Rodak was a Marshal of the Galactic Empire and commanded the defenses of Trantor during Gilmer's sack of that planet-city. Unlike many of the men under his command, he was loyal to Dagobert VIII, Emperor of the Galaxy to the end, but, when Gilmer's forces took Nevarsk through the defection of Imperial defenders, he realized all was lost and urged the Emperor to evacuate while it was still possible.

Rodak resented the fact that Dagobert had taken Yokim Sarns into his military confidence. Unlike Dagobert, Rodak realized that Sarns's militia was not defending the campus of the Galactic University out of loyalty to Dagobert but for their own purposes. When Sarns declined Dagobert's invitation to join the imperial party on their evacuation ship, Rodak was gratified and pressured Sarns to return to his "lines" before he had a chance to change his mind.