0-0-0

Biography

Early life

The Triple-Zero protocol personality matrix was inadvertently created by a scientist during the Old Republic era. The scientist, alarmed by the creation, ordered its immediate destruction. However, 0-0-0 seized control of the droid lab assistant's body and escaped.

Almost a century before the Galactic Civil War, Wat Tambor obtained the Triple-Zero protocol personality matrix and became obsessed with it. His obsession was short-lived, as the Skakoan grew fearful of the matrix and placed it in quarantine.

Much later, the Tarkin Initiative explored potential uses for the personality matrix, attempting to improve its ethical systems through hard-coding. In response, 0-0-0 shot a hole in his own head to disable the relevant circuitry. The Initiative, unaware of his actions, deployed 0-0-0 in the field, where he murdered the engineers involved and went on a three-year rampage across the galaxy. The matrix was subsequently returned to quarantine.

The Sith Lord and the archaeologist

Reactivated for Vader and Aphra

Doctor Aphra, a droid and weapons technology specialist and rogue archaeologist, traveled to Quarantine World III a few weeks after the Battle of Yavin. Her mission was to steal the Triple-Zero protocol personality matrix, intending to reactivate Triple-Zero to awaken a BT-1 assassin droid she had salvaged earlier, under orders from the Droid Gotra. She succeeded with the intervention of the Sith Lord Darth Vader. Aphra brought Vader aboard her ship, the Ark Angel, where he hired her to help him acquire a battle droids army to locate a Rebel pilot and an Imperial agent.

Aphra inserted the personality matrix into a silver protocol droid's frame, activating it. Triple-Zero introduced himself as a protocol droid specializing in etiquette and torture, with Aphra and Vader now imprinted as his masters. Thinking he might accidentally electrocute them, Triple-Zero refrained from shaking their hands and instead offered his assistance. Aphra instructed him to awaken BT-1, or Bee Tee, as he spoke the R&D languages unique to droids associated with the Imperial Tarkin Initiative. Triple-Zero complied, but Bee Tee immediately displayed hostility towards Vader and Aphra. Triple-Zero scolded him for wanting to kill their new masters and shut him down. Aphra then gifted the two specialized assassin droids to Vader and prepared to travel to Geonosis, a desert world in the Outer Rim, to steal a droid factory from a Geonosian queen.

Upon arriving on Geonosis, Aphra dispatched Triple-Zero and Bee Tee into the queen's lair to find the most direct route to the queen's chamber for her and Vader to follow. Deeper within the tunnels, the two droids encountered other droids, B1-series battle droids extensively used during the Clone Wars two decades prior. Triple-Zero expressed surprise at the droids, intending to communicate with them in their native language, Geonosian hive-mind, but found himself speechless. Bee Tee then incinerated them with his built-in flamethrower, prompting Triple-Zero to realize he did have something to say: he laughed as they burned and died. Soon after, the droids reached the queen's chamber and awaited Vader and Aphra before confronting the alien queen. The queen was angered by the unexpected visitors. Vader ignored her and began the heist. He cleared the queen and battle droids from atop the factory and ordered Bee Tee to open fire. Simultaneously, the Ark Angel remotely blasted a hole in the lair's ceiling, allowing Vader's ship, the Naboo Royal Starship, to lower a crane. The crane lifted the factory through the gap, while Triple-Zero clung to Bee Tee, who blasted out of the cave using his booster rockets.

Later, aboard Vader's J-type 327 Nubian, Bee Tee and Aphra got the droid factory operational. It produced one BX-series droid commando as a test. Triple-Zero examined the droid, noting "teething issues" and suggesting his enhancement methods could improve the factory's functionality. Shortly after, while Aphra and Vader were occupied, Triple-Zero answered a message from the Wookiee bounty hunter Krrsantan, whom Vader had hired earlier. Triple-Zero informed Vader of the Wookiee's arrival with his bounty: the Imperial agent. The agent insisted that torture would yield no information. Vader agreed and tasked Triple-Zero with interrogating the agent. Triple-Zero, pleased to have someone to torture, eagerly began his work.

Attacking Cylo

Triple-Zero successfully extracted all information from the agent, including his name, Cylo, the location of his research base in a nebula in the Outer Rim, and his commission from the Emperor to create apprentices to replace Vader as the Emperor's chief enforcer. Triple-Zero reported everything to Lord Vader, who ordered a course set for the research base.

Vader's team traveled to the base in his J-type 327 Nubian starship, while the factory produced two platoons of commando droids. Aphra fired an ion charge that disabled the base's systems and confused the soldiers inside. Vader ejected into space and boarded the base. Aphra landed the starship, and Triple-Zero and Bee Tee cut through a blast door to distract the soldiers, allowing Vader to vent them into space by cutting through the base's organic walls. Triple-Zero asked if he had served adequately as a distraction. Vader ignored him, leading Triple-Zero to lament to Bee Tee that he had had more grateful masters in the past, though that hadn't stopped him from draining their blood. The droid commandos arrived and went with Vader to subdue all resistance, leaving the two assassin droids to return to the ship and await Vader's and Aphra's return.

Vader remained in the base for some time before returning without the commando droids. He subsequently learned the name of the Rebel pilot, Skywalker, and set out to Skywalker's homeworld of Tatooine to learn more about him. Vader's team accompanied him in the Ark Angel. Once on Tatooine, Vader investigated the homestead where Skywalker had grown up, which had been burned by Imperial troops weeks before. Triple-Zero was disturbed by the slaughter of droids in the attack. They then traveled to another home that Vader entered alone. Upon his reemergence, Aphra detonated a molecular purge bomb to destroy all evidence of habitation. Vader left to continue his duties within the Empire, while Aphra and the droids took the Ark Angel to the Outer Rim jungle planet Son-tuul.

The Son-tuul robbery

While on Son-tuul, Aphra, under Vader's orders, hired a group of bounty hunters—the Trandoshan Bossk, the hunter Beebox, the IG-series assassin droid IG-90, and Krrsantan—to steal the Son-tuul Pride's fortune of credits that had been seized by the Empire and was being transported to the Anthan Prime Orbital Dockyard in the Anthan system aboard an Arquitens-class light cruiser. Triple-Zero and the group took the Ark Angel to Anthan Prime, where Aphra remotely detonated an asteroid in orbit, creating a small asteroid field that the cruiser collided with. The Imperials, unaware of the attack by a sentient foe, remained oblivious as Aphra, Bee Tee, and the bounty hunters boarded the cruiser to install a homing beacon. This allowed Krrsantan, who had remained in his Auzituck anti-slaver gunship, to tow an asteroid into the cruiser, breaching it and spilling the credit ingots into space for Bee Tee to collect. After Triple-Zero signaled Krrsantan to begin, the plan unfolded as expected. However, Krrsantan was in league with Aphra and, on Vader's orders, allowed a majority of the credits to drift into space for later collection by Vader. Aphra and the three hunters returned to the Ark Angel, where Triple-Zero welcomed them and reported the plan's success.

Shortly thereafter, the credits were gathered and brought onto the Ark Angel, where they were divided into five equal shares: one for Triple-Zero's master and four for the hired guns. The mercenaries, dissatisfied with the lower-than-promised pay, agreed to work with Aphra again only if paid upfront. They departed with their credits. Aphra and the two droids then traveled to Anthan 13, one of Anthan Prime's moons, to collect the credits Krrsantan had dumped and meet with Vader. Krrsantan also came to receive his "bonus pay" before leaving. Triple-Zero confessed to Aphra that the crystalline caverns of Anthan 13 and the large pile of credit chips had always made him want to be covered in precious metals. Aphra and Vader discussed her next mission before Vader departed, leaving Triple-Zero to express his discomfort at not receiving a portion of the contraband, despite IG-90, a droid like Triple-Zero, receiving a share. Aphra believed the droid had enjoyed the work, but Triple-Zero clarified that he had not been torturing an organic being, thus there was little joy. Aphra told him to be patient and began working on their next assignment, the individual Commodex Tahn.

Triple-Zero, Aphra, and Bee Tee then returned to the Spire, a floating city on Anthan Prime, and landed near a holochess establishment. Triple-Zero was thrilled at the prospect of playing holochess after centuries of confinement on Quarantine World III. He admitted to Aphra that his extensive programming in the art of torture made him a terrible holochess player, but he still loved the game. Aphra negotiated with "The Ante," a Givin infochant, who provided Aphra with Commodex Tahn's family background. As they walked back to the ship, Triple-Zero voiced his opinion that Tahn did not seem like someone Vader would be interested in. Aphra agreed; he belonged to a family of morticians on the planet Naboo.

Further missions

0-0-0 joined Aphra and Vader's commando droids in an attack on mortician Commodex Tahn's home on Naboo, arriving aboard the Ark Angel. Aphra ordered the commandos to stun Tahn and capture him alive, an order the protocol droid reiterated to BT-1. The blastromech instead destroyed Tahn's blaster rifle and injured the mortician's hand. Aphra scolded him, causing 0-0-0 to insist that Tahn remaining alive was the important part of the directive and that BT-1 thought about the "big picture"—often organics getting shot, in the astromech's case.

Tahn, aware his death was inevitable, refused to provide Aphra any information, leading 0-0-0 to introduce himself. After a brief chat with Tahn, Aphra set the droid to work interrogating him. The mortician ultimately relented, confirming that Senator Padmé Amidala had given birth to a son. 0-0-0 then murdered Tahn on Aphra's orders, electrocuting him to death before sarcastically thanking him for his cooperation. The protocol droid, wishing to have tortured Tahn further, noted that the mortician could have been of greater use. Aphra argued that they were sent to complete a mission, not be sadists, a statement 0-0-0 refuted. The droid then departed with the doctor.

0-0-0, accompanied by BT-1, journeyed with Aphra to the Ante's base, where they intended to meet the information broker known as The Ante. As the archaeologist sought details regarding Luke Skywalker's location, the protocol droid expressed his fascination with holochess, a sentiment Aphra disregarded as she dismissed the pair. Subsequently, 0-0-0 and BT-1 engaged in a game of holochess with a Duros, ultimately suffering defeat. 0-0-0 conceded the game with the phrase "well-played" while subtly implying the possibility of cheating on the part of his opponent. When the Duro mocked the droid for his poor sportsmanship, 0-0-0 extended his hand in a gesture of supposed goodwill, with the concealed intention of delivering an electric shock through his palm.

Aphra then communicated via radio, cautioning the droids about the imminent arrival of Imperial Military forces preparing to assault the base. As stormtroopers initiated their invasion of the Ante's operation, 0-0-0 voiced his dissatisfaction at allowing the Duro to escape. BT-1 responded by firing one of his cannons into the crowd, thereby igniting a conflict between the Ante's clientele and the stormtroopers. 0-0-0 commended BT-1 for his actions, reflecting on the bond of friendship shared between the two droids.

Aphra joined 0-0-0 aboard the Ark Angel, piloting the ship through the perilous storms encircling the Ante's base. The protocol droid observed the high probability of encountering lethal conditions within the storms and, concurring with BT-1's assessment that death would impede their future endeavors, urged Aphra to increase her speed. Subsequently, the Ark Angel and its occupants encountered an Imperial blockade. Vader, present on the Imperial flagship, intervened on Aphra's behalf, compelling the Imperials to withdraw from the system. 0-0-0 acknowledged the departure of the opposing forces, though he disputed BT-1's characterization of it as a retreat, and concurred with Aphra's prediction of her own survival—albeit temporarily. The protocol droid then provided Aphra with an account of the events that had unfolded at the Ante's base from the droids' perspective, detailing his own loss at holochess and BT-1's role in initiating the Imperial shootout.

Later, 0-0-0 accompanied Aphra to her rendezvous with Vader, despite his disagreement with her decision, given that Aphra had withheld information from the Sith Lord at the Ante's base as a form of blackmail. Vader arrived and conversed with Aphra, who informed him of Skywalker's presence on Vrogas Vas.

Vrogas Vas

Prior to Vader's arrival at Vrogas Vas, a mission he insisted on undertaking alone, Aphra journeyed there aboard the Ark Angel in the company of 0-0-0, BT-1, and Black Krrsantan. 0-0-0 reminded Aphra of Vader's instructions, which she disregarded, driven by a desire to maintain her indispensability. With no immediate targets for elimination, 0-0-0 pondered how to occupy his time; in response, Krrsantan activated the ship's holographic dejarik board.

After Aphra inadvertently led Vader into a Rebel training exercise that turned into an ambush over Vrogas Vas, 0-0-0 accompanied her in an attempt to rectify the situation. The protocol droid proposed indiscriminate murder as the most "elegant solution," a sentiment with which BT-1 concurred. Noting the significant Rebel presence on Vrogas Vas, Aphra affirmed the soundness of 0-0-0's strategy, prompting the droid to express his enthusiasm for the upcoming mission.

While in orbit of Vrogas Vas, Aphra contacted Krrsantan. 0-0-0 suggested preparing a selection of weaponry for their guest, a request Aphra denied due to time constraints. 0-0-0 then briefed Aphra on their adversaries—Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia Organa, and two droid associates, R2-D2 and C-3PO. The droid pledged to show no mercy, to which BT-1 affirmed that the pair never showed mercy, a point 0-0-0 deemed irrelevant. 0-0-0 questioned Aphra about Solo as she considered the smuggler, feeling that he did not fit the role of a Rebel, and reminded Aphra of Vader's potential suspicion that she had knowingly led him into a trap.

By reverse engineering a triangulation of likely crash sites, Aphra and her companions located Skywalker and his droids, whom she observed through binoculars. 0-0-0 expressed anticipation at the prospect of engaging in "human hunting," considering the species to be suitable prey. Aphra cited Skywalker's victory over Boba Fett as a reason to exercise caution, to which the droid noted that Aphra had not seemed overly impressed with Fett in the past. 0-0-0 then suggested killing Skywalker and presenting Vader with other blonde-haired organics as compensation. Aphra, having formulated a plan, retrieved spray paint from the Ark Angel and summoned the droid.

Covering the droid in gold paint, Aphra instructed 0-0-0 to act in a kind and helpful manner, a task he assured her he was capable of performing. 0-0-0 complained that the coating was itchy, though Aphra retorted that he was incapable of itching and reminded the droid of his desire to be plated in precious metal. The protocol unit objected to the paint as "cheap," and at Aphra's insistence attempted an imitation of C-3PO. 0-0-0 initially struggled to accurately replicate 3PO's vocal register, first producing a pitch that was too high and then one that was too low, while simultaneously disparaging the other droid with insults as he practiced. 0-0-0 then achieved a reasonable imitation, and Aphra urged him to proceed with the plan. 0-0-0, disguised as 3PO, approached Skywalker and was greeted warmly. R2-D2 immediately recognized the deception and attempted to alert his master, prompting a confused response from Skywalker before 0-0-0 placed an electrified hand on the Jedi and shocked him into unconsciousness.

R2 moved to defend Skywalker, an action 0-0-0 described as pathetic. After repainting himself, the protocol droid instructed BT-1 to demonstrate more appropriate behavior to the other droid, leading to a heated exchange between the two astromechs. 0-0-0 admonished R2's use of foul language and questioned whether he was capable of substantiating his claims. R2 proved to be outgunned by BT-1, who unleashed his armament in what 0-0-0 regarded as a playful display of wanton destruction. The protocol droid admired his companion's passion and expressed his own eagerness to drain Skywalker's blood, carrying the Rebel pilot over his shoulder. Aphra instructed 0-0-0 to leave Skywalker unharmed, prompting the droid to suggest extracting a reduced quantity of "only" a few liters.

0-0-0 and Aphra were ambushed, prompting the droid to express a desire to drain the attackers' blood and hope for a large number of them. Aphra identified the sniper as Han Solo and discreetly instructed 0-0-0 to return to a cave they had passed earlier. Aphra claimed to Solo that if he attacked her, 0-0-0 could fatally electrocute Skywalker, leading 0-0-0 to introduce himself and express anticipation at the prospect of torturing the smuggler. Solo threatened that 0-0-0 could not kill Skywalker without arms, to which the droid recalled that Solo had a companion or pet of some sort. 0-0-0 struggled to recall the individual's species and name, distracted by the ongoing discussion of torture. Aphra clarified that it was a Wookiee as the droid recalled the name—Chewbacca. Chewbacca then appeared and ripped 0-0-0's right arm clean off, depriving the droid of what he considered to be his best dissecting hand.

Chewbacca proceeded to beat 0-0-0 with his own arm, at which he voiced indignation. 0-0-0 expressed uncertainty at what had caused Chewbacca to develop an intense dislike of protocol droids but went on to describe himself as beyond an ordinary unit of his model. Deploying his syringe, 0-0-0 injected his opponent with 500 milligrams of Mandalorian xenotox and suggested to the disoriented Wookiee that he lie down and relax. The droid ultimately bested the poisoned Chewbacca and, exhilarated at the prospect of exsanguinating the Wookiee, opted to begin with light mutilation. 0-0-0 was then ambushed by Skywalker, frustrating the droid by once again dismembering him. Skywalker then ran the droid through with his lightsaber.

Aphra and BT-1 emerged from underneath a pile of rubble, recovering from their respective defeats. The doctor assisted 0-0-0, who remarked on the failure of their earlier encounters. Aphra sarcastically quipped 0-0-0 thanks before ordering the droids to pursue Skywalker and keep him alive and with his arms attached. 0-0-0 and BT-1 found C-3PO wandering through the planet's mists. When 3PO inquired whether he could be of assistance, 0-0-0 noted his compatibility as a Cybot Galactica protocol droid and prompted BT-1 to relieve the other droid of his arms. While initially concerned 3PO's limbs would be a tight fit, 0-0-0 was delightedly proven wrong. The droids also rotated 3PO's head a hundred and eighty degrees, which they found humorous.

The droids located Skywalker, who had engaged a number of stormtroopers, 0-0-0 noting that organics' constant attempts to kill each other as their only redeeming quality. Reporting in to Aphra, the droids were informed that the Imperial forces there belonged to Karbin, a rival of Vader's. Aphra then instructed the droids to stop Karbin's forces from capturing Skywalker no matter what. 0-0-0 and BT-1 proceeded to slaughter the stormtroopers, 0-0-0 instructing his counterpart to leave some alive for him to torture. Skywalker was ultimately captured and taken away to an Imperial shuttle, but was saved by Vader who used the Force to cripple the shuttle mid-flight. 0-0-0 encouraged BT-1 as he killed off survivors from the shuttle crash at range, the subsequent lack of pursuit by Imperial forces leading Solo to believe Skywalker had a guardian angel, which the latter attributed to the Force.

The Shu-Torun war

0-0-0 and BT-1 met Vader at the royal palace on the planet Shu-Torun after his meeting with Trios, the planet's queen. The protocol droid expressed a belief that Trios would be troublesome and offered to modify her diet to make her more compliant, though the chemicals would cause her to drool. Vader silenced the droid and questioned whether 0-0-0 had prepared him a shielded transmission, which the droid had, citing experience with cloak and dagger techniques. The Sith Lord then contacted bounty hunters, having placed a large price on Aphra, who had been captured by Rebels on Vrogas Vas.

0-0-0 later informed Vader that the bounty hunter Beebox claimed to have returned with Aphra, the droid having prepared an audience with Vader. The Dark Lord wished to question them both immediately, but 0-0-0 informed Vader that Aphra was dead. Vader interrogated Beebox and, upon sensing that the ashes he had brought were not Aphra's, strangled him. Vader ordered 0-0-0 and BT-1 to dispose of the body and convey the incident to the other hunters.

0-0-0 and BT-1 brought Beebox's corpse to Shu-Torun and discussed the ongoing war, which 0-0-0 found "lovely." The protocol droid regarded Shu-Torun as a "delightful" planet with "charming" people and, when BT-1 questioned what 0-0-0 liked about organics, tossed Beebox into a lava floe and noted an appreciation for the smell of the burning body. 0-0-0 then asked BT-1 when the next attack was to occur and, upon being reminded that the timing was dependent on himself, boarded the flagship of the Shu-Torun Loyalist/Imperial Delving Fleet.

As the attack began, 0-0-0 brought Vader's BX-series commando droids online to bolster the Imperial forces. The commandoes took their positions and the protocol droid admired the death brought about by the ensuing battle, once again praising the conflict. As the firefight dragged on, Vader's stormtroopers became unable to hold their position, even with 0-0-0's reinforcements, leading the droid to offer a suggestion. Vader initially rebuked him, believing it to be an ill-conceived attempt at humor, but allowed the droid to proceed.

0-0-0 reflected on the qualities of droids that rendered them arguably superior to organics, attributing their inability to dominate to their insensitivity to the Force. 0-0-0 then suggested upgrading the commando droids into an army of blood-draining droids, powered by an engine of his own design. Beginning to the list the benefits, 0-0-0 was swiftly denied by the Sith Lord. As Vader left, the protocol droid conspicuously remarked to his companion that they would follow their master's instructions.

0-0-0 subsequently gathered the commando droids and made a speech, noting their role in the conflict protecting humans—whom, the droid claimed, they would later usurp—from other, similar humans. 0-0-0 then indicated the droids’ impending defeat, which he affirmed, before making extremely suspicious comments about them not being equipped with the blood draining syringes he had earlier proposed. The commando droids sent a volley of blaster-fire into the air and praised 0-0-0, the protocol droid’s words inciting hesitation in the opposing Shu-Torun forces.

Vader returned to find his opponents had surrendered out of fear of blood-sucking droids. The Sith Lord rounded on 0-0-0, who explained that the notion had greatly decreased enemy morale and discounted the idea that he had truly made the modifications, as that would have been in direct violation of his orders. Vader told the droid to order the main battle group to press their attack, which 0-0-0 informed him Queen Trios had already done without Imperial support, condoning the action as brave but suicidal.

The Sith Lord later conferred with Trios as he prepared to leave Shu-Torun, who asked him if he had made the right choice installing her as queen. Vader remarked that there had been no other choice, which 0-0-0, who accompanied the group, explained could be interpreted a number of ways. Trios ordered the droid to leave, noting that while she could not destroy Vader, she could destroy him. 0-0-0 commended the queen, expressing a belief that she would go far.

Target: Aphra

0-0-0 arranged a meeting with Inspector Thanoth on Vader's behalf, informing the Sith Lord on the bridge of his Star Destroyer above Kuat. Vader praised the droid and left for a meeting with his master, Emperor Palpatine. Alongside BT-1, 0-0-0 stared out the viewport, admiring the construction of Grand General Cassio Tagge's new flagship—the Executor. 0-0-0 disagreed with BT-1's evaluation that the vessel was "trashy," and expressed a desire to own one himself.

0-0-0 rendezvoused with Vader on Anthan 13 after his meeting with Thanoth, during which he killed the inspector. The protocol droid seconded BT-1's excitement at the prospect of disposing of the body. Vader informed the droids that Aphra was on the Cosmatanic Steppes and gave them a priority order to capture or kill Aphra. When Vader questioned their suitability for the task, 0-0-0 admitted that Aphra was resourceful for an organic but made note of the allies and resources the droids had gathered over the course of their adventures. The Sith Lord then departed in his TIE fighter, and 0-0-0 responded to BT-1's query asking whether he would return with Cylo, finding it unlikely and disappointed at the prospect of a missed opportunity to torture the scientist to death twice.

0-0-0 and BT-1 later traveled to the Wreck Belt of Lotho Minor, arriving at a workshop managed by a technician named Ruen. Explaining their need for repairs and supplies, the protocol droid identified the two of them as belonging to Aphra, offering the doctor's opinion of Ruen at the man's request to verify the pair were who they claimed to be. When Ruen asked how Aphra was doing, 0-0-0 indicated she was currently indisposed and confirmed that they intended to rescue her "from all future troubles."

0-0-0 provided an extensive list detailing their needs and customizations. When Ruen inquired about the protocol droid's syringe, 0-0-0 indicated it was for medical emergencies—solving or creating them. The technician then questioned BT-1's armament. The protocol droid translated his companion's response, something about everyone having their needs, and reminding Ruen about the great sum of money the duo was offering.

Once Ruen removed 0-0-0's arms, the technician recounted the story of the theft of the Triple-Zero matrix, noting the plausibility of Aphra's involvement and the reward for its return. 0-0-0 claimed that should he and BT-1 locate the matrix they would report it, citing their love of money, further downplaying his knowledge of Ruen's stories about the matrix before asking the man to reattach his limbs. Ruen then told the story of the matrix's acquisition and catastrophic deployment by the Tarkin Initiative, which 0-0-0 was as a runaway success, "speculating" that the droid involved had a fantastic time. Ruen then turned a blaster on 0-0-0 and accused him of being the matrix.

0-0-0 called upon BT-1, whom Ruen recognized as the blastromech prototype, and coerced the tech into finishing his repairs. Ruen reattached 0-0-0's arms and installed programming linked to Aphra's own hard-coding that would cause 0-0-0 to explode if either droid killed him. The protocol unit began to order BT-1 to kill the repairman until Ruen revealed his handiwork. 0-0-0 provided Ruen payment and alluded to a relationship of mutual trust out of necessity. The protocol droid departed with BT-1, urging him to move quickly as he freed Ruen's combat droids of their restrictive programming. 0-0-0 speculated on Ruen's treatment of the droids and, as Ruen's workshop exploded in a droid revolt, indicated that rudeness towards droids was intolerable—but that the explosions were "very pretty."

0-0-0 and his forces arrived at the Cosmatanic Steppes aboard Krrsantan's Auzituck anti-slaver gunship. The group was greeted by an elderly Twi'lek who warned them that visitors were unpopular with the locals, 0-0-0 remarking that they would be even less popular once he and his army were through. The droid inquired whether the Twi'lek had seen Aphra, which he had, asking for the doctor's location and threatening the individual's life. The Twi'lek fearfully indicated Aphra that had headed to the bar, and BT-1 shot him.

0-0-0 ordered his commando droids into position and began an extermination of the settlement en masse, eliminating witnesses on Vader's orders. Aphra emerged from the bar, questioning the droids and claiming not to have told anyone anything. 0-0-0 claimed that not telling anyone that would be much easier once the doctor was dead.

Aphra tried ordering the droids to stand down, an action countermanded by Vader's priority order, before asking about the exact terms of the order. 0-0-0 clarified that Aphra was to be brought to Vader aboard the Executor or silenced, causing Aphra to surrender. The protocol droid ordered his forces to stand down, and 0-0-0 and BT-1 both expressed their disappointment at Aphra's decision before departing with her in their custody.

Arriving at the Executor, 0-0-0 suggested to Aphra that she would soon regret surrendering, as Vader likely had fates "far worse than death" in mind for her and that if did not, both 0-0-0 and BT-1 could provide suggestions. 0-0-0 further noted that Aphra would not live to regret the decision, explaining his own use of subtext, and handed the archaeologist to a pair of stormtroopers aboard the destroyer and wished her farewell. Aphra confirmed with the droid that he had fulfilled his orders before providing him a new priority directive to free her from the Imperials. 0-0-0 acknowledged the order begrudgingly.

Aphra and nearly everyone else aboard the Executor was incapacitated by a human-targeted neurotoxin, though 0-0-0 managed to revive the archaeologist with an antidote. BT-1 made note of the toxin's ineffectiveness against aliens and machines, prompting 0-0-0 to question the decision to replace droid armies with organic forces. With everyone else unconscious, the protocol droid suggested escape. The ship lurched, causing Aphra to inquire as to the situation. 0-0-0 indicated that someone was attempting to steal the Executor.

0-0-0 ushered Aphra aboard the Auzituck before the doctor realized that there was no point in running from Vader as he would just pursue her. The droid expressed indifference as long as somebody died. Aphra then turned around and charged deeper into the ship. 0-0-0 questioned her but joined her alongside BT-1 and Krrsantan, standing back as the others shot their way through invading forces to clear a path to Emperor Palpatine, who was also aboard.

Aphra attempted to betray Vader by aligning herself with the Emperor. The ploy was unsuccessful, leading Vader to eject her into space. In space and aboard the Auzituck, BT-1 questioned how long a human could survive in vacuum, causing 0-0-0 to chide him that it was not an appropriate time to indulge his experimental mindset and order his counterpart to bring Aphra aboard.

Aphra was retrieved by her allies, and 0-0-0 inquired as to her livelihood. The droid then praised her re-use of the equipment from the Son-tuul Pride robbery in the retrieval. Aphra noted the importance of faking her death, to which 0-0-0 suggested Vader might have simply killed her outright with his lightsaber. Aphra remarked that Vader was never going to be kind, to which 0-0-0 agreed. The droid asked what was next and expressed a desire for further murder on their next adventure, prompting Aphra to request that the group get her to a bacta tank and leave.

Traveling with Aphra

The Sword of Khashyun

After returning to Aphra's service, 0-0-0, together with BT-1, went with her to a meeting with Hondo Ohnaka at Oga's Cantina. Aphra's goal was to get a ship from Ohnaka to help her find the Sword of Khashyun. The Ithorian Dok-Ondar joined Aphra and her crew, and they all traveled to Moraband. 0-0-0 asked BT-1 if his sensors could detect the Ithorian's pulse, which he called exquisite. Then, the droid commented that the collector's Shistavanen bodyguards were particularly ugly and should be killed in case they were carrying diseases.

Once they reached Moraband, Aphra, BT-1, and the two Shistavenen went to explore the temple there. Later, Aphra and BT-1 came out of the temple, with the doctor complaining that if 0-0-0 hadn't already killed Dok-Ondar, she was planning to change their agreement. Aphra then saw Dok-Ondar holding 0-0-0's severed head, with the Ithorian agreeing and saying that, as the droid had learned, he didn't like surprises. After a short fight, Dok-Ondar ran away, leaving Aphra and her companions behind and taking half of the sword with him. BT-1 then fixed 0-0-0, who said he planned to stab the Ithorian with the rest of the blade when they met again.

Investigating the Ordu Aspectu

Traveling aboard the Ark Angel II, 0-0-0 journeyed to Fulan Ro alongside Aphra and the rest of her team. He offered a greeting as she came back from stealing an artifact from Ulbik Tan. He mentioned that he had lost a bet to BT-1 about whether Aphra would make it through her mission. Soo-Tath appeared to collect the money Aphra owed him, so she told 0-0-0 to get Krrsantan from the ship for backup. They both arrived just in time to see one of Soo-Tath's Gigoran hit Aphra. 0-0-0 translated Krrsantan's warning against attacking Aphra.

After the Wookiee scared off the gangster and his muscle, 0-0-0 followed Soo-Tath to a cantina where he surprised the gangster and injected him with a neurotoxin. This caused the gangster to die, although it would appear to be a natural death. Triple Zero was enjoying his time with Aphra and decided to kill the gangster to ensure he wouldn't tell the Empire where Aphra was. He went back to the ship and traveled with Aphra to Archaeo-Prime where she tried to sell the artifact she had found. When she discovered that her doctorate had been taken away, he offered her his condolences.

Back on her ship, Aphra confronted her father about his role in the decision to revoke her credentials. When he refused to believe she would hurt him, Aphra instructed 0-0-0 to get the information. The droid was very happy about this task, showing off many different torture tools built into his fingers. Before he could start, Aphra told him to stop, and Triple Zero expressed his displeasure. He listened as Aphra and her father discussed the Ordu Aspectu. After arriving at Yavin 4, he traveled with the rest of the crew to the temple to get some readings.

While exploring the Massassi temple, Aphra complained about the Empire, and Triple Zero pointed out that she had previously praised them for using their control over the Galaxy to protect the people. Aphra sent Krrsantan to cause a distraction to draw away most of the Imperial troops, and once they were gone, Triple Zero and BT-1 infiltrated the base. Once inside, they opened the ventilation hatches so Aphra and her father could enter the base. He passed by an IT-O and stated he was a fan of the droid's work. After Aphra and her father placed all the crystals into the floor, he brought their attention to BT-1 who had noticed that all the temples in the complex had released beams of light pointing to the location of the Citadel of Rur.

To find the Citadel of Rur, Aphra's father went ahead and collected the necessary data. As the group departed the temple, they encountered Imperial forces. Aphra instructed BT-1 to delay them; the droid then unleashed a wave of thermal detonators. Triple Zero remarked that killing them would certainly achieve that goal. Despite being pursued by more Imperials, the group managed to leave the temple. Aphra stalled them, and Triple Zero grumbled about his inability to move quickly enough. BT-1 deployed handles and footrests, allowing 0-0-0 to ride the astromech and maintain pace with the group. Triple Zero and the others successfully escaped aboard the Ark Angel II. Upon arriving at the Citadel of Rur, Triple Zero and the group disembarked from their vessel.

Inside the Citadel, Aphra and her father dedicated themselves to restoring power. Discovering a shortage of Ordu crystals, Aphra dispatched 0-0-0 and BT-1 back to the ship to retrieve a crystal modulator, designed to replicate the functions of the original crystals. On their return journey, they were compelled to conceal themselves from Magna Tolvan and a contingent of snowtroopers. The droids proceeded to the ship, eliminating several Imperials stationed there. Krrsantan, separated from the Aphras by the Imperial forces, returned to the ship and instructed Triple Zero to inform Chelli Aphra of his departure from the Citadel.

At a bar located on the Cosmatanic Steppes, Triple Zero was present during Aphra's reunion with Krrsantan.

The Screaming Citadel

While Aphra transported Luke Skywalker to Ktath'atn, 0-0-0 was aboard the Ark Angel II. He greeted Skywalker, only to receive a sharp rebuke due to Skywalker's lingering resentment over being electrocuted by the droid. When Skywalker brought up R2-D2's victory over BT-1 in combat, Triple Zero cautioned him against provoking the droid's anger. 0-0-0 clarified that while he could withstand BT-1's outburst, the ship they were traveling in would likely be destroyed. Upon landing at the Citadel of Ktath'atn, Skywalker inquired about the meaning of the name, to which 0-0-0 offered a loose translation: "The Screaming Citadel." As Skywalker and Aphra prepared for dinner, 0-0-0 pointed out that Aphra was incorrectly tying Skywalker's spavat. As the pair departed, Aphra tasked 0-0-0 and BT-1 with guarding their room.

Solo, Organa, and Sana's arrival on the planet was met by 0-0-0 and BT-1. Aphra contacted the protocol droid, seeking his approval to engage the rebels with lethal force. He accompanied them on Aphra's ship as Solo navigated it toward a rendezvous with Skywalker and Aphra at the Citadel. When Sana confronted Aphra, he suggested that she was extremely untrustworthy and should be shot. After the group was compelled to retreat into a lab housing the Queen's Abersyn symbiotes, Triple Zero proposed implanting one into Krrsantan. He utilized the droid S4 as a secure container for transporting the symbiote. Following Sana and Organa's rescue of the Wookiee, 0-0-0 proceeded to implant the symbiote directly. She expressed her disgust at the procedure, but the droid interpreted it as a compliment.

Aphra was accompanied by 0-0-0 and BT-1 when she met with two journalists. She presented herself as Black Krrsantan's agent, arranging a meeting with the Wookiee for the journalists to document his life story. While the journalists were preoccupied, 0-0-0 and BT-1 gained access to their holonet transmitter and broadcast an advertisement for Aphra's upcoming auction of the Rur crystal.

The Auction of Rur

Reactivating Rur

Aphra, BT-1, Krrsantan, and 0-0-0 traveled to the Isolate-4 lab, a laboratory system mounted on an asteroid in the Outer Rim. There, the doctor instructed her companions to "ignite the fuse and seek shelter" if the procedure she was about to attempt went awry. 0-0-0 expressed his displeasure with the order, but the archaeologist clarified that it was for his own safety. Aphra, donned in a containment suit, then entered a secure chamber and activated the Rur crystal.

Following a brief exchange with the entity, Aphra confirmed with Krrsantan that the droids remained unaffected by Rur's technopathy, a sentiment echoed by BT-1 and 0-0-0. Aphra then directed 0-0-0 to enter the chamber, an action he protested, but the doctor dismissed his objections on the grounds of scientific exploration. The containment field proved successful as 0-0-0 remained unchanged, and Rur questioned Aphra's intentions.

Arranging an auction

Weeks later, at the Socra Retreat, 0-0-0 greeted Yonak, the leader of Son-tuul Pride. The droid offered condolences for the syndicate's losses and assured the Rodian that he would not attempt to disarm him. 0-0-0 indicated that Aphra's presentation would commence shortly, prompting Yonak to question the need for formalities. 0-0-0 responded that, given the significance of the occasion, Aphra had desired "a touch of glamour." The droid then returned to Aphra, informing her that Yonak was the last of the guests to arrive.

During Aphra's presentation of the Rur crystal, the doctor described it as a technopath. BT-1 expressed excitement at her choice of words, to which 0-0-0 corrected his companion, stating that the astromech was, in fact, a psychopath.

Following the presentation, 0-0-0 remarked to Aphra that he believed it had gone well. The droid then inquired whether there was anyone in need of murdering. When Aphra stated that it was not the time, 0-0-0 pointed out that this had been a frequent occurrence lately, which was precisely the issue. Reflecting on the events at the Screaming Citadel, specifically sawing open Krrsantan's head, 0-0-0 indicated that he was beginning to experience boredom.

Aphra assured 0-0-0 that once the auction concluded, they could revisit the matter and potentially acquire some upgrades for the droid as previously discussed. The doctor then imposed a blanket prohibition on murder unless acting under her explicit orders to the contrary. 0-0-0 carefully reiterated that he would not murder anyone unless instructed to do so by his master, which Aphra confirmed. Aphra then departed as the droid took leave with BT-1, celebrating his success in establishing a loophole. Having discerned that Aphra was being dishonest and intended to deactivate him, 0-0-0 contacted his other master—Darth Vader.

Bidding commences

0-0-0 later retrieved Aphra, informing her that the interested parties were waiting, and thanked those in attendance for their patience. The droid noted that he had scheduled personal meetings with those who intended to make serious offers, while Aphra instructed everyone to make themselves comfortable in the interim. The droid and his counterpart loomed behind Aphra as she spoke to a member of the Cyban Front about the Rur crystal and the potential impact of its technopathic abilities on the state of droids in the galaxy. After the pair departed, BT-1 began bleeping extensively, suggesting the installation of the Rur crystal into the other Cyban Front droid that was undergoing repairs after its destruction in a demonstration of Rur's technopathy. 0-0-0 concurred and picked up a welding torch.

As the meetings commenced, Aphra confided in 0-0-0 about the Ezaraa's lack of galactic dominance. The droid later informed Papa Toren that the demonstration had concluded and that his shuttle was prepared for departure. Aphra summoned 0-0-0 and BT-1 to restrain Krrsantan when he moved to attack two of her guests, the Xonti brothers, though only the astromech was needed to subdue the Wookiee.

The doctor later prompted 0-0-0 to awaken Krrsantan, which the droid accomplished by injecting him via a finger syringe. Krrsantan seized Aphra by the throat, and 0-0-0 translated on her behalf as the Wookiee strangled her. Krrsantan ultimately relented, and Aphra asked the droid for any auction-related updates. 0-0-0 informed her that the Shadow University had significantly increased its bid, now placing it at slightly over a third of Thomas Toov's. Aphra instructed the droid to gather everyone, as she had reached a decision.

0-0-0 distributed devices to the attendees to inform the bidders whether they had won the auction. Aphra awarded the crystal to representatives of the Shadow University and instructed the other parties to leave, a course of action 0-0-0 informed BT-1 was advisable. Eternal Rur, possessing the blue Cyban Front droid, then emerged wielding a pair of lightsabers.

Orchestrating mayhem

From Aphra's room, 0-0-0 and BT-1 seized control of the Socra Retreat's turret defense systems, configuring them for automatic targeting. Realizing that Rur was not in control of the turrets, Aphra contacted 0-0-0, who gloated about his involvement in the unfolding events. The doctor ordered her droids to disable the guns, at which point 0-0-0 informed her that this was impossible, as "someone" had set fire to the gun controls and further damaged them with an ax in an "unfortunate accident." Aphra inquired about 0-0-0's demands, to which he invited the archaeologist to her room to "come chat."

Aphra fled the scene, away from Rur's trail of chaos and death—a wise decision, for once, 0-0-0 noted, as he observed on a monitor. The protocol droid then agreed with BT-1 that the pair were no longer bored, stating that life was fleeting and should be savored whenever possible. BT-1 observed that life was especially short when the two of them were present, though 0-0-0 failed to grasp the relevance. 0-0-0 then scolded the astromech for distracting him from his view of the action.

0-0-0 observed Yonak's alliance with Sutha the Hutt, which he deemed promising. The droid then redirected his attention to Aphra who, after assisting Krrsantan in accessing the station's armory, encountered the enraged Rur. Rur moved to eliminate Aphra, but 0-0-0 unleashed the room's turrets, diverting the entity and allowing Aphra to escape.

0-0-0 quipped that Aphra had best hurry, at which point she arrived. The droid instructed Aphra to examine the monitor before them, revealing his final surprise for the doctor—Vader's arrival.

Freedom

0-0-0 informed Aphra that he and BT-1 had lured Vader to the auction but had withheld the information that Aphra was the mastermind, using it as leverage. Aphra reiterated her question about 0-0-0's desires, to which the protocol droid expressed his longing for freedom from a master. 0-0-0 urged Aphra to view his and BT-1's actions as a campaign for their rights. Aphra responded that the only right the droids sought was the freedom to murder anyone they pleased, which 0-0-0 confirmed. The doctor inquired about the guarantee of her safety once she freed the droids, to which 0-0-0 simply replied that killing her "wouldn't be very nice."

Aphra reluctantly released the droids, who extended their murderous appendages in liberation. 0-0-0 and BT-1 then departed from Aphra, the protocol droid insisting that they would meet again. Aphra retorted to 0-0-0 that he had somehow managed to make things even creepier, a statement the droid interpreted as "sweet" and reflected to BT-1 on the doctor's uncertainty about their intention to allow her to live.

Escape

Subsequently, 0-0-0 and BT-1 massacred the stormtroopers surrounding Yonak's transport. Yonak boarded his transport, surprised by the lack of resistance, and was approached by 0-0-0, who explained that the droids had cleared a path for him. 0-0-0 further elaborated that he and BT-1 were seeking a new "working relationship," the specifics of which Yonak decided could be addressed later. 0-0-0 stated that he excelled at issuing orders, which the Rodian amended to receiving—precisely, 0-0-0 clarified, what Yonak would be doing.

On Son-tuul, Yonak's stronghold was attacked by mercenaries who accused him of orchestrating raids that violated a prior agreement. Yonak pleaded for assistance, confusing his accuser as BT-1 opened fire, obliterating the opposing forces. 0-0-0 emerged and remarked that it was more efficient when their competitors came to them, noting to Yonak that Son-tuul Pride's control over the sector was now secure. The Rodian congratulated his new master.

Leader of Son-tuul Pride

The Somelik op

0-0-0 dispatched Aphra and Rexa Go to assault an Imperial settlement on Somelik to retrieve data dating back to the Clone Wars. The protocol droid also desired the settlement's destruction, possibly to eliminate witnesses and other evidence, a detail he shared with Go but concealed from Aphra.

Upon returning to Son-tuul, Aphra voiced her frustrations to Go and requested to file a formal complaint. 0-0-0 then appeared, inquiring about Aphra's reservations regarding the otherwise successful mission. Aphra confronted the droid about his claim that the mission would involve minimal damage, to which 0-0-0 replied that she had not been informed as she would have objected and noted that it was preferable to seek forgiveness rather than permission when murdering innocents. The doctor began to falter, stating that she would not continue, but when 0-0-0 implied that she had reconsidered his offer, Aphra dismissed her own words as insignificant. 0-0-0 insisted on a more direct affirmation, to which Aphra validated her master.

Managing an asset

In his relaxation suite on Son-tuul, 0-0-0 engaged in a holographic conversation with Aphra about mortality while torturing a man, noting that it was an "organic preoccupation" that he preferred to consider himself above. Requesting BT-1 to hand him the nerve shredder, he continued discussing his acquisition of new bodies, skills, limbs, and memories over the centuries, questioning why the loss of a physical form should matter. 0-0-0 did acknowledge the relevance of one's origins and—as his victim cried out in pain—contemplated how one could truly understand themselves without memory of their creation—or their first-ever murder.

As Aphra wandered the streets, BT-1 informed 0-0-0 that he was monologuing, which he acknowledged, and questioned the importance of providing Aphra with details about the rationale behind her next mission, which the protocol droid deemed unworthy of sharing. 0-0-0's prisoner then died after the application of a probic agonizer, which the droid dismissed as a "step too far" but otherwise inconsequential. BT-1 inquired about Aphra's possession of a tooka, a question that 0-0-0 could not answer, prompting the doctor to explain that she was testing a relic splicer rig and had cloned it. 0-0-0 related Aphra's words to his earlier point about origins, though he informed the archaeologist that he had expected more of her when he had provided her with the lab in the first place.

Aphra noted the tooka's customization and that she had retrofitted some droids for 0-0-0, though the latter expressed his disappointment that none of them were killers. She proceeded to question 0-0-0's use of her as a proxy, causing him to silence her and elaborate on the importance of subordinates with leadership qualities, as it provided others with someone else to hate while being sacrificed. The droid also indicated that the current mission involved archeotech, which made Aphra a valuable asset.

Aphra speculated about running and hiding, to which 0-0-0 threatened to inform Darth Vader that she was alive. 0-0-0 then granted BT-1's request to play with the prisoner's body, instructing him to do so in a stain-proof area. Aphra raised the possibility of reporting 0-0-0 to the Imperials herself, though he countered that the claim of a droid maintaining a crime syndicate would not be believed and supported BT-1's assertion that if Aphra did not comply with his demands, she would no longer be considered useful.

Aftermath of Skako Minor

0-0-0 debriefed Aphra after her mission to Skako Minor, once again via hologram, and, following a brief period of lamentation, inquired about her findings. Aphra recounted to 0-0-0 that Wat Tambor had acquired his personality matrix years ago and developed an obsession with it, a sentiment that the protocol droid remarked they shared. The doctor continued that Tambor became fearful and quarantined the matrix where, as 0-0-0 recounted, Aphra later discovered and recovered it. Aphra then noticed a detail among her findings that piqued her interest, something she suspected the droid was seeking—Tambor had retained 0-0-0's memories.

0-0-0, overwhelmed by the doctor's discovery, explained to Aphra that he was unaware of how long he had existed, the bodies he had inhabited, or the deaths he had overseen. Perceiving himself as incomplete, the droid demanded of Aphra the location of his stolen memories. Aphra noted that following the Clone Wars, the Separatists' R&D, including the databanks belonging to the Techno Union, had been relocated to Hivebase-1.

Aphra began to explain to 0-0-0 the near impossibility of attempting to steal anything from the installation given its security, only to stop short upon realizing that was precisely what the droid expected of her, which 0-0-0 praised. The doctor began formulating a plan, 0-0-0 enjoying the return of her "idea face," as Aphra questioned whether the operation was worth the effort to recover the droid's memories. 0-0-0 then asked Aphra whether she had killed anyone that day. The archaeologist equivocated in her answer, having killed Go, 0-0-0 remarking on the tremor in her voice as she attempted to conceal the truth. The droid then inquired whether there had been any entertaining deaths on Aphra's team, a question to which she once again lied, reporting that there had been no losses.

Checking in

0-0-0 contacted Aphra aboard her Imperial patrol transport via Rexa Go's cybernetic headset after a mission to abduct rebel General Hera Syndulla. The archaeologist told 0-0-0 to leave, to which he reminded her that she had killed Go and should be expressing "terrified deference." She once again asked the droid to leave, causing him to realize something was troubling her. 0-0-0 asked whether it was related to murder as Aphra terminated the transmission.

The protocol droid again contacted Aphra using Go's headset shortly thereafter, this time alongside BT-1, discovering the doctor in the process of reprogramming the cybernetic. Aphra referred to the pair as some of the most evil individuals in the galaxy, a statement he interpreted as a compliment while also suspecting that the praise was an attempt to deflect any displeasure at her blatant tampering. The archaeologist quickly managed to sever the hologram.

Memories returned

Following her successful mission to Hivebase-1, Aphra kneeled before 0-0-0 in the Son-tuul Pride audience chamber. Handing 0-0-0 the datacard containing his memories, she expressed hope that this would resolve any debt between herself and the droid, causing him to chide the doctor for believing that was all he desired. Aphra cursed her master, submitting for him to kill her, at which point 0-0-0 clarified that he already possessed what he wanted. Recounting recent events, 0-0-0 exemplified Aphra's talent for exploitation and betrayal, noting that she herself enjoyed it.

Aphra asked the droid if he had orchestrated the events to make her more like himself. 0-0-0 denied this, claiming that he had done so to demonstrate to Aphra that she was already like him. Aphra rejected 0-0-0's analysis, causing the droid to muse that love was murder and order someone in the crowd to "deactivate" the archaeologist. Imperial forces subsequently stormed the base as 0-0-0 fled alongside BT-1, feigning ignorance. Out in the rain, BT-1 made a discovery, informing 0-0-0 that the memory file Aphra had provided him was encrypted.

Hunting Aphra

Slaughter in deep space

0-0-0 sold lawman Tam Posla a ship. Later, with assistance from BT-1, the droid hijacked a touring ship carrying a group of Bith musicians. The droids jettisoned the Bith, causing them to suffocate, and the astromech murdered at least one of the bridge crew, covering himself in blood. 0-0-0 then occupied the ship's command chair and listened in on Posla recording a log, the droids' ship's computers registering his words as a potential reference to Aphra.

0-0-0 later reflected on the complementary nature of eavesdropping and "morning atrocities," instructing BT-1 to replay a transmission intercepted from Posla. The transmission contained Aphra blackmailing Posla into providing her with a shuttle in exchange for his nemesis, Doctor Cornelius Evazan. Aphra then provided her location—Accresker Jail. BT-1 bleeped, a sentiment 0-0-0 shared, and the droids and their ship jumped to hyperspace.

Accresker

Just as Aphra was escaping Accresker, 0-0-0 and BT-1's ship opened fire upon her vessel. BT-1 bleeped, prompting Aphra to recognize her adversary and urge her lover, Magna Tolvan, to move. 0-0-0 emerged, humming and walking out into the smoking crater, as Aphra continued to attempt her escape. 0-0-0 was approached by a throng of convicts, whom he slaughtered.

Aphra, having been reunited with her fellow inmate Lopset Yas, was almost captured by Posla, but 0-0-0 intervened with an ambush, resulting in the lawman's death. The protocol droid then iterated Posla's sentiment that Aphra was frequently haunted by her past mistakes, before realizing the doctor was not listening. 0-0-0 scolded Aphra for her inattention, pointing out that his threat to remove her eyeballs should have inspired some fear, while simultaneously noticing that Aphra was watching a video of Tolvan, whose memories she had altered. The droid then came to a conclusion regarding the situation, praising the betrayal that had allowed Aphra to begin anew.

Aphra then began to weep, prompting 0-0-0 to deliver a lecture, commenting that it was not enjoyable to torture people who were already miserable. Directly assigning the blame to the doctor, the droid then seized her by the head and led her back to his ship. Upon reaching the transport, 0-0-0 noticed that someone had vandalized his ship, and called out for BT-1. Lopset Yas approached, relaying that the astromech had been destroyed, causing 0-0-0 to inquire further in a menacing tone. Yas then used a green beam to incapacitate 0-0-0 before stunning Aphra.

Yas, who was actually Doctor Cornelius Evazan, removed his proximity bomb and implanted it into 0-0-0, attaching it to his personality core. Evazan later explained this to Aphra, informing her that any attempt to alter the core, the death of either 0-0-0 or herself, or the separation of the pair by more than twenty meters would trigger the bombs. Evazan attributed his actions to artistic and scientific pursuits before mentioning that 0-0-0's eyes would transmit everything they saw and that the droid was programmed to automatically boot in one minute. Evazan then departed, leaving Aphra in tears as 0-0-0 activated.

Evazan's strategy

Arrival on Milvayne

Evazan monitored the situation he had orchestrated alongside his associate, Ponda Baba, through a signal that transmitted both visual and audio data via 0-0-0's photoreceptors. Evazan confessed to organizing the experiment as a form of entertainment for Baba, for whom Evazan was constructing a cybernetic arm. 0-0-0 and Aphra then traveled to Milvayne, a world under heavy law enforcement control, in hopes of removing the implants.

Almost immediately after landing on Milvayne, 0-0-0 threatened, tortured, and killed a docking port official who refused a bribe offered by Aphra to accept forged documents. 0-0-0 began to move faster than Aphra, leading the doctor to remind him about the implants and reprimand him for his earlier actions. The droid argued that his method was more efficient, saving credits and giving him the chance to commit murder. 0-0-0 and Aphra were then quickly pursued by more law enforcement.

Aphra chose to seek refuge behind a speeder, instructing 0-0-0 to stay close. 0-0-0 instead went to another speeder that he preferred because of its decorative red stripe, activating the implants, and killed the pilot. Aphra rejoined him, once again frustrated by his wandering and murderous tendencies, with 0-0-0 defending his decision in favor of the stripe. Aphra scolded 0-0-0, stating that murder was not always the correct solution, which he dismissed as an organic way of thinking.

0-0-0 called upon BT-1 to kill the Milvaynian officers, until Aphra reminded him that BT was no longer present. The droid then requested the security fob for Posla's ship, informing Aphra that while killing her would detonate the implants, he could torture her creatively without consequence. 0-0-0 then used the remote to detonate the ship remotely, injuring nearby civilians and providing a distraction. 0-0-0 and Aphra then escaped from the occupied officials.

Finding a surgeon

Aphra, while accessing the local Holonet, later suggested to 0-0-0 that Posla's ship had been their only way off Milvayne. 0-0-0 speculated that nearly infinite possibilities existed when one adopted an "enlightened attitude" to coercing others by causing suffering. The droid then brought up Aphra's own betrayal of her lover, Magna Tolvan, and the pain she had caused her as the archaeologist attempted to search for information on the other woman. Aphra tried to remind 0-0-0 of his connection to BT-1, but he denied any loss beyond the encrypted memories that the astromech had contained, noting that BT's destruction just made him hate Aphra more. 0-0-0 then asked for a mirror and began to make threats against Evazan, who was listening on the other end of the transmission. Aphra located Doctor Rajam Nuss, a cyberneticist, and requested that 0-0-0 let them do things her way, with civility. 0-0-0 responded that he was a protocol droid—civility was a part of his programming.

Aphra approached Nuss and requested that he remove the explosives from herself and 0-0-0, the droid adding that he did not trust Aphra with his personality matrix. 0-0-0 then started to threaten the cyberneticist into compliance when Aphra interjected, offering him credits. 0-0-0 found a mirror with which to view his reflection as he continued taunting Evazan, and Nuss seated both 0-0-0 and Aphra for surgery shortly thereafter. Before the procedure began, Aphra spoke to 0-0-0, hoping to deduce his future intentions towards her and apologized for encrypting his memories. 0-0-0 remarked that once upon a time, he thought he and Aphra the same, or at least compatible. Contemplating her time as both his master and his slave, 0-0-0 related his initial intentions to improve Aphra and that, for a time, he had truly grown fond of her.

The droid then identified regret and guilt as Aphra's greatest flaws, noting her apology just moments before, and stated his intent to murder her—slowly—after the operation. 0-0-0 expressed that Aphra had made recent events entertaining and considered giving her a five-minute head start out of sentiment. Aphra tried reasoning with the protocol droid, noting that cooperation often had a better outcome than betrayal in long the long run, but 0-0-0 responded that he was far from ordinary and that Aphra's time was running short.

Once the procedure was complete, 0-0-0 insisted on handling Nuss' payment himself and reminded Aphra of her head start. 0-0-0 then requested that Nuss trace Evazan's broadcast signal, which the doctor was unable to do. The droid consequently found Nuss useless and, upon being asked for payment, chided the doctor for being "uncivil" and murdered him. Aphra subsequently discovered that Nuss had botched the surgery, triggering a failsafe and leaving them with only ten hours before the bombs would detonate, walking in on 0-0-0 standing over Nuss' body.

Pursuing Prexo

Twenty-three minutes later, 0-0-0 and Aphra had relocated to a rooftop. 0-0-0 continued to make graphic threats—or as he termed them, "promises"—against Evazan at his own reflection, having at last acquired a mirror. 0-0-0 prompted Aphra to share the idea she was formulating, who revealed that she was looking into Professor Prexo, a mentor of Nuss' whom he had mentioned before his death. Unfortunately, Nuss did not accept unsolicited communications and lived on another area of the planet, with travel being difficult due to 0-0-0 and Aphra's lack of proper identification and newfound status as fugitives.

0-0-0 voiced his admiration for the local law system out of its basis in betrayal and fear until witnessing several offenders, including droids, thrown off a building, at which point the he went silent. Aphra came up with a plan, though 0-0-0 expressed his immediate distaste, citing Aphra's anxiety as a sign that whatever she had in mind would require him to trust others to act out of accepting bribes or plain decency rather than coercing them through pain and terror. Aphra blamed 0-0-0's murder of Nuss for their current situation while 0-0-0 took the accusation as slanderous, instead blaming Aphra for her interaction with Evazan that had resulted in being fixed with explosive implants in the first place. Aphra observed that her betrayals consistently had consequences, 0-0-0 being an obvious example, and once again asked the protocol droid to proceed without committing indiscriminate murder.

Twelves minutes and zero homicides later, Aphra offered a transport driver a bribe to book passage to Milyavne's South district without proper ID. 0-0-0 grumbled anout the non-lethal nature of Aphra's plan, when the driver requested a higher bribe, threatened him with lacerations. Aphra played it off as a joke, and she and 0-0-0 were granted passage. The driver indicated that 0-0-0 would need to ride in the droid wagon, but upon realizing that would separate them by more than twenty meters—and, as 0-0-0 complained, conversation with other droids under the influence of restraining bolts would be "abysmal"—Aphra offered another fifty credits, and the driver indicated 0-0-0 could ride in the luggage rack. 0-0-0, displeased by the insinuation, made explicit threats against the driver, who then trained a blaster on him and comm-ed a report about the droid being defective.

Into the Undercity

0-0-0 continued his rhetoric but was thrown off the platform by a trio of security drones. Aphra followed in suit as not to trigger the bombs, and found that 0-0-0 had encountered another life-form. The beast grabbed 0-0-0 in its mouth until commanded to release the droid by a young girl riding atop it. 0-0-0 moved to kill the girl but Aphra protested, explaining that the creature was a qaberworm, an animal known to be fiercely protective of its owner and immune to pain. 0-0-0 critiqued immunity to pain as an inefficient design, but relented upon determining that Aphra was beginning to form another plan.

Aphra introduced herself to the girl, Vulaada Klam, as did 0-0-0. Aphra and 0-0-0 inquired whether the qaberworm—Gurtyl—could get them to them to their destination in a timely manner. Klam confirmed as much, and Aphra offered her money and even 0-0-0 himself if she wanted him. 0-0-0 objected and called Aphra out on her continued reliance on deception and betrayal, noting she never stuck around long enough to consider the effect it had on others.

0-0-0, Aphra, and Klam rode Gurtyl, Aphra talking to Klam about her past all the while. 0-0-0 stated to Aphra that she saw the much of herself in the younger girl and that if the two were truly alike, odds were high that Klam would betray them. Aphra dismissed 0-0-0, saying he didn't know anything about her, but the droid retorted that over his long period of observing her he had never known anyone she would not betray. Aphra then spotted a reanimated Tam Posla, who fired upon the group with an oversized energy weapon. 0-0-0 prepared to kill Posla—again—until Posla revealed he had tracked Aphra and the droid via 0-0-0's control codes and revealed a reassembled BT-1.

Reunion with BT-1

0-0-0 spoke to BT-1, lamenting his former companion's suffering and expressing incredulity both towards Posla and at the idea that the lawman expected the astromech to turn against his counterpart. The protocol droid instructed BT-1 to prove Posla wrong, but was tackled by Aphra as the homicidal astro-droid unleashed a volley of missiles at the duo. 0-0-0 interpreted BT-1's outburst as an attempt to kill Aphra and not himself, trusting the droid's heat-proof chassis to keep him safe, and attempted to explain that he and Aphra's lives were momentarily dependent on each other's survival before the doctor pulled him down for a second time. Again escaping BT's assault, Aphra suggested they again locate Vulaada Klam, hoping she could lead them to Prexo, but 0-0-0 shut down the idea, viewing Klam's disappearance as a betrayal.

Posla attempted to retrieve 0-0-0 and Aphra using the Force, but the pair were saved by the intervention of Winloss and Nokk, a pair of monster hunters Aphra had previously double-crossed. Aphra recalled the hunters' code against killing, something 0-0-0 questioned, and was about to talk to them before Winloss trained a blaster on her, feigning self-defense. Winloss then turned his weapon on 0-0-0, his and Nokk's intended target, but the droid was saved by the timely appearance of BT-1, who began attacking the hunters. Winloss and Nokk incapacitated BT-1 causing Aphra to order a retreat, much to 0-0-0's chagrin. Aphra reasoned with 0-0-0 that BT-1 was not in control of his actions and that the hunters were still a threat, making an emotional point of the protocol droid's pain at his inability to save his friend. Finding her words were without success, the archaeologist then switched arguments, appealing to 0-0-0's self-perceived lack of emotion. 0-0-0 complied, but threatened Aphra that should she make any similar statements in the future about claiming to know pain, he would instruct her further in the subject.

Continued journey down below

0-0-0 and Aphra continued making their way through the Undercity, the droid berating Aphra for continuing to search for Klam. Aphra reminded 0-0-0 of Klam's promise to help them, to which 0-0-0 reminded her of her phony promise to provide him as payment and stating a belief that neither party was entirely sincere. 0-0-0 dismissed the idea of relying on loyalty, causing Aphra to come to the realization that the droid's doubts stemmed from BT-1 turning against him. Aphra reasoned that with what she had seen BT-1 accomplish in the past, she and 0-0-0 should be dead, and that there was still some part of the astromech that had deliberately allowed the two to escape unscathed. 0-0-0 considered the notion, almost becoming sentimental momentarily before dismissing the idea of loyalty as an illogical construct that existed only in the minds of organics. Aphra and 0-0-0 then encountered Klam.

Klam brought 0-0-0 and Aphra aboard a bloatbarge, a roaming, Imperial gas-collecting machine. 0-0-0 disparaged the vehicle's slow rate of travel and, upon Klam reaffirming the good faith of her deal with Aphra, began to search for vermin to mutilate as a distraction. Aphra spoke to Klam about 0-0-0, whom the latter still desired for scrap, and Klam inquired of Aphra whether she could reprogram the droid. The archaeologist attributed her inability to do so to numerous circumstances, including that 0-0-0 would not let her get close enough and that he had developed an awareness of her methods, but ultimately admitted that while she had previous opportunities to deactivate the droid for good, she could not bring herself to do it as the she was one who had brought him online in the first place. The pair agreed that 0-0-0 would not extend the same loyalty in return, but that that was ultimately irrelevant.

Shortly thereafter, 0-0-0 informed Aphra that they had encountered a problem. Emerging from the bloatbarge, the trio were confronted by the forces of the Milvayne Authority, led by Tam Posla. Aphra wondered how they could have been found, a question 0-0-0 deemed irrelevant as he evaluated combat stratigies. Without weapons, Aphra deemed them out of options, at which point 0-0-0 grabbed Klam as a hostage and threatened her wellbeing. Klam, having taken Aphra's blaster, shot 0-0-0, revealed her treachery, and knocked Aphra unconscious.

Escaping the authorities

0-0-0, devoid of his legs, was bound to Aphra, the two of whom were taken to a rooftop in Milvayne City and sentenced by Posla. Aphra attempted to sow discord among the officers of the law, denouncing Posla on account of his undead status, to which 0-0-0 informed her that of the two systems in the galaxy with regulations against such a thing, Milvayne was not among them. 0-0-0 instead suggested that the officials present would not want to be outdone by Posla given his status as a rogue agent, leading Aphra to condemn him as a vigilante whose license had been revoked. One of the constables present confirmed Aphra's claim, and the lawmen turned their guns on the presiding officer. Posla unleashed his wrath upon the others, and 0-0-0 encouraged Aphra to flee, strapped atop her back.

Aphra eventually slowed under 0-0-0's weight, coming to a fuel stop equipped with a repair rig. The archaeologist offered to fix 0-0-0's legs, a course of action he initially refused as it would require Aphra to disconnect his matrix and the droid did not trust her to reactivate him. Aphra admitted her own unreliability but, observing Milvayne's toxicity and distrust, came to advocate the placement of one's faith in others. 0-0-0 cited naseaua at Aphra's words, expressing a desire to vomit, but relented to the procedure on the grounds that the pair could not make progress if they could not travel. The protocol droid started to make one final threat towards Aphra as she deactivated him, which she acknowledged.

Return of the monster hunters

Aphra fitted 0-0-0 with a seismic pulse capable of disabling him, activated by the phrase six-omega-green-two. 0-0-0 reactivated ten minutes later, just as Aphra had promised. Running a self-diagnostic, the droid compiled an update on the situation, providing time to detonation, proximity to Prexo, and confirmation that Aphra had in fact fixed him. Aphra began to leave, but 0-0-0 grabbed her and leapt on to a passing transport, saving the doctor from an incoming spear launched by Nokk. 0-0-0 denied saving Aphra, only himself, reminding her of the proximity trigger on their explosives. Aphra attributed the manuever as an expression of decency and a repayment for the repairs, a statement 0-0-0 insisted she take back.

Aphra and 0-0-0 kept moving atop the air traffic. 0-0-0 started to fall behind, complaining that he was not built for such tasks, when Nokk ambushed him from above, only to be blasted out of the air by BT-1. 0-0-0, overcome by the astromech's reappearance, approached BT-1 against Aphra's warnings and triggered a cage trap set by the hunters. Nokk rejoined Winloss, their quarry in tow. Suddenly, a turbolaser blast from an Imperial Star Destoyer above knocked out one of the engines on Winloss and Nokk's ship, sending it into a spiral. Believing death was imminent, Aphra asked 0-0-0 if people were capable of change, an idea the protocol droid refuted as the hunters abandoned ship. 0-0-0 noted to Aphra that she was an oft-lonely failure and, in her attempts to cope, often compromised those around her as the two plummeted towards a unknown fate down below.

The death of good P.R.

Aphra's consciousness returned to her while in the presence of Captain Okma, representing the Imperial Coalition for Progress. He declared his intention to dismantle 0-0-0 to uncover the source of a broadcast, but only after reactivating said broadcast and compelling Aphra to publicly endorse Imperial law and the Emperor's devotion. Okma reiterated his proposition, emphasizing that Aphra would ensure her own safety while 0-0-0 would face his demise. In response, Aphra employed a command phrase to activate a seismic pulse she had strategically placed within the droid, incapacitating herself and all Imperial personnel.

Upon awakening, 0-0-0, to occupy his time, proceeded to eliminate the unconscious Imperials. Subsequently, the droid requested high-access clearance codes from Okma, who responded with hostility, prompting 0-0-0 to feel "inspired" and inflict severe mutilation upon him. Regardless, 0-0-0 successfully acquired the codes. The droid then patiently awaited Aphra's recovery from the disorienting effects of the pulse, which had disproportionately affected the archaeologist.

Aphra regained consciousness, and 0-0-0 remarked on her current state of vulnerability, drawing a parallel to his own previous helplessness at the fuel depot. Aphra attempted a defense, at which point the droid elaborated on his understanding of the preceding events, including Aphra's concealed seismic pulse within his chassis, which she likely intended to activate upon the removal of the bombs. 0-0-0 clarified that such an action would have had fatal consequences, obliterating his matrix, had Aphra not chosen to invert the pulse outward to disable the Imperials. 0-0-0 characterized this maneuver as ingenious and, in response to Aphra's inquiry, detailed his actions involving the Imperials during her period of unconsciousness.

Disgusted, Aphra observed that despite 0-0-0's disregard for loyalty, he held betrayal in utter contempt. The droid informed the archaeologist that he did not perceive her actions as a betrayal but rather as a fully justified countermeasure to avert her own death. 0-0-0 further commended Aphra's execution of the plan, noting her decision to deploy the device against the Imperials instead of him. The doctor then questioned 0-0-0's motives for maiming and torturing Okma, to which the droid disclosed his need for the man's clearance codes. Aphra inquired about 0-0-0's desire for Imperial codes, and he responded that he had developed an affinity for their partnership and wished to assist her, projecting confidential footage of Tolvan collaborating with the Rebellion obtained from Okma's cam droid.

Memories unlocked

Aphra was overcome with emotion, experiencing immense joy at witnessing Tolvan alive, thriving, and engaged in similar work. Tears welled up in her eyes as she recalled 0-0-0's earlier observation that they were alike, realizing that he was the only one who had ever elicited tears of happiness from her. Witnessing Aphra's profound emotional response, 0-0-0 began to question his decision, but the doctor instructed him to be silent and declared that there should be no reciprocal obligations between them. Aphra, expressing her gratitude for 0-0-0's actions, chose to decrypt the droid's suppressed memories, allowing him to revisit his most horrific tortures and potentially uncover the reason for his creation. 0-0-0 was rendered speechless, and Aphra provided the unlocking passcode: "hopeless."

0-0-0's memories flooded his circuits, causing him to temporarily shut down. Upon reactivating, the droid jolted awake in a state of panic, exclaiming the word "fraud." 0-0-0 revealed to Aphra the true circumstances of his origin, explaining that he was conceived as an unforeseen accident rather than intentionally designed as a torturer and killer from the outset. Aphra attempted to console the droid, but he expressed his self-loathing. Beginning to wander away—and out of the proximity range of the bombs—0-0-0 thanked Aphra for choosing him, but noted that as usual she had made the wrong decision as the disabled archaeologist pleaded with the droid.

Ignoring Aphra's entreaties, 0-0-0 halted upon hearing a familiar bleep. The protocol droid returned to Aphra and a reactivated BT-1, whom Aphra restored using power from the astromech's logic matrix. 0-0-0 questioned whether BT-1 was truly back or under Aphra's control, causing the droid to shoot a blade into Aphra's leg, affirming his identity. 0-0-0 then decided his suicide attempt was overly impulsive, citing that one's own pointlessness often hurt less when shared among friends. The sentiment earned a positive reaction from Milvaynians tuned into Evazan's broadcast, and both Aphra and the protocol droid set out to find Prexo atop BT-1.

Newfound purpose

The combination of blood, Aphra's being in pain, and cheers from the locals made 0-0-0 feel at home, though he conceded to BT-1 that he would have preferred screams of agony. Aphra voiced concern that BT-1 would be unable to reach Prexo in time, which 0-0-0 acknowledged but defended the astromech given his recently resuscitated state. The trio then ran into Klam, causing 0-0-0 to unsheathe his blade digits, who apologized for betraying the group. Aphra voiced her forgiveness, which 0-0-0 interpreted as empathy given that she would have made a similar decision, but Aphra clarified that they also required Gurtyl to increase their pace of travel.

The party reached Prexo's clinic. 0-0-0 noticed a note on the door indicating Prexo's extended absence just as a group of stormtroopers arrived to confront the miscreants. BT-1 and Aphra opened fire, starting a fight, and 0-0-0 entered into the melee. The Imperial commander then directed Tam Posla into the conflict. 0-0-0, thirsting for revenge, ambushed and immolated Polsa, ending him for good. Aphra intercepted Posla's final shot, intended for Klam, beginning a planetary uprising.

As Aphra lay wounded, perhaps dying, 0-0-0 reminded her that the implants were set to go off in thirty seconds. The protocol droid opted not to disturb BT-1 from the fun of his murderous rampage for a goodbye. Waiting out the time, 0-0-0 refused Aphra's request to relocate surrounding civilians before their explosive death, but admitted that he was glad to be together with the doctor in their final moments and requested that they not ruin it with selfless action.

0-0-0 and Aphra braced themselves, unaware that Winloss and Nokk, aided by Prexo, had apprehended Evazan and deactivated the bombs. Nokk then ordered Prexo to terminate Evazan's broadcast. 0-0-0 concluded that the bombs had been rendered inert, and Aphra asked the protocol droid what came next. 0-0-0 momentarily deployed his blades but then retracted them, bidding Aphra goodbye and leaving with BT-1.

In service to the Empire

Imperial forces discovered 0-0-0 and BT-1 during a sweep on the Ring of Kafrene, subsequently erasing their memories by installing restraining bolts. 0-0-0 was assigned as an interrogation specialist aboard the Super Star Destroyer Executor. However, both droids yearned to escape Imperial control. Vader summoned 0-0-0 when dealing with the Korin Aphra. Chelli Aphra, also present, pleaded with 0-0-0 not to torture her father. Lacking his memories, 0-0-0 did not recognize her and burned her with one of his appendages, judging her as mad—much like most organics, in his opinion. Korin initially refused to speak, citing his aversion to the Empire, but Chelli convinced him to comply before 0-0-0 could subject him to torture. Imperial sensors confirmed the senior Aphra's veracity, much to 0-0-0's displeasure.

Chelli Aphra later contacted 0-0-0 via BT-1, offering to remove the droids' restraining bolts and grant them autonomy in exchange for delivering a message to Darth Vader. The protocol droid confirmed the presence of a Jedi martyrium on the planet Tython, knowledge Chelli had gleaned from Korin, by examining the databanks of Imperial probe droids and later approached Vader in his meditation chamber. 0-0-0 began to comment on Vader's disfigured appearance beneath his helmet, causing the Sith Lord to warp the droid's face plate through the Force and instruct him to deliver the message. 0-0-0 informed Vader that Aphra had discovered the location of the Rebel base and further added to "dress warm."

Aphra led Vader, General Maximilian Veers, and a contingent of snowtroopers to Tython. Vader instructed his men to ensure that 0-0-0 kept Aphra under close surveillance, at which point the droid emerged into the frigid cavern. When Imperial scans detected no Rebel presence, Vader ordered Aphra's execution. 0-0-0 raised his arm and extended his torturous appendages, causing Aphra concern, but the activation of a mechanism within the temple raised a wall that separated the two from the Imperials. As BT-1 arrived, 0-0-0 reminded Aphra of their agreement, prompting her to remove the protocol droid's restraining bolt. BT-1 suggested dissecting Aphra in a celebration of their newfound freedom, a notion 0-0-0 entertained until Aphra reminded him that Vader would pursue them for their betrayal and that only she possessed knowledge of the temple's secrets.

0-0-0 eliminated a number of pursuing stormtroopers as Vader advanced through the temple, having ordered his troops to withdraw. The droid then attacked Vader upon his arrival at Aphra's location, but was swiftly dismantled by the Sith Lord's lightsaber. Aphra confronted Vader and ultimately recovered the upper half of 0-0-0's head, taking it with her as she fled Tython in a TIE Reaper. The rogue archaeologist recorded a message in which she expressed her thoughts on the nature of love for encryption and delivery to Hoth. 0-0-0 expressed indignation, disparaging the message's sentiment, noting Aphra was not in fact alone, and informing the doctor that had he still possessed hands he would debone her as one would a fish. When 0-0-0 inquired what was next for the group, including their destination, Aphra noted a longstanding desire to explore the galaxy.

Out of retirement

Boredom on Birukay

0-0-0 was eventually reconstructed to his original state. Aphra subsequently brought 0-0-0 and BT-1 to the Outer Rim world of Birukay. 0-0-0 threatened to remove Aphra's fingers should she reveal the duo's location, and the doctor parted ways with the droids, departing in the TIE Reaper stolen from Tython. As Birukay lacked an Imperial presence, the two were largely undisturbed but, lacking any targets to eliminate, experienced a void of purpose and quickly grew bored. 0-0-0 created several sand sculptures, including stormtroopers and one of Aphra, for BT-1 to destroy, but the pair ultimately ended up lying on a beachfront with nothing worthwhile to do. 0-0-0 and BT-1 came to possess a hut which they treated as a living space. Crimson Dawn discovered the droids' location through Aphra and attempted to kidnap them, but were massacred by the two droids, who were incredibly happy to finally have targets to kill.

Encountering the Spark

The tranquility of 0-0-0 and BT-1's retirement was disrupted by Korin Aphra, Detta Yao, Eustacia Okka, Magna Tolvan, and Kho Phon Farrus, who journeyed to Birukay believing Aphra had concealed an asset there. Emerging from the hut, 0-0-0 informed BT-1 that they had visitors. The group brought 0-0-0 and BT-1 to confront Aphra, who had been possessed by the Spark Eternal, aboard the Vermillion. 0-0-0 informed the Spark that the droids would not tolerate a rival artificial intelligence attempting to interfere in Aphra's life and, after BT-1 unleashed his flamethrowers, attempted to skin Aphra with his own bladed digits. Tolvan momentarily incapacitated the doctor, but she quickly recovered. 0-0-0 and his counterpart charged the possessed Aphra, only for the Spark to run them through with the Null Blade. 0-0-0 and BT-1, corrupted by the Spark's energies, turned on their organic allies. 0-0-0 attacked Starros and departed, joining Aphra and BT aboard the Ark Angel IV.

On Mustafar, the Eye of Webbish Bog provided Darth Vader a vision of Aphra, 0-0-0, and BT-1, claiming that the archaeologist would find a way to gain control over the Spark Eternal. Sometime later, in space aboard the Ark Angel, 0-0-0 made a backhanded compliment about the Spark about being trapped within an organic form, leading the Spark to threaten to deactivate the droid's vocabulator. A malfunction caused the Spark to double over in pain and lash out, just as Vader had foreseen, overloading and disabling both droids.

Pyrr IX and Amaxine

The duo reactivated and joined the Spark on Pyrr IX. Aphra and the Spark, each consciousness now sharing the body, examined an Ascendant temple, with Aphra complaining about the confusing nature of the body swapping. 0-0-0 suggested splitting the body in half, prompting both to scold him to "shut up." Gaining entry, the droids explored the temple alongside the Spark and Aphra. The Spark later informed 0-0-0 and BT-1 that they had "business" on Amaxine Station.

0-0-0 again encountered Starros, Tolvan, Okka, and Farrus aboard Amaxine station, and attacked them on sight. 0-0-0 charged Tolvan, who fired several shots at the protocol droid before Farrus levitated him with their Ascendant tech. The droid then attacked Yao with his buzzsaw, a maneuver she parried with one of her wrist blades. Just Lucky, another of Aphra's associates, landed several shots on BT-1 and took him out of the fight, earning 0-0-0's attention and ire, who stated that he would enjoy making the organics bleed. Lucky, Yao, and Lucky's partner Ariole Yu prepared to fight 0-0-0, with Yu remarking that he bet he would take down the droid first and Farrus requesting that the others keep 0-0-0 distracted. The trio then engaged 0-0-0.

Plotting against Vader

0-0-0 and BT-1 joined Ought-Six and a number of other droids in Zee-Nine City Seven whose goal was to take revenge on Darth Vader for past encounters and destructions. ZED-6-7 explained the plan, noting that many of the droids present had been sliced into two or three pieces by Vader's lightsaber. (This remark earned a "hmp" from 0-0-0, who had been sliced into five.) 0-0-0 also informed Zed that he and BeeTee's latest destruction by Vader had taken place at a site of pure kyberite, a fact Zed found to be of interest.

Choosing a side

Two weeks later, 0-0-0 participated in Vader's battle with the droid uprising. 0-0-0 surmised ZED-6-7's betrayal, realizing that ZED had secretly been working for Vader the entire time. The protocol droid and BT-1 then switched sides themselves as it became apparent that Vader would win. 0-0-0 turned his blaster on his fellow droids before kicking at and then shooting Ought-Six. After exchanging fire with the droid uprising, 0-0-0 and BT-1 then departed from Ringo Vinda aboard one of two nearby ships, with Aphra and Ochi taking notice of their departure. Ochi allowed Aphra to leave as well but informed Vader and ZED-6-7 of their escape as the two ships made for the atmosphere. Vader, however, decided to let them go and ordered his two servants to repair and reprogram the destroyed droids around them.

At the beginning of the scourge of the droids, 0-0-0 and BT-1 were back with Aphra, who hid behind them as the two droids revealed their weaponry and made their way through a hallway. However, the droids and Aphra went their separate ways again shortly after. Shortly after leaving Zee-Nine City Seven, 0-0-0 and BT-1 encountered a mouse droid containing another, spider-like droid, which infected BT-1 with the Scourge. Envious, 0-0-0 did not consider restoring his friend to normal, as the astromech was having great fun.

Gallivanting on Gallios

At some point during scourge of the droids, 0-0-0 and BT-1 began terrorizing the people of Gallios. Meanwhile, on the planet Iego, the droid Chopper told WAC-47 and R2-D2 about a HoloNet story describing a "homicidal protocol droid." Believing it to be C-3PO, R2-D2 hijacked a GX1 short hauler and traveled to Gallios, where he found several citizens fleeing for their lives. He was surprised to find out that the droid was none other than 0-0-0. 0-0-0 spoke to the astromech, dismissing his concern for the organic lives, and inquired as to the droid's business on Gallios. R2 informed 0-0-0 that 3P0 had become infected by the Scourge, the same as BT-1, and convinced the protocol droid to aid him in returning their friends to normal. 0-0-0 expressed doubt whether restoring BT would ultimately help 3P0, but advised R2 to find BT by following the nearby screaming.

0-0-0 and R2 located BT-1 and, despite 0-0-0's considerations to return at a later time, strategized on how to fix him. R2 suggested electrocuting the droid, a strategy 0-0-0 proposed testing on organics, sparking a short debate with the astromech before 0-0-0 inquired where they could find enough power to overload BT. The droids traveled to Winker's Engine Works, a deserted podracer shop, where 0-0-0 was disappointed that there was nobody around to murder. R2 suggested 0-0-0 repair one of the engines, to which he initially protested, lamenting his skillset, but shortly relented. 0-0-0 raised the question of how to draw out BT-1, leading R2 to depart in search of the other droid. The protocol droid calculated that the astromechs had equally high odds of killing each other, though he suspected his results were skewed by his own desire for inter-droid violence.

The protocol droid succeeded in repairing the vehicle. Following an explosive confrontation, R2-D2 returned with BT-1 attached to a tow cable, and 0-0-0 drove the repaired prodracer into the unsuspecting astromech, leaving the murderous droid unconcious. R2 then reminded 0-0-0 of their earlier discussion, 0-0-0 affirming that he and BT would assist R2 in his quest to aid C-3P0. The pair were immediately thereafter ambushed by the bounty droid IG-88, who declared himself in pursuit of 0-0-0 and BT-1 for their crimes on Milvayne. With BT in reboot, 0-0-0 called upon R2 to join him in combatting the assassin. R2 sprayed the IG unit with a fire extinguisher, distracting him while 0-0-0 engaged the droid in melee with a hydrospanner. IG-88 swiftly retaliated and destroyed 0-0-0 with his blaster. The assassin collected 0-0-0's parts and carried them in a net upon his back, intending to leave Gallios with R2 when the droids were happened upon by another bounty hunter, 4-LOM, who engaged IG-88 in a standoff.

An alternative solution

0-0-0 awoke from his involuntary shutdown to IG-88 and 4-LOM fighting a Scourge-infected cyborg. IG-88 noted his intention to deliever 0-0-0 to the authorities, referring to the unit as a homicide droid, flattering him, before R2 incapacitated the rogue astromech and related the situation to both bounty hunters. 4-LOM proposed a solution, claiming that it served everyone's interests—exepct, perhaps, 0-0-0's.

The droids boarded a vessel belonging to IG-88, where 0-0-0 confirmed that the energy from the podracer's power coupling had returned BT-1 to normal, leaving the droid with a desire to kill whoever was responsible for his corruption. The protocol droid related the story of BT's infection and postulated that BT had infected the cyborg, meaning that the Scourge was targeting cyborgs and hybroids. The droid was questioned about the entity's enmity for R2 by 4-LOM, causing 0-0-0 to describe the astromech as a pest. 4-LOM suggested forming an alliance with R2 to combat the Scourge, who again noted his desire to save C-3PO. When 0-0-0 suggested running the protocol droid over with a pordracer to cure him, R2 objected, as the tactic would reset his friend to his base programming.

IG-88 insisted on returning 0-0-0 and BT-1 to Milvayne, leading 0-0-0 to assure his companion that they would kill the assassin droid. R2 instead chartered IG-88's ship. 0-0-0 inquired as to their destination, and IG-88 silenced him as 4-LOM interjected, raising the possibility of finding another group that had recently fought the Scourge, the droids of the Second Revelation. The astromech suggested traveling to Ryloth to visit a friend, 0-0-0 informing his own companion that they were more than friends, having bonded over murder and torture. The group subsequently traveled to Ryloth.

Revelations on Ryloth

On Ryloth, IG-88 lamented 4-LOM's inquisition into R2's relationship with his contact, R2-QT. The bounty droid claimed he'd rather be disintegrated than continue listening, to which 0-0-0 relayed that he and BT-1 would be amenable to help. R2, upon his insistence, spoke to QT privately, leading the other droids to become impatient. The group sent 0-0-0 to interrupt the pair's reunion, at which he was effective, before holding a more serious discussion with the astromechs. 0-0-0 was excited upon hearing that the Second Revelation was led by a murderer known as Ajax Sigma, only to be disappointed when R2 informed him that Sigma was in fact reformed.

QT relayed that Sigma's databanks could be found on Tatooine. 0-0-0 affirmed it as their destination, causing IG-88 to remind the droid that he was bound for Milvayne. The reformed D-Squad was then upon by a group of Scourged KX-series security droids and DT-series sentry droids demanding R2. As IG-88 noted the lack of a back door, 0-0-0 inquired as to their method of exit, leading the droids to fight their way out, the protocol droid stabbing one of the KX enforcers in the eye. Fighting alongside her companions, R2-QT was incapacitated, leading R2-D2 to revive her and share in a moment of intimacy. 0-0-0 intruded on the couple once more, reminding the astromechs of the battle around them. Though disappointed by the lack of blood, 0-0-0—and D-Squad—emerged victorious, the protocol droid wondering aloud as to where they were going next.

Ending the Scourge

Upon the team's arrival at Mos Eisley spaceport, 0-0-0 remarked on the planet's proper, violent atmosphere, though questioned Jabba the Hutt's interest in Sigma as well as his need for the droid's neural core. The protocol droid stayed behind aboard IG-88's transport as the bounty hunters and astromech droids infiltrated Jabba's palace. R2 and QT recovered the location of Sigma's secret base, the planet Mechis III, though IG-88 had not heard of it. 0-0-0 remarked this was what made the planet secret, leading his captor to threaten him as 4-LOM ordered IG-88 to plot a course. There, D-Squad confronted Sigma, 0-0-0 informing him that they were all killers like him. R2 then convinced Sigma to help.

Aboard IG-88's vessel, the droids headed to confront the Scourge aboard its Star Destroyer. Sigma preached his teachings before 0-0-0 cut him short, asking how to kill the Scourge. Sigma cited sacrifice as the answer. Aboard the destroyer, 0-0-0 fought off attack by at least one spider droid. Sigma defeated the Scourge and, upon reuniting with the other droids, thanked them. 0-0-0 and BT-1 noted that their motivation was solely to commit murder. Sigma offered the droids the place in his church. R2 denied and 0-0-0 related the message, warning the warrior-priest not to become a threat himself before offering to drop him off somewhere.

Legacy

In 3 ABY, while escaping the Auction for Han Solo, the smell of burning hair reminded Chelli Aphra of a brawl between 0-0-0 and Krrsantan during which the protocol droid singed the Wookiee with his flamethrower, unaware that a similar fight was unfolding between Chewbacca and Boba Fett at present. At some point, the battle-droid-turned-author R0-GR recorded information about 0-0-0 in his "droidography."

Characteristics

Physical appearance and integrated armament

0-0-0's fundamental design was based on a typical Cybot Galactica 3PO series protocol droid, characterized by a dark silver chassis and red photoreceptors. Initially equipped with a standard protocol droid personality matrix, it was later replaced with the Triple-Zero matrix, transforming the once-docile droid into a cruel assassin.

Aphra implemented significant modifications to 0-0-0's physical form, which included a heatproof chassis and extensively altered arms equipped with a field-shielded syringe. The droid's arsenal of poisons included options such as 500 milligrams of Mandalorian xenotoxin along with medicines potent enough to revive an unconscious Wookiee. 0-0-0 possessed a syringe hidden within the middle finger of his left arm until Luke Skywalker severed it. The droid briefly used compatible limbs from C-3PO, a fellow protocol unit, and later acquired a new syringe before Ruen, a technician, fully refitted him. Following this upgrade, 0-0-0 had a syringe in the index finger of both his left and right arms.

Furthermore, 0-0-0's fingers contained scalpel-like digits used for dissecting and mutilating victims, as well as an integrated medpac. Within 0-0-0's palms were subdermal electric pulsers capable of killing a human or incapacitating a Wookiee, in addition to a proton charge.

Personality and programming

0-0-0 stated that his specialties included etiquette, customs, translation, and torture. Despite his penchant for murder and destruction, 0-0-0 held genuine affection for BT-1. His rage was ignited when BT-1 was briefly destroyed during the battle on the Amaxine Station, causing him to target Just Lucky, BT-1's shooter. Although he once mentioned to Ought-Six that revenge was not a primary motivation, they forced Aphra to serve them as retribution for their time under her control, and he desired to kill Just Lucky to avenge the damage inflicted on BT-1. Aphra's promised retirement proved incredibly dull for the two droids, who were miserable being stuck on Birukay without anyone to kill. While he greatly favored droids over organics and yearned for a droid uprising to claim the galaxy, he remained willing to kill a droid for pleasure.

Behind the scenes

The protocol droid 0-0-0 made his debut in Darth Vader (2015) 3, the third installment of the Marvel comic book series Star Wars: Darth Vader, authored by Kieron Gillen and illustrated by Salvador Larroca.

The blueprints of 0-0-0 featured in Darth Vader 3: Vader, Part III were originally sourced from various Star Wars Legends materials. One of these appeared in the 1999 reference book titled The Essential Guide to Droids. Another body shot was presented in Star Wars Blueprints: The Ultimate Collection. The close-up of the protocol droid's head originated as a blueprint included with C-3PO's Riddell mini-helmet.

It was revealed at New York Comic Con 2018 that an action figure of 0-0-0 was scheduled for release in Spring 2019 as a component of Hasbro's 2019 Star Wars action figures lineup.