TK-421/Legends

"TK-421, why aren't you at your post? TK-421, do you copy?"

- Imperial officer Pol Treidum

TK-421 was the designation of a stormtrooper stationed aboard the first Death Star.

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 a someone 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.

Behind the scenes

 * In the novelization of the movie, the trooper was referred to as THX-1138, an homage to George Lucas' first feature film. In the radio drama, he was referred to as TX-421.
 * It is revealed in the A New Hope: TCG that TK-421 is a clone stormtrooper. Whether this is canon or not is unknown.
 * 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.
 * 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, an 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 a 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.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope novel
 * Star Wars radio drama
 * LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy