The Uplift Protocol: Book 1 Review

 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 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. 

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. 

The Uplifted Community (Major Spoilers from here on out)

https://fiannawolf.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-uplift-protocol-b1-mfe-issue-3.html

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.

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! 

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. 

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!

Bright Swords

 In between writing Star Warden Book 2. I did not want to leave the blog unattended and there was something I wanted to talk about. Star Warden and Uplift Protocol along with the similarities and differences between them. But I did not just want to talk about making comparisons and leave it there, plus neither series is complete at the moment so there could be more similarities and differences that might pop up. However, there was a core element both had which inspired the name of this post. 

First, what do both serials have in common? (Non-exhaustive list)

1. Both leads have red white and blue in their color scheme, are American, and have Star somewhere in their name. 
2. The leads are in a stable romantic relationship. 
3. Both series take place in settings that involve worlds off Earth and have a sci-fi/fantasy theme.
4. Clear Good and Evil 
5. Ancient lost civilization with technology left behind.
6. The main heroes are the bright symbol of hope people rally behind and can affect change with their presence. 

The last one is the subject of this post. Sam and Eliza are both the Bright Swords cutting through the darkness of their respective universes. Modern heroes today are usually conflicted and question themselves and their purpose. They are given a huge amount of flaws, they mope, are focused on their own problems with their powers grounded. Unless you are a symbol of representation then you get all the power with no training, everyone loves you, and the bad guys are the people who don't like them. 

But enough about Rey and Carol Danvers. 

The fact of the matter is a lot of current stories don't have the Bright swords anymore. Superman is either modernized by Snyder or gets his life ruined in the comics. When people think of the Superman archetype they think of Homelander in the Boys. In Game of Thrones, the characters who die are the honorable and idealistic types. I mean even Shazam (true Captain Marvel) doesn't have his idealistic origin anymore. His new 52 origins which were used in the movie get the focus. Instead of being a pure soul and truly good, chosen by the Wizard. He's now just the last act of a desperate old wizard giving his power to a cynical kid abandoned by his mother and living in a group home.  

Now, this brings me to the differences. Since it is common to believe that these old-style paragons can only exist in the past or settings that have no conflict at all. I will disprove that by presenting the differences between the two serials. The large scale one is the very settings they inhabit.

Uplift Protocol: Somewhat of a Sugar Bowl; a bright idealistic world filled with heroes. Friendly aliens patrol the stars and most people are trusting and helpful of each other. While there are still threats, interpersonal conflicts, and obstructive bureaucracy. At the end of the day, the world is a nice place to live. 

Eliza lives in a NobleBright world and is meant to defend it from ending. She preserves the status quo for the most part and changes the not so bright parts. 

Star Warden: Somewhat of a World Half Full/Crapsack World. A darker world where evil has free reign and heroes are few and far between. But the heroes that are there are bright, hopeful, and successfully make things better in small or large ways. A world where suffering is commonplace but the response to it is to fight back against it. The world is not a nice place to live yet but with work, it can be. 

Sam lives in a NobleDark world and is meant to make it a better place. He is changing the status quo despite the fact it appears to be an uphill climb.

There I just described two stories both with bright paragons of virtue and their settings couldn't be any more different. Heroism is timeless and easy to do and you don't have to make your story basically Sesame Street to do it. You just need one, or a few, good people who can smile when the going gets tough and inspire others to trust in them and in their own capacity to help. To quote Jor-El. 

"They only need the light to show them the way."

 Even if this is not considered "realistic" and human nature is flawed and many might abuse their superpowers or fall into despair. So what? 

People like Bright Swords. They want to see them draw their blades, don their bright armor, and charge once more unto the breach to repel great evil so the sun can shine brightly once again. I mean Hollywood is trying to reboot old properties that had those Bright Swords in them because those stories stood the test of time. Even if they ultimately just want the built-in audience for easy money, it's proof that escapist fiction with brave heroes lasts a lot longer than brooding ones.

 Considering all the events in 2020 there is even more of a reason to keep pushing not just Star Warden and Uplift Protocol. But also the idea to make more uplifting, superversive, and old-school paragons. Because people want and need them to get through the day to day. I mean if you've read one or the other then you know what Sam and Eliza have gone through. If they can go about their days with a smile on their face it can inspire someone reading it that they can get through their troubles or at least put them to the side for just a few moments and tackle them again with a fresh mind.

Do all heroes need a flat character arc? No Luke Skywalker is proof of that and even he got turned into a Downer. All I am doing is making an appeal to have heroes that smile and enjoy their work. They can have any kind of background go any place and be in bright, dark, or realistic settings. You don't even have to copy Uplift Protocol or Star Warden. They just need to be heroes full of passion and optimism not perfect but always focused on doing good, stopping evil, and inspiring others by their example. Also, you know a loyal companion by their side to help carry the burden, romance not required but highly encouraged. (No will they won't they crap.)

The darker the world the brighter the hero must be.

Star Warden Book 1: Here

Uplift Protocol Book 0: Here

The Uplift Protocol: Book Zero. Review

The Uplift Protocol: Book Zero

By 

Fiannawolf. 

Warning: This review will contain minor spoilers. 

The Uplift Protocol Book Zero is a superhero space opera that details the rise of Eliza Murphy the Superhero known as the Star-Spangled Banner. A young girl who is being prepared by her family for a future conflict involving a group of aliens known as Void Walkers and the enigmatic King Toth. Who seek Unity; a cosmic force with the power to end all life in the universe. The book also focuses on the history of the Murphy family and their connection to alien powers who have an interest in seeing humanity join the greater galactic community. But Uplift Protocol forbids open contact with humans and causes conflict inside the family as dubious actions are taken to protect young Eliza and prevent the coming war from starting too soon.

For those not in the know, this is story is posted on her blog and may have various errors. So in a way, it is a sample before she moves onto a physically published copy. So if you decide to read it yourself keep that in mind. It is divided into 25 issues.

Overall Book Zero is a good story. It has a large and very detailed world with honest and fun superheroes with happily married couples and large families. The main character is likable and there are conflicts ranging from superheroes punching and blasting bad guys. To the internal conflicts of interstellar politics and family quarrels due to bad marriages. There are mysteries that are set up with some things answered and new questions raised from those answers. I honestly want to know the answers to all the questions raised and see where it all leads.

All the heroic characters are likable Eliza is a hero and she has good friends in the form of Eddie and Lori. Thomas and Jeniffer Murphy are good parents with good grandparents. Thomas Murphy has the ultimate bro in the form of Argus Paxton. If you are a dog person you'll like all the dog characters she has in the story and there are a lot of them. 

The villains are at best mostly a non-entity. Chronos does some stuff in the very early chapters but not much else. No clear idea on why he wants to unleash the Unity and kill everyone. Toth, you learn more about that he was a usurper to the throne, or was a legitimate king who inspired a rebellion, who was kicked out for necromancy. He also wants to end all life and claim the Unity and he gets more focus than Chronos but not much. I think this is mostly to keep them in the shadows for Book 1 to reveal more about them. 

Overall they are mostly in the shadows since it is implied that they can't act openly or it will allow the other races to directly intervene and break the protocol. Since they are aliens intervening that means the other side can intervene directly as well. That or they are far too weak and the other spacefaring races could crush them without effort. But I believe it is the former due to certain actions taken in the book on the heroic side. 

The best part about Uplift Protocol is the setting. It is a nice and happy kind of place, conflict still exists but overall you want to be apart of that world. You have heroes being heroes and helping others, helpful aliens trying to make humanity even better, and loving marriages with healthy families. No winks or nods or subversion and even when a family member makes decisions that others disagree with it is clear that everyone still loves each other in the end. Also, it has pure evil villains no sign of sad sacks or sympathy here and they actually appear to be a threat. I would like them to be hammier as well but I may see the ham come out in Book 1.

Much better than anything DC or Marvel or well any of the old comic companies put out these days. But no one in current Hollywood is going to touch this. Far too optimistic and mostly drama-free and heroes with actual families and hobbies. I would recommend taking a look at this series yourself and then buy it whenever it gets published. 

It also has some scarily similarities with Star Warden but with some zig where I zagged in places. I guess minds tired of the current entertainment think alike. But the next part of the review is where I want to get into some personal opinions. Which will get into some spoilers. If you would like to avoid those. Here is a link to Uplift Protocol. 

Uplift Protocol

Uplift Protocol Question.  

So Uplift Protocol only allows certain humans mainly government leaders to know about aliens and aliens are forbidden from operating openly with humans. They all live in Area 51 and have their own half to stay in which humans are forbidden from going into. So kind of like the Men in Black. But in the story, Jeniffer aka J'ino Ayeer is allowed to marry and have kids with Thomas Murphy who is all in all human. Introducing alien material into the human genome seems like a clear violation and direct interference.

Another moment in the story happens when one of the Bardaxians (a race of sapient dogs) gives Doctor Impossible's corgi a serum in order to uplift Earth dogs. The former situation I could see as an exception since Eliza is mostly passed off as fully human. But this seems like a massive breach of the rules as this is clearly direct interference by an uplifted species on Earth. Which is implied in the story to be an absolute big no-no that can get a person's memory scrambled. 

I hope it is not a rule for thee and not me scenario where aliens actually have free reign but the humans are under restrictions. I doubt that is the case but it seems odd because if the corgi is uplifted obviously she is going to have to keep her state a secret and lie to Doctor Impossible due to the rules of uplift. Most of the characters are in the military so everyone will most likely understand the reasons for secrecy. It just seems cold though she may never be able to fully communicate with her dog now.

Speaking of the rules of uplift there is one other subject I wanted to get to and it's about one of the alien races. Specifically the Typherians.

Typherians 

Typherians are one of the races in Uplift Protocol who shape interstellar policy, they appear similar to humans and have gray eyes. They are also known for psionic abilities ranging from telepathy to matter manipulation. They have odd spines and talk to their children psychically in the womb and are a class 4 species. They are also incredibly smug.

Let me say this is my strictly personal interpretation of the few Typherians that appear in book zero and you're mileage may vary. But as a first impression, baring  J'ino, Typherians radiate an unbearable smugness. Like a nuclear warhead made from snobbery was just unleashed. 

Now I was debating if it was enough to even put into this review. After all, a few sample sizes are not enough to determine an entire race. It's like judging all Turians from the experiences of the First Contact War in Mass Effect. But then I remembered one part of the story and it helped me focus on why I have this feeling of unease when I saw them or at least their leadership.

It was in Issue 22 when Eliza herself got past the barrier the Typherians set up around human space. She rescues some aliens in a damaged ship nearing a black hole. Then the Typherians come around and they memory hole the event. Now in the next part of the Issue the Typherian who did the memory wipe claims reluctance. At first, I was fine with it since she didn't like having to do something distasteful but then I had another thought. Why didn't she just tell Eliza to keep quiet about what she's learned, because Eliza's mother gives her something she shouldn't know but refrains from a memory wipe. 

The Typherian in question is related to Eliza and so would know that Eliza can keep a secret and won't ask questions on sensitive topics. So why did she decide to tamper with her memory anyway when she didn't want to do that. I had two thoughts on the subject either A. She's not actually reluctant about it and is just presenting an affable front or B. She can't do that because the Typherians are playing thought police on Earth and would find that Eliza knows something she shouldn't.

This could be considered an uncharitable interpretation of the facts but the scenario reminded me of something. The Typherians are the Citadel Council, if you have played Mass Effect then you know the Council is not popular. Considering they obstruct your progress and then complain that you didn't complete your missions the approved way. They also nearly prevent you from saving the Citadel when they lock down the Normandy before Ilos thinking they had Saren beaten. 

They had the same smug self-important attitude which the Typherians displayed. Eliza despite being known to them and is apparently an example being used to convince the Uplift Council to give Humanity uplift status still has to have her mind wiped. Frankly, I'm not sure if I actually believe the King of Typha is actually helping and is more likely making sure his agents keep Eliza in check. Don't want to give the puny earthlings ideas above their station as subjects of the Ascendency.

Granted I do not believe this is Fianna's intention and that the text is being honest about everything. But their actions are not congruent with their words and that aside from J'ino they don't actually care about Earth just asserting their authority. Considering they are quick to tamper with the mind, a very intimate part for humans, I find it highly suspect that they have come bearing gifts and wish to help. Plus in one scenario a Typherian Admiral wants to bring Star in to handle some dark matter smuggler, and Doctor Impossible calls her out because she knows another memory wiping would happen. It gives off the impression that the Typherian leadership sees Eliza as a blunt instrument they can do with as they please and even if the humans complain they can brush it off.

I bet that's why the Admiral was so "impressed" that Lorian read the riot act at her. She was caught off guard that one of the peasants managed to talk back to her betters and decided to indulge what she saw as a temper tantrum. Hyperbolic I know and the Admiral swore not to lock away any more memories but I frankly don't trust her to keep her word. Their actions do not promote confidence, considering that despite the fact Eliza saved lives. Because she didn't do it the way the bureaucrats on Typha approved of she gets punished. 

Book 1 may reveal some information that would make my claims baseless and I am completely fine with that. My argument was to explain why I get this feeling of arrogance and condescension whenever I read Typherian characters outside of J'ino. Perhaps I am way too suspicious and jumping to conclusions. But I do remember that sometimes the ancient and powerful races don't have the best interests of everyone at heart. Vorlons anyone?

To wrap things up the Typherians are currently more sus than a game of Among Us. Most likely all of this has good intentions. Protecting humanity from the darkness of the galaxy so we don't jump in blind get hurt and become all hard-edged and xenophobic. But the lengths the Typherians go through in the name of protection give off the tyrant's edge. Always doing everything they can to protect while slowly taking away a person's rights. In this case, it is the right to mental privacy.

This does not hurt my view of the story overall in any way. Uplift Protocol is a good story and maybe there's something I still don't understand. Perhaps maybe some of them agree that what they are doing is shady but can't do anything yet due to the upcoming conflict. Don't want to divide the nation and allow enemy infiltrators to take advantage. I just don't trust the Typheran leadership right now and just them not the entire race.