Olga

I was curious as to what everyone thought about the SWA's resident Russian Ex-Spy.

Out of all the support staff, she intrigues me the most. The resident cool enigma, so to speak. I imagine she regales the cyborgs with many a tale of cloak and dagger derring-do.

I'd love to see her salivating over Petra's past and her subconscious ballet imprinting.

Some spies are made, others born. I see Olga as being a ballet dancer who was approached and 'convinced' to spy for the USSR (waaaay back then.) Ballet dancers have horrifically short careers, but she loved the art too much to become a spy full-time when her legs gave out, so she moved to teaching, and was still working for the intelligence services.

I don't see her as 'making a break for it' and having a price on her head. She seems to open for that. Instead, I think she simply retired, and was allowed to because she wasn't privvy to much by way of high-value intel - she was a grunt, and wasn't that big a deal.

However, NATO wanted to have whatever she could offer, so they welcomed her, debriefed her, and, in part because she's used to working with younger children from her cover as a ballet teacher, she was tasked over to Section 2.

That's probably how I'll write her. None of it is canon, obviously.

That's... not a bad bio, actually. Although I think you might selling her role a little short; I reckon she's got quite a bit of time in the field under her belt, along with combat experience, too. She gives off the air of a seasoned veteran.


Now I find myself really wishing Olga had been Petra's handler instead of Sandro.

I think we can reconcile both - not all spies get the goods.

There was one book that had the adage, "There are old spies, there are bold spies, but there are no old, bold spies." She is obviously no spring chicken, so I would think she is the cautious type.

Also, there are assets and there are assets. The lower-key ones would simply be given a 'shopping list' of stuff to look for in their travels. These generally aren't actual 'spies', just assets that real spies 'run'. "Say, when you visit LA, see if you can get some pictures of the Navy Yard."

Real spies would use their cover to get in country, hopefully unnoticed. They'd be trained to see if they were tailed, and to lose them, then go off and do their dark art. As you note, with the way Olga carries herself, she's skilled in the field, so I can easily see her being the 'coach' of a traveling ballet troupe who is prone to 'sightseeing'.

It's entirely possible she worked a full second career w/o ever encountering some 'eyes only' information, the kind that doesn't allow you to leave the agency, at least not on your feet. Also, a smart spy may realize this, and just hand over the goods without endangering themselves by stealing a peek. Remember The Transporter's third rule: Never look in the bag.

Me, I'm glad she's isn't. I like the fact that Petra isn't just a dancer - she's also learning to be a chameleon. Sandro is a good spy, as opposed to Jean and co. who have more of a 'shock trooper' mentality.

Spoiler:

I think you posted that a year-plus ago when the SWA first got their asses handed to them at the bell tower.

With Olga, I think she would be too interested in making this 'short lived flower blossom most brightly' as the perfect dancer, her masterwork, her legacy. Instead, she gets to dream about it.

Dreams are always so much better than the nitty and gritty of reality.

===

BTW, I don't think Olga has actually seen Petra so far, yes?

Jacen Starslayer wrote:I was curious as to what everyone thought about the SWA's resident Russian Ex-Spy.

Um, I think she's hot! However, on a mission me thinks Lady Olga is down right cooool.......

Olga used to work for the Russian Embassy... I get the impression that she fulfilled a lot of the same duties as Marine Security Guards do for US Embassies.

A lot like lyndist appears to do as well, for that matter... *chuckles*

Olga is calm, capable and cool under pressure. Definitely a field veteran, but not jaded - she still has her sense of humor.

Officer_Charon wrote:Olga used to work for the Russian Embassy... I get the impression that she fulfilled a lot of the same duties as Marine Security Guards do for US Embassies.

I believe one of those duties was as a driver.

Once I finish Pactio, I intend to go back and read the Seven Seas editions of V1-8 and the scanlations of V9-14 as my memories of what has been said in the manga has atrophied a bit.

Eh, I'd much rather have a handler who attempts to make her charge shine than one who does nothing but sit around and mope about the morality of her job.


When I said 'combat experience', I wasn't implying stuff like what Rambo does, oh no. I'm fully aware that the best spies don't leave throngs of bodies in their wake. I was thinking a bunch of assassinations, perhaps - you know, wetwork. Although I sometimes do like to fancy Olga as this spec-ops badass like Bryan from 'Taken'.


As for whether or not she's seen Petra, I think it's an easy bet she must have.

So much about Petra is easy, why not the bet?

Well played.

Like Sandro.

Boosh.

I should be more specific - have they ever been in the same pane in the manga, or has either of them ever mentioned seeing the other?

Never read that far, so I can't say for sure. But presumed off-panel interactions are the seeds that sprout many a great fanfic.

Olga is the best and yet underused character in the GsG Character closet. Her potential for growth is paramount, compared to Priscilla or even Ferro. With Ferro, she's locked into the "Intell Supervisor" role. Priscilla, in what slot she is in she is locked. But Olga, she is very flexible in what role she is in. She can work with handlers and their cyborgs, she can deal with potential threats, she does it all. Seeing her as a handler, would be a dream come true.

Olga is calm, capable and cool under pressure. Definitely a field veteran, but not jaded - she still has her sense of humor.

Good point

Nachtsider wrote:Now I find myself really wishing Olga had been Petra's handler instead of Sandro.

Truly a match made in heaven. Yu was asleep at the switch on this one.

Danjo3 wrote:

Nachtsider wrote:Now I find myself really wishing Olga had been Petra's handler instead of Sandro.

Truly a match made in heaven. Yu was asleep at the switch on this one.

I so agree.

I think she's interesting. She's kind of mysterious, and her Russian background could give her a different perspective on things than the other members of Section 2. Too bad the only time I remember that coming into play is when she drew on some Russian folklore to help write the Prince of Pasta story for Angelica, in that flashback. She has an interest in ballet, so I could see her getting along well with Petra. She does seem to have a bit of a mothering side, but not to the point where it could affect her judgment, as the case sometimes is with Priscilla.

Tross wrote:I think she's interesting. She's kind of mysterious, and her Russian background could give her a different perspective on things than the other members of Section 2. Too bad the only time I remember that coming into play is when she drew on some Russian folklore to help write the Prince of Pasta story for Angelica, in that flashback. She has an interest in ballet, so I could see her getting along well with Petra. She does seem to have a bit of a mothering side, but not to the point where it could affect her judgment, as the case sometimes is with Priscilla.

Glad to see someone else see Olga's mothering nature beneath that tough exterior.

It's definitely there. It's downplayed, so it could be easy to miss. Given her background with the Russian Embassy, and factor in her age in comparison to a lot of the other section 2 members, and Olga's obviously experienced, and wise enough to keep her feelings in check and approach situations in a calm and cool manner. Plus, with Priscilla's mothering side being much more apparent, one might not notice that side in Olga. When she was first introduced though, she showed some compassion and concern for the girls who went in for their assessment with Dr. Bianchi. I believe it was a little more apparent in the anime, but it has been a while since I've seen it or read the earlier chapters in the manga, so don't quote me on that. Olga also often follows Priscilla when she decides to act upon her mothering side, but Olga has always struck me as the type to make her own decisions and stand on her own two feet rather than simply following a co-worker or friend for no reason. I think it's impressive that even certain side characters who aren't around all the time have subtle sides to them, which is just another reason why I love this series.

In Russia, Mother has you.

Given her background I wonder if Olga had any role to play in Petruska ending up in Italy and possibly the agency, beyond what is shown in cannon. I think its plausible given her love of Ballet that she could have had connections to Petra's school and recomended Italy for medical treatment or took an interest in her after she wound up in italy. probably tilting at windmills here, but i wonder if any of you might have through the same way

crazyidiot78 wrote:Given her background I wonder if Olga had any role to play in Petruska ending up in Italy and possibly the agency, beyond what is shown in cannon.

The paranoid in me has always thought there was a connection between the two. In the minimum it was a coincidence that was taken advantage of.

ElfenMagix wrote:

crazyidiot78 wrote:Given her background I wonder if Olga had any role to play in Petruska ending up in Italy and possibly the agency, beyond what is shown in cannon.

The paranoid in me has always thought there was a connection between the two. In the minimum it was a coincidence that was taken advantage of.

Has to be a coincidence, Olga was a driver for the Russian Embasy, and I believe she is only a fan of ballet, and not hardcore enough to keep a close eye on all the upcoming ballerinas.

And I'm not too sure about the 'motherly' thing from Olga, I think she's only there as part of her scheme to kidnap the girls for her own personal cyborg ballet troop.

Man, that could be more deadly than being used as an assassin. Plus, if a girl breaks an ankle, she'll be far away from the Agency's awesome medical staff.