Born to uncertain parents September 19, 3269, Daniel Kovacs lived in the Shining Horizon Orphanage in the western United States until reaching maturity. As soon as he was 17 years old, Kovacs entered the Federation Navy as a Marine for the next four years. While in the Corps, Kovacs was trained in Extravehicular Activity, as well as extensive hand to hand training. After quelling an insurgency in a distant system, Kovacs joined the Federal Navy as a fighter pilot, and flew his F63 for the next ten years.

At the end of his third contract, Kovacs left the active Navy to pursue a more profitable career in the Pilot's Federation. Kovacs used his savings to pay for advanced ship training, gaining proficiency in every available starship on the market. He then used the last of his funds to purchase a Viper Mk.IV, named Kholat, before pursuing as an up-and-coming bounty hunter. The next few months saw him picked up by Silver Hawks Incorporated, a PMC that he had once worked with during his time in the Navy, and became one of the most prolific Commanders in the squadron's history.