CMDR Surgeon served first as an infantryman, and later as a medic, in the Federal Marine Corps from 3292 until 3299. He applied for, and recieved, his Federation Pilot License in 3301. For several years, he flew a Dolphin, St. James, exploring the inner regions of the Galaxy. In 3307, his ship was destroyed by pirates and the vast majority of his fortune was lost. Surgeon survived, his escape pod recovered by the very pirate that destroyed his ship. Sans a rebuy, and too prideful to borrow a Pilot's Federation Sidewinder, he retired, and gave up flying for nearly two years after the incident. He got a job as a nurse on a nameless planetary settlement not far from Sol, where he lived with his son, James, the namesake of his Dolphin. James eventually bought his own ship and sailed into the Black, following his father's footsteps and blazing a few of his own. The start of the Thargoid War in 3309 drew Surgeon out of retirement. He earned his wings again with the intent of joining the War effort, but that ambition has yet to be realized.

He quickly learned that his medical and military background made him a valuable asset in the minor wars the frequently erupt in the Bubble. His prowess in "conventional" warfare earned him a small fortune. As a mercenary, Surgeon never saw the need to own a large, expensive ship, so he flew an Adder, despite being able to afford just about any ship he desired. For several months, he flew Second Heartbeat from system to system, offering his skills to any Federation organization willing to pay. His fortune swelled.

Second Heartbeat was destroyed by a vengeful bounty hunter named Giuliano Brenna. Again, Surgeon survived, but the engagement cost him his right arm and nearly all of his amassed wealth. Broke, discouraged, and heartbroken at the loss of his beloved ship, Surgeon purchased another Dolphin, and disappeared into the black.