Until late in 2368 Jyn Cobell had never even heard of the Federation or Starfleet. This all changed dramatically after the failed attempt by the Ktarian government to gain control of the aforementioned social collective. Suddenly StarFleet and the Federation was everywhere investigating this 'incident'. Little came of this and it was apparently obvious to them that the Ktarians were an advanced race and fulfilled every specification required to gain Federation membership. The only thing counting against them was the failed coup. In light of all this, the Federation were leanient and simply put a temporary ban on their membership application for a few years on top of the immediate resignation of the then current ruling body and their replacement by 'more suitable leadership'. Good relations began in earnest between the two civilisations in 2372 when StarFleet academy accepted the application of their Ktarian student. Jyn had been specifically selected for this application due to her interest in 'peaceful areas of study'. If she had had the choice she would have stayed home with her telescope and her personal astronomy system. Since the choice was not hers, she packed her things, said goodbye to her family, dumped her boyfriend and left for earth.

Despite her reluctance at being there, Jyn quickly made friends; sometimes revelling in her happy-go-lucky nature and other times hiding behind a shy and retiring front. She also proceeded to show the Federation what a Ktarian intellect is capable of by graduating valedictorian with one of the highest scores ever attained in her chosen field. With this great achievement under her belt she again surprised everyone by ignoring what most saw as the best offers available to her in StarFleet. Opting instead to gain her first assignment onboard a very low profile science vessel, she spent almost three years with the USS Sula before news of the Vanquish Project filtered down to her. It seems she would have heard of sooner had she chosen one of the high profile assignments fresh out of the academy and might not have heard of it at all were it not for one of her former classmates. When asked to take up the position of astrometrics specialist onboard the experimental vessel her old friend had asked why Jyn Cobell had turned it down. By the time they'd found her, her application for the position was already submitted. It was accepted mere hours later and the transfer was instigated within a few days.

Since the launch of the Vanquish Jyn has employed the same social tactic that she'd used in the academy and has again found it very successful. On the rare occasions that she has interacted with command staff she's made sure they see her as a shy and retiring soul with great intelligence but lacking social skills (Lt.Com Cade, chief of Security seemed to find great pleasure in sneeking up behind her and scaring her witless as she finished her shift). To her peers though, she is 'Crazy' Cobell (often refered to as 'J.C') reknowned for her cynical and dry sarcasm, the ability to perk up even the most depressed heart and a willingness to join in on madcap schemes. It was the latter that led to a very satisfying and memorable incident with the Security Chief Lt.Com Cade. With the aid of a rather good looking science officer (Lieutenant Jalk Orin), she had constructed a device that would block her presence from all of Lt.Com Cade's senses enabling her to catch him unawares as he had done to her on so many occasions.

For the moment she is happy in her new assignment and, to her surprise, doesn't miss home or her ex at all. Lt.Com Cade remains the only member of the command staff to see anything of her playful side and she intends to keep it that way.