“White mechanic.” Tale. Legends are often based on real events, and reality is often based on legends. The story “The White Mechanic” is a cocktail of cyberpunk, space horror and detective fiction. Simeon-Timofey, a refugee from a colonial ship, makes a living by providing specific services - protection and improving his reputation. However, this time he is given a special task. A reputation specialist needs to find out where the crew of the West Nick transport disappeared to. The ship was transporting a batch of slaves captured in one of the distant settlements. The patrol that discovered the ship is convinced that some kind of devilry is going on aboard the West Nick.