Chapter One – The New Protocols
Edge Maverick was a lot of things. Young. Headstrong. At times reckless. His childhood friend, Reimi, often called him stupid for his impetuous acts of seeming recklessness, but the truth was, in fact, a far cry from her statements. He possessed a great deal of intelligence. Before his father's death, Arnold Maverick learned his son gained his knowledge by participating. His teachers had also come to the same conclusion. Edge simply played stupid because it somehow had become expected of him, but his motivations for some of the risks he took weren't from a lack of knowledge.
Compassion and empathy motivated him, though those weren't the exact words he'd have used to describe himself. Despite living with the Saionjis for most of his life, Edge Maverick knew what suffering, what it and injustice, looked like.
Which was why Deputy Director Shimada irritated him in ways he couldn't completely identify. He (Edge) sta in the conference room of the Aeos base and listened to the pudgy man drone on about protocols and proceeding on planets with underdeveloped civilizations. Edge tried to keep his expression as neutral as possible during the presentation, but there were times when he found it difficult, and his attention strayed. In addition to Crowe and Captain Grafton, there were three other captains there for this particular debriefing.
'As if he cares,' Edge mused darkly. 'Where was all of this knowledge about Earth's history before we left Moonbase the first time?' He kept his gaze on the screen as Shimada carried on about the perils of interacting with technologically deprived cultures. 'He probably prevented Commander Kenny from putting such protocols into place. Bastard. And he likes to single me out as much as he possibly can, too.'
He did a mental count o who was there in order to keep himself from falling asleep. Bawles had earned the rank of Captain, as had Vaan. It had been because of them that the Aeos base hadn't been completely destroyed by the Phantoms and the Grigori. Edge was certainly quite happy for his friends for their promotions. Of the captains assembled there, however, there was only one Edge didn't know or recognize. Her name was Aphrodite Schmidt, and she was reportedly around the same age as Commander Kenny, having served during the war.
'She doesn't look like she's that old,' Edge mused, taking in her pixie-cut blonde hair, black-rimmed glasses framed around her brown eyes, and her rather unusual looking space suit. It covered almost every inch of her body. 'But then, neither does Commander Kenny. I'm certain Myuria and Reimi both would be jealous of how young she looks.'
The moment he thought of his childhood friend, a wave of nearly uncontrollable wave of anger and irritation coursed through him. He didn't understand why, either, as he'd known Reimi since they were young children. They'd practically grown up together. They had no secrets between them.
'Or so I thought,' he mused, struggling to keep his expression neutral. More so now that Shimada seemed to be looking straight at him. 'I still can't figure out why she kept some things from me. I thought she trusted me with everything . . . what have I ever done to prove that she couldn't trust me?'
The thought of him somehow betraying his best friends' trust gutted him in ways he never thought possible. It hurt him so much, his chest ached when he breathed.
'I don't understand . . . what did I do wrong? Am I really that bad of a friend?'
"That covers the ways we are improving and implementing the UP3 on our end," the director said. "We hope you do your best to abide by the rules set forth. However, it has come to our attention that avoiding interaction with underdeveloped civilizations will not always be possible. That is why we are adding in this provision: Captains, create a distress word or signal to send to your crew for an immediate withdrawal from the planet in question. Use it in any situation where the locals are hostile and especially if you find yourself in a dire situation and your crew's safety is in jeopardy. If you are left behind, your crew is to return to the Aeos base immediately, and Captain Schmidt will take over in your stead. If we can find a way to safely recover you, we shal do our best to do sol. Lieutenant Heinz has personally selected the crew members designated with ensuring the ships and your crew return safely in the event of your capture or your death."
"One question," Captain Schmidt stated. "Just because I wish to be clear on this . . . how will it be determined whether or not a retrieval will be necessary?"
"We are working with the Morphus on our unmanned drones," Shimada replied. "Sending in the drones will assist, along with the reports provided by the crew members. We simply require a stealth factor that we haven't quite managed to create just yet."
"Isn't that a little advanced for us?" Edge inquired.
"The idea has been tossed around by our own scientists and engineers, Captain Maverick. I've spoken personally with Mr. Vandione. The Morphus never considered the possibility. Any further questions?" He sounded far too smug for Edge's liking. His gaze landed on Edge, as if to somehow challenge him.
Edge simply raised his hand and said, "I have one, Deputy Director. When will we receive our next exploration assignments?" He knew the other man wanted more, a reason to start berating Edge in front of the others, but Edge refused to give him any kind of satisfaction like that. Plus, he was quite curious as to when they'd be leaving Aeos. The desire to be amongst the stars burned throughout him.
"That I do not know," the pudgy man confessed. "Those are in the hands of Commander Kenny, and, last I knew, he was still reviewing the latest round of information. While I know where I want each crew to go, he actually has final say in the matter, and, since the incidents on Lemuris and Roak, he's been quite meticulous in going over all new information. I am hoping that it will be sooner rather than later. He or his assistant should be reaching out to you soon. Over and out."
The screen went blank. The lights in the conference room flicked back on, and Edge exhaled. Whether it was in relief or frustration or both, he wasn't quire sure.
"You okay?" Captain Schmidt asked him as she stood up. "You look . . . overwhelmed."
"I'm fine," he replied, grabbing his tablet from the table. He stood up as well. "I'm just not thrilled over the prospect of having to land on underdeveloped planets. That's all."
"That's understandable," Captain Schmidt agreed. "I have several family members who would definitely agree with you. However, it's like Director Shimada said. There will be times when it will be unavoidable." She offered him an apologetic smile. "It's my fault, really. I read your statements on the Grigori, and I said something to Commander Kenny and Director Shimada about it. We don't want to interfere with a planet's natural technological progression . . ."
"But we do want to make sure we can eliminate the Grigori or Grigori-like threats whenever we possibly can," Edge said slowly and in understanding. "That . . . makes sense."
"Hey, Edge," Crowe said, popping up to his right. "It looks like there's a delay from Moonbase to here. None of us have any messages from Lieutenant Heinz just yet, and it looks like every member of our crews is in the mess hall. We should introduce Captain Schmidt to them, so they know what to expect. By the way, I'm Crowe F. Almedio, and, as you already know, this is Edge Maverick."
"A pleasure to finally meet the two of you. Sounds like a plan to me," she agreed. "Let's go."
"How do you know there's a delay?" Edge asked as they set out for the mess hall.
"I don't, really," Crowe confessed. He slung an arm over Edge's shoulders, much to his annoyance. "I just checked my messages for the one from Lieutenant Heinz about my selected crew member. It isn't there yet, and Heinz is usually quite prompt about such things. I'm just guessing that there's a delay. By the way, Captain Schmidt, your outfit isn't quite SRF issue. What's up with that?"
"Says the man not wearing the same thing as the rest of the captains," she remarked casually. Edge fought back a smirk. "It's a prototype based off of something my grandmother wrote in one of her novels."
"A novel?" Crowe blinked in disbelief. "You read it in a romance novel?"
"She wrote science-fiction and fantasy, actually," Captain Schmidt replied with a shake of her head. "I thought you'd at least be above stereotypes and misogyny here."
"He is," Edge replied, jabbing Crowe in the side with his elbow "He's just being . . ." He paused, the word "stupid" dangling on the tip of his tongue. "Forgetful. That's all. We didn't always have the luxury for leisure reading when we were in training."
'I almost sounded like Reimi there for a moment. God, what is wrong with me?'
"I suppose that makes sense," she murmured. "Anyway, yes, I read about it in a book, and, as I said, it's just a prototype. The material is strong enough to prevent bugs from biting me yet also adjusts to the environment I'm in. Like here, if I go outside, I stay cool, but if I go somewhere cold . . ."
"You stay warm," Edge finished. "That's actually quite amazing."
"It also keeps track of my vitals so a medical officer can keep track of any injuries I sustain for whatever reason," she added as they entered the mess hall. "There are some bugs to be worked out yet, but I hope to present this to the U.S.T.A. before too much longer."
"Let me know if they want another test subject," Edge said, definitely impressed. "I'd love to –"
"Edge!" Reimi's angry voice rose above the din of the mess hall. He looked for her, almost in a panic, but didn't quite see her just yet. Crowe hadn't been kidding when he said every crew member was there. Reimi appeared after shoving several of their fellow SRF members out of her way. "Just what do you think you're doing?"
His stomach lurched at her angry expression, and his shoulders tightened like they did just before a battle. He squared his shoulders and met her angry, jealous gaze. Edge then glanced around the room at all of the assembled exploration crews.
"I think," he said to Reimi, "that my fellow captains and I just came from a debriefing with Deputy Director Shimada. We have some new protocols in place." A collective groan rose from everyone there, but Reimi appeared hardly impressed.
"He's right," Captain Schmidt added. "The other captains and I are here to brief you on what these new protocols are."
"And who are you?" Reimi demanded, folding her arms across her chest.
"Captain Aphrodite Schmidt," Captain Grafton supplied, walking up behind them. "She's part of the new protocols being implemented from Moonbase."
Everyone there glanced around the room and at each other, confusion and curiosity evident. Reimi narrowed her eyes, and Edge's stomach rolled with nausea.
'This doesn't bode well at all,' he realized.
"And how's that, sir?" Faize inquired. He was one of the ones closest to the front – his crew often was.
"It has come to our attention that avoiding underdeveloped planets isn't going to be as possible as we'd like," Captain Grafton explained. "Please see your tablets for verification, as you are to agree with what I have to say next . . . in the event your captain is captured and he has given the command, the crew is to return to Aeos where Captain Schmidt will take over either until another replacement can be brought here, or until Moonbase determines we can recover the lost captain"
Silence descended over the room. Edge surveyed all of the faces of his friends and colleagues. Most were shocked by this revelation, and he could hardly blame them. They'd all fought together to survive against one of the most dangerous threats in the universe. They'd gotten this far. To leave anyone behind was both unthinkable and unimaginable.
Reim's face contorted into anger within moments of the words leaving Captain Grafton's mouth. She crossed her arms and said, "That's crazy talk, Captain Grafton. We wouldn't ever leave one of our own behind."
"We realize that this is a difficult protocol to put into place," Captain Grafton replied. "There was a lot of resistance in the U.S.T.A. council meeting over the concept, but the protocol had to be adopted." He paused then added, "We risked losing the support of the Delacroix-Schmidt Foundation if we didn't. The argument is if we lose the entire crew for the sake of one, we risk destroying an entire civilization if they get their hands on our technology. As we've lived through a rather harrowing extinction level event, it stands to reason we do everything we can to ensure such a thing doesn't happen again. Whether any of us likes it or not, those new protocols are here to stay. Does anyone else have any objections?"
"I have a question, if I may," Bacchus claimed. The metal Morphus man walked to the front of the assembled group. "How are we to know if our captain is to be left behind?"
"The captain of each ship is come up with a distress word in the event he, or she, finds themselves in a situation or on a planet where it's simply too dangerous for the crew to remain. The distress word is given to the crew member selected by Lieutenant Heinz and approved by both Commander Kenny and Deputy Director Shimada. Once that crew member is given that word, they are to leave immediately and report back to Aeos. If it is possible to retrieve the captain, or even the abandoned crew member, a rescue mission will take place."
"Who will be chosen?" Faize asked.
"We haven't been notified yet," Crowe explained. To Edge, his friend's voice took on a considerably chilled tone when addressing the Eldarian, and he frowned. Both were his best friends. He thought whatever issues they'd had had been worked on. "I believe there's been a delay between here and Moonbase."
"Chances are, it'll be the First Officer of each ship," Captain Grafton added.
In that moment, Edge's heart plummeted and left him sick to his stomach. It wasn't because his First Officer was incompetent. Far from it. Reimi had proven herself to be quite capable at leading when Edge had refused to step up after the incident with Milla Bachtein, but he also recalled how, when they'd finally defeated that last Grigori and saved Faize, she ignored their crew's safety in favor of him. Myuria and Arumat had been the ones to step up then, and Arumat now had a crew of his own, heading up the Eldarians who didn't want to immigrate to Lemuris. If he was the one who would need to be left behind, he wanted to be sure he had someone else keeping the crew's safety in mind as well.
'And Captain Grafton is right. The First Officer is the only one who makes sense in a situation like this.'
Around them, the assembled crews shifted and started talking amongst themselves. Captain Grafton continued with, "As much as it's going to be difficult to leave even a single person behind, once the captain of your ship gives that designated distress word, the crew is to get to their ship as fast as possible, if they're not already there, and they are to leave immediately. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir," came the half-hearted replies.
"It isn't just about our people," Edge stated. His heart ached for his friends. It truly did, but Captain Schmidt's words about the Grigori reminded him of why he'd put his foot down on further space exploration and with interfering with planets with developing civilizations until the UP3 went into effect. "This isn't just about our home, either. It's about making sure we never have to face another Grigori threat ever again. It's about making sure places like Roak and Lemuris aren't destroyed because we happened to be there and were careless and stupid in how we treat their people. The people on underdeveloped planets deserve to live their lives in peace, without our interference. If this new protocol is what it takes to ensure that as we make sure the Grigori don't ever return . . ." He gazed at everyone there. "I'll make that call without hesitation. I won't like it. It'll mean I get left behind or one of my crew does, but I'll still make it."
Those who survived the Grigori attacks on Aeos nodded their agreement, their expressions grim and haunted. Crowe stepped forward, nearly shoulder to shoulder with Edge.
"I won't like it, either," he said, "but I agree and stand with Captain Maverick on this one. The Grigori are a nightmare we don't want to repeat. If the environment becomes a detriment, if the word is given," and he exhaled, "we need to leave."
"Unmanned drones will be sent in to determine whether or not retrieval will be possible," Captain Schmidt added. If she was going to add more, she didn't get the opportunity. The tablets for the captains sounded off a notification. Edge glanced at his to find out for what, and his heart leapt into his throat.
It was an official email from Deputy Director Shimada, Commander Kenny, and Lieutenant Heinz addressed solely to him. The subject line read: NEW PROTOCOL. PUT INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
"And here it is," Crowe said. "Figured there was a delay."
"Then each crew should return to their ships," Captain Grafton said. "Captains, read your emails there and be sure your ships have passed all safety inspections, have received proper maintenance, and are fully supplied. You'll be leaving for your next missions soon. Dismissed."
Everyone saluted and dispersed. Edge waited as all but The Calnus crew headed for their respective ships. Crowe hung back for a moment then nudged him gently in the shoulder.
"If you need to talk about anything, let me know," he said softly. "I'll see you soon."
"Yeah," Edge murmured. "Later." To his crew, he said, "Let's go. We have our orders."
"You can't be seriously agreeing with an order like that, Edge," Reimi said. "That isn't like you."
"I won't want to leave anyone behind," he said, his gaze focused on the corridor leading to the hangar bay, "but I also don't want my crew dead because of me, Reimi. That isn't the point of all of this."
"Then we'll find a way around it," she began. He cut her off.
"It's my hope that we'll be able to avoid planets like Roak for as long as possible," he said. "This protocol is in the event the council suspects Grigori activity. Nothing more and nothing less. If it does happen, if I give the word, the crew is to leave me behind and get to safety. Anything else will be . . . something I can't even bear to think upon. Do I make myself clear?"
She appeared taken aback by his words, like she hadn't expected him to this compliant with something coming from Deputy Director Shimada. Normally, he wouldn't, but it was the one thing the man had come up with that Edge actually agreed with and supported. That never happened! Then her eyes flashed with her anger.
"Of course," she replied stiffly. "Whatever you say, Edge."
He recognized her body language and her one as he often did for what was to happen next: the silent treatment, the passive-aggressiveness until he yielded, consequences be damned.
"Let's go. We have to get ready," he said, his tone as stiff and cool as hers. He resumed walking to The Calnus, intent on not budging his stance.
"Are you sure you should be antagonizing him like that?" he heard Myuria ask Reimi in a soft voice. "This doesn't sound like any of us have a choice in the matter, and it certainly doesn't sound like a situation anyone wants to be in, let alone him."
"He's just being stupid," Reimi muttered. "He'll see that I'm right, and we can find a way to work around that protocol without losing anyone. Once we do, we can present it to the council and get it lifted. Just give him some time to see reason. You'll see."
Edge closed his eyes and felt a part of him die at her words. Another part of him feared she'd be right . . . and he'd have a dead crew in the end as a result.
Once on the ship and in the captain's chair, Edge opened the email.
Captain Maverick,
I am personally writing to inform you that the reason for the delay in sending out this directive is largely due to your crew. Please do not take this as a mark against your crew. While effective in its weird way, it is not lost on us at Moonbase that your crew is also the most unorthodox in the entire S.R.F. fleet. We are also aware that your First Officer, Reimi Saionji, is a childhood friend of yours, and that has raised some concerns regarding the new protocol we unfortunately have to put into place as of yesterday.
In order for this protocol to work, all emotional attachments must be, for lack of a better term, cast aside when facing the greater scheme in space exploration. Emotional attachment clouds judgment and threatens the integrity of our space exploration efforts. While competent in her duties and in her own right, based on several reports and personal observations, First Officer Saionji has a vote of zero confidence in carrying out this new protocol from myself, Commander Kenny, and Deputy Director Shimada. We realize that this may not be what you want to hear, but, since the incidents with Grigori on Lemuris, Cardianon, En II, and Nox Obscurus, we feel we have no other choice in the matter. We are skipping over First Officer Saionji for carrying out this protocol. The one we feel best capable of carrying out this new directive is your engineering officer, Bacchus D79 of the Morphus. Please confer with him at your earliest convenience. When you have done so, reply back to receive your next mission briefing.
Signed,
Lieutenant Ethan Heinz
Moonbase Commander Stephen D. Kenny
Deputy Director Raymond Shimada
"Bacchus?" Edge managed to say amidst his shock and relief. He couldn't believe what he was reading, even as he started it for a second and third time.
"Yes, Mr. Edge?"
"May I have a word with you in private?"
Author's Notes: Just getting warmed up here. No, I'm not a fan of Reimi Saionji. Most of my portrayal here is as canonical as possible. Yes, she's called Edge stupid. Yes, after defeating Sataniel, she worries more about Edge making it to safety than the rest of the crew, which was left in the hands of Myuria and Arumat. Her first reaction upon seeing Edge alive after that last boss fight was to slap him across the face, like how dare you make me worry about you like that. Edge/Reimi is the most problematic canon relationship in the entire Star Ocean universe.
Anyway, about the chapter . . . I got nothing. It's set up for the devastating things to come.
Enjoy!
