Ending up on the machinery deck saved Varouforos a detour.

My original concept for Varouforos was more in keeping with one Admiral Kutuzov’s in-universe reputation in The Mote in God’s Eye (his nickname was the Butcher), but ended up more in line with Kutuzov’s actual character (canny, cautious, not necessarily one to waste lives). It makes more sense for a mercenary captain, and also makes him a more relatable character.