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One word of dialogue can speek volumes in a film.  Such is the case for one particular First Order Stormtrooper who called out Finn, his former brother-in-arms.  "Traitor!"  Just one word but it conveyed so much.  This faceless soldier recognized Finn (although he knew him only as FN-2187) and that he had defected to the Resistance.  "TR-8R" as he's affectionately become known has received something of a cult following since The Force Awakens was released and today the official Star Wars site has given us confirmation of who this Stormtroooper is, both back story and behind-the scenes.

His actual designation is FN-2199 and we know this from Greg Rucka's book Before the Awakening.

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Greg Rucka and Claudia Gray signig at New York Comic Con 2015

FN-2199, better known as "Nines" to his comrades, was a squad mate of Finn in the First Order.  According to Starwars.com FN-2199 is "riot control, and part of an elite squad that enforces order or squashes uprisings. While their weapons are non-lethal in theory, the Z6 can definitely cause harm or kill an opponent when used with brute force."  This explains the weapon he uses to face off against Finn outside of Maz's castle. 

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Phil Noto's image of "Nines" (seated with red hair) Credit: Starwars.com

Now the good news for collectors of Star Wars autographs.  The piece also confirms who brought Nines to life.  The voice behind the now famous line is none other than Skywalker Sound sound editor David Acord.  This is not the first time he has lent his voice talents to Star Wars canon.  In Revenge of the Sith Acord provided the voice GH-7, the droid who informed our heroes that Padme was in fact carrying twins and had "lost the will to live."  Acord also voiced many roles in The Clone Wars and his voice has also appeared in Rebels.

Acord recently confirmed that the sound effects from the Z6 Baton were a collaborative effort between him and Skywalker Sound sound designer and re-recording mixer Gary Rydstrom and that he used a "hint of Magna Guard staff from Ep. 3 courtesy of Ben Burtt…it only made sense (to me) to reference that tech/sound in some way since he's deflecting saber strikes."  Further helpful information for autograph collectors.

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David Acord at Celebration VI.

Starwars.com also revealed the man in the suit, who weilded the Z6 Baton with amazing dexterity, was veteran stuntman Liang Yang.   Yang has worked in many well known films including Skyfall, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, X-Men: First Class and World War Z. 

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Liang Yang in "Underground" (Fareastfilms.com)

For those of you who enjoy multi-signed images of Star Wars soldiers, here's who we have confirmed so far as First Order Stormtroopers

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Mathew Wood and David Acord at the 501st Imperial Bash 2012

Personally, these types of confirmations are exciting.  They not only gives the talent the credit they so richly deserve, but also gives us definitive proof for our autograph collecting pursuits.  I look forward to more confirmations like this one in the near future.Be sure to visit Starwars.com and read the story in it's entirety HERE.