Age: 25
Birthday: May 11, 1976
Blood type: B
Melissa Mao serves as the second-in-command of the Special Response Team (SRT) under Gail McAllen in Mithril. Her call sign is Uruz-2. Known for her expertise in electronic warfare, she is highly valued by the Pacific Battle Group Tuatha de Danaan. Initially a Sergeant Major, she gets promoted to Second Lieutenant by the time of the novel "Dancing Very Merry Christmas," becoming a commissioned officer.
Melissa is adept at handling Arm Slaves but lacks precise control. She tends to employ aggressive tactics with firearms. Later in the series, she usually does not pilot an Arm Slave anymore, though she remains proficient, albeit not on par with Sousuke Sagara and Kurz Weber. Besides English, she speaks fluent Cantonese due to her time spent in Hong Kong's Kowloon district.
Melissa is known for her sharp insults and heavy drinking habits, somewhat akin to Misato Katsuragi from Neon Genesis Evangelion. Once depicted sprawled out on Tessa's coffee table surrounded by cigarettes and beer cans, she is extremely rude and uses harsh language when provoked or dealing with someone she dislikes. During a Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu! episode where Sousuke trains rugby players, he mimics Melissa's training manual which includes lines inspired by R. Lee Ermey’s character in Full Metal Jacket. Melissa enjoys practical jokes; once, she teased Sousuke about 'jumping Tessa's bones' before handcuffing Tessa to herself to prevent any sneaking into his room.
Born to Chinese-American parents in New York City, Melissa grew up under strict Chinese traditions that included an arranged marriage. Realizing this, she fled home and joined the United States Marine Corps while still in her wedding gown. After receiving a dishonorable discharge, she moved to British-controlled Hong Kong, staying with maternal relatives. Scouted by MITHRIL, she became Uruz-2 under Gail McAllen’s command until two team members were permanently injured, forcing her to recruit replacements at MITHRIL’s secret camp in Berutarube.
Initially intrigued by Kurz Weber despite his poor marksmanship, she dismissed him after witnessing his womanizing behavior. Sousuke Sagara was overlooked due to low test scores until Melissa noticed his exceptional AS piloting skills during a simulation test. After rescuing Maria, the kidnapped daughter of Berugan's president, Melissa led Sousuke, Kurz, and Jimmer against communist rebels. Realizing their hidden abilities, she forced them to reveal their talents and join her squad.
Later, Melissa guarded Kaname Chidori in Tokyo. Near the end of the first series, she was wounded by Gauron during combat but helped kill Guen Bien Bo by throwing scalpels. A friend to Tessa, she has access to her office. Early in her career, Melissa befriended Gail McAllen and Belfangan Grouseaux, maintaining good working relationships despite some secrecy requests. With the SRT's heavy losses defending Merida Island, Melissa became its second-in-command.
