RC-1573, known as Kupe, served within the Galactic Republic during 21 BBY as a Republic commando. He was a member of Tark Squad, an elite clone commando unit under the command of Captain Nilo. This squad operated as part of the Special Operations Brigade. His genetic template and trainer, Sarsius Torne, gave him the nickname Kupe, which is the name of the Thyrsian letter that signifies the number three.
A member of Tark Squad serving the Galactic Republic, RC-1573 was a Republic commando who went by the nickname Kupe. In reality, Kupe and his squad were Thyrsian mercenaries trained by Sarsius Torne of the Sun Guard. They had infiltrated the Grand Army of the Republic as part of an agreement with Zeta Magnus and Palpatine to recapture Anakin Skywalker. Kupe had a cybernetic control band implanted to ensure his loyalty. Kupe and his squad were dispatched in 21 BBY to aid Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi in freeing the planet Skye from Zeta Magnus, posing as a relief team. During their mission on Skye, Jedi Knights Halagad Ventor and Anakin Skywalker grew fond of Kupe because of his inquisitive nature and fascination with his Jedi Commanders.
The liberation team, including Kupe, infiltrated Zeta Magnus' fortress through the subterranean tunnel system of Entyrmion beneath the fortress. While in the cave system, the team was attacked by several Oskan blood eaters created by Zeta Magnus. These creatures killed many of their S'kytri guides, including Lord Klarymére, the leader of the S'kytri Highland Clans. The commando squad eliminated the blood eaters using a Class-D detonator, which Obi-Wan considered "affront to the force". Upon arriving at Zeta Magnus' fortress, Nilo and Tark Squad led the Jedi commanders into a field of R-TechApp Man Traps. Kupe and his squad then revealed their allegiance to Zeta Magnus, leaving the Jedi Commanders to be tortured by Zeta Magnus and his torture droid. Anakin Skywalker killed Kupe in the fortress by using the Force to collapse a wall on him, crushing him to death.
Like the other members of his squad, Kupe wore specialized Katarn-class commando armor with a silver finish. His weapon of choice was a DC-17m interchangeable rifle equipped with a Grappling spike launcher attachment and a Vibroknife.