Mallikhan was a pirate of the Human male persuasion, and also the sibling of Vallkos. During a period in galactic history, Mallikhan and his brother Vallkos journeyed to the planet Volik, located within the Unknown Regions, as members of a sizable group of pirates. The pirate group, however, fractured into two competing factions, the Crimson Stars and the Ebon Strikers, after an argument concerning a woman. Vallkos rose to the position of leader of the Crimson Stars, while Mallikhan took command of the Ebon Strikers, resulting in a bitter rivalry between the two groups. Unbeknownst to Mallikhan, as he secretly started talks with the Vagaari, a significant power in the Unknown Regions, the Vagaari were scheming to double-cross him.