Mikhail (at right), with Erich (left) and Sharon Rozas.
Mikhail Ortmann (ミハエル・オルトマン, Mihaeru Orutoman) is one of the main characters of the side story Xenosaga: Pied Piper. Though he is not a playable character, he does work in the 1875th Federation special-ops detachment squad, under Captain Jan Sauer, who would go on to become Ziggurat 8.
Mikhail is a talented U.M.N. operator who specializes in overseeing dives, which link a person's mind to a virtual space or to another person's mind. He is the most vivacious of the group and often serves as a morale officer for his more serious teammates. He also seems to carry a torch for Melisse Ortus, having once asked her on a date.
Mikhail's partner is Erich Weber, and the two seem to be very close, though Mikhail is unaware of Erich's secret identity as the serial killer Voyager. As Voyager becomes increasingly emboldened, Mikhail grows suspicious of Erich's actions. Shortly before Voyager's true identity is exposed, Erich brainjacks Mikhail in an attempt to protect himself.
Mikhail dies after being brainjacked by Voyager and forced to attack his colleagues.
While Mikhail is under Voyager's control, he confronts Jan and the others, who are forced to fight to subdue him. Mikhail subsequently dies from his injuries, as well as from the trauma he sustained while being brainjacked.
Etymology[]
Mikhail is a Russian variation of the Hebrew name Michael, meaning "who is like God?" The name appears several times in Judeo-Christian scripture and in the Quran, most notably in reference to the archangel Michael, invoked in the Book of Revelation as a warrior leading other angels in battle against the forces of evil. The archangel Michael is often depicted wielding a sword or with a balance scale, signifying his role as a defender and as a judge of souls respectively. In Judaism he is considered a protector of the Jewish people. In the Catholic church, he is revered as the patron saint of law enforcement and the military.
Ortmann is a German surname which refers to a professional arbiter or mediator.