Anaya

### Relatives

Teleya (mother); Ed Mercer (father); Arnak (uncle); Bert Mercer (grandfather); Jeannie Mercer (grandmother)

## Physical description

### Gender

Female

**Anaya** (also known as "Anaya Mercer") is a female human/Krill hybrid who appeared in *Gently Falling Rain*. She is the daughter of Ed Mercer and Teleya, conceived when Teleya was disguised as "Janel Tyler" on the *Orville*.

She is portrayed by child actor Charlie Townsend.

## History

### The Hidden Hybrid

Anaya is first seen in a complex, playing with toys under the watch of a caretaker Krill. Anaya has been hidden here, kept carefully away from the view of the Krill public. She has no idea of her unique heritage, nor what might result if others were to learn of her existence.

In 2422, Anaya's mother, Teleya, was elected Supreme Chancellor of Krill. She executed the previous Supreme Chancellor, Korin, and captured the party from the Planetary Union who had been negotiating a peace treaty with the Krill, including Anaya's father, Captain Ed Mercer.

Teleya later brought Ed before her. The two talked, but he could not convince her of the wrongness of her ways. She nevertheless secretly released him, as he had once done the same for her. He was then guided by a secretive faction within Teleya's forces and brought before Anaya. They explained that she was his child, conceived of the union between him and Teleya. They further explained that they hoped that if the Krill public saw the child, she could serve as a symbol that could once again bring peace between the Krill and the Union. They felt, however, that it was important that Ed personally convince Teleya of this, for if they simply used the child against her without her consent then another autocrat would simply rise in her place.

Anaya knew nothing of Ed. Nevertheless, he was allowed to briefly speak with her. Not revealing his true identity, he asked after her well-being, if she liked it where she was. She agreed that she did, that she had her own room, lots of toys, and got to eat whatever she wanted. He then agreed to return to Teleya and attempt to convince her. However, despite his best efforts, she was far from convinced. Irritated, he asked what she had her for if only to keep her locked away. She replied that it was very human of him to ask such a question. She then brought him before two Krill parents who had aborted their own child, showing him the Krill punishment for this: to make them speak with a simulation of a child that would have been, who tells them that they wished they had not "sent them away."

Teleya returned Ed to the Union party for execution. However, before she could succeed in doing more than non-fatally stabbing the Union president, Alcuzan, a rescue team from the *Orville* arrived and spirited the group away. In the aftermath, Ed was left to decide whether or not to still try to use Anaya as a means to force Teleya's hand. He was conflicted, however, as he felt it was likely that even if he tried, she would simply find a way to make her disappear. For his part, President Alcuzan chose to leave it up to him. He felt it was very possible he would never see Anaya again, something which Kelly Grayson found a shame, as she thought he would be a terrific father. For his part, Ed missed her, despite having only met her once.

### A Father's Love

While exploring the ruins of the Hemblicite empire some time after he leaves Krill, Ed has been writing unsent letters for Anaya to read if he ever gets to sees her again.

### Mother Tried

In the aftermath of the Battle of Draconis 472, Teleya was thrown into the *Orville*'s brig. Ed came down there as the *Orville* was en route to Earth to tell Teleya that she would be tried for war crimes by the Union. He also mentioned that Teleya forgot someone, indirectly mentioning Anaya, and she said that *"Anaya's in safe hands"*. However, Ed mentioned that Anaya needed a real home following the arrest of her mother, not being in the hands of her caretakers. Teleya, however, told him that so long as she was a prisoner, he would never see her.

## Trivia

* "Anaya" means "gently falling rain" in Krillain.
* Anaya is the first known hybrid to appear in the series.

## Appearances

* Episode 3x04: *Gently Falling Rain* (first appearance)
* Episode 3x05: *A Tale of Two Topas* (mentioned only)
* *Sympathy for the Devil* (indirectly mentioned only)
* Episode 3x09: *Domino* (mentioned only)