Mj. Rupert J. Sykes
NAME: Rupert Jeremiah Sykes
BORN: 1028 AE
AFFILIATION: Federation (formerly), BioStar
OCCUPATION: Special Operations Field Officer
FAMILY: Unknown
Major Rupert J. Sykes is one of the main characters featured in the graphic novel The OUTPOST.
Character Summary
Rupert J. Sykes is a decorated veteran of Federal Defense Forces. Most of his service took place under the Black Wing of the Federal Special Operations Command. Despite frequent conflicts with leadership, Sykes have advanced his career by performing risky and ethically questionable covered operations against both the Imperial adversaries, and Federation’s internal disloyal actors.
Major Sykes’ last mission turned out to be a set up – his whole team were meant to fail a false flag operation and be discovered by the local rebel militia on a fringe planet in the Federal Space. By setting Sykes’ team up FSOC have expected to kill two flies in one hit: To get rid of a borderline rogue group of operatives, and to convince the rebels that the Imperial threat for them is real.
The trap worked as intended, but against all odds, Major Sykes have managed to avoid the imminent death. He failed to save most of his team though, only the combat medic Aslan Omar have survived together with him. Officially killed in action, both men fled on their Iskra-M transporter to the Imperial space where they were captured by INI and tortured as Federal spies.
Even in these dire circumstances, Sykes and Omar have managed to show their resourcefulness – after some time at the Blind Mariner they have fled the confinements escaped back to the Federal Space. As dead men with no name, betrayed by their state, Sykes and Omar turned to non-governmental entities that may be interested in their services.
Behind the Scenes
Appearance of Rupert J. Sykes was loosely inspired by Dr. Summerfield from Xtro II: The Second Encounter (1991) (link/IMDB.com). Narratively he is supposed to act as a mirror for the character of Dr. Klara Zel.
First appearance of Rupert J. Sykes and his trusted brother in arms Aslan Omar takes place in the remaster of ELZA: Origins (title is a subject to change), as this story has perfectly fallen in the time period when Sykes was captured by the Imperial forces.
Gallery: Rupert J. Sykes in Comics (Concept)
