At some point during the early stages of the Galactic Civil War, TK-421 went off-duty and went to the Star Tours interstellar travel agency for unknown reasons. His bag was eventually discovered by G2-9T during baggage checks, and upon learning of who it belonged to, decided that TK-421 might have good reason not to be at his regular post before clearing it.[1][2]
After the Millennium Falcon was captured, he was ordered to stand guard in front of the freighter's boarding ramp, while a scanning crew attempted to determine if anyone was hiding aboard the Falcon.
Just seconds after the scanning crew had made their way up the boarding ramp, a loud thump was heard and someone (Later revealed to be Han Solo) called down to them, asking TK-421 and his fellow guard, TK-422, for help with a piece of equipment. The two stormtroopers made their way up the ramp to assist the technicians; TK-421 and TK-422, were ambushed by Han Solo and stripped of their armor to conceal Han and Luke's identities aboard the Death Star. Treidum later attempted to contact TK-421 questioning him of why he wasn't stationed at his post. Luke Skywalker, having disguised himself as TK-421 at the time, covered up TK-421's current status by motioning his ear to imply that his comlink was broken.
After the battle of Detention Block AA-23, a security team was dispatched to the hangar housing the Millennium Falcon where TK-421 and his comrades were found aboard the Freighter.
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In the novelization of the movie, the trooper was referred to as THX-1138, a homage to George Lucas's first feature film. In the radio drama, he was referred to as TX-421.
TK-421 was the only stormtrooper to receive a designation in any of the three original trilogy movies.
In the German synchronization of Episode IV, the trooper's serial number is TK-241 instead of TK-421.
In the video game Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, a homage to TK-421 is included. In the Cairn Installation stage, the player will eventually enter a control room marked by six trip-mines in the entryway. If he moves towards a static-filled screen, he can hear an English-accented Human speak: TK-664, what is your status?TK-664, report!
Additionally, in the game's multiplayer mode, the name "TK-421" is given to the stormtrooper model.
TK-XXXX is the designation given to stormtroopers in the 501st.
TK-421's utility belt contained a grappling hook used by Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa to cross a chasm on the Death Star in A New Hope. It appears to be the only such device carried by any of the stormtroopers throughout the trilogy. It is also possible this was an item aboard the Millennium Falcon that Luke thought to bring with him, stowing it in TK-421's belt.