Bios
Derek CarrBiography compiled by Anita NealName: Derek Anthony Carr Scion of a wealthy Hope Nation planter family, Carr enlisted as a cadet in
the UNNS aboard UNS Hibernia in 2195 after the sudden death of his father, killed
when Hibernia's launch exploded. Promoted to midshipman July 31, 2195. Subsequently
served aboard Portia (2197-8) and Catalonia until her destruction by fish in the
Hope Nation system in 2200. Carr In 2240 Carr returned to Earth to negotiate grain contracts and was caught up in the Naval Rebellion of 2241. He requested re-enlistment in the UNNS in order to assist his lifelong friend and then SecGen Nicholas Seafort in suppressing the rebellion, and was made lieutenant. He died of decompression in the loss of UNS Galactic in 2241. Carr begins in the stories as an obnoxious snob who requests enlistment in order to avoid the control of his plantation's manager, Plumwell. When he nearly gives up under the pressure of wardroom hazing, principally at the hands of Vax Holser, Seafort comforts Derek and inspires him to persevere. During long-leave on Hope Nation he tours his plantation incognito with Seafort, then accompanies Seafort and Amanda Frowel to the Ventura Mountains. Persecuted by Hibernia's new senior midshipman Philip Tyre, Derek eventually wrests control of the wardroom from him. Later on Portia he voluntarily surrenders control back to a reformed Philip. He asks to accompany Seafort onto the crippled ship Challenger, but Seafort refuses and Derek continues with Portia to Hope Nation. When Derek's next ship Catalonia is destroyed by fish he escapes and returns to Hope Nation to reclaim his plantation. Seafort almost loses Derek's friendship when he insists that Carr adhere to his oath of enlistment even if it should cost him his plantation. Derek passes the test and Seafort rewards him with a part-time appointment which enables him to serve out his enlistment honourably while residing on (and thus retaining) his estate. Years later when Derek is on Earth Seafort summons him from his negotiations to tell Alexi Tamarov's grieving son Mikhael tales of the time when Derek and Alexi had served together; Derek then accompanies the Seafort party as they travel secretly to Lunapolis for Seafort's spinal surgery. When the navy mutinies, Derek insists on accompanying Seafort on a dangerous mission to recapture Galactic from the hands of the mutineers; it is during this mission he demands re-enlistment into the UNNS. When Galactic is crippled by laser fire from Lunapolis Derek remains aboard helping passengers into suits. He is caught unsuited in a section as it decompresses, and Seafort is forced to watch his friend die. Principal references:
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