Vestichov was a Havenite citizen and an officer of the Republic of Haven Navy. Holding the rank of Commander, he was in command of the light cruiser PNS Bacchante. In 1913 PD, his vessel entered the Cerberus System to replenish vegetable supplies and give the crew rest and recreation at the prison planet Hades. However, Hades had already fallen to an uprising of its inmate population led by Admiral Honor Harrington, and the light cruiser was forced to surrender after being "guided" through the orbital minefields only to be targeted by a dozen graser platforms of the planetary defense systems. (HH8)