Boorman, Derrick
PRC 
|
STAR FLEET PERSONNEL COMMAND FILE |
|---|
| RETIRED[2] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Derrick Boorman | |||
 | |||
| Career Occupation | |||
| Position: | Chief Medical Officer | ||
| Assignment: | USS Sheridan, DD-4086 | ||
| Rank: | Lieutenant Commander | 
| |
| Biographical Attributes | |||
| Species: | Human | ||
| Gender: | Male | ||
| Height: | 188 cm (6 ft. 2 in.) | Weight: | 81.6 kg (180 lb.) |
| Eye Color: | Blue | ||
| Hair Color: | Black | ||
| Hairstyle: | Long hair. Almost always pulled back into a ponytail, especially whilst on duty | ||
| Physique: | Muscular, barrel-chested, generally large built | ||
| Complexion: | Scarred, but otherwise fair | ||
| Facial Hair: | Full Beard | ||
| Voice: | Loud and clear, punctuated by a noticeable, but not thick, S. African accent | ||
| Affiliation: | United Federation of Planets | ||
| Birthplace: | Pietermaritzburg (shortened to Maritzburg or PMB), former nation state of South Africa, Earth | ||
| Born: | 17608.21 | Age: | 44 |
| Familial Relationships | |||
| Father: | Hendrijk Boorman | ||
| Mother: | Kimberley Boorman | ||
| Status of Parents: | Alive, still happily married. Both retired, currently living in Pietermaritzburg, Earth | ||
| Siblings: | 1 sister, Catharina Boorman, 33. Currently serving as a science officer aboard the USS Wahl. | ||
| Marital Status: | Single | ||
| Children: | None | ||
Contents
Personal History
Born and raised in the former nation state of South Africa, Derrick received a basic education and as the only male child was expected to join and, one day, succeed his father in the family business. His mother and father ran a small but profitable bar in PMB called simply ‘Boormans’, part of a family business that stretched back 5 generations. A solitary child from his early years, Derrick was physically honed on the gritty streets of PMB and, due to his size and stature, from 16 was employed as a barman/bouncer in the family bar.
At the age of 17 his parents saw an advert for opportunities on other Federation worlds for aspiring businessmen and decided to sell up on Earth and relocate to Benecia colony where they opened up a new ‘Boormans’, looking for a fresh challenge. August de Klerk was an old school friend, fellow barman and son of a family friend who moved with the Boormans to Benecia to help set up the venture.
But Benecia was a tough environment and the early days were a struggle. The mixture of grizzled colonists and traders forced Derrick to rely on his physical prowess. His family was very traditional and this affected his sister more than Derrick, she did not move with the family and instead joined Starfleet because their father wanted his business to be passed down the male lineage. However Derrick and Catharina remained close and in touch. As Derrick approached his early twenties he was still employed in the family bar and being groomed for succession. However he felt deeply unfulfilled and grew tired of endless bar-fights and unhappy faces. One time, aged 23, Derrick stepped in to protect a bar patron from an aggressive Nausicaan who was stirring up trouble. While attempting to eject the troublemaker from the bar the Nausicaan pulled a knife on Derrick and the resulting struggle caused the now present scar on Derrick’s face.
The bar grew to be a lively environment where customer service gave way to the fist or knife and Derrick wanted more from his life than this. The casualties of the many bar brawls were not able to call on anything but the most basic medical facilities on Benecia and Derrick admired the few medical personnel who had to deal, night after night, with the injuries. In addition he monitored his sister’s progress with a sense of regret that his life did not share the same sense of endless possibility that hers did. By age 23 Derrick had had enough of the daily monotony of serving drinks to the same drab faces and breaking up scuffles and he wanted more. He wanted to shed his unsophisticated reputation as the family hard-man and earn the respect and awe of others, like his sister. After a fatal stabbing of one trader by another he decided he wanted to join the medical staff in treating pain instead of dishing it out. An argument soon ensued between him and his father, who wanted to retire, but Derrick stood firm in his choice.
His parents, accepting that he wasn’t going to assume the family mantle and tiring of Benecia themselves, sold ‘Boormans’ to August de Klerk and retired, moving back to Earth. Ever since, the relationship with his parents has been rocky, his father is still bitter but he and his sister have grown much closer. Derrick bid August a fond farewell and with his sister’s encouragement joined Starfleet aged 24. The training for a Medical Officer proved to be both long and hard, owing to the course and the number of minors, but by age 35 Derrick successfully graduated and was assigned to the
USS Sheridan, DD-4086
Assignment to the USS Sheridan and first mission
The transition from a ‘heavy’ to a healer proved to be troublesome for the naturally misanthropic yet aspiring Midshipman and the first few weeks were tough. Mistakes were made and feet proverbially trodden on but Derrick overcame these obstacles while taking part in the Sheridan’s mission to a discrete outpost shrouded in mystery and overseen by Starfleet Intelligence. But the man, who was significantly older than many who graduated as SF Midshipmen, got slowly used to life on board and the friendly and accommodating personnel he served with. The walls around his personality that were so high and so well guarded were gradually chipped away and he slowly came out of his shell. Still not as open and friendly as some, but getting there, the mission proved to be a success and Derrick was rewarded with both a medal and a promotion.
Second mission, promotion, and elevation to CMO, USS Sheridan
The more settled Ensign Boorman set out on his second mission as a serving crewmember on the USS Sheridan with a feeling that he had passed his baptism of fire as a Starfleet Medical officer. The Sheridan’s second mission to the Carrayan sector was to prove him wrong beyond the realms of imagination. Whilst engaging Klingon warships the CMO, LCdr Gadling, abandoned ship to commandeer a shuttlecraft with the idea of helping the casualities on Carraya IV and the space above it. Leaving a shortage of senior officers to helm a sickbay fast becoming overwhelmed with casualities Ensign Boorman took matters into his own hands and lead the effort to treat the wounded. The mission to Carraya was a learning curve that Derrick couldn’t have seen coming, he experienced his first real tastes of death, the loss of patients under his care and the chaos of battle. It was a significantly wiser, more seasoned, but also a more jaded Boorman that accepted a promotion to Lt [JG], a medal for his efforts, and an accompanying rise to the now vacant CMO position on the Sheridan.
Third mission
After a brief period of recuperation on Starbase Charlie Lieutenant Boorman’s third mission on board the Sheridan saw the vessel being sent to the Dalmatia system to investigate reports of Iconian technology on one of the planets near the Cardassian border. This was his first full mission as Chief Medical Officer and the now seasoned officer felt more secure and steady than he had before.
As part of an away team that went to the planet Telbar Derrick was called into action several times as the away team was attacked on more than one occasion by the mechanical inhabitant of the planet. This brought Boorman’s first intimate taste of combat since leaving his previous occupation and the associated memories were initially tough to deal with. But having developed a more professional attitude towards his work as a result of his Starfleet experience he completed the mission and helped the away team perform its duties.
The mission was concluded when the power generator that was holding the star system together was restored and the threat to the system was neutralised. However any questions about Iconian involvement in the making of this technology was left unanswered as the Sheridan was quickly reassigned to the 1st Fleet and recalled to deal with a more serious threat.
Fourth mission and Command Course
Whilst recuperating at Starbase Alpha the serious threat became more apparent. The invasion of Federation space by forces known to the CMO at that time as ‘the Shard’ had left many ships and worlds devastated: the losses in personnel, civilian and military, were staggering. The Sheridan was ordered to the shattered Bajoran system where she would assist the Gettysburg in her investigations of the area. Lieutenant Boorman reacted poorly to the initial mission briefing, feeling that the ‘regardless of casualties’ remark placed too much pressure on his department and was in any case harmful to crew morale and made by people in higher positions removed from the likely consequences of their orders. However, despite this he had a job to do as CMO and during the journey to Bajor assisted by running drills and stockpiling stores and equipment in preparation for the expected casualties.
The casualties did come, and were much higher in number than previous missions, although not as high as Boorman had feared following the briefing. The Sheridan accompanied the Gettysburg from Bajor into the Gamma Quadrant where they detected a debris field where there was supposed to be a Dominion outpost. Once a Shard scout vessel was detected and destroyed they met a sizeable force of Shard vessels, with the Federation forces taking damage in the resulting battle. As a result of the perpetual state of readiness and the combat with Shard forces Boorman and the medical department were preoccupied with events in Sickbay as battle casualties kept pouring in.
The overwhelming nature of the conflict they faced and the unending pressure of being in combat took its toll on the normally pragmatic and stoic Chief Medical Officer. He found the stress and the emotions that came with being the head of a medical department in the middle of a combat situation hard to deal with. With the Shard menace still looming over the Federation the Sheridan returned to Starbase Alpha and instead of joining his shipmates on the station as he had before Lt Boorman sought a more private use of his R&R time. He made the long overdue journey to see his parents on Earth, a trip motivated by his emotional exhaustion after the mission to the Gamma Quadrant. He sought an environment as far removed from the Sheridan as possible and with any luck a restoration of the relationship between him and his family, particularly his father.
Fifth mission
The visit to his parents brought some relief to the doctor who finally swallowed some of his pride and rebuilt some of the bridges he had burned when he decided to join Starfleet against his father’s wishes. In addition to this, his command course results came through from Starfleet and Derrick was formally promoted to Lieutenant Commander. However these two small pieces of good fortune were overshadowed by the events of the coming mission.
A simple mission to deliver Ambassador Grant to Cardassia was hijacked by the emergence of a mutated virus which confounded his every medical move. The entire crew of the Sheridan was under threat as the virus became a pandemic, and it was only the surprising recovery of the Ambassador himself that brought the solution to the doctor. The crew of the Sheridan was saved but the information that led to this miracle was kept from official records at the request of the Ambassador.
A short stop at Minos Korva also led to another run in with the enemy known previously as the Shard, but now referred to as the Krynar menace. Despite the assistance of other Federation vessels and a Cardassian taskforce that world was overrun by the Krynar with the loss of yet another strategically important location. The Sheridan managed to escape and deliver the Ambassador to Cardassia, returning afterwards to Starbase Alpha for some much needed rest and recuperation.
Sixth mission
Refreshed and rejuvenated, Lieutenant Commander Boorman returned to his duties for what he believed would be a quieter mission this time around. The Sheridan was sent back to the Bajoran system where some strange readings were emanating from the vicinity. This was a particularly sobering experience for several reasons; the debris from the destruction of the system was still there for all to see but so were signals and transmissions from the doomed inhabitants. One such signal appeared remarkably like a Starfleet distress call and before too long they came across an old NX class vessel, the Challenger, apparently marooned inside a nebula. Boorman stayed aboard the Sheridan as an away team went over to investigate but soon had his hands full as they had to be evacuated in a hurry when an unknown virus took hold. It turned out to be the same aphasia virus that caused the loss of the Challenger originally and despite finding a cure Boorman could not prevent the tragic death of Lieutenant Byron who was killed on the Challenger by a fellow crewman while under the virus’ influence. These events were soon overshadowed by the bigger picture as it was reported that the Krynar had penetrated as far as Earth and the Sheridan was recalled to join a Battle Group due to engage the enemy at Tellar. Doctor Boorman found himself back in worryingly familiar territory; dealing with combat injuries as they fought bitterly with the Krynar for the third mission in a row. The operations at Tellar were successful and showed that at least Starfleet was learning from its previous encounters. However to Doctor Boorman and his department this could not overshadow the fact that yet again the Sheridan was returning to Starbase Alpha bruised, battered, and with a few less crewmembers than they had set out with.
Seventh mission
The seventh mission began with a slightly different atmosphere fleet-wide and on the Sheridan. The destroyer was part of the taskforce heading to the Krynar home system to disrupt their ability to threaten the Federation and to strike a blow at an enemy that had been running riot across the galaxy.
Initially the mission was a quiet one for Boorman and the medical staff as the Sheridan had been assigned to protect the engineers building the transwarp gate, rather than to seek out combat with Krynar vessels. Nonetheless the allies and subjects of the Krynar put up significant resistance as the mission wore on, destroying several Federation escorts and severely damaging other capital ships.
As the effects of the gravity weapon or ‘graser’ told hold in the Krynar system the motherships began to shut down and be rendered inert, prompting the First Officer Commander Ankar to take the opportunity to attempt to beam some Krynar over into the Science Labs in an attempt to show mercy, save lives, and perhaps learn more about their adversary. However this did not end well as the Krynar self-destructed upon being beamed over, utterly wrecking the Labs and injuring all who were present.
Medical teams were called as the ACMO and Midshipman Shepard took charge when LCdr Boorman was concussed after being thrown against the bulkhead. He recovered sufficiently to assist in the recuperation of those affected by the blast, a task that took up all of their efforts on the journey back home.
Eighth mission
The Krynar threat had been neutralised and this brought its own set of challenges as Starfleet personnel adjusted back to their pre-war rhythms and routines. For the crew of the Sheridan this meant preparing for a mission to the Myar system to investigate the disappearance of a Starfleet anthropological team.
Several possibilities were considered, including medical factors, and this was hastened by the information in the team’s logs which indicated a link between the disappearances and flu-like symptoms exhibited only hours beforehand. Doctor Boorman ended up placing the ship in quarantine for a time while the possibility of a viral infection was explored. Eventually though, the culprit was discovered. Lt Pedersen brought back with her, not a viral infection, but a nanite used by slavers to tag and abduct members of the Starfleet team, others from the local population and the Sheridan’s away team. The work by the medical department on the recovered nanite also helped to tie these events with an ongoing security investigation into thefts at several medical facilities in the Federation. In time the slavers were tracked and apprehended, the hostages released, and the locals returned to their homes.
Unfortunately, and tragically, the Sheridan’s First Officer Commander Ankar was lost in a transporter accident while returning from the slave ship. This was a loss keenly felt by the entire crew but also but the CMO personally who held the man in high personal and professional esteem.
Personality Profile
Academy Major(s): Battlefield Surgery, Diagnostic Medicine
Academy Minor(s): Neurology and Hand to Hand Combat
Hobbies and Pastimes: Derrick enjoys and can relate to the mixture of aggression and vulnerability found in old 20th century rock music and can often be found listening to it loudly in his cabin. He also is an avid reader of crime/suspense novels and has been known to bang out a note or too on the guitar
Short-Term Goals: Now that he feels settled in his role as CMO he wants to assert himself more confidently as a prominent member of the crew and a Department Head
Long-Term Goals: To continue the process of transforming his Sickbay into a facility that more closely matches his vision of medical care.
Personality: Naturally quite reserved and cautious. Fairly insecure about letting people get close to him, he has poor self esteem and often uses eccentricity and humour to mask his true self. A deeply private man he is known as being dependable, reliable and entertaining to those few that know him well.
Sense of Humor: Dry and witty, but occasionally silly and slapstick
Phobias: Heights
Likes: Solitude, throwing himself into his work, and a drink or five at the end of the day
Dislikes: Social engagements and people who judge him on his appearance.
Pet Peeves or Gripes: Overly optimistic/happy people
Bad Habits or Vices: Coming across as surly and misanthropic, not always being able to rein in his temper
Achievements: Surviving the environment of a lonely bar on a far-flung outpost, but also having the confidence to step out from the family shadow and forge his own destiny
Disappointments: None. He used to be disappointed that he hadn’t lived up to his father’s wishes but they have since patched up their relationship.
Illnesses: Many physical injuries but no major illnesses
Strengths: His size and physical abilities for one thing, but also his desire to succeed that drives him forward
Weaknesses: The art of diplomacy. Derrick finds it hard to believe that words are a better method to persuade somebody than intimidation or violence
Fears: Making the kind of mistake that doctors can’t afford and writing ‘that official letter’ to relatives who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.
Prejudices: Nausicaans, Cardassians, Romulans, Ferengi...Derrick finds these races slimy and untrustworthy.
Off Duty Clothing Tastes: Typically: Snug-fitting t-shirts, denim jeans, cross necklace, trench-coat, and boots
Distinguishing Features: Multiple Tattoos. (Left arm sleeve featuring predominantly menacing images such as winged skeletons, whirlpools, devils, Hell, and the Reaper. Partial right arm sleeve with a dancing devil on the right wrist and a biomechanical piece on the upper arm.) Bent nose from having had it broken multiple times. One large scar running from left temple down the cheek, partially hidden by facial hair. Derrick decided to keep this scar mainly as a reminder to him and others of the past he has escaped. But it also consciously reinforces his insular persona by giving him a menacing appearance as scars are rare in contemporary Starfleet
Pets: None
Friends: Given Derrick’s not-exactly-chirpy persona, a hard field to fill in but it would have to be a tie between his younger sister and August de Klerk, a childhood friend and work colleague worked in the family business and moved with them to Benecia. Before his sister joined Starfleet Derrick had no comprehension of a career outside the family business and she was an important factor in his decision to enter the Academy. August de Klerk was a friend of Derrick’s from his earliest school days and the two solitary men formed a bond on Benecia that ran as deep as his family ties. Currently August now owns and still runs ‘Boormans’ on Benecia
Personal Paradigm Shifts
Most Painful Experience: In terms of physical pain, the Nausicaan knife that slashed his face was excruciating but is one of many brushes with physical pain Derrick has had. However he has never come to terms with the disappointment of his father and the deterioration of their relationship after he declined to take over the family bar.
Best Time: While conscious of distancing himself from the reputation he gained on Benecia, he realises that he was a fun time for him. He enjoyed being with the family and August and having a job where he could rely on his strength and reflexes. The job was well within his comfort zone and he enjoyed interacting with the mix of people that passed through the bar.
Most Crucial Experience: Having his sister join Starfleet and seeing the medical personnel on Benecia struggle to deal with the detritus from the bar that he brawled with on a nightly basis.
Role Model: Leonard McCoy; revered as a doctor and valued as a friend. Derrick wants to emulate both his standing as a professional and as a person.
Career History
| Service Medals Awarded | ||
|---|---|---|
| Image | Description | Qty. |
 |
Star Fleet Academy Graduate Ribbon | 1 |
 |
Command School Graduate Ribbon | 1 |
 |
Star Fleet Commendation Medal | 4 |
| Achievement Medals Awarded | ||
| Image | Description | Qty. |
 |
Role Player of the Month | 10 |
