One of four descendants of the late Alexei Stukov, Vladamir followed closely in his father's footsteps early on; pursuing research in science and technology that bettered infantry troops in combat. After his father's untimely death at Braxis during the Galactic War for Domination, Vlad resigned his commission with the ever-decaying United Earth Directorate. Shortly after cutting his ties with the UED, he collected his research (destroying whatever couldn't be brought with him) and fled to unknown space. Some speculate that his father's death galvanized him. Others more closely acquainted with him insist that he was on the verge of a groundbreaking discovery - one that he could not afford to let fall into the corrupt hands of a newly emerging government. Whatever the reason, he was never seen or heard from again, with the exception of a single comm message received years after his abscondence: "Comrades, I have finally located it! Our salvation lies on the other side of this gate..."