Vapors, the call sign given to him in federation flight school for his propensity to bring his spacecraft home on very low fuel (aka returning on vapors) is a product of the Federation. Born in Durrance Camp on Ganymede to a Federal Army Infantryman and a Homemaker, Vapors never doubted that he would join the Federation military. Unlike his dad, he knew from a early age that combat pilot was his calling. Besides the thrill of space combat, becoming a member of the Federal Navy was a quick ticket off of the God forsaken frozen moon of Ganymede. Working hard to ensure he excelled in college, he earned a bachelors and masters degree while attending the Naval Academy. While perhaps not being gifted by natural flight skills, hard work and perseverance has earned him the begrudging respect of more naturally gifted pilots. Good is good as far as Vapors is concerned, and it just means that he has to work hard and out-think his opponents.