TA-418

TA-418, nicknamed Tee-Ay (also spelled Teeaye), was a BD explorer droid that assisted Doctor Eustacia Okka, former professor at the Shadow University institution, during the Imperial Era. When Okka was convinced into assisting her former associate, the rogue archaeologist Doctor Chelli Aphra, into finding the artifacts known as the Rings of Vaale for the Shadow University student Detta Yao, TA-418 joined Okka in accompanying Aphra's crew.
The crew traveled to the supposed location of the Rings, the lost city of Vaale on the planet Dianth. While there, they were pursued by mercenaries of the House of Tagge scion Ronen Tagge, and betrayed by both Yao and Aphra's associate Just Lucky.
==Biography==
===Assistant to Okka===
During the time of the Galactic Empire, TA-418 assisted Doctor Eustacia Okka, a former professor at the Shadow University. In 3 ABY,Star Wars: Timelines dates the events of Doctor Aphra (2020) 1 to 3 ABY. TA-418 accompanied Okka to the Ruins of Kolkur on the Outer Rim astronomical object Kolkur. While the two were studying the ruins, they were approached by the rogue archaeologist Doctor Chelli Aphra, who had been hired by the Shadow University student Detta Yao to find the ancient artifacts known as the Rings of Vaale. As Okka had extensively studied the Rings in the past, Yao suggested that Aphra and her crew—the bounty hunter Krrsantan and the assassin Just Lucky—seek her assistance. Aphra greeted TA-418 while speaking with Okka, and the droid responded.
Okka refused to help Aphra find the Rings, but was interrupted by the mercenaries of the House of Tagge scion Ronen Tagge, who, deriving enjoyment from destroying rare artifacts, had previously sought to find the Rings using the professor's knowledge. The mercenaries attempted to force Okka into working with them, but Aphra's crew initiated a firefight with the mercenaries, and TA-418 hid beside a stone pedestal alongside Okka and Aphra. Okka used her knowledge of the ruins to activate large moving statues, distracting the mercenaries. TA-418 and Okka escaped aboard Aphra's starship, Ark Angel III, where the former professor was convinced into helping the crew find the Rings.
===Hunt for the Rings of Vaale===
====The cursed city====
While the Ark Angel III was en route to the supposedly cursed city of Vaale on the planet Dianth, where the Rings were said to be located, Tagge had TA-418 sliced,Doctor Aphra (2020) 4 sending a recorded holographic message that threatened Okka with the consequences of not working with him. The Ark Angel III arrived on Dianth, and the crew disembarked, entering the city of Vaale. While the crew's members were plagued by visions and sounds, Okka and TA-418 discovered the location of the Workshop of the Architects of Vaale, where the Rings were created by the Architects of Vaale. After descending underground toward the workshop's entrance, the crew attempted to find a way inside, with Yao asking TA-418 to scan the mural carved into its door.
While searching for a method of opening the door, the crew inadvertently activated a trap that opened a hole in the floor. Krrsantan, Lucky, and Okka fell as the ground collapsed beneath them, leaving TA-418 with Aphra and Yao. The three of them were immediately confronted by Tagge's mercenaries, who instead ordered Aphra to lead them to the Rings. Aphra pretended to accept Tagge's demands and continued to search the area. The mercenary Tucker activated another trap, which dragged the mercenaries into the hole and also broke through the workshop's door. TA-418 followed Aphra and Yao inside, where they discovered that the one of the two Rings, supposedly contained within the workshop, was not present.Doctor Aphra (2020) 3
====Traitors revealed====
Within the workshop, Aphra confronted Yao, having realized that her client planned to steal the Rings of Vaale for herself. They were interrupted by Okka, Lucky, and Krrsantan, who had survived their fall and made their way to the workshop, having found the other Ring on their journey. Yao held Okka at gunpoint, demanding the artifact, but was tricked by Lucky, who had stolen the Ring. Aphra incapacitated Yao, but Lucky revealed he had been working for Tagge as the mercenaries entered the workshop. Lucky and the mercenaries took the Ring and departed, sealing the exit to the workshop and leaving Aphra and her crew trapped.
As Aphra's crew looked for another way out, TA-418 discovered a garbage hatch that led to the city's sewers. The droid caught the attention of the other members of the crew, leading them toward the exit. The crew made their way through the sewers, searching for a path out of the city, with Okka carrying TA-418. Having had TA-418 run tests on the bone matter that comprised the city, Okka determined that it was alive, emitting frequencies that targeted brain waves and was responsible for their visions.
The crew reached an exit, finding themselves near the Ark Angel III. Before they could board Aphra's starship, vessels of Ronen Tagge's fleet fired upon the Ark Angel III, destroying it and forcing the crew to take shelter from the explosion. Tagge's fleet subsequently attacked Vaale, leaving the ancient city in ruins. As the crew searched the derelict starships that were situated outside the city, Krrsantan discovered a centuries-old vessel from the High Republic that was still intact. Discussing their next move, Aphra suggested lying low until the fleet retreated and allowing Tagge to take the Ring. Okka refused to let Tagge get away with his actions, and Aphra developed a plan to stop him.
Aphra took advantage of Tagge's previous slicing of TA-418, decrypting the connection and tracking Tagge to his residence in the city of Canto Bight on the planet Cantonica. Piloting the High Republic vessel to Cantonica, Aphra made contact with Tagge's fleet. The fleet subsequently pursued her, damaging the main thruster of the crew's ship. Aphra allowed Tagge's forces to board their ship, taking the crew prisoner and bringing them before Tagge. Tagge took Aphra and her crew to his penthouse in Canto Bight, where he revealed that the other Ring of Vaale had already been in his possession. As Tagge led the crew into his artifact gallery, TA-418 ran through his residence, unnoticed by Tagge or his forces.Doctor Aphra (2020) 5
==Characteristics==
TA-418, known by the nickname of Teeay, was a BD unit explorer droid with green and white plating and black sensors. The droid was equipped with a holoprojector and a scanner and was able to test matter to determine its properties.
==Behind the scenes==
TA-418 first appeared in the comic Doctor Aphra (2020) 1, written by Alyssa Wong, illustrated by Marika Cresta, and published digitally by Marvel Comics on May 4, 2020.
While the final release's cover featured TA-418, he was not present on the cover for the comic's original solicitation. On the cover for the upcoming trade paperback Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 1 — Fortune and Fate, TA-418 appears similar to fellow BD unit BD-1, as seen in the video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
==Appearances==
*Doctor Aphra (2020) 1 
*Doctor Aphra (2020) 2
*Doctor Aphra (2020) 3
*Doctor Aphra (2020) 4
*Doctor Aphra (2020) 5
==Notes and references==
Category:Aphra's crew
Category:BD explorer droids
Category:Droids with unspecified gender programming
Category:Droids with unspecified pronouns