Admiral Allen Rikes

From TFC Galactopedia

Categories: Current Main Cast | TFC Episode 1 | TFC Episode 2 | Federation | Starfleet | USS Oriskany | Terrans | Dog

Admiral Rikes by Avran Farlek

Admiral Rikes by Zannah

• Full Name: Allen David Rikes

• Alliance: United Federation of Planets

• Rank: Rear Admiral

• Species: Terran (Canis fermilaris / English setter)

• Age (EpI): 46

• Sex: Male

• Assignment or Location: Commander, Starfleet Task Force 77; flag aboard the USS ORISKANY, NCC-26544

• Born: February, 2325

• Location of Birth: The Tidewater, Virginia; Earth

• Parents: Lynn and Nathen Rikes

• Education: Starfleet Academy 2342-2346

• Marital Status: Married. Husband of Mariah Rikes

• Created By: Chaser617

Background:

Allen David Rikes was born to one of the oldest families in the Virginia Tidewater region of Earth in 2326. Raised with the legacies of such historic men from the far past as Washington, Lee, and Jackson, it was no wonder he would follow his family's history of service and apply for the Starfleet Academy.

At the academy, Rikes excelled at command and diplomatic classes, quickly rising to the top of his class in such pursuits. A quiet man with an intense nature, Rikes made few close friends at the academy, but those that were made found a canine that was loyal as any other at the academy. One such cadet was the only one to top his standing at graduation time, a young and exuberant medical student named Miriah Kingshot. The two met in their second year in a required hand-to-hand combat class which Allen excelled at and ended up tutoring the young Irish Setter medical student to a passing mark. The friendship quickly proceeded and it seemed the two could not be separated and the day after they graduated from the academy they were married.

The couple were assigned to the Excelsior-class starship ENDURANCE and while aboard Rikes quickly proved his mettle. He earned field promotions to full lieutenant for his actions during the Cardassian War. During one such incident as tactical officer he employed shuttles as harrying craft to draw a Galor-class cruiser away from ENDURANCE long enough for engineering to stabilize her warp core, and then orchestrated a moving recovery of the shuttles, rescuing the all-volunteer crew aboard each. These actions earned him the Federation Silver Star and recognition by high command. It would also demonstrate his ability to use small craft to enhance a tactical situation.

At the age of thirty, Rikes received command of the Nebula-class vessel the USS ALEXIE LEONOV. This would be the post Rikes would serve for the next eight years, refusing a promotion at least once to stay with 'his' ship and 'his' crew as he thought of them. Again Rikes acquitted himself with skill and ability, many times developing brilliant diplomatic solutions to the crisis that the LEONOV was assigned to defuse, though at the same time proving he still had the sharp tactical mind he had displayed aboard the ENDURANCE.

During the years, Allen Rikes founded a deep friendship with Michael McLoude, who often times transferred to new vessels just so he could serve under Rikes. Rikes was even godfather to all the McLoude children and sponsored Michael for his captaincy of the USS 'VENTURE. Rikes also was young Chaser McLoude's sponsor for the academy and acted, if not a grandfather, then a much beloved uncle to the young man.

Finally, Rikes could not sidestep promotion to stay with the LEONOV anymore. In 2373, he was given the rank of rear admiral and assigned to the ORISKANY as the commander of the newly formed battle group Task Force 77. Starfleet chose him for his innate ability to factor small craft into the tactical situation effectively, something which many Starfleet officers tended to omit almost completely. While saddened that he had to leave his beloved LEONOV behind, many of the crew of the ORISKANY and his flag staff were former officers of that ship. Rikes quickly settled into his role as the battle group commander and has proven in exercise after exercise that he was the right choice for the job, many times at the embarrassment of the specially formulated 'aggressor' ships that have been sent against him and his battle group as tests of the concept.

Character Notes:

Rikes is a dog very much of his heritage, his flag ready room aboard ORISKANY proves that with may relics of the past to remind him of the great leaders that had gone before them, including a reproduction of the famous painting of Robert E. Lee kneeling in prayer.

While those who have not served under him find that he is cool and aloof, his officers and crew know much better. With his people, he is a father figure, warm, gentle but a firm commander. Many times to crewmen who have served under the man, a soft comment of disappointment is far more effective than any reprimand for a misdeed. The crew of the LEONOV would have followed their captain anywhere, and the beings of Task Force 77, from the lowest crewman to the captain of a ship in the battle group are developing that very same sort of relationship with the 'Old Man' as he is reverently called.

There is a special relationship between Allen Rikes and Chaser McLoude. From the younger man's birth Rikes has been his mentor, a favored uncle, and a guiding conscience. Many of Chaser's beliefs in the Federation and service to a cause are just as much a mix of Rikes' as his own father's. However, there is no special treatment from Rikes to the young pilot, Chaser would never accept it, seeing it as an unfair advantage to him, and Rikes would never unfairly give an advantage to any officer, even his godson.

TFC Canon