One could argue that she was even more of the series protagonist than Nikola was - the latter had appeared in the original game, and had had some characterization and character development laid down there.  On the official stuff, though, Nikola was the continuing hero of the series, following his triumphant leadership of Strike Force Centauri in the game.  It was his narration during the anime, and he was present on every mission (including the infamous Episode Twelve), which was not copied by any other member of the team.  Not even his brother Brandt (another carryover from the game) and cousin Vincent (Sveta's older brother).<br/><br/>Arguments for why the young girl was the 'real' protagonist of the anime abounded.  She was in all but three episodes - Nikola had been absent for twice as many as she had been.  She was the one who got most of the character development - going from a young and fairly sheltered girl to one who understood what the existence of the team was all about.  She was the team 'heart' - nearly every major character got at least one major conversation with her.  The creators of the series knew that someone who existed<em>purely</em>for fanservice tended to go over...poorly, especially in a serious show like Terra Nova.  So they had done their best to counterbalance the fanservice they heaped upon her.<br/><br/>(And to be fair, those sixteen walk-ins were not quite as advertised.  Half of them alone had transpired in the well-known beach episode, and another three had happened when she was captured by the Hegemony in episode twelve.  Deciding to cast the enemy officers as perverts ogling a young girl had helped establish viewer hatred.)<br/><br/>"Ruby, how many times to have to tell you?  Milk doesn't do that!"  She idly remembered the hyperactive one's love of the drink.  "Bones, yes, height, maybe...but what you're talking about?  No.  No no, a thousand times no."  Sveta paused.  "Okay.  I'm gonna count to three.  On three, pull up."  Wiggling herself into position, she began the count.  "One.  Two."  On 'two,' she inhaled, sucking in as much as she could.  "...three..."  She hissed out.  It would be very, very close, but the suit would manage to be zippered.<br/><br/>"Ugh...I can't believe I'm still growing.  At this rate I'll need to have another D added to my bra size."  She turned a bit.  "I'm okay, Ruby.  Thanks."<br/><br/>With that, she headed down to the garage.  Sveta walked a bit gingerly, as she could feel the suit hugging her.