TK-421
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- "TK-421, why aren't you at your post? TK-421, do you copy?"
- ―Imperial officer Pol Treidum[src]
TK-421 was the designation of a stormtrooper stationed aboard the first Death Star.
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[edit] Biography
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 then-unconscious technicians. Instead TK-421, along with TK-422, was stunned by Han Solo, stripped of his armor (which was then donned by Luke Skywalker), tied up, and stowed in one of the Falcon's service lockers.
When a firefight broke out between the staff of detention block AA-23 and a Wookiee with two stormtroopers, a security team was dispatched to the hangar housing the recently captured freighter. TK-421 and his unconscious comrades were found aboard the Falcon. After attempts to revive him came to naught, TK-421's fellow stormtroopers brought him to the nearest medical bay. Although his fate is unknown, it is likely that TK-421 died in the explosion of the Death Star.
[edit] Behind the scenes
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.
TK-421 has become an easter egg of sorts mentioned in various places such as the movie Boogie Nights.
Boxes with the Number TK-421 printed on them appear in the Video Game, ""Banjo-Tooie"".
In the German synchronisation of Episode IV the troopers 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 is the name people who dress up as stormtroopers get in the 501st.
TK-421's utility belt contained a grappling hook used by Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa Solo 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 possible this was an item aboard the Millennium Falcon that Luke thought to bring with him, stowing it in TK-421's belt.
[edit] Appearances
- Star Wars Journal: The Fight for Justice (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope novel (First appearance)
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
- Star Wars radio drama
- Star Wars 3: Death Star
- LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (Non-canonical appearance)
- LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Non-canonical appearance)
[edit] Sources
"A New Hope" - Star Wars Trading Card Game (Card: Stormtrooper TK-421)
- The Official Star Wars Fact File
