
Ganya
Captain of B.C.R.L. Team Meerkat. Unlike the more mobile Team Ratel, Team Meerkat deals with logistics and special situations. Ganya was chosen as Team Meerkat's captain for several reasons: she is from Mander Mine, excelled in training camp, and has performed well in her job. She is responsible and steady. Amongst the problematic Team Meerkat, Ganya stands out as the normal one. However, Rachel, Ilona, and Reika all trust and like this captain, though Reika may never admit it.
"This team was established and hand-picked by me," is a line Ganya says that often baffles people. After all, in comparison with the composed, dependable Ganya, the other members of the team can practically be described as three problem children. Why in the world did she choose Rachel, who loves toying with chemical agents, the shut-in Ilona, and Reika, who never has anything nice to say?
The reasons are clear to Ganya herself. They're all outstanding in their specialties and were all kids who, for some reason, were abandoned by most of the world. The moment Ganya stumbled upon the trio's information amid heaps of B.C.R.L. soldiers' files, she noted down their names in her mind. Sometime later, when she became the administrator of Mander Mine's BCRL Agency, she got the approval to establish a special ops team, which was how Team Meerkat came to be.
"From here on out, we will be partners."
No speech about purpose or glory, just a group of young women heading for the future as partners—this, to Ganya, was the most solemn promise she could give.
Ganya is exceptionally interested in researching and repairing mechanical structures. Taking things apart and then putting them back together are things she has enjoyed doing from a young age, and it's rare that there are ever mistakes like having a bunch of leftover screws after reassembly.
Mander Mine is home to numerous workers who once played a part in constructing Bonfire Cities and railways. These elders were all pleased to see such a diligent, driven child. When Ganya goes back to her residence in Mander Mine now, she still greets them happily as she always did.
As for the person who had the greatest influence on her life trajectory, that would be her paternal grandfather, who joined the Bonfire City engineering team after Solstice and personally participated in the early development of Shoggolith City when he was still a man in his prime. In his humble abode, Ganya listened to him tell one after another story about how he and his companions traveled a long time to construct a city, how the buildings were built from the ground up, and how the tracks were laid miles and miles away, which filled young Ganya with eagerness for the outside world and the future.
However, her grandfather's stories always came to an abrupt end. "Shoggolith City was constructed, and a railway network was built across the land." That marked the end of the journey between him and his companions. Only after he passed on did Ganya comprehend why he looked so forlorn, and thus she decided to venture out into the world outside of the mine.
To Ganya, structurally sound and highly efficient machinery is very attractive. Laymen admiring such machinery may simply give basic compliments like "That's amazing," but Ganya will seriously look into how it works and study the good points in its design. Ever since taking over the power hammer left to her by her grandfather, one of her goals has been to become an outstanding machinery designer; thus, she and the Conductor do have some common topics to chat about.
At times, Ganya will put in the work to make some mechanical handicrafts, so it won't be a surprise if you bump into her in all sorts of parts stores every now and then. Lately, she has started giving out her handicrafts to various friends, often surprising them with her out-of-the-box creativity. For instance, she gave Rachel a ribbon bow made out of gears, gave Reika a keychain made out of discarded pull tabs, and gave Ilona a diorama in a tin can... Being Ganya's friend and teammate sure is a pretty delightful thing.
Tools and weapons repaired by her also tend to have more "personality." Her own weapon, for example, was originally a claw hammer that she transformed into a dual-purpose mechanical axe that's still able to function as an everyday tool outside of the battlefield. In a way, Ganya believes this is how she can fulfill her grandfather's dying wish.
"Ganya is an ultra-zealous person!" said Rachel. This sentence might sound incredibly absurd, but even Reika and Ilona would nod in agreement, as Ganya had a goal that she almost never told anyone else.
Ever since her grandfather passed on, she had been quietly creating the prototype of this goal in her mind, pretty much already determining her direction in life: She intended to build a more equal world that lets people live with more dignity. However, no matter who she could tell this to, they would probably just laugh it off. After all, what could a mere BCRL Agency branch administrator possibly do to make the world a better place?
Ganya was well aware that she was powerless, but she did not give up her goal and instead turned it into her own code of conduct. Before doing anything, she would first consider the consequences in detail. Her aloof nature and much more cautious method of doing things made her appear way more mature than people her age, which was how she won over her teammates with vastly different personalities. Ganya might look like she was set in her ways, but no one other than Team Meerkat's members knew better about her beyond-sincere heart.
It's to be expected that she will be encountering more things and people in the near future. Even though her goal remains a pipe dream as of now, Ganya is still doing everything she can to achieve it.
Captain of B.C.R.L Team Meerkat, Ganya. I haven't prepared any gifts, so don't plan some welcome ceremony. Let's just get down to work.
Need me to assist you? No, I've no opinion about that. I'm also a little curious about how you work.
I find it a bit strange when I see BOX. As a machine, it's too human-like. I don't know if Reika considers this trustworthy.
You want to see my mechanical axe? Sure, just be careful. The internal structure of this axe is quite complex, and mishandling it could cause injury to someone unfamiliar with it.
Though I'm assisting you now, it doesn't mean I'll relax my scrutiny of the tasks you undertake for the BCRL Agency. Please strive to complete them and submit good reports. It'll make things easier between us.
Ah! There was a rare beetle on the window... It's flown away now. It's a bit of a shame I didn't get a good look at it.
Is there something you need, Conductor? Sorry, just wait a moment... There, done. This is the watch my grandfather left me. It's quite old, so I have to manually adjust the time from time to time.
What I'm not good at? Ah, that would definitely be anything sour... Rachel once made a super sour drink just to tease me, and after taking a sip... I don't remember anything...
I grew up in Mander Mine. I spent my childhood sneaking into the construction site with friends to watch those large machines work. I wanted to be a skilled worker like my grandfather when I grew up... but since learning about his past, I've never thought about it again.
Ilona always appears lazy, but we all trust her abilities. Compared to those obedient 'worry-free" soldiers... I prefer teammates like mine.
Grandfather taught me a lot about maintaining machines. He was an excellent worker. It's precisely because he was once so proud of his work that I feel sad and angry to see him so disheartened now...
Hmm, while I appreciate your kindness, accepting gifts from you without permission as a member of B.C.R.L. would cause unnecessary trouble... Oh, alright, I'll accept it. I'll think about what to give in return.
Conductor is always punctual when we meet. I like that. What? I'm just complimenting you. Why the odd expression?
I've noticed, Conductor, that you're not a very honest person, are you? Don't be so nervous. I'm not saying it's a bad thing. If you're the obedient type, I wouldn't be chatting with you like this.
Time to hit the road.
We'll take it one step at a time.
Nobody has fallen behind, right?
I won't allow you all to continue running rampant!
Time to finish this.
Am I still not good enough...?
How could I be defeated here...?
I was just doing what I should do.