Born and bred in the polluted sprawl of Volaria's largest industrial sector, Jeff Black was fascinated by machinery from a young age. As a child of the city's underworld he was forced to cut purses and pick pockets to survive—and to fund his knack for inventing various gizmos and gadgets.
After forging a diploma from Volaria's most prestigious engineering academy, Jeff was able to work on the factory line of the Volarian fleet. It was here that Jeff began to yearn for a life beyond the reach of the foul smokestacks of his home city. A life beyond the stars. During his time working for the fleet, Jeff developed an innovation that would allow the propulsion systems of the Volarian ships to reach unheard-of velocities. By selling this updated propulsion system, Jeff could afford to leave the city, build his own workshop and eventually his own ship!
Despite his best efforts the invention was discovered and stolen by his superior officer, who presented it to the fleet officers as his own. In a fit of vengeful rage, Jeff sabotaged the factory. He planted a series of bombs in crucial manufacturing plants and brought the production line to its knees in a matter of hours. Jeff fled the industrial sector with the Volarian Guard hot on his heels.
The newly-minted fugitive hopped from town to town, dodging the authorities who sought his capture. After venturing deep into the lawless wastes, Jeff heard talk of a mercenary ship headed off-world. One in need of an engineer. After a series of bribes and hushed conversations in dark, smokey taverns, Jeff was introduced to Captain Voltaire of The Dragonlord. It was clear from the start that the two would share a destiny of adventure, thrills, trials and toils together.
After proving himself knowledge with fusion reactors and useful with wrenches, Jeff Black became an official member of The Dragonlord's crew. And their stories are still being told...