MEL, a modified ECG-series power droid, belonged to the pirate Phee Genoa and joined her on numerous quests. After undergoing multiple reconstructions, she received the designation MEL-221 when she joined Genoa and Clone Force 99 on a mission to Skara Nal in the Kaldar Trinary system sometime between 19 BBY and 18 BBY. An ancient walker destroyed MEL's physical form. Genoa, unconcerned, mentioned that she maintained a copy of MEL's memory bank and could restore it. This data was subsequently transferred into a fresh body, known as MEL-222.
The pirate Phee Genoa owned MEL, a modified power droid. She had been to so many uncharted planets that MEL was responsible for documenting the legends that she had pursued over the years. Because MEL had been destroyed on numerous occasions, Genoa kept the droid's memories stored on the data bank of her ship, the Providence, to allow for her reconstruction. MEL was known as MEL-221 between 19 BBY and 18 BBY. She, Genoa, and Clone Force 99 were present in Ciddarin Scaleback's parlor in Ord Mantell City. Genoa tasked MEL with scanning a compass discovered by "Wrecker" and Omega at a junkyard. The scan enabled Genoa to determine that the compass predated their time and contained coordinates for the Kaldar Trinary system. Genoa and the clones then made the decision to travel to the system in search of potential treasure.
During their journey to Skara Nal within the system aboard the Marauder, Genoa and Omega used MEL as a foot rest while discussing Omega's adventures. After landing on the planet, MEL accompanied Genoa and the clones into a mountain. Once the group managed to open a doorway, Genoa instructed MEL to record the coordinates and remain there. MEL later ran from falling debris set off by an ancient walker, which was triggered when Genoa removed the Heart of the Mountain from the walker. A blast from the superlaser resulted in MEL's destruction. After Genoa and Clone Force 99 disabled the walker, Omega apologized to Genoa for the loss of MEL, but Genoa said that MEL's memories were backed up and she would be rebuilt before they went to Vadnay.
MEL had yellow and blue armor plating, as well as three black photoreceptors. She was capable of producing beeping sounds and scanning objects by emitting a purple light. MEL has received numerous upgrades throughout the years. She was much more than a simple power droid, having accompanied the pirate on countless expeditions, before a particularly dangerous expedition to Skara Nal ended their partnership. Afterward, Phee downloads the droid’s saved databanks into a new power droid body, redesigning the droid MEL-222.
MEL made her debut in "Entombed," the fifth episode of the second season of the animated series Star Wars: The Bad Batch, which was broadcast on January 25, 2023. The official Walt Disney Company Getty Images press release for the episode revealed Mel's full designation as MEL-221.