Kael Drakos was born on the rugged, industrial world of Nanomam, a harsh frontier system where the cold, metallic landscape matched the tough and unforgiving lives of its inhabitants. Raised by his parents, both miners, Kael grew up in the shadow of the galaxy’s great economic forces: corporations, governments, and the dangerous underworld of smugglers and pirates. The loss of his parents in a mining accident at the age of 14 left Kael with little more than the raw skills to survive and a burning desire to make something of himself.

From the beginning, Kael gravitated toward the stars. He spent his teenage years tinkering with salvaged starship parts and honing his skills as a mechanic. By the time he was 18, Kael had earned his first real flight assignment as a low-tier pilot for a smuggling syndicate. His early years as a mechanic and pilot taught him everything he needed to know about space combat, but it was during his encounters with pirates and bounty hunters that he truly found his calling.

Kael’s reputation as a fierce and unpredictable mercenary began in earnest when he accidentally earned the nickname "Zero Ducks." During a high-stakes contract in a dangerous asteroid belt, he found himself engaged in a firefight with a notorious pirate faction that vastly outnumbered him. His Imperial Eagle, a nimble but lightly-armed vessel, was no match for their heavily-armed fighters, but Kael used the environment to his advantage—leading his enemies into narrow asteroid chokes and luring them into traps. Against all odds, he emerged victorious.

The phrase "zero ducks given" came about from Kael’s irreverent attitude during the battle. He wasn’t afraid to take risks, and he certainly didn’t care about the odds. The pirates, both bewildered and impressed by his brazen style, coined the nickname, and it stuck. Zero Ducks became the moniker for a pilot with no fear, no hesitation, and an almost reckless confidence.

As a bounty hunter, Kael followed his own code. He took contracts against criminals who threatened innocent lives, but he also made his own brand of justice—a form of law that didn’t care for the bureaucracy of government or the politics of factions. While he sometimes worked for the Federation, Kael was always his own man. Whether he was bringing down pirate rings, dealing with corrupt officials, or tracking down fugitives across hostile territory, Kael always operated by his own rules.

His mercenary work often had him dancing along the edges of both Federation law and the galactic underworld. He was a space cowboy—a figure who roamed the stars without a care for what anyone thought of him, as long as he got the job done and made it out alive.

Now, Kael is one of the most sought-after mercenaries in the galaxy. His name, Zero Ducks, is synonymous with both chaos and precision. Whether the Federation needs a high-value target eliminated or a rival faction’s operations sabotaged, Kael is their go-to agent. He’s always in the thick of things—whether chasing down pirates, getting involved in shady corporate dealings, or hunting rogue criminals who think they can outwit the Federation’s finest.

Kael's work, however, isn’t just about money or reputation. He is constantly driven by the idea that he’s making a difference, even if that difference is one fight, one mission, or one bounty at a time. Whether he’s in a dogfight above a dying world or protecting innocent settlers from the tyranny of pirates, Zero Ducks has made it clear that he’s more than just a mercenary—he’s a symbol of independence and defiance in a universe that often seems too big to change.

To most, Kael "Zero Ducks" Drakos is a shadow—a ghost who appears out of nowhere and disappears just as quickly. His legendary Python Mk2, Disco Inferno, is his calling card: a testament to his unwavering confidence and his ability to dominate in the most dangerous environments. As a Federation citizen, he is both a protector of the Federation’s interests and a reminder of its flaws.

In the end, Zero Ducks will never be fully understood, nor will he ever be a simple ally or enemy. He’s a mercenary, a bounty hunter, and a space cowboy—and in a universe of rules and regulations, that makes him both a hero to some and a nightmare to others.