The Uplift Protocol: Book One
Messages from Earth
By
Fiannawolf.
Warning: This review will contain minor spoilers.
The Uplift Protocol Book 1: Messages from Earth is the second book in the ongoing story of Eliza Murphy the Superhero known as the Star-Spangled Banner. Earth slowly builds more contact with its alien neighbors as they get into the first stages of the Protocol. While more of Earth's hidden history is revealed and the villains begin to make larger moves against the heroes and each other.
Book 1 is mostly more set up but also resolves and expands on plot points set up from Book Zero. Alongside introducing new characters on both sides. The big focus however is on the titular Uplift Protocol itself. To keep spoilers to a minimum the whole system, to use a military term, is an example of good initiative, bad judgment.
In fact, you could apply that term to the good guys as well. While still likable and heroic some of them, especially the uplifted ones, are abrasive. In my personal view, they have a dismissive attitude toward Earth in general. They're pretty open with this attitude and barely cover it with condescending compassion. Makes me question why Earth wants to be involved in the whole Protocol in the first place. Though the Bardaxians, the canine aliens, are the ones who may be smoothing things over.
The political elements get fleshed out as Earth enters the first two stages of the Uplift Protocol. Eliza is brought deeper into the uplifted side through unusual circumstances thanks to her Hybrid heritage. The Typherian noble houses start to come into play. Like in the previous book they have their noses buried where the sun doesn't shine luckily the more antagonistic ones seem to be in little position to do anything.
Which kind of makes their antagonism confusing and the decisions made by the good guys also confusing. But the rest of that thought will be saved for the rant.
The political elements get fleshed out as Earth enters the first two stages of the Uplift Protocol. Eliza is brought deeper into the uplifted side through unusual circumstances thanks to her Hybrid heritage. The Typherian noble houses start to come into play. Like in the previous book they have their noses buried where the sun doesn't shine luckily the more antagonistic ones seem to be in little position to do anything.
Which kind of makes their antagonism confusing and the decisions made by the good guys also confusing. But the rest of that thought will be saved for the rant.
The villains in Book 1 have switched focus from Chronos to Thoth and a group of Space Pirates. Intrigue is still the order of the day but Thoth is much more willing to engage in open combat. More of a spotlight is shined on the All-Father and his connections to the Typherians. More information on Unity also comes to light and the story points to it as the big overall bad for the saga. Everyone has an opinion on it.
Outside of politics, the second-largest focus is on history. Uplift Protocol is taking the all legends are true approach. Ranging from Pre-History to Ancient Egypt and Arthurian England. While UP's Earth's history is widely different from our own. The legends are similar enough to ours but also act as cover for other elements. The Murphy Family is also connected to this history. It would not be an over-exaggeration to say that the Murphys are the center of the universe in a way.
Outside of politics, the second-largest focus is on history. Uplift Protocol is taking the all legends are true approach. Ranging from Pre-History to Ancient Egypt and Arthurian England. While UP's Earth's history is widely different from our own. The legends are similar enough to ours but also act as cover for other elements. The Murphy Family is also connected to this history. It would not be an over-exaggeration to say that the Murphys are the center of the universe in a way.
Overall Book 1 is an excellent continuation of the story. It is heavier on the exposition as it introduces the vast history and political elements, alongside the Multiverse. But there are still large action pieces that help build up to bigger ones. The main cast remains heroic still doing good while dealing with galaxy-size red tape. Think of Book 1 as a transition type of book.
Now for the rant.
Now for the rant.
The Uplifted Community (Major Spoilers from here on out)
In all of Book 1, there was one issue that I really didn't like. Issue number 3 when Earth enters Uplift Stage number 1.
The Atlantians, Typherians, Forgers, and all the others reveal the truth. That humanity is not alone in the universe. In the most condescending way possible. Everyone, baring Bardaxians, was a level of smug I haven't seen since the last time I was on a college campus. This includes Star but I think she was being unintentionally smug so I will not throw any vitriol at her. Everyone else, baring Bardax, shall receive no such mercy.
To break it down the ambassadors of the Uplifted Community talk down to the Area 51 Council and act like massive hypocrites. Like the absolute nerve of these people, including Zach Murphy, act like nobody in Area 51 was looking for aliens. That until Eliza showed up they were all idiots. Did no poking around and wasn't curious in the least.
The Atlantians, Typherians, Forgers, and all the others reveal the truth. That humanity is not alone in the universe. In the most condescending way possible. Everyone, baring Bardaxians, was a level of smug I haven't seen since the last time I was on a college campus. This includes Star but I think she was being unintentionally smug so I will not throw any vitriol at her. Everyone else, baring Bardax, shall receive no such mercy.
To break it down the ambassadors of the Uplifted Community talk down to the Area 51 Council and act like massive hypocrites. Like the absolute nerve of these people, including Zach Murphy, act like nobody in Area 51 was looking for aliens. That until Eliza showed up they were all idiots. Did no poking around and wasn't curious in the least.
But these are the same aliens who put blinders on Earth. When Eliza left the allowed area of the Terran Alliance to help others she got mind wiped. All the aliens were doing their best to hide from humanity which they could easily do thanks to their advanced tech.
Yet Lady Sul says "Finally!" like they were waiting to be found. When everyone took active measures not to draw attention to themselves. Null is the worse saying "Good, I was beginning to think all of Earth blind." he says that right after a Void Walker was killed in Area 51. Despite the fact that outside of Project Osiris nobody knew that the Void Walkers existed!
Yet Lady Sul says "Finally!" like they were waiting to be found. When everyone took active measures not to draw attention to themselves. Null is the worse saying "Good, I was beginning to think all of Earth blind." he says that right after a Void Walker was killed in Area 51. Despite the fact that outside of Project Osiris nobody knew that the Void Walkers existed!
Seriously how do you expect the Terran Alliance to deal with the void walkers when you and your Murtha pals did everything to cover them up. Piss off into the sun Null. Don't let the plasma hit you on the way out! But Sul and the other Atlantians are not off the hook. Here's a question: if you and your allies want Earth to get a council seat so bad. Why didn't you just openly declare Earth part of Atlantian territory so you could expedite the process? After all, Eliza has Atlantian blood which allows her access to the community. Could have done the same for all of Earth.
Oh, wait no can't do that otherwise how would you lord it over the regular humans? Can't be their protectors if they gain the ability to protect themselves. I understand why Anna Preston is looking for the catch in all this. Because everyone here comes off as a fraud, that all the care and compassion is just for good PR. A front. While they do shady and questionable things behind the scenes.
It's hard for me to take the complaints that Anna is just a bitter old woman seriously when the Uplifted side acts like holier than thou..insert your expletive of choice here.
This is what makes me question why Earth even wanted to stay a part of the protocol. Seriously who wants to be a part of this clubhouse of alien species who went beginning first contact. Act like gods on high as they reveal their "exalted" selves to the little people. The whole scene was more smug than a blue checkmark Twitter thread.
This is what makes me question why Earth even wanted to stay a part of the protocol. Seriously who wants to be a part of this clubhouse of alien species who went beginning first contact. Act like gods on high as they reveal their "exalted" selves to the little people. The whole scene was more smug than a blue checkmark Twitter thread.
Hats off to the professionalism of the Area 51 staff for not tearing into the Ambassadors. But I have no such scruples. All the alien ambassadors can piss right off. Zach as well the little brat. The fact that any of them has any nerve to talk down to Earth for not looking for them. When their own Protocol states they can't show themselves. Is hypocrisy of the highest order. So I say once more to the Uplifted Community. Piss off into a black hole.
A black hole that's on fire!
