 Originally designed as a male character, Hanson was changed in development to female to act as a love interest for Raynor, albeit limited by Raynor's status as a mercenary and fugitive, and moreover the fact that Raynor is still trying to sort himself out in relation to Sarah Kerrigan.In the course of the campaign the player discovers that the zerg infestation had spread to Dr. Ariel Hanson's new homeworld, and the Protoss had dispatched a fleet to purify the planet as a result.The player can help her colony by eliminating the Protoss mothership, which ends in her staying behind and continuing research for a cure to Zerg infestation.