Joey Hardin is a former DEA agent, following in the footsteps of his father (who was killed in the line of duty). His first assignment, in 1988, was to impersonate an FBI-protected witness, Keith Mollis, essentially acting as a lure to draw any potential aggressors sent by drug lord Carlos Cantero away from the real Mollis. Hardin loved heavy-metal music, played it frequently and loudly, and also loved Miami's underground metal scene, even going so far as to sneak out of protective custody to visit rock clubs. After attempts on Hardin's life, he and James "Sonny" Crockett set sail on the St. Vitus Dance in an attempt to escape any further unwanted attention. During their time at sea they got to know each other well, overcoming some of their initial animosity. Attacks by hitmen continued, h