
After a while, however, Tommy gave up on the cause and decided to leave. She was once close with Joel's brother, Tommy, when he was a member of the Fireflies. In addition to all this, Marlene had her organization keep a close eye on Ellie as part of her promise to Anna, Ellie's mother with whom she was long time friends, even before the outbreak. Despite her and her organization's attempts to restore order, their numbers dwindled as the military cracked down and killed members found within the zones.

The Fireflies have been successful in overthrowing military rule in several zones, namely Salt Lake City but their efforts have not always achieved the desired results, as in Pittsburgh.

As a Firefly, Marlene fought against the totalitarian rule of the military within the quarantine zones to restore a form of functional government.
