Born on Mekhios (Sarum Prime III), Lord Heideran Appleby grew up in a small Holder family with shrinking property and dwindling prestige. Seeing no prospects in business or politics, he turned to a career in the military. Enlisted in the Imperial Navy, Appleby was sent to the prestigious Imperial Academy in Chaven to study military logistics. But he found his true interests in Gallente-Caldari politics: he became fluent in both languages and wrote his thesis on Operation Highlander (Battle of Caldari Prime, YC 115).
After graduating with honor, Appleby was assigned to the frontline near the Bleak Lands where he captained a frigate and later a destroyer. Although his service record had been impeccable, he soon gave up his officership and joined the Caldari Navy as a contractor.
Little was known why Appleby left the Empire and signed up to become a mercenary for the infamously ethnocentric Caldari military. Some say that the stratified atmosphere in the Imperial Navy disillusioned him. His interests in Gallente-Caldari affairs was scorned by traditionalist top-brass and there was little opportunity for promotion due to his modest family background. Others speculate that he is a liaison officer sent by the Amarr military to coordinate with their Caldari allies against the Gallente Federation under cover. Though rumors abound that Appleby is actually a spy, studying Caldari naval tactics and collecting advanced technologies for the Imperial Navy.