Melani Bradlaw

Melani Bradlaw was a Terran who grew up on the world of Bountiful. As of the events of StarCraft, she was nineteen.

Her ultimate fate, and whether she even existed can not be said with certainty, as she only appears in the memories of neurally resocialized Marine Ardo Melnikov.

Early Life
Melani first arrived on Bountiful at the age of eight with her parents Arthur and Keti. Initially she was awkward, lonely and shy, not really being noticed. At age fourteen though she began to go through adolescence, seemingly "bursting into awareness." Ardo Melnikov was the first to approach her, the two becoming close friends (and perhaps more).

Judgement Day
"Golden...That was his word for it, that rare, perfect day that warms the soul with a golden glow of joy. There was peace in a golden day."

- Ardo Melnikov

Melani's relationship with Ardo, and perhaps her life, would be cut short, although the exact circumstances are hazy. There are two scenarios presented;

Manufactured Memories
"Please Ardo! Don't leave me alone!"

- Melani's last words

In Ardo's manufactured memories, the Zerg invaded Bountiful. She and Ardo ran to Helaman Township, finding it under attack by the Zerg, Confederate forces fighting a rearguard action. She and Ardo, moving in a human tide, managed to reach one of the Dropships used for evacuation. However she was 'grabbed' (impaled) by three Hydralisks simultaniously and despite Ardo's best efforts, she was pulled out of his reach to her certain death.

'Real' Memories
"Please Ardo! Don't leave me alone!"

- Melani's last words before Ardo's capture

In Ardo's 'real' memories, the Confederacy did not defend Bountiful but rather invaded it, seeking to conscript young boys into the Confederate Marine Corps. Ardo was among those singled out and although Melani tried to fend the Marines off, Ardo was torn out of her grasp and removed from her life.

Life Hereafter
In retrospect, Melani almost certainly existed, given her presence in both sets of memories. As such, she is probably still alive and living on Bountiful.

Appearance
"Golden was the colour of her hair and the sound of her voice"

- Ardo Melnikov

Melani's appearance is aptly described. She possess long, fine golden hair and brilliant blue eyes. Note that many other adjectives are used, most, if not all of them subjective.

Mythological References
Melani and her circumstances can be drawn as a parallel to Greek mythology, namely the story of Persephone's abduction by Hades; Lord of the Underworld, causing grief to her mother Demeter; the goddess of grain and fertility. The Zerg/Confederacy, descending upon Bountiful (an agricultural planet) are akin to Hades descending upon Persephone, tearing her from the fields, or in Melani's case, Ardo's presence. Bountiful itself represents Demeter, her grief mirrorred in the grief that Ardo experiences in the aftermath of his ordeal.