The son of Imperial Navy defectors, James Hyland was raised in the Nanomam system during a time of great interstellar upheaval. With the recent return of the Thargoids, whose sudden resurgence posed an existential threat to galactic peace and prosperity, James began to appreciate the idea of military service at an early age.

His father Augustus Remus Hyland, a former naval captain himself, was delighted to see his son's early enthusiasm and desire to serve. After all, James was part of a family with a long history of honorable service to the Empire, and despite having to leave their Imperial heritage behind in favor of a new life in the Federation, Augustus was keen to help James embrace his new identity as Federal citizen.

James joined the Federal Navy shortly after his 21st birthday in 3296, after having completing his university studies early. Signing on as an Ensign, James spent the next six years rising through the ranks to Lieutenant Commander before experiencing a career defining moment in 3302.

While assigned as Operations officer onboard the Farragut Battle Cruiser FNS Detroit, Lt. Commander Hyland and his fellow crewmen were involved in a conflict in the Deciat system, which was under contention and slowly slipping into Imperial control. During that conflict, Lt. Comm. Hyland took command of a reconnaissance mission after scouts reported sightings, and corroborating wake signals, of an Imperial Majestic-class Interdictor in orbit around Deciat 6.

The reconnaissance team, comprised of a wing of two Corvettes and four Assault Ships, was patrolling the last-known position of the Imperial vessel when the INS Nero dropped out of Witch-space directly into their AO. The recon team, mass-locked by the enormous vessel, was unable to charge FSDs and retreat. After sending a signal to the Detroit requesting assistance, Hyland was hailed by the captain of the Nero, who ordered the Commander and his wing to surrender and prepare for immediate boarding.

With his fellow officers seeking guidance on what to do next, the Detroit responded to Hyland's message, notifying the wing it would enter the AO within ten minutes. With backup on the way, Hyland boldly ignored the Imperial demands and ordered a coordinated assault on the Nero, targeting the vessel's heat relays. Despite being under fire from the Nero and her complement of fighters and clippers, Hyland's wing and it's relatively small profile were able to outmaneuver their pursuers and damage enough heat relays to force the Majestic-class to charge its FSD and prepare to jump away from the battlefield.

Hyland, noting the FSD surge, reflected on past conversations he'd had with his father on the the Majestic-class layout. Going with his gut, Hyland ordered the wing to focus fire between the engine clusters on the vessel's underbelly. The FSD module, charging for a jump to Witch-space, was interrupted by the concentrated barrage of kinetic and explosive weapons. The Nero, unable to jump away, redoubled its focus in destroying Hyland's wing, successfully destroying two Assualt ships and damaging Hyland's Corvette.

With time running out for Commander Hyland and his wing, the Detroit suddenly ripped a hole in Witch-space, charging into the AO with hardpoints deployed and firing on the vulnerable Nero. Hyland and his surviving wingmen retreated to safety while the Detroit, launching it's own fighters and support craft, proceeded to breach the Nero's hull amidships with a powerful broadside bombardment. The vessel, in grand Imperial fashion, went critical and exploded, separating into two pieces and falling into Deciat 6 orbit.

In the aftermath of the incident, the Federal Navy deemed Lt. Commander Hyland a hero. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his highly conspicuous heroism and bravery while engaged in combat. He received a two-rank promotion to Captain, where he spent the next four years serving as XO and later CO onboard the FDN Albion, another Farragut Battle Cruiser.

In 3306, at age 30, Hyland left active duty service and a promising career behind to pursue other ventures, particularly with the Pilot's Federation, where he remains a member of the Federal Navy Auxiliary.