Rachael was the latest replicant experiment of Eldon Tyrell.
Biography
Creation
A photo of Tyrell's niece and her mother
There was a problem with his more recent, advanced Nexus-6 Replicants - they start to develop their own emotions. The other Replicants we see provide plenty of evidence that this is true. They then start to rebel against being slaves. Tyrell believes that this is because they have no framework within which to deal with their new emotions. Thus, if he can just gift them with memories, he hopes that this will help them cope better and therefore be a "better product."
Rachael is created, but more than just having implanted memories of Tyrell's niece, she is led to believe that she is human. We do not know how long she has been "switched on", but Tyrell admits that he thinks she was "beginning to suspect." After imprinted with false memories, Rachael was a secretary for the Tyrell Corporation and assisted Tyrell in running operations.
Voight-Kampff Testing and Meeting Deckard
Rachael greets Deckard in the Tyrell meeting room
Shortly after the return of the Nexus-6 replicants, Blade Runner Rick Deckard was called out of retirement to hunt and "retire" the returning Nexus-6 model replicants.
Deckard was sent to the Tyrell Corporation building to use the Voight-Kampff machine and test any replicant present within the complex. Being aware that a blade runner is visiting the complex, Rachael entered the meeting room of the Tyrell Corporation Building and greeted Deckard after commenting on how the Corporation's owl is artificial, similar to majority of the owls within the city.
Rachael lighting a cigarette while taking the Voight-Kampff Test
Believing she is human, Rachael asked Deckard if he has ever retired a human by mistake. After Deckard replied that he has not, Rachael replies back saying that in blade runners' line of work, it is always a possibility. However, the conversation was cut short when Tyrell entered the room and requested that he wanted to see the Voight-Kampff Test for himself on a human subject. Trying to convince Deckard that Rachael is human, Tyrell insisted Rachael to be used as the human test subject.
During the test, Deckard noticed Rachael's eye patterns are of a replicant and realized that Rachael is an experimental replicant with implanted memories which provide a cushion for her emotions. After asking many more questions than the average replicant, Tyrell asked Rachael to leave him alone with Deckard. As Rachael left, Tyrell revealed to Deckard that she is a prototype model of a different kind of replicants Tyrell has interest in constructing. Tyrell also informed Deckard that Rachael is unaware that she is a replicant and that he would like Rachael to remain unaware of her state.
Reconciling with Deckard
Rachael trying to convince Deckard she is human
After the Voight-Kampff Test, Rachael felt uneasy and was questioning her humanity claiming that she is human and her memories are her own. The next evening, Rachael left the corporation and went to Deckard's apartment. Rachael entered the apartment elevator and sat hidden in the corner of the elevator and waited for Deckard to return. As Deckard entered the elevator and the elevator stopped at the appropriate floor, Rachael revealed herself to Deckard.
Rachael walked with Deckard to his door while explaining how Tyrell will neither speak to her nor see her concerning her test. Deckard attempted to send Rachael away however after entering his apartment room, he allowed her to enter.
Rachael cries after realizing her memories are not her own
Rachael entered and showed a picture of what Rachael believed to be her mother and explain that she has memories of her childhood with her mother. Rachael wanted to further explain but Deckard cut her off to recall to her the memories of her childhood; informing her that he is aware of her memories because of them being imprinted.
Deckard explained to her that her memories are false due to its connections with Tyrell's niece. Shocked by the evidence found, Rachael began to cry in silence. Deckard wanted to cheer her up and offered to give her a drink. As Deckard entered his kitchen to get a glass, Rachael dropped her photo and walked out of the apartment.
A Life Without Purpose
Rachael kills Leon to save Deckard
Rachael, after learning the truth of herself, accepts her condition and continues to live life the way she sees fit.
One night, Rachael was awoken by a phone call from Deckard while he was investigating at Taffey Lewis. Deckard offered another apology and asked for her to come to the bar to relax and spend time with him. Rachael politely declined and hung up. However, thinking about her life and her state of distress, Rachael got dressed and left.
Saving Deckard
While walking alone through the city, Rachael hears a fight near her and decides to investigate.
Getting close enough to see the physical confrontation, Rachael notices that the two men fighting are Deckard and Leon. Rachael notices Deckard's gun on the ground as it was knocked off of Deckard's hand during the fight. Rachael picks it up and shoots Leon moments before Leon was about to kill Deckard.
Loss and Love
Rachael remembering how to play piano
After saving Deckard's life, Rachael goes back to Deckard's apartment to stay with him after realizing that she has nothing much to live on for due to her short lifespan as a replicant. Rachael asked Deckard if he would still retire her if she was to leave Los Angeles. Deckard replied that he would not, but another Blade Runner would.
Exhausted from the night, Deckard laid down on his couch and silently rested. While at Deckard's piano, Rachael unties her hair to be more comfortable and less professional. Rachael sits on the stool next to Deckard's piano and begins to play a tune on the piano.
Rachael and Deckard share a rough and passionate kiss
After Deckard questions her ability to play, Rachael explains that she has fond memories of learning how to play and playing for others. Rachael then ponders on her life and realize that she is now able to live her life free from Tyrell and blade runners as both Rachael and Deckard has fallen in love with each other.
Rachael and Deckard begin to get intimate as they kiss one another and get undressed before having sex. The next morning, Deckard leaves his apartment to report in before being sent to Sebastian's apartment to locate another replicant.
Leaving the Life Behind
Deckard wakes up Rachael before leaving
After the death of Roy Batty, Deckard returns to his apartment and cautiously enters when he sees the door is ajar. He finds Rachael alive and informs her that they must leave the city.
As they leave Deckard comes across an origami calling card (an origami figure of a unicorn) left by Gaff to show that he has been at the apartment while Rachael was asleep.
Deckard and Rachael about to leave together
Both of them are allowed to live - Deckard by Roy, and Rachael by Gaff. After Deckard examines the origami figure, Deckard suddenly questions his humanity while Rachael watches by the exit door. After turning towards Rachael, both Deckard and Rachael depart toward an uncertain future together.
A Life with Deckard
Main Article: Blade Runner 2: The Edge of Human
Months after leaving the city, Rachael and Deckard live together on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Rachael is kept within a Tyrell transport that slows down her aging process. Near the end of the novel, Sarah Tyrell, who is Eldon's niece and Rachael's template, brings her to Tyrell headquarters in order to meet with Deckard and allowed to flee. However, it is ultimately learned that Rachael is killed by Tyrell agents while Sarah and Deckard escape, allowing Sarah to reclaim her place as Tyrell's niece.