Mariah Rikes
From TFC Galactopedia
Categories: EU Biographies | Federation | Starfleet | USS Oriskany | Terrans | Dog
- Full Name: Mariah Pauleen (Kingshot) Rikes
- Alliance: United Federation of Planets
- Rank: Captain
- Species: Terran Irish setter (Canis familiaris)
- Sex: Female
- Assignment or Location: Chief Medical Officer, USS Oriskany (NCC-26544), Medical Coordinator, Task Force Seventy-Seven
- Born: March 23, 2326
- Location of Birth: Oxford, Terra
- Parents: Franklin and Yasmine Kingshot
- Education: Standard Federation Primary and Secondary schools with pre-medical emphasis, Starfleet Academy College of Medical Science (2344-2348)
- Marital Status: Married to Admiral Allen David Rikes, three children, Elizabeth, Daniel and Patricia
- Created By: Chaser617
Background:
Mariah was born, not to a family of Starfleet, but to a college professor at Oxford, and a nurse. While her family might seem humble to those that use their ‘Starfleet heritage,’ as a badge, and many times, a crutch to get ahead, it has never stopped the Irish Setter once.
A studious girl in school, actually one would describe her as a ‘wallflower.’ Mariah Kingshot was perfectly happy with her small circle of friends and most often times would have her muzzle buried in some science book or another, most often times biology and organic chemistry. She excelled in school, and graduated with honors from secondary education, premedical science emphasis.
However, Mariah surprised her parents when it came time for her college career. Instead of applying to Johns Hopkins University, or another of the leading civilian medical schools, Mariah instead chose to accept an appointment to the Starfleet Academy School of Medical Sciences. While the choice surprised her parents, they were not like many in the area that believed that she was wasting her talents by enrolling in Starfleet. In fact, her parents orchestrated a small but lavish going away party to show how proud they were of their daughter.
At the Academy Mariah once again demonstrated her preference for studying and learning over more social activities. While an active part of her Quad in all projects and required activities, Mariah did not often participate in social functions. The fact that she had the highest average of anyone in her class was proof to her diligent efforts, even though her roommate did gently chide her for neglecting the fun parts of being a cadet.
That changed slightly her first term second year. Mariah had postponed the mandatory self-defense class required of all cadets till the last possible moment, and honestly had dreaded every single moment of it. While she was physically fit she considered herself no fighter, and cringed at the thought of being tossed about on the mats, and feared a low grade more than even that. Her first day in the class confirmed her fears when the instructor singled her out because of her studies path, interjecting his own beliefs about the softness of medical students, he called on the young setter, ordered her to come at him (which she did so with great reluctance) and within moments Mariah found herself back on the mat, blinking up at the ceiling not even knowing what happened. The instructor tried to use her as ‘demonstration’ for most of the class, other cadets either enjoying watching the quiet, and some knew a bit frightened setter go flying to the floor, others just not wanting to speak up. However, one did, a rather dashing looking, if quiet English Setter stood up and volunteered himself for the rest of the period, though not quite the caliber of a master martial artist, the English Setter proved a far more capable opponent than Mariah had, who quickly retreated back to the other students, rather sore in certain places actually. One thing she did notice about the other setter though, he seemed genuinely angry at what had been done to her as he had stood and volunteered himself.
Afterwards Mariah thanked the young Setter, who seemed in reality quiet and a bit reserved like herself as well. Allen Rikes, as the dog’s name was freely admitted his anger over the singling out that had occurred with her, and when she admitted she feared failing the class, h offered to tutor her. Mariah readily accepted the offer, after all, she knew that the coarse was only pass/fail for her, instead of earning an actual grade.
Neither one entered into the situation expecting anything more than to help or to receive help. Both canines had been quiet and uninterested in anything other than their tight circle of friends in their Quads and their studies. However, the two did begin to open up to each other, and developed a friendship first, that quickly progressed to more romantic relationships, culminating with Allen asking her on their first date.
The two’s relationship developed quickly, though it did not hamper their studies, Mariah especially, who was still, admittedly very much a wallflower bookworm even with the relationship. The only pause in their studies occurred when the couple married their fourth year, after Rikes returned from his training cruise. The couple were married in the chapel at Starfleet Academy with both sets of parents approving of the union. The two promptly moved into standard fleet quarters to finish out the remainder of their time at the Academy. Mariah graduated first in her class in 2348, though she freely admits many of the Pass/Fail courses required for medical students such as self-defense and survival were just barely ‘passes.’
Mariah followed her husband to assignment to the USS Endeavor during the waning months of the ‘Setlik Three’ phase of the Cardassian Wars, her internship filled with triage assignments. This was something that had an effect on Mariah. While she understands the reasons for her government for being in the war, however, being a doctor and seeing the effects of war on the body, and soul of many of the officer, she has developed a distinct, personal pacifist philosophy. Mariah, after her internship rose through the medical command structure till she became CMO aboard the USS Alexi Leonov while her husband commanded her. During that time, the couple also started a family, their eldest, Elizabeth, along with Daniel and Patricia. While Mariah is a dedicated doctor she is also a dedicated mother and put parts of her career on hold to raise her children. When her husband was given command of the USS Oriskany, Mariah accepted a position as the ship’s CMO, and task force medical coordinator. Her eldest daughter Elizabeth is one of her doctors aboard the Oriskany and her son Daniel is a junior engineer aboard the USS Endurance, one of the Nebula class ships in the task force. Patricia is getting ready to finish secondary and is trying to decide on her education.
Physical Description:
Mariah has one very noticeable feature. While she is an Irish setter, with the striking red color common to her breed, her eyes are not the traditional liquid brown. Instead, she has piercing ice-blue eyes, giving her a striking contrast between her fur and eye color.
Character Notes:
Mariah is a good wife and mother, however, she is her own woman as well. Also, because of her experiences as a triage doctor during the Cardassian Wars, Mariah has developed a strong personal pacifistic nature. She abhors war herself, and refuses to ever touch a phaser, even one set on stun. However, her beliefs are just that, hers. She does not believe that they are for everyone, especially considering the position her husband and those around her are in. The war with the Empire saddens her, but she also realizes that it was not a war of the Federation making.
TFC Expanded Universe
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