Rebecca “Beck” Stratum grew up in the bustling town of Windmere, known for its innovative contributions to airship design and engineering. From a young age, the clang of metal and the hum of machinery resonated in her life, filling her home with sounds of creativity. Beck’s father, a talented tinkerer, often worked on various contraptions in their workshop, instilling in her a love for mechanics and the wonders of invention. As she watched him disassemble and reassemble gadgets, her interest blossomed into a passion for engineering.
Her mother, an artisan renowned for her exquisite woodcraft, enriched Beck’s life with an appreciation for beauty and precision in craftsmanship. Surrounded by the harmonious blend of metal and wood, Beck learned to cherish both the practical aspects of engineering and the artistry of creation. However, with three brothers—each vying for their father’s attention and praise—Beck constantly felt overshadowed. Although her family loved her deeply, their boyish antics and pursuits often left her feeling like a shadow in her own home.
“I know what I said, Captain,” Rebecca said, pausing before him. “But you also never said anything about high altitude.” She stepped lightly around him, on her way to check on some other engine subtlety.
Jacob followed on her heels this time. While he recognized the precarious position of his chief engineer’s psyche, he was also running out of time and patience. “We’ve hit upon some unforeseen circumstances, Beck, like another ship trying to blow us out of the sky. Now, will you tell me what’s wrong with the gods-damn engine?”
She stopped and spun around so quickly that he almost ran into her again.
“There’s nothing wrong with the gods-damn engine, sir,” she said, her voice resounding throughout the engine room as a high-pitched wail. “It’s the gods-damn gas filtration. Look here.”
- THE INVERSION SOLUTION
Rebecca didn’t seek out life on an airship, but when a family friend referred her to Reginal Bilka, chief engineer of the airship Griffin, the life found her. Offered an apprenticeship under Mr. Bilka’s tutelage, her parents encouraged Rebecca, who needed no such prompting, to take the position. All seemed well, and Rebecca, whom her shipmates took to calling “Beck,” warmed to her new position. But tragedy struck when Mr. Bilka perished in a catastrophic explosion. In the wake of this devastating loss, Beck was thrust into the spotlight. The captain, desperate for someone to fill the void and with no other options, turned to her to assume Mr. Bilka’s role.
Despite her undeniable competence, the sudden responsibility overwhelmed her. She was only nineteen, inexperienced compared to the seasoned engineers she had respected and admired growing up. Though Beck accepted the position, she struggled with her self-esteem from the very beginning. As she poured herself into her work, dedicating countless hours to the intricate systems of the airship, she solved problems that would have stumped less experienced engineers. Determined to honor the memory of her deceased mentor, Beck has committed herself to thorough preparation, hoping her experience and engineering knowledge are enough to ensure the success of their voyage.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Rebecca first appears in The Nullification Engine (The Alchemancer Book Two).