Helmut Ridenouer

Early Life (2379 – 2397)

Helmut Erik Ridenouer was born the middle son to Robert Ridenouer, an architect and Johanna Ridenouer, a mental health counselor, in Leinz, Austria, Earth. Helmut grew up in the Alps and from a young age, showed a penchant for adventure and risk taking. Channeling the energy of their rambunctious child became a full time effort for Helmut’s parents. After an incident involving helmut flying through the neighborhood on a homemade glider and breaking some ribs, Robert and Johanna decided to meet him halfway and were able to get Helmut involved in all sorts of clubs for adventurous activities. They had come to the conclusion that their son was something of a daredevil and figured if he was going to do these things anyway, it might as well be under the supervision of experts.

Helmut was a very active child and teenager, not only being involvedin his various adventure clubs, but playing soccer and competing in combat sports. He kept his grades up regardless, though this was more his parents’ doing than his as, while intelligent, was an indifferent student. His parents completely dug in their heels on this matter however and Helmut achieved excellent marks throughout his childhood. This was fortuitous as during his late teen years, Helmut became enamoured with tales of Starfleet and saw himself going to the stars on grand adventures.

Helmut always applied 0ne hundred percent to his activities and preparing for the Starfleet Academy entrance exam was no different. He passed with flying colors, though was somewhat shaken when one of the holodeck scenarios he had to do showed him he was indeed not infallible. While he never speaks of it, all know that holodeck scenarios can be intense and at times, graphic.

Starfleet Academy (2397 – 2401)

Helmut threw himself full tilt into his classes as is his nature. His academics were servicable though his natural ability as a pilot has turned out to be almost phenominal. He was known to be a risk taker and this occaisionally backfired during practical exercises. His successes outweighed his failures, though and he was marked as a flight officer with great promise. He made several friends who were like-minded cadets and they created a circle of high speed and adventurous individuals. Fortunately this led to no major incidents. Graduating near the top of his class, Helmut expected to get an assignment on a premier ship on a deep space exploratory mission or perhaps aship patrolling the borders, vigilant against incursions. Instead, he got the San Diego.

USS San Diego (NCC-75582) (2401)

Helmut has been on the San Diego for six months and he has chafed at the mundane tasks a California-class vessel does. However, he has made a circle of friends that have managed to ground him somewhat. He is starting to learn that all duties are important and that this posting won’t last forever. He reasons that he did give an oath to Starfleet and the Federation and that means something. He is starting to show a growth of character, though only time will tell if it will stick