John Blackwell, the Engineer, is the father-figure to everyone, especially his assistant Roy Stubbs. He looks like actor Brian Cox. A burly older man with a ruddy complexion, he is human, from Earth. Although he looks very jolly, he has no time for fools, and some of the crew have the sharp edge of his tongue when they do something foolish or ask stupid questions. He expects hard work and discipline, but when he gets it he is very generous.
Blackwell usually seems to know most of what goes on aboard ship, and is concerned about everyone. He loves mechanics and engineering, and spaceships most of all. And he loves his job. He is always tinkering, to get better performance out of the engines and ship’s systems. Since his wife died, after a long and happy marriage, he spends all his time with the ship.
In Intruders, it is Blackwell who works on the vid records from the mine, and figures out that the Intruder aliens can be seen under altered lighting. It is also Blackwell who first encounters the Intruders when they attack and transport on board Kestrel into Engineering.
Alien Secrets is mostly about Tanner, but Blackwell still contributes. In Crisis of Conscience, Blackwell is shot, but you’ll have to read the book to find out if he survives!
Ann Marie Thomas is the author of five medieval history books, a surprisingly cheerful poetry collection about her 2010 stroke, and the science fiction series Flight of the Kestrel, Intruders, Alien Secrets & Crisis of Conscience are out now Follow her at http://eepurl.com/bbOsyz