Vulaada Klam was a young human female who lived in the lower levels of the planet Milvayne during the time of the Galactic Empire. Having lost both of her parents, Klam had only the qaberworm Gurtyl for company, and was forced to live as a scavenger. During the Imperial Era, Klam encountered the rogue archaeologist Doctor Chelli Aphra and the assassin droid 0-0-0, who had been linked via proximity bombs by the mad scientist Cornelius Evazan and were being pursued across Milvayne by the Milvayne Authority law enforcement agency. Klam assisted the two fugitives, whose exploits were broadcast to the entire planet, eventually causing a revolt against the harsh rule of the Milvayne Authority and the Empire. During a final skirmish against Imperial forces, Aphra became severely wounded saving Klam from a rogue blaster bolt, but survived, discreetly leaving the planet.
Klam accompanied Aphra on her travels, somewhat reluctantly becoming the ward of the rogue archaeologist. After two months of lying low, Aphra chose to take a high-paying job from an anonymous customer, Minister Pitina Voor of the Coalition for Progress, who attempted to manipulate Aphra in order to further her plot to assassinate Emperor Palpatine. Aphra, aware of Voor's manipulation, managed to outsmart the minister, bringing an end to her plot. However, Aphra's victory came at a cost—both her and Klam were taken into the custody of the Galactic Empire, under the watch of the Sith Lord Darth Vader. While Aphra worked as an archaeological consultant in the Empire's search for a Rebel Alliance base aboard the flagship Executor, Klam was forced to serve as a janitor. When investigating a potential lead, Aphra intentionally left Klam behind, allowing her to be free from Imperial control and the dangers of being her ward. Aphra sent her father, Korin Aphra, and ex-lover, Captain Magna Tolvan of Rebel Intelligence, to rescue Klam, taking her into their care at the secret rebel base on the planet Hoth.