After discovering the true nature of the ATAF project and what had really happened to the Mitikas Empire, the Yellow Dogs went AWOL. In response, Admiral Turner ordered to immediate elimination of the team. Whilst the other four pilots were tracked down and disposed of, Dean took a Tactical Assault Fighter and fled to Earth.

He turned up at the Dodds Orchard in the early hours of 8th April, where he begged the family not to expose his presence to either medical or naval services. Despite this they did so, citing his multiple gunshot wounds as requiring immediate professional medical attention to save his life. Dean died before such help out arrive.

The CSN took his body away and told the Dodds family to deny the man's existence or any goings-on at the house that night. Simon Dodds himself was later reminded of Dean's non-existence during a meeting with Fleet Admiral David Turner, in which Dodds stated that he had never heard of Patrick Dean.

Turner stated that neither had he.