Johnathan Vercet was born on Hapes on Year -17, Day 305 in Chume`Dan South and grew up close to his older sibling, Matthew Vercet, born in Year -18. They both attended school up to the university level, Johnathan graduating under Business Administration, while Matthew worked primarily in Sociology and Education. Both boys left home soon after graduating, when the Galactic Empire and the Hapes Consortium combined, initially to begin some small work as pilots and cargo haulers. Matthew was the better freighter pilot, but Johnathan surpassed him easily in administrative work.