Pavel Dushenko
Pavel Dushenko is the current Rho of the Order.
Early Life
Pavel Dushenko was born in the Sevastopol region of Ukraine to working-class parents that worked in a manufacturing plant. During the period in which Russia was attempting to regain control of its now-sovereign splinter states, Pavel's parents were killed by an improvised explosive device that was targeted toward Ukrainian sympathizers. Pavel was placed in a Consortium orphanage and was immediately flagged for potential genetic compatibility. By age five, he had still not been adopted and was given to the Consortium and became an Initiate thereafter.
As an Initiate
Pavel has been a ward of the Consortium since he was a child and became an Initiate at age five. As such, he has had extensive contact with numerous instructors and various knowledge areas. As Initiate training is prioritized by age and subsequent valuation of individual skill sets, the Consortium has been able to shape Pavel's experience so precisely in a manner that difficult to master skills were taught first while his neuroplasticity was at its peak. Less difficult knowledge areas were taught afterward. By the time of his first injection of Compound 36, he had already mastered several fighting styles and had virtually complete muscle memory recall in all of them. His instructors also commented favorably on his overall adaptability.
Although his genetic compatibility was high, Pavel has shown several side-effects to Compound 36. On several occasions he has exhibited bouts of unprovoked hyper-aggression and during one of those, had to be forcefully sedated. On another single occasion he was shown to become catatonic when faced with a high-stakes, high-stress situation with variable outcomes and little time for decision-making. This was flagged as a potential risk for full induction into the Order.
At age 18, he was not considered stable enough to join the ranks of the Order, but still remained in training as an Initiate for several more years. When it seemed as though he would be passed over again, the cost-benefit ratio fell to Pavel's favor. He was granted the position of Rho, the highest post-Initiate rank given out in almost six years.
As Part of the Order
Pavel is the current Rho of the Order. At his induction, he selected a double-bladed battle axe as his weapon, not only due to its symbolism as a powerful weapon, but also because of the strength required to wield it effectively. He also selected a magnum revolver for his sidearm, a curious choice given the limited cartridge capacity perhaps only mitigated by the lethality of the caliber.
Pavel's Handler is Aleksandr Orlov.