- For other uses, see Ralph.
Ralph Hopplemeyer was a Human Starfleet Lieutenant in the 23rd century. He is described as having an strangely skinny frame, and unusually bad eyesight. (FASA RPG module: The Strider Incident)
Biography[]
Ralph Hopplemeyer was born on Ardana. From an early age, he developed terrible eyesight. Modern medical technology, including Retinax S, were unable to fully correct his vision, so he was prescribed glasses - a rare sight in the era. Ralph showed an affinity for electronics and engineering principles from an early age, and was considered a genius by many. This led him to eventually join Starfleet, so that he could work on real warp engines.
At some point, Hopplemeyer was on temporary assignment at Defense Outpost 1121. After accidentally spilling coffee on a superior, he was transferred there permanently, as punishment. Hopplemeyer has developed a deep resentment of station commander Captain Carl Curtis, leading him to strive to make make Curtis's life miserable. In 2283, he was part of the station engineering team assigned to repair the battle-damaged USS Strider. While working in a jefferies tube aboard the Strider, Hopplemeyer fell asleep, only to be awoken by the sound of the engines after it was commandeered by Captain Grant Franklin of the USS Lexington. Hopplemeyer confronted the crew about what was going on, demanding to know who had taken the ship, and why. After learning the plan to clear Kristine Reardon's name, Hopplemeyer joined the combined crew of the Lexington and Strider in their mission into the the Stogar system - primarily because he knew it would bother Captain Curtis. After the Strider arrived in the Stogar system, the ship fell into a trap laid by the IKV Bloodsteel. Captains Reardon and Franklin were able to negotiate for the buoy they had come for, and departed for the Neutral Zone with the Bloodsteel as an escort. After arriving back at the Outpost, Captain Franklin and his crew were instrumental in the unmasking of Commodore Harmonson as a Klingon agent, and clearing the names of the Strider's crew. Hopplemeyer was not implicated in the incident. (FASA RPG module: The Strider Incident)