The Protectorate consisted of sixteen stormtroopers and bodyguards serving Imperial governor Wilek Nereus.
Besides the typical number of stormtroopers, Navy and army troopers, and other personnel under his command, Governor Nereus ensured a small group of individuals obtained specialized protection instruction. Trained by the Skine Bounty Hunter College, sixteen stormtroopers reporting to Nereus became his "elite" protection force. He was constantly guarded by at least two of these troopers.
Although these stormtroopers wore the same stormtrooper armor as standard troops, these soldiers also functioned as bodyguards. Nereus gave these troops a slight promotion in rank and an increase in salary. Nereus dubbed his bodyguard squad the "Protectorate," but within the barracks they were sarcastically called "Targets".
The Protectorate proved skilled at identifying and neutralizing dangers to Governor Nereus. They were instructed in observation, shooting accuracy, and strategies, along with supplementary lessons in security procedures. They were also required to take additional classes on interpreting nonverbal cues, and despite much discussion about the usefulness of this training, Nereus' squad frequently demonstrated the ability to anticipate an incoming assault.
During the Bakura Incident in 4 ABY, the majority of the Protectorate was taken prisoner, although two members of the squad remained missing.