Mariko Tanaka

Mariko Tanaka
- 2666.356
File:Spirit.gif Mariko on the Tiger's Claw
Callsign	Hunter
Allegiance	Terran Confederation
Service/branch	Terran Confederation Space Force
Years of service	2653-2666
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel

Mariko Tanaka was a pilot on the TCS Tiger's Claw. Her father was Shun Tanaka, who died during the McAuliffe Ambush and her fiancé Philip was an officer in the Medical Corps. He was taken prisoner by the Kilrathi during their attack on Epsilon station.

After the destruction of the Tiger's Claw, Mariko transferred to the TCS Concordia. Ten years later, Zachary Colson, who was also on the Concordia began his betrayal.

During 2666, Mariko received a message from the traitor claiming that her fiancé was still alive despite being captured ten years earlier, and was on the Heaven's Gate Starbase. Even though the Concordia was preparing to destroy the starbase, Spirit refused to tell anyone else about the message. The only one who knew was her old comrade Christopher Blair, whom she forced to remain silent on the matter.

Later, Mariko flew with Christopher Blair on a mission to destroy the Heaven's Gate Starbase. However Colson had sabotaged her fighter, and the ship exploded, crippling it beyond recovery. Her gunner, Meron, was immediately killed in the blast. With her Sabre losing air pressure, Mariko flew her Sabre straight into the space station, against Blair's protests. All of her torpedoes exploded on impact, killing her and destroying the starbase. Her fiancé Philip, who was on the base, also died. Her last words to Blair were, "Tengoku de omachishi te imasu", which means, "I will wait for you in heaven."

Zachary Colson was later captured by Blair after his allegiance to the Kilrathi was discovered. Mariko's murder was one of the many crimes he was charged with. Blair would ultimately avenge Spirit's death when he killed Colson when the latter attempted to return to the Kilrathi.