeting Crimson Coffee Cake with an unrelated mission they both partake in. While forming a friendship is something she did not plan to have with Ruby Honey Heartbeats, she has realized why that person is close to them. The proxy claims to be just a customer in the videotape store they also own, and in a way, Soldier 11 has given them a task to pretend to be themselves.
And this evening is another night she will spend in this place again.
The noodles shop owner spots her and smiles at her as she approaches.
“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.”
“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. Next, she grabs the chopsticks and starts digging in. The broth can ease exhaustion while the chili keeps her awake. It is a perfect combination—and the meat is usually she saves 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 sits 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. 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 keeps seeking affection.
“Oh, November! 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 as Soldier 11 pets the cat. Contrary to her seemingly cold nature, he can see that the soldier has a caring side, especially after hearing some tales about her trying to learn to take 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, seemingly letting her do so.
Fuzzy.
“November is extra affectionate today,” Soldier 11 remarks and takes out her hand.
“Here are your orders.”
General Chop places the bowls each towards 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.”
Soldier 11 has stumbled upon Inky 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.
Getting attached is not part of her plans, but Soldier 11 knows for certain that she cannot keep the cat with her. Until that one day, she has called Eternal Guardian of Kin to make up some plans about Inky’s adoption.
“How about November?”
Soldier 11 is confused about why Belle wants to name it November.
“It’s close to your number! Besides, you’re the one who wants to adopt Inky in the first place.”
November is a little creature with little care for anything—even living in a time when uncertainty is always high. Sleeping on the floor like it is the safest place in the world, Soldier 11 is petting its head.
Wise is 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 kind of company.
Soldier 11 stands up.
“I’ll be on my way, November.” She turns to Wise. “As for Cat Paladin's brother, 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 watches the cat’s eased position.
“You expect that she’ll return, don’t you?”
November purrs.
The night has fallen deeply, but Soldier 11 is still in the Janus Quarter, specifically in Port Elpis. 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 only a couple of civilization has sprouted again, including the Old and New Eridu.
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 and knows it is her sniper teammate. Trigger joins her side and seems to face the giant Hollow on the horizon.
“Did PFC Magnusson have fun?” Soldier 11 asks.
Trigger smiles a bit. “Yes. I just wish you can be a little more casual to our squad’s junior.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Staff Sergeant Aran.”
“You never address me that way, except you want me away.”
“On the contrary, I never mean that way, Trigger.”
Trigger ponders a bit. “Oh wait, I learned something new today. Orphie showed me that we can dip fries on the sundae. I tried it and it tasted good. You could try it sometime. I guess there are things about civilian life I didn’t know.”
“I guess so. I’ll keep that in mind. Where is she anyway?” Soldier 11 asks.
“She already returned to Fort Iago. I thought of staying here for a bit, however. The breeze here is not entirely clean, but I also sure love this place. Port Elpis brings back fond memories.”
Soldier 11 merely 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 again.
Except, Trigger is a bit insistent.
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 each time she needs to.
“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, Eleven. And…it’s okay to cry.”
Soldier 11’s chest suddenly feels tight as she notices her sight blurs. 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, Elly. 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. She is relieved that she can assist her team this time, and the crew is all set to finish this impending business.
She walks out of the apartment and goes downstairs. It is also her habit to stare at the horizon to see the giant blob when her attention is shifted when Nicole speaks—who meets her 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. We might end up staying at the Outer Ring as well for few days.”
Nicole informs her. Then that means…
“I’ll secure the keys in the apartment,” Anby says.
“Nah, I’ll be returning here after I bring you guys there.”
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 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.