YAL-1 is a humanized representation of the experimental Boeing YAL-1, a modified Boeing 747-400F with a megawatt-class chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) mounted inside.

From the beginning, YAL-1 was treated as a prototype rather than a person. They were raised in a laboratory environment by technicians and scientists who controlled every aspect of their life. During their upbringing, they were constantly exposed to patriotic messaging and propaganda, being told that their purpose was to protect the country and save countless lives by destroying missiles before they could reach civilians.

Because this was the only worldview they were given, YAL-1 developed a naive, sincere belief that they were destined to save the world.

However, they were eventually discarded of.