The Silent Departure: What Happened to Quiet After Mission 45 in MGSV?
After the completion of Mission 45, “A Quiet Exit,” Quiet seemingly vanishes from Mother Base and becomes unavailable as a combat buddy in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. This departure is not a simple mission outcome but rather a complex narrative event interwoven with her character arc, her unique condition, and her deep connection with Venom Snake. Quiet doesn’t simply leave; she makes a conscious decision driven by a desire to protect those she has come to care for.
Quiet’s Forced Exodus
Quiet’s departure stems from a second outbreak of the vocal cord parasite within Diamond Dogs’ Mother Base. This isn’t just a random recurrence; it’s a mutation of the parasite that could potentially be deadly to the entire team. Initially introduced to Quiet through her parasitic infection, the parasite’s mutation introduces the risk of airborne transmission.
Quiet, acutely aware of the threat she represents, decides to leave to protect her newfound comrades. She realizes that her presence, while a boon to the team’s combat capabilities, is a constant risk. Her infection and vulnerability become a burden, and in a final, selfless act, she chooses to remove herself from the situation entirely. This isn’t a surrender or a defeat, but rather a difficult decision made out of love and loyalty. She disappears into the harsh landscapes of Afghanistan, seeking isolation as a means of preserving the safety of the Diamond Dogs.
The tragic irony is that the very parasite that made her a silent but lethal warrior is now the catalyst for her departure. The potential of unknowingly transmitting the mutation to others weighs heavily on her, making her disappearance a necessary sacrifice.
Quiet’s Condition: A Silent Threat
To fully understand why Quiet makes the choices she does, one must understand her unique situation. She carries a version of the vocal cord parasite that prevents her from speaking any language other than Navajo. This isn’t just a quirky character trait; it’s a biological limitation. She can’t talk about her condition or warn others about the parasite’s mutation because any attempt at speaking would put those she cares about in danger.
This parasite also enhances her combat abilities, giving her incredible agility, marksmanship, and physical prowess. However, it comes at a great cost: her silence. The parasite feeds on her lungs, and in the scenario of a severe infection, it would lead to severe lung scarring, causing her to suffocate.
Her choice not to speak English is therefore a powerful act of self-preservation, but also a silent sacrifice to keep those around her safe. The mutated parasite means even speaking English could kill anyone nearby.
The Bond with Venom Snake
Throughout the game, Quiet develops a deep bond with Venom Snake. This bond transcends mere camaraderie, it becomes a pivotal aspect of her character arc. She evolves from a ruthless assassin of XOF into a loyal member of the Diamond Dogs, motivated by a genuine affection for her comrades, especially Snake.
This connection is ultimately what drives her to leave after Mission 45. She is not a mindless soldier following orders; she is a deeply complex character capable of love and sacrifice. The emotional weight of her departure stems from this profound bond; she is effectively choosing to leave her only connection in the world to ensure their safety. This is made all the more tragic given the connection between Snake and Quiet, further cementing her as a key character to the plot.
The Possibility of Return
While Quiet’s departure in the story is seemingly permanent, later game patches have introduced a mechanic that allows her to return. This is not presented as canonical but rather as a gameplay feature that allows the player to continue using her as a buddy. After completing the game, and certain requirements, players can unlock a specific cutscene and obtain a way to bring her back, ensuring she’s not entirely lost to players. However, her initial departure stands as an important narrative point and a testament to her character, regardless of the gameplay feature introduced.
This return does not negate the impact of her original departure; it is more of a recognition of her popularity as a character and a way to allow players to continue playing with her. It’s important to note that her initial story arc and sacrifice remain as canon, showcasing her dedication to Diamond Dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Quiet permanently gone after mission 45?
Yes, initially in the game’s narrative, Quiet departs permanently after Mission 45 and cannot be used as a buddy. However, after the release of several patches, it became possible to bring her back to Motherbase under specific gameplay requirements. These requirements include the completion of certain side ops, reaching a level of bond with Quiet, and having the butterfly emblem on your combat uniform. The story reasons behind her departure, however, remain unchanged.
2. Why does Quiet not speak?
Quiet carries a vocal cord parasite that inhibits her ability to speak any language except Navajo. Speaking any other language, specifically English, would trigger the parasite and kill anyone nearby, including herself. This is initially a weapon, and later becomes a method of self-preservation.
3. Can Quiet speak English?
Quiet does have the capability of speaking English, but she chooses not to because her parasites would activate and cause harm to herself and others. As shown at the end of mission 45, she is forced to speak English to try and save Venom Snake from being captured by the Russian soldiers.
4. Where does Quiet go after leaving Mother Base?
Quiet disappears into Afghanistan, where she seeks isolation to protect the members of Diamond Dogs from a mutated version of her vocal cord parasite. She is attempting to keep the Mother Base safe at the cost of her own happiness.
5. Is there a way to prevent Quiet from leaving?
Initially, there was no way to stop Quiet from leaving after mission 45. However, through later updates, it is now possible to bring her back to the Mother Base after completing the game and meeting the specific requirements.
6. What is the butterfly emblem and how does it relate to Quiet?
The butterfly emblem is a symbol that indicates the strength of your bond with Quiet. In previous versions, it was said that wearing this emblem would prevent her from leaving. Later, it was removed as a direct correlation and changed to several requirements.
7. What happens if you kill Quiet during her introductory mission?
If you shoot Quiet in her first mission, you cannot recruit her as a buddy. This would cause the plot and gameplay to deviate, so it is recommended not to kill her. Instead, follow the mission objective to try and bring her back to Mother Base.
8. Why is Quiet so powerful in combat?
Quiet’s combat prowess is a result of the vocal cord parasite enhancing her abilities. This grants her superhuman agility, marksmanship, and strength.
9. Can Quiet be cured of her parasite?
Quiet cannot be cured of her parasite because she has the English strain, which is a mutation that is immune to the regular vaccine. This is a key reason why she has to remain silent and eventually leave the base.
10. What is the significance of Quiet’s departure to the overall plot of MGSV?
Quiet’s departure showcases themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and the complex nature of bonds. It highlights her growth from an assassin to a deeply emotional character who prioritizes the safety of her comrades. Her departure is a significant point that emphasizes the emotional themes of the game.
11. Is Quiet’s departure an end for her character arc?
Quiet’s initial departure may appear as an ending, but it’s actually a pivotal moment of her character arc. Her ultimate choice is a testament to her growth and depth as a character, showcasing her ability to sacrifice for the greater good.
12. What is Mission 51 and how does it relate to Quiet?
Mission 51, known as “Kingdom of the Flies,” was a cut mission from the game. It was said to explore further into the character’s motivations, story, and ties to the main villain. Some footage of this mission was released later, and while the mission is not playable in the standard version of the game, it contains valuable information about the plot.
13. How do you bring Quiet back after completing MGSV?
To bring Quiet back you need to reach a bond level of 100 with her, you also need to have completed the main story missions and then complete the 11 side ops which she appears in. After you complete these conditions, you will have the opportunity to find and bring her back to Mother Base.
14. What are the main reasons that Quiet leaves?
The two main reasons that Quiet leaves are because of her own actions, and the second mutation of the parasites. She leaves to keep the Diamond Dogs safe from the mutated parasites. She is a carrier and does not want to cause more people on Mother Base to be infected.
15. What is the legacy of Quiet’s character?
Quiet’s character is a fan favorite, and is remembered for her compelling story and unique design. She is remembered for her loyalty, sacrifice, and the complex nature of her relationship with Venom Snake. Her journey remains one of the most memorable aspects of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.