A sentient being of the female persuasion, Ari Melast served as a lieutenant under the crime boss Nirama. However, without Nirama's knowledge, Melast was secretly a member of The Cell, a clandestine group within his criminal Organization with the goal of overthrowing him, reinstating slavery within the Cularin system.
During the year 32 BBY, Melast participated in a scheme designed to undermine Nirama by implicating some of his devoted operatives located at Rothe Gate, which served as his primary asteroid storage site for weaponry. To accomplish this, The Cell reprogrammed N3-A2, Nirama's previous protocol droid, manipulated Jobril, Nirama's property manager, and fabricated evidence to connect the loyal employees to The Cell. The Cell attempted to assassinate Nirama when he visited Rothe Gate, using N3-A2 as a mobile explosive to create a diversion. Melast herself was involved in modifying the droid for this purpose. The coup attempt was unsuccessful. Nirama learned of Melast's involvement and instructed his second-in-command, Len Markus, to apprehend her.