Desplains was a Barrayaran Admiral, holding the position of Chief of Operations for the Imperial Service at the time of Captain Vorpatril's Alliance. He was the former Admiral of the Home Fleet of Barrayar. Desplains was "spare and quietly competent" and an excellent commanding officer. He commanded an inspection team of four men known to the Imperial Service as the "Vor Horsemen of the Apocalypse". Captain Ivan Vorpatril acted as his aide-de-camp and assistant for three years. Ivan and Desplains were fond of "snake" metaphors for referring to the issues that crossed his desk.