Tanda Marelle

Born on Alderaan before the outbreak of the Clone Wars, Tanda Marelle was a Human female. As a member of a well-known trading family, she grew tired of her mundane existence and yearned for adventure. Eventually, Marelle became a journalist, employed by the Galactic Resorts holomagazine. While traveling to various resort worlds across the galaxy, Marelle cleverly used her job as a cover for her other illicit occupation: jewel thievery. During assignments, she would exploit her position to scout potential targets and individuals. In 22 BBY, just before the Clone Wars commenced, Marelle served as a senior correspondent for Galactic Resorts, offering her insights on the galactic economy and tourism expenditure amid the growing tensions of impending war.

Under the alias of the Tombat, Marelle made a name for herself as a jewel thief. Early in her career, an event led people to believe the Tombat was a man. Marelle, amused by the error, did nothing to correct it and even encouraged the misconception. She found the disguise helpful in avoiding capture and suspicion, as authorities were always searching for a male suspect. The Tombat became a notorious figure in the galaxy, renowned as a superb jewel thief capable of bypassing any defense or security system to steal whatever he desired without leaving a trace. Stories circulated about his prowess with women and his ability to charm females. As a signature, the Tombat always left behind a single quella stone in place of the stolen items. By the early years of the Galactic Civil War, arrest warrants for the Tombat had been issued in 30 star systems. It was even rumored that the Tombat had infiltrated Noval Garaint's base in the Kheedar system and discovered that the bounty hunter had reconstructed and reprogrammed the chassis of six F1 exploration droids to serve as his personal bodyguards.

Initially unconcerned with any cause beyond her own, Marelle's perspective shifted in 0 BBY with the destruction of her homeworld by the Galactic Empire. Profoundly affected by the devastation—primarily due to the value of the gems she had hidden on the planet—Marelle sought out the Alliance to Restore the Republic to offer her assistance. She located Alliance General Airen Cracken at a safehouse on Albecus, presenting him with a collection of love letters he had written as a teenager and subsequently lost. This gesture convinced Cracken of her potential value, although he expressed concern about her inconsistent commitment to the Alliance.

Despite her Alderaanian heritage, Marelle struggled to connect with her fellow exiles due to her reputation as a thief. During a briefing, Alliance agent Targeter confronted Marelle, accusing her of wearing a pendant that Targeter claimed belonged to the Alderaanian Royal Family. The pendant was later observed in the possession of Leia Organa.

In 0 ABY, Marelle covered the preparations for the 2,367th annual Priole Danna Festival on Lamuir IV. During the festival, Marelle stole a pair of antique slugthrowers crafted by Andel Tanner during the Galactic Republic's Manderon Period, which belonged to the Jatz singer Fitz Roi. After removing them from the safe in the singer's hotel room, Marelle left a blue quella stone inside the weapon's leather carrying case. Several months later, Marelle was on Spira, reporting on the annual Spira Regatta Open, during which she executed the Spira Heist.

In 1 ABY, Marelle found herself on Tinnel IV when she raided the personal estate of Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod, the ruler of the Quanta sector. She absconded with several pieces of art from the Moff's vaults, replacing them with data disks. A few months later, Marelle was on Elshandruu Pica, where she pilfered gems and settings valued at over six million credits from Lady Landric of Danteel, who was residing at Margath's on Elshandruu Pica. Lady Landric, the wife of Moff Landric, announced a comprehensive investigation into the theft. However, two days later, Marelle returned the gems and settings to the safe from which she had stolen them, confounding investigators. Despite this, the Imperial Office of Criminal Investigations assigned Special Enforcement Officer Zanza Gata to the Tombat case.

In 2 ABY, Marelle covered the release of Fitz Roi's latest sound slug, Tymin' Downband, while on Arcopola. The following month, she plundered the art collection of Whiphid business magnate Baron Galrowk on Gambolla. A few months later, Marelle was on Brentaal IV, reporting on the extravagant production of The Kallea Cycle. During a banquet hosted by House Brentioch, Marelle arranged for quella stones to be baked into the bowls of shim-bay crispa served to the guests, who included Moff Jamson Caglio, Imperial Advisor Alec Pradeux, and Inspector Zanza Gata of the IOCI.

Marelle had received training in the use of a blaster and carried a [palm blaster](/article/palm_blaster]. She was also skilled in unarmed and melee combat. Marelle possessed extensive knowledge of bureaucratic procedures, alien cultures, and law enforcement practices. She was capable of piloting repulsorlift vehicles and swoops, as well as operating security equipment. Marelle had the ability to program and repair computers and droids, and she was proficient in demolitions and first aid. As a skilled thief, she was also adept at conning or persuading targets, sneaking and hiding, forgery, and gambling. Marelle always carried a [doorjacker](/article/doorjacker].

Marelle's profile in Cracken's Rebel Operatives indicates her age as 28, written from an in-universe perspective shortly after the Battle of Yavin, suggesting a birthdate of 28 BBY. However, articles from HoloNet News set in 22 BBY identify her as a senior reporter, despite the fact that she would only be 6 years old at that time. This article assumes that the age provided in Cracken's Rebel Operatives is inaccurate and has been superseded by more recent sources.