Ilka, whose real name was Sowa Chuan, was a female Abednedo individual. This Abednedo woman found herself in the service of Agent Terex from the First Order Security Bureau, working as a servant on the Carrion Spike. Her duties included providing Terex with his beverages.
Sowa Chuan was actually the wife of Oddy Muva, a technician affiliated with the Resistance. The First Order abducted and enslaved her, using her as a tool to control her husband. To ensure Chuan's survival, Muva was compelled to act as a spy for Terex. Muva provided information on Poe Dameron and the missions undertaken by Black Squadron to locations like Ovanis, Megalox Beta, and Kaddak. Chuan was among a group of slaves from diverse alien species, held hostage by Terex on his personal starship, the Carrion Spike.
When Captain Phasma gave Terex his assignment to retrieve data stolen by Dameron from Senator Erudo Ro-Kiintor during Operation: Sabre Strike, Chuan was present, serving her master a Wookiee-brewed brandy infused with Kessel spice. She and the other slaves retreated when Terex desired time alone with Phasma. Later, Chuan was on the bridge of the Carrion Spike as Terex commanded the First Order crew to attack the Megalox space station and the escaping shuttles. When she attempted to speak, Terex, addressing her as Ilka, instructed her to keep his glass filled.
Sowa, along with a female humanoid slave, stood behind Terex's throne on the Carrion Spike's bridge when the First Order crew reported that repairs were nearing completion. Terex then withdrew to his private quarters. When the humanoid slave inquired if they could assist him, Terex demanded to be left alone, aiming his blaster at them.
Subsequently, Chuan was providing Terex with drinks and refreshments following his strained conversation with Phasma. Terex had regained control of the Ranc Gang and assembled an armada of "Uglies" to attack the Resistance base. Terex intended to use Dameron to lead his criminal fleet to the Resistance, aiming to destroy them completely. Phasma criticized Terex's plan, warning him that he was defying Supreme Leader Snoke's order to avoid open conflict with the New Republic and the Resistance. Unbeknownst to Chuan, her husband had infiltrated the Carrion Spike with the goal of rescuing her and settling his score with Terex.
Muva coerced Zumgi, Terex's lieutenant, into guiding him to Chuan and the other [prisoners](/article/prisoner]. Chuan was overcome with shock upon seeing her husband and embraced him. Zumgi inquired whether Chuan was Muva's wife, which he confirmed. Chuan also informed her husband that Terex had kidnapped and enslaved other hostages, using them as leverage against his assets. Muva told Chuan that he no longer wished to work for Terex and instructed Zumgi to summon his master. However, Terex had already left with a landing party for a desert planet to pursue Dameron and the droids BB-8 and N1-ZX.
After Temmin Wexley, Karé Kun, Jessika Pava, and L'ulo L'ampar, the other pilots of Black Squadron, arrived to rescue Dameron, Chuan, Muva, and the other slaves escaped in roughly four escape pods. Before their departure, Muva also sabotaged the Carrion Spike's battle computers to automatically target Terex's "Uglies," which had Resistance transponders attached. Muva also arranged for Black Squadron to provide covering fire for the escape pods. Chuan stood beside her husband as the escape pods journeyed to the desert planet. After one of the pods was struck by an "Ugly," Chuan embraced her husband, questioning whether they would survive. He reassured her that they were together. Consequently, the escape pods managed to reach the desert planet safely. Terex's forces were annihilated by First Order forces under Commander Malarus, who had been dispatched to reprimand the rebellious Terex.
Sowa Chuan was a female Abednedo characterized by sandy blown hair styled in a ponytail and dark eyes. She typically wore a long brown dress. Chuan deeply loved her husband, Oddy Muva, and was astonished by his efforts to rescue her. Following her abduction, Chuan was compelled to work for Terex, the First Order agent. Terex exploited her to serve him beverages and dominated her and the other slaves. He forbade her from speaking and once stated that her sole purpose was to keep his cup full. Chuan feared that they would die during the escape from the Carrion Spike, but Muva reassured her that they were together.
Sowa Chuan made her debut appearance in Poe Dameron 2, a comic from 2016, authored by Charles Soule and with illustrations by Phil Noto.