Dubauer was an Ensign serving on the Betan Astronomical Survey ship, the Rene Magritte, under Commander Cordelia Naismith. He was badly wounded by a nerve disruptor fire to the head by Barrayaran soldier Konstantine Bothari; he had jumped in front of Naismith to protect her from the blast. Due to the resulting cerebral damage, his cognitive and language skills were severely impaired, though he was able to recognize faces. He was held prisoner by Captain Aral Vorkosigan, who offered to euthanize Dubauer, as was Barrayaran custom. Naismith immediately opposed this.