RM-535

The IG-RM "Five Series" was a short-lived attempt by Holowan Industries to compete in the high-end bodyguard and tactical adjutant market for Class 4 droids. Rattled by the introduction of Arakyd’s impressive KX model, Holowan opted for a relatively simple upgrade of its existing IG-RM enforcer droids. The new units received a slimmed down, more humanoid chassis and upgraded social subroutines in order to increase the comfort of the organics it was intended to work alongside. It also received a high-capacity AA-9 verbobrain, theoretically allowing it to serve a secondary role as protocol unit when required.

While initial results seemed promising, the cut corners showed in the final product. Conflict between the IG-RM’s basic, thuggish programming and the sophisticated AA-9 resulted in a chilly and snide personality that users found unpleasant. The Empire’s selection of Arakyd's KX series for a military contract put an end to Holowan’s hopes for the project, and the Five Series was canceled after only a few hundred droids were produced.

Like many of its sibling units RM-535 was sold at a deep discount to whoever would buy. It was eventually found serving as a basic enforcer unit in a Canto Bight casino resort by the droid collector and criminal socialite Zolar. Recognizing it as a rare model, Zolar offered to buy the droid. While the casino's security chief agreed at first, he too quickly realized its potential worth and reneged on the sale. Zolar responded by hiring a team of mercenaries to steal RM-535 and remove its restraining bolt. The resulting carnage and destruction as RM-535 was unleashed on its former master earned the droid a hefty bounty and also its unfailing loyalty to its new owner.

RM-535 serves both as Zolar’s bodyguard, at which it excels, and his personal assistant, at which it is indifferent. It rarely speaks due to embarrassment over its defective vocoder. When it does, it is usually to correct an erroneous statement, provide unrequested factual context, or otherwise try to demonstrate its intellectual expertise. Its rude manners and threatening appearance tend to disconcert guests, but it does a good job of anticipating Zolar’s needs and he seems quite content with the droid’s service.

RM-535’s security droid origin comes to the fore when it is called upon to physically protect Zolar. It has very little respect for the safety of non-Zolar organics, wielding two hidden vambrace blades and a shoulder-mounted DH-17 carbine with merciless efficiency. The many dents and scratches in its plastoid armor attest to the relish with which it will engage any level of threat it perceives to its master.

Relationship (Zolar)