Tinker-General Aurel Marek

Aurel Marek was the third son at a table where every meal seemed to become an argument about precedence. As a cadet of a foundry house, he had enough standing to be useful and little expectation of inheriting the chair. He chose a ship over another family dinner and called it Cadet’s Privilege.

The decision suited him. Aurel’s goggles sit above a grin that usually means he has an idea for a troublesome fitting, and his scarf has acquired stains from workshops across the Confederacy. He likes problems that can be opened, examined, and discussed with the people who actually use the machine.

His relatives complain that he treats rank too casually. Aurel answers that rank should make room for work, not prevent it. He will return for a family emergency, but he intends to arrive with a practical proposal and leave before anyone can make him referee the seating arrangements.