William T. Riker

**William Thomas "Will" Riker** was a human male who lived in the 24th and 25th century, As a Starfleet officer he served as the first officer of Jean-Luc Picard for 15 years on the USS *Enterprise*-D and USS *Enterprise*-E before accepting his own command on the USS *Titan*.

As captain of the *Titan*, Riker and his wife Deanna Troi had two children: a son named after Riker's ancestor Thaddius, and a daughter named after Troi's deceased sister Kestra. Thad contracted mendaxic neurosclerosis, prompting his family to move to Nepenthe, where Thad eventually died from his condition. The Rikers remained on Nepenthe for the rest of the 24th century.

## Biography

### Early Life

Will Riker was born in 2335 to Betty and Kyle Riker in Alaska on Earth. His distant ancestors included Thaddius Riker, a Union Army colonel who fought during the American Civil War of the mid-19th century, and a particularly rugged great-grandfather of note.

Betty died when Will was only two years old, leaving his father to raise him alone. The Rikers remained in Alaska at Betty's wish. The only thing which kept Kyle going was Will, but he did not feel as if he could discuss the situation with him, even when Will was older. The memories of Betty's presence at their Alaska home were also painful for both. This initial trauma created a rift between the two Rikers which lasted thirty years.

When Will first started school in 2340, the five-year-old told all of his new friends that his mother was still alive. Eventually, he told the story so often that he began to believe the lie. Soon, his teacher learned of this problem, and both she and Kyle had to talk to Will and make him realize that his mother was dead and was not coming back. Will cried the entire night following, but later realized it was an important step in accepting his mother's death.

However, Will's relationship with Kyle continued to deteriorate into his early teens. He was often left to care for himself, learning such skills as cooking.

Will was never able to concentrate much on subjects such as math, as he constantly daydreamed about starships.

In 2344, Will and his father went on a fishing trip. Will was able to hook a large fish, but Kyle insisted on reeling the fish in. This incident bothered Will for many years.

He also practiced *anbo-jyutsu* with his father. By 2347, when Will was twelve, Kyle admitted that his son's skills at the sport were superior. Will did not know that the only reason he always lost was because his father used illegal *hachidan kiritsu* moves.

Kyle completely abandoned Will by 2350, when Will was fifteen. Will held a grudge against his father for the following fifteen years.

### Starfleet Academy

Will entered Starfleet Academy in 2353. Paul Rice was at the Academy at the same time, and they were friends. Riker's superintendent was a Vulcan, who had taken the time to memorize the personnel files of each and every cadet.

During his first year, Riker felt at odds with everyone, as if the world was against him.

At one point, Riker calculated a sensory blind spot on a Tholian vessel and hid within it during a battle simulation.

Upon graduation in 2357, Riker was ranked eighth in his class. He set lofty goals for himself and hoped to reach captain before thirty-five years of age.

Riker's Starfleet serial number was SC 231-427.