An Imperial stormtrooper designated RK-242 found himself stationed on Jakku in the time leading up to the significant Battle of Jakku. He was among the Imperial soldiers moved to that desolate desert planet under the command of Counselor to the Empire Gallius Rax. The severe environment negatively impacted RK-242, and he expressed his desire to leave Jakku. As a consequence, he suffered a beating at the hands of Sergeant Rylon and other stormtroopers.
Grand Admiral Rae Sloane and Brentin Lore Wexley, a former rebel operative, overheard the incident via radio communication. They discovered RK-242, severely injured, and offered him comfort. Sloane assured him that her purpose was to restore order and instructed him to keep their encounter secret. As he prepared to put on his helmet, Sloane fatally shot him to maintain their secrecy. When Brentin voiced his objection, Sloane responded that assisting him was not an option.
During the Age of the Empire, RK-242 served as a stormtrooper. Following the Attack on Chandrila, RK-242 and his unit became part of the Imperial forces under Gallius Rax's command, relocating to Jakku. Rax asserted that the harsh desert environment would hone the Imperial forces into a more formidable and ruthless fighting unit. However, Rax's true motive was to lead the Imperial forces to Jakku to destroy them along with the planet, as part of the late Emperor's Contingency plan. The Emperor intended for his Empire to fall with him, tasking Rax with carrying out the Contingency.
As months passed, RK-242 began to question the purpose of their presence on Jakku. He voiced his concerns to his commanding officer, Sergeant Rylon, inquiring about potential assignments elsewhere in the galaxy. For questioning Rax's orders, RK-242 was dragged into the desert, stripped of his armor, and subjected to a brutal beating by Rylon and his comrades. RK-242 survived, but was left severely injured and curled up in pain. The conversation and beating were overheard by former Grand Admiral Rae Sloane and rebel operative Brentin Lore Wexley, who had constructed a rudimentary listening device.
Days later, Sloane decided to visit RK-242 to gather information about Rax's activities. RK-242 was grateful for Sloane's visit and listened as she explained that Rax had orchestrated a coup, seizing control of the Empire from her. RK-242 accepted Sloane's explanation that Rax intended to destroy them. While RK-242 had no knowledge of the Valley of the Eremite or the Plaintive Hand plateau, he informed her that Rax considered Jakku a "place of purification" for the Empire. RK-242 also supported Sloane's view that Rax needed to be overthrown before he could inflict further damage. RK-242 also revealed that Rax had established a new Imperial base beyond the Goazon Badlands.
When Sloane pressed him further about the Plaintive Hand, RK-242 mentioned hearing rumors of an ancient weapons facility concealed beneath the sands. After the trooper shared all he knew, Sloane thanked him and instructed RK-242 to don his stormtrooper armor and keep their meeting a secret. As RK-242 turned to retrieve his helmet, Sloane shot him in the back of the head. When Sloane's companion, Brentin, argued that they could have helped him, Sloane countered that he was beyond help. She had already concluded that she could not save her Empire from Rax's machinations.
RK-242 was a dedicated stormtrooper whose allegiance was challenged by Counselor Gallius Rax's decision to relocate the Empire to Jakku. He faced a brutal beating from his fellow stormtroopers for questioning Rax's orders. The incident deeply traumatized RK-242, shattering his spirit. RK-242 held a strong sense of respect for Rae Sloane and came to believe her explanation that Rax posed a threat to the Galactic Empire's survival. Although Sloane felt sympathy for him, she deemed him beyond saving and killed him to end his suffering. Brentin disagreed, believing they could have provided assistance.
RK-242 made his debut as a supporting character in Chuck Wendig's Aftermath: Empire's End, the concluding installment of Star Wars: The Aftermath Trilogy, which was published on February 21, 2017.