Burgess was playing poker with Simon Dodds, Enrique Todd, Chaz Koonan, Ian Barclay, Casper Heywood, and Seth McLeod in the Officer's Club the night being Operation Menelaus. He was initially quiet during the evening, later speaking at length of the rumours he had heard.

He discussed his beliefs that the Imperial Civil War had ended many years ago and that the Mitikas Empire had been wiped out, except for a number of refugees (this was later proved true by the White Knights). He also had knowledge of a secret project in the works by the CSN (the ATAFs), that Dragon had been attacked by a far more powerful force than the navy could contend with (the Pandorans), and that Anthony Hawke was a mole, preparing to betray the Confederation.

Dodds was not entirely convinced until Burgess went on to name-check Patrick Dean, stating that he had uncovered the truth for himself and that the CSN had assassinated him, out of fear that he might spread the news.

Burgess was serving aboard Griffin during its frontline offensive against the Pandoran war machine and the carrier's subsequent journey into Imperial space, to search for Jason Zackaria. To Dodds' knowledge, Burgess was the only member of the Steel Bulls still alive.