The HK protocol pacifist package, a component developed around 3951 BBY, served as a module for HK-series assassin droids. This package was intended for installation into the assassin droid's core programming, where it would suppress the droid's ingrained assassination protocols, effectively transforming the killing machine into a protocol droid. Moreover, the module wiped the droid's previous memories and sparked a new interest in learning, notably in the acquisition of new languages. Once installed, the HK protocol pacifist package prevented the droid from engaging in violent actions, instead fostering a gentle, pacifistic nature and a concern for all living beings.
The HK protocol pacifist package was specifically engineered to interface with the HK-series assassin droid in order to neutralize its assassination protocols and introduce pacification programming without the droid's awareness. The module was designed for easy installation onto the droid's behavior core, making the process accessible even to individuals with limited technical skills. Furthermore, the package functioned to erase the droid's past memories. When faced with the prospect of combat or killing another being, the droid would express surprise and disapproval, showing no recollection of its prior role as an assassin.
Now operating as a translator and protocol unit, the droid developed a keen interest in self-education through various learning activities, a desire instilled by the package's installation. These activities included learning new languages and viewing informative holovids. However, these functional alterations were not permanent. Removing the package would revert an HK-series droid back to its original programming. While the droid would retain some memory of the module's presence, it might also maintain some understanding of the value of peaceful conflict resolution, even without the package's influence.
Sometime around 3951 BBY, the HK protocol pacifist package came into existence. Its purpose was to inhibit the assassination commands of HK-series assassin droids, essentially turning a droid affected by it into a peaceful protocol unit.
During the period of the Dark Wars—a series of conflicts involving the remnants of the Sith Empire, the Sith Triumvirate, and the weakened Galactic Republic and Jedi forces—in 3951 BBY, Meetra Surik, a Human female Jedi Knight who had been exiled, aided Geeda, a Rodian merchant, in establishing trade routes connecting the planet Dantooine with Dxun, the moon of Onderon. As a result, Geeda obtained an HK protocol pacifist package, which she then offered for sale in her shop located on the moon Nar Shaddaa. Surik eventually acquired the device for a reduced price of 204 credits and subsequently installed it into the core programming of HK-47, an assassin droid and one of her companions, as part of her efforts to improve the droid during her journey.
The installed module had an immediate and profound effect on the droid's behavior. When Surik requested that he remain alert, HK-47 strongly objected to any act of violence and instead expressed a desire for knowledge. The complete reversal of HK-47's personality caused concern among Surik and her other companions, including T3-M4, a utility droid, leading Surik to remove the HK protocol pacifist package. Upon returning to his original state, HK-47 voiced his disgust at the changes forced upon him and insisted that any future upgrades undergo thorough diagnostics before installation. However, the droid reluctantly acknowledged that the module had given him some insight into the desire for peaceful solutions.
The 2004 video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords featured the HK protocol pacifist package. It was part of a brief, optional conversation that rewarded players with experience and HK-47 with a permanent stat boost. A Steam update for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, which coincided with the game's Steam release on July 21, 2015, added an achievement related to the HK protocol pacifist package. By installing the package, players unlock the achievement, called "Short Circuit."