Gavyn Sykes

"Pleasure knowing you Lieutenant Sykes. You were well trained."

- Captain Panaka

Lieutenant Gavyn Sykes served in the Royal Naboo Security Forces during the Invasion of Naboo. He, alongside many other security officials, was pressed into combat when the Trade Federation laid siege to Naboo. He participated in the Naboo Space Battle where he destroyed the Droid Control Ship's shields, which allowed Anakin Skywalker to destroy the craft from within.

Youth
Idealistic and brave, Lieutenant Gavyn Sykes spent much of his youth flying local transports before joining the Royal Naboo Security Forces. Patrolling the secret tunnels and outskirts of Theed honed his military abilities. Whether driving a Flash speeder or piloting an N-1 starfighter, Sykes defended his commander and the citizens of Naboo.

The Battle of Naboo


In 32 BBY, the Trade Federation blockaded Naboo as a protest against the Galactic Senate's taxation of trade routes. The Federation invaded the planet, and their droid army swept into the capital city of Theed. Sykes was on patrol at the time, and as the droids rounded up and arrested civilians, he was ordered by Kael to not fire on the invaders, except in self-defense. The lieutenant eventually had no choice but to engage the attackers, and Kael reported that he was under attack just near the Security Forces headquarters.

Sykes quickly rescued his captain, and the pair made their way through the city streets, in an attempt to escape. They eventually found a pair of STAP-2s, but before they were able to utilize them, they were set upon by an Armored Assault Tank. Sykes was able to destroy the tank, however, and joined Kael in using the STAP-2s to escape the city.

The planet of Naboo had unwittingly become a pawn in a grand chess game orchestrated by the Dark Lord, Darth Sidious, using the Trade Federation as his tool. Lieutenant Sykes participated in the attempt to prevent a Trade Federation droid garrison from reaching the Naboo battlegrounds, where their occupying forces engaged the Gungans. During this mission he was responsible for protecting apparent ally Borvo the Hutt and his vessel on route to a hidden Naboo outpost. From there Captain Kael and Borvo relied on Sykes and his team to destroy the central comm satellite, thus knocking out the communications web of the Trade Federation outpost and enabling a crucial assault upon it.

Lieutenant Sykes later thwarted a Neimoidian slaving operation on the banks of a Naboo River, but when Borvo the Hutt revealed himself to be a traitor by killing Captain Kael and attempting to sell the rescued slaves, it was left to Sykes to stop him. He took control of the Royal Naboo Security Forces when Captain Kael was killed, but was forced to hand over command to Captain Panaka when he returned.

After the Trade Federation imprisoned some of Naboo's most important leaders in the notorious "Camp Four", Sykes was sent to free them and destroy the camp. After this success, he assisted Panaka with Queen Amidala's plan to create a diversion in Theed, allowing the Queen to capture Nute Gunray.

The Space Battle


With Bravo Squadron unable to launch their fighters past the Armored Assault Tanks stationed in the Theed Hangar, the young Lieutenant succeeded in destroying them, enabling the allied ships to launch.

Sykes was one the pilots who then partnered with R2-C4 and joined the Bravo Squadron as Bravo 6, the force which battled the Droid Control Ship in the Naboo Space Battle. Towards the end of the battle Sykes succeeded in knocking out the ship's Shield Generator, allowing Anakin Skywalker to ultimately win the battle of Naboo.

35 Years On
Shortly after the Battle of Yavin, he patrolled as a watchman around the Keren starport as a promoted Captain. The RSF's smuggling patrol was understaffed when a Gungan smuggling ring was attempting to ship animal carcasses off-world. The animals were said to have died of a mysterious disease and the remaining smuggler was still free to continue the trade. Sykes requested help from adventurers on Naboo to aid in the hunt.

"I'm Captain Sykes with the RSF's smuggling patrol. This is a long shot, but maybe you could help me. We confiscated animal carcasses from a Gungan smuggling gang that was shipping them offworld. This violates all kinds of regulations. The leader says one smuggler is bringing more carcasses to the drop point. We're short-staffed right now, so I'm desperate. Can you try to stop the smuggler? &hellip; Our reports are sketchy, but apparently the animals in question died of some unusual disease. Maybe it's a Gungan ceremonial thing. Will you take the assignment? &hellip; Good. I suspected you were made of sterner stuff than you look. This Gungan, Zim Zam Blattis, is known to be armed, so be careful."

- Captain Gavyn Sykes

Personality and traits


Gavyn Sykes was a brave and idealistic man, and was a keen pilot. He was also resourceful and efficient, and was dedicated to the defense of his colleagues and his people.

Behind the scenes
Gavyn Sykes was portrayed by Star Wars actor Christian J Simpson in The Phantom Menace (1999), Simpson's likeness also used as a promoted Captain Sykes in the video game Star Wars Galaxies (2003 - ).

Actor Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker) was given his Pilot Helmet by Simpson (Lieutenant Sykes) for his cockpit scenes in Episode I. At the time, the intrinsic role Sykes would play in Anakin's victory had not been revealed. Similar names aside, Hayden Christensen's shoes were later filled by Simpson as UK Episode III Stand-in/double for Anakin Skywalker himself.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars: Battle for Naboo
 * Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided

Notes and references
Gavyn Sykes Gavyn Sykes