Anthony Zhilov was a Mesan citizen and an agent of the Genetic Advancement and Uplift League. When the Mesan Alignment initiated Operation Houdini and began to evacuate its core personnel from the planet Mesa, Arpino was assigned to escort three scientists, Gail Weiss, Zachariah McBryde, and Stefka Juarez. They travelled to the Balcescu System where they boarded the slaving vessel Prince Sundjata. However, before they could leave the system, the Royal Torch Navy arrived.