Benjamin Riniker

Benjamin Riniker was a Starfleet officer in the late 24th Century. He was the first security chief of the USS Pendragon, serving in that capacity from 2379 to 2382. He later served on the USS Avalon.

Early Life
Benjamin David Riniker was born in Cochrane City, Alpha Centauri VII on 19 April 2341. He father was an architect who designed many prominent buildings in the Centauri Concordium.

Academy
Riniker entered Starfleet Academy in 2359 at the age of 18. He was assigned to Zeta Squadron. As a cadet, he attended at least one tactical class taught by Lieutenant Commander Steve Tecklenberg, where he met Cadet Timothy Sinclair.

During his third class summer cruise on the USS Beachmont, Riniker befriended freshman cadet Russell Twining.

He graduated with honors in 2363.

2360s
Ensign Riniker's first assignment was as a security officer on the USS Potemkin. While serving on the Potemkin in 2364, he helped rescue survivors from the USS Cerberus, including Ensign Timothy Sinclair.

After his time on the Potemkin, Riniker was a security officer on Starbase 47.

In 2368, he was assigned to the USS Sutherland as Chief of Security, under Captain Timothy Barranco. Commander Timothy Sinclair was the intelligence officer on the ship, and though they had a good professional relationship, there was some personal tension between the two men.

2370s
In 2370, Riniker transferred to the USS Damascus, where he served alongside of Russell Twining and eventually Joshua Hofmann.


 * Note that unless otherwise stated, all dates beyond early 2372 are considered to be in the "Pendragon timline".

During the Federation Civil War, Riniker saw heavy action on the Damascus and defended the ship against boarding parties on several occasions. He stayed with the Damascus throughout the war, until her destruction during Operation Return in 2374.

After the war, he accepted the post of security chief on the USS Chesapeake, once again serving with Twining and Hofmann. Collectively, they became known as "The Three Musketeers" to the Chesapeake crew.

In 2377, Riniker transferred from the Chesapeake to the USS Aries, and once again served as chief of security.

Pendragon
Lieutenant Riniker accepted a post on the USS Pendragon at the request of Commander Twining.

2379
Riniker joined the Pendragon during her rendezvous with the Aries in January, 2379. He was instrumental in foiling a sabotage plot on the Pendragon's shakedown cruise.

Avalon
When Russ Twining became Captain of the USS Avalon in June, 2382, Riniker (along with Josh Hofmann) was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. He accepted a transfer to the Avalon as security chief.

2383
When the Avalon and the Pendragon engaged a fleet of Romulan warbirds in the Triangle, both ships were heavily damaged. Ben Riniker was one of several casualties, and died of his wounds on the Avalon bridge.

His body was committed to the stars, in keeping with Centaurian tradition.

Background Notes
''Star Trek: Pendragon is a fan fiction series written (primarily) by T.L. Morgan. Images of actors are used in photomanipulations to simulate the "cast" of the series. In these photomanipulations, Ben Riniker is "played" by Michael T. Weiss.''

Trivia
Before production of Pendragon's pilot episode began, Michael T. Weiss was considered for the role of Captain Sinclair.