If you wouldn't mind... why does Varik actually have a scar?
Hey Anon! Thank you so much for the question <3
Some time before his public service year was over, he got a job as a test pilot for the air force R&D. The thrill, the risk, being able to help improve things plus amazing competent people in a great work environment: he loved his work. However, being good as he was, and as young as he was, overconfidence set in his skill to handle situations: he started to push the limits, thinking he do this or another thing better. So, as it often happens when we think too much of ourselves: life showed him his place. He decided he knew better when to abort a certain test: it went wrong of course, and he learnt a crushing lesson on humility. While he could have gotten the scar healed along with everything else (future sci fi medicine!), he decided to keep it as a reminder of stupidity, and well, he does believe in owning one’s mistakes.
After his time on R&D, some other situations have made the scar get worse through the years…. Or he got new ones but, still a preferable turnout of events.