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An exact duplicate of William T. Riker, created in 2361 during a transporter accident when the U.S.S. Potemkin was evacuating the science team on planet Nervala IV. One copy of Riker returned safely to the Potemkin, while the other was reflected by the planet's distortion field and materialized back on the surface of Nervala IV. The existence of the duplicate Riker was not discovered until 2369 when the Starship Enterprise-D returned to Nervala IV during a brief respite in the distortion field. This Riker had lived alone for eight years on the planet's surface. Once rescued, this Riker decided to use his middle name, Thomas, to distinguish himself from his copy, who had since been promoted to commander. Thomas indicated a desire to continue in Starfleet and was assigned to the U.S.S. Gandhi. Thomas took with him a cherished trombone, a gift from his twin. It should be noted that the individual known as Thomas Riker has just as valid a claim to being the "original" as does his duplicate known as William Riker. Lieutenant Thomas Riker remained aboard the Gandhi for little more than a year before abandoning Starfleet and joining the Maquis. As a member of the Maquis, he impersonated his double in 2371 and commandeered the U.S.S. Defiant from Deep Space 9 to invetigate a suspected Cardassian military buildup in the Orias system. After Riker was apprehended, he agreed to give himself up to the Cardassians to be sentenced to life at the Lazon II labor camp. In exchange, the Cardassians promised to allow his Maquis crew and the Defiant itself to return to the Federation. Thomas Riker was first seen in "Second Chances" (TNG). |
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