David was chief technician for The Third Path up until his death. Having spent many years working with engineers electricians etc he had built up an extensive knowledge of technology that he applied when working with D'ni technology. David spent a lot of time studying the working and construction of D'ni technology as well as trying to backwards engineer it so it could be used to benefit explorers and the TTP.
Sophie and David
Sophie Thomas and David have known each other for many years prior to both of them arriving in D'ni. They both met at the University of Utah where they were taking their engineering degrees and worked closely during their time there. When they both left to take jobs in their fields they remained in contact meeting occasionally to catch up. In late 2003 David and Keith arranged a meeting with Sophie in New Mexico where they informed her about the work they were doing in D'ni and invited her to join The Third Path in the cavern.
David's Death
In early 2004 David Clarke went missing, the group searched frantically for him and for James Rofen who had also disappeared at the time (although this was not uncommon for James). Eventually Dr. Keira Benson ventured through the City Proper and discovered that David had died seemingly at the hands of James Rofen.
The group where devistated at the loss of David, and after holding a memorial service to him Sophie was to leave the cavern until the apprehension of James.
A memorial to David has since been placed upon the Age of Fahets by Keith Lord