Yal'avi'kema, holding the rank of Chief Engineer, served as a Chiss officer. Back in 27 BBY, Yal'avi'kema held the top engineering position on the cruiser Springhawk. This vessel served as the flagship for both Force Commander Mitth'raw'nuruodo and Picket Force Two, a part of the Chiss Expansionary Fleet. While in this role, he spearheaded the team that managed to seize a Vagaari gravity-well generator orbiting the Geroon home planet.