She was what they called a "birdie," a fan-groupie who thrilled to the sounds and smells of the powerful, low-altitude military surplus vehicles nicknamed "thunderbirds." Mostly purchased on the shadow market from cash-hungry private armies or nations, the T-birds were modified for speed, light combat, and most of all, smuggling. For many, many years Becka Trinity had been a frequent sight around the camp at Dart Slot, where she watched, and sometimes helped, dozens of small and large T-bird teams prepare for runs into the Aztlan countryside.