James Higgins was a Manticoran citizen and an officer of the Royal Manticoran Navy. In 1903 PD, Higgins held the rank of Lieutenant Commander, and was assigned to HMS Fearless (CA-286) as the chief engineer. He helped repair the vessel during and after the Battle of Blackbird, taking over Damage Control after it was hit during the Second Battle of Yeltsin's Star. With assistance from Lieutenant Allgood, his Senior Assistant Chief Engineer and Damage Control Specialist, he was able to repair the damaged impeller ring so that Fearless could intercept MNS Thunder of God before the vessel reached Grayson. (HH2)