Gavin Skellton
Gavin Skellton | |
Biographical Information | |
Homeworld: | |
Date of Birth: |
24 BBY |
Physical Description | |
Species: | |
Gender: |
Male |
Height: |
1.8 meters |
Hair: |
Grey |
Eyes: |
grey-blue |
Personal Information | |
Allies: | |
Chronology & Political Information | |
Profession: |
Officer in the Arcona Starfighter Corps and in the Arcona Expeditionary Force |
Position: |
Commander of Virtuous Strike Squadron |
Era(s): | |
Affiliation: | |
[ Source ] |
Gavin Skellton is the oldest serving field officer currently serving in the Arcona Starfighter Corps. He followed his son to the Dark Brotherhood. When the boy graduated from the Shadow Academy on Lyspair and when he was assigned to Clan Arcona, the old veteran managed to attain a commission in the Starfighter Corps. His loyalty to Arcona is beyond question due to events that took place in the Unification War.
Character History
- "You always give your everything son. Regardless of the outcome, do your very best. That is the way to greatness "
- ―Gavin, to his son upon the boy’s admission to the Shadow Academy.
Early Life
Born to William and Selena Skellton, young Gavin’s life was assured to revolve around space travel and combat from a very young age. William had inherited a small security company from his father. The young family travelled with cargo haulers throughout the galaxy. Gavin’s father was being paid to accompany the bulk freighters with his starfighter docked to the lead vessel. When the small merchant fleet encountered or detected other vessels approaching, Skellton would board his fighter and act as protection.
After the toddler started walking and began exploring the cargo ships, Selena pleaded her husband to find another means of supporting the family. Both parents realised that cargo haulers weren’t designed with child-safety in mind. After William sold the company, he started a starship repair yard on Correllia. They would not leave this place again…
Adulthood
When Gavin was 17, the family yard was set on fire by business rivals. Losing both parents in the blaze, the young human sold everything binding him to Corellia and set off to join the Imperial Military. Having inherited his father’s piloting skills and having been born with a keen insight in tactics as well as having an innate skill to lead, the young man was quickly flagged for the command track.
Sadly though, something would hinder his career progression. At the age of 22, Gavin met a young woman on Eriadu. The young couple married in the next year and set out to start a family of their own. After the destruction of the First Death Star, Gavin requested a transfer to Eriadu. Having realised he could have been aboard the space station when it was destroyed, he hoped a placement on Eriadu would keep him safe and would ensure his wife would not become a widow too soon. Here he would become a commander in the planetary defence fleet. Six years after the Battle of Yavin, the couple was blessed with a son. Despite the death of the Emperor and the chaos following the declaration of the formation of the New Republic, the young couple spent the next three years in bliss.
In 9 ABY, this changed. During the Battle of Eriadu a stray shot hit Gavin’s wife as the young family tried to escape. Knowing he had to flee, Gavin grabbed his son and ran. Reaching the starfighter hangar, he quickly loaded the regimental salary for that month into a small hyperspace capable vessel and the two blasted off towards the outer rim.
The Brotherhood
After years of living on the Outer rim. Alex Skellton felt a pull towards an uncharted piece of space. The now 16 year old boy told his father and together they set out towards the area in an old freighter they had repaired a few years earlier. Neither knew how their life would change by following this pull.
As Alex was accepted into the Shadow Academy, his father remained nearby. Gavin, now 46 years old, found a job as a maintenance technician and pilot working for the Dark Hall on Antei. The two years Alex spent on Lyspair was filled by Gavin with repairs and maintenance to the small legion of shuttles that were kept in the Dark Hall. Later, after Alex graduated from the academy and was detailed to Clan Arcona his father would follow.
As Alex was detailed into a House and started his studies towards Knighthood, his father met with the military command of the Clan. Showing them his records and achievements, the old man was quickly given a commission and placed as flight leader in a starfighter squadron.
The Yuuzhan Vong War
Both Skelltons survived the initial Vong attack due to pure luck.
Gavin was approached to organise and lead the Virtuous Strik Squadron. Promoted to Commander, the 51 year old pilot set about to organise and harmonise his new unit.
Unification
During the Unification War, Virtuous Strike Squadron was detailed with air-support of the planetary incursion of the Clan’s ground forces. During the battle, Gavin discovered that his son was killed by a young Jedi during the ground campaign. Saddened by the loss of the last link to his beloved wife, and by the fact that his son’s dream of knighthood would never be attained, as the boy died while a Jedi Hunter, the old man was considering how to commit suicide. Having decided that the only way to die would be by trying to kill his son’s murderer. Landing his fighter at the Arcona Forward Command, the commander set out to kill any jedi he came across…
Seeing the pilot and after reading his mind, an Elder decided this non-force sensitive could prove to provide him with some amusement. Calmly following the Corellian, the Adept was impressed with how the pilot moved through the lines, killing 6 or 7 jedi students before being confronted with his son’s killer. Seeing a chance to tie the old man’s loyalty, the elder showed himself and struck the young Jedi apprentice down before he could strike the killing blow on a wounded Gavin.
After the battle, this Elder came to Gavin’s bed and informed him that death would dishonour his son. He explained that Alexander had been his student and that he expected Gavin to serve the clan until he died. Gavin swore eternal loyalty to the Clan and once healed went back to training his pilots to become even better.
Personality
Gavin Skellton has seen a lot during his life. The now 60 year old Commander is considered to be above reproach and loyal only to Arcona. He grieves the loss of his wife as well as his son. Having realised that his emotions and grief could weaken him, he denies himself the right of feeling them while on duty. As a result his peers and subordinates have nicknamed him “Stonefaced Gavin”. Most other members of the Arcona Starfighter Corps appear to be intimidated by him.