Al, who dislikes being called Alex, is the engineer aboard the Agincourt and after Robert and Andrea is third in command. Fascinated since early childhood by, to quote Al, 'how mechanical devices work and with space', his decision to enlist in Cosfor was no surprise to his parents or his four sisters.
As well as his interest in mechanics, Al enjoys the work of optical illusion artists such as M C Esher. His physical height and heavy musculature are countered by Al's easy-going nature and gentleness.