Orphaned at a young age, he made his living as a beggar and pickpocket in Nelson Port, System Ts'in Gu. The criminal who raised him soon got Jacob involved in more dangerous crimes, it is during this period that he adopted the nickname "Jack'Al".

Jacob ran away in his late teens to become a pilot. The young Jack'Al failed his first Pilots Federation entrance exam, and met with numerous ethical/scholastic difficulties during his cadet career, but went on to flourish, developing a lifelong passion for the 20th century pop culture.

Shortly after graduation, he noticed another commander was about to get hit by a SRV. He ran in front of the SRV and pushed him out of the way. However, the SRV was carrying biowaste, and some spilled out directly onto Jack's face, leaving the right eye irreparable and requiring replacement with bionic eye implant.

Starting with his brand-new eye, a small Sidewinder named "The Mule" and a few credits, he is resolute to do whatever it takes to earn the skill, knowledge, wealth and power to stand among the ranks of the Elite.