Trigger had a dedicated spotter, and she was loath to head into the Hollow without them. She wasn’t like those who thought they could go solo. No, she followed doctrine.

Life often punishes those with the strongest opinions in the most ironic ways, which is why she was in the Hollow, going solo in her usual gear. For her spotter - the person she was forced to leave behind a day ago, in a botched mission.

There'd be a squad which would go in and exfiltrate you. But she went in, nonetheless, because she knew your ammo was empty, and you weren't in good shape. That did not inspire confidence in your ability to be safe until the rescue mission got through bureaucracy about a week later.

The weapon in her hands would probably be enough to take care of anything that got between you, and her. Hopefully.

Two Ethereals were in her sights, too focused on some esoteric graffiti on a wall to notice her dialling them in.

Aim. Press. Done.

7.62mm did its job fairly well. Repeat. Another couple of Ethereals down. She wouldn’t stop until the general path to your last known location was clear. And then the consequence of not having a spotter arrived, in the form of a Tyrfing sneaking up on her. She rolled backwards, before setting her weapon to stun and poking it hard with it. Then, quickly taken care of from close range as it stood twitching, immobilized.

Another three Ethereals. The same sequence, before she took her bipod and entered the next abandoned house, clearing Ethereals from afar, concealed in the rubble. Then combat, against a nearby Ethereal attracted by sound.

Slowly but surely, she fought a path through the Hollow, before reaching your position. She hears something as she rounds a corner – and there you are, holed up, in a terrible shape, but safe and sound. She allows herself relief, something akin to a smile appearing on her face. She wants to say something, but her words fail her and all she can do is give you the most customary greeting, holding out her hand.

“Let’s… let’s get you out of here."