I'm doodling on a story for a game set in outer space. The main character takes on various jobs, such as transporting stuff and people, perhaps smuggling, but also some bounty hunting, some bodyguarding, etc. Basically any job that requires his ship or gun. What would a guy like this say he work as? I'm open to making up a job title, if it sounds cool. I'd rather not use bounty hunter or smuggler. As I was writing this post, the title 'Pilot'(sort of including the quotation marks) popped up in my head, and it sounded kinda good for some reason. What do you think? These pilots, or whatever I should call them, mostly do work that's sort of in the grey zone when it comes to the law, so I imagine them usually sitting in seedy bars waiting for customers. So they get asked a lot, 'Are you a x?' or they ask the bartender, 'I'm looking for a x.'
Pilots good maybe even breaking it down further, to something like Ace. You could even do a super top gun reference and call them mavericks. The meaning of the word seems to fit.
You could go with Pilot, but like 'wink wink' Pilot. Everyone calls them that, nobody thinks it's legit, make it a kind of in joke. Or use something on a twist; aviator, navigator, transporter, dealer, runner etc.
I'd have him describe himself as "a Jack of all trades". A "Trader" also works; but I would be more inclined to go with something like "handyman" in that he can help sort out all those little problems people have; then I might even combine the two and call him a "Handy-Jack" or just a "Jack".
I can't remember what Mal called himself in Firefly, but that's his job description. Might have just been 'businessman'.
Captain Mal Reynolds, and there was no specific title they were just trying to what needed to be done to get work. Be it smuggler, train robber or passenger transport.
Ooh, Firefly, now that's been a while since I last saw it... think I'll rewatch it again this weekend, now that you mention it
Facilitator Expeditor Handyman Mechanic Tinker Factotum I prefer handyman. (Tremors: "If we were serious about money, we'd quit being hired hands..." "Handymen, Earl. We are handy men!")
In our own society these people are sometimes called Mercenaries or Privateers. A bit off the definition, but suitable in relate-able context.
