A Loyal Soldier is Named a Palpatine

The Monolith

SERAPH

CAPERION SYSTEM - Before the events on the ISN Charybdis

Despite the Monolith being only a couple years old the hangar already had that long-time, lived-in, appearance. Sykes found it welcoming as he lit one of his stixs.

“I don’t understand your fascination with those things. If you want to die I would be very happy to see it done. If you’d like, I can even draw it out like those stixs.”

Sykes turned to look down at the dark black 0-0-0 torture droid, Trip. Sykes was a tall man that hid his true age and species. To most sentients he appeared to be a middle aged man.Tall after nearly two meters with unnaturally deep blue eyes and short brown hair. If it wasn’t for the goatee you’d assume he was active duty military. What people didn’t know was that he was an Anzati. His people tended to not broadcast who they were given their species' thirst for a person’s ‘soup’.

“Trip, I swear sometimes I don’t know why I power you on.”

“Oh, I do sir. You’d be lonely without us.” Trip rested his metallic hand on Blinky, the smaller BT-1 assassin droid that looked rather similar to an R5 unit. Blinky beeped out a response. “Oh, quite right. A correction. You’d be dead without us and we are so looking forward to the opportunity to kill you ourselves.”

Sykes shook his head and returned to checking his gear. The Hand of the Empress had a mission aboard the ISN Charybdis and Sykes wasn’t going to show up unprepared.

“Sir, someone is approaching.” Sykes looked up and saw a squad of elite Stormtroopers escorting one of the Scholae Palatinae Guardsmen. The purple skinned Rodian in the black armor and ashen cloak of the Guardsmen saluted.

“Battelord Jade, you’re to accompany us.”

“Why?” Sykes took a long drag on his stix.

“Sir, I have my orders. You’re to accompany us at once.”

“I’m getting ready for a mission.” Blinky beeped out a series of rude sounds. Sykes shook his head at the droid.

Trip threw his hands up in exasperation. “You never let us do what we want.”

“Sir, I must insist.” The Guardsmen tensed and the squad of Stormtroopers tightened their grips on their blaster. Sykes took another drag on his stix and pondered his response.

“Trip, finish getting the gear ready.”

Read the entire fiction here: Bound By Loyalty

I have known Sykes Jade a long time and he has been a staple of Scholae Palatinae since 2005. He isn't just playing a character that's over 400 years old, he is over 400 years old and he still has the energy of a man half his age.

While he's served on the summit under several Emperors' he's never sought the throne himself. His contributions have been more impactful - the inclusion of the Conrats and a new generation of his family being members of the Brotherhood.

That tells you a lot about an individual and their commitment - when they'll share it with family over a holiday meal and then insist they join. Sykes is that elder statesmen who is preparing the future in real-time. He's loyal to the Empire and, despite the numerous times Komilia has hurt him, he still is here with Scholae Palatinae.

Accordingly, taking into consideration his contributions to Scholae Palatinae over all these years - from Summit, recruiters, and active role-player, the Palpatines have nominated, voted, and approved Sykes Jade to hold the Clan title and welcome him to the Palpatine Family!

Congratulations Sykes!

As is tradition, Drinks are on you!

Master Kamjin "Maverick" Lap'lamiz-Palpatine