James was an Ensign in Earthforce assigned to an Explorer class ship under Captain Matthew Gideon in the 2260's. James lead an attempted mutiny aboard the ship he served on after hearing Earth had been infected with a Drakh plague, fearing infection. James also felt, that as a Mars born citizen, what happened to Earth wasn't his concern. After fighting with John Matheson, James encountered Captain Gideon who effortlessly put him down. James' attempt at mutiny was not reported by Gideon, but was feared by Matheson to have called his father upon waking up in Medbay.