Project Hope (フォーチュンベイビー計画, Fōchun Beibī Keikaku?, lit. Fortune Baby Plan) was a scientific project that took place on Earth, which consisted in the genetic manipulation of humans in an attempt to adapt to harsh environmental conditions in the aftermath of World War III.
Story[]
In A.D. 2072, an environmental research team led by Dr. Arnold Maverick discovered a sarcophagus that belonged to an ancient civilization, the Muah, from approximately 12,000 years ago. DNA samples taken from it revealed a lost genome, one that has no counterpart in modern humans. Later studies by Dr. Saionji's group found that combining this genome with dormant portions of the modern human genome could produce a race of people highly resistant and adaptable to harsh environments.
Since normal humans could not survive on Earth's contaminated surface and thus faced likely extinction, the World Republic Federation government saw the potential to save mankind in these findings. In a truly desperate gambit, they authorized the so-called "Project Hope", which would see the combination between the DNA of their ancestors with that of current humans. Conducted on a top-secret basis, the project was carried out through the cooperation of Dr. Saionji, Dr. Maverick, and the Almedio conglomerate.
The project produced a group of superhuman babies called the Seeds of Hope (フォーチュンベイビー, Fōchun Beibī?). The humans that were created through Project Hope could use superhuman abilities whenever they had a strong emotion. By S.D. 10 however, there were only three survivors of Project Hope, the children of the project's benefactors—Edge Maverick, Reimi Saionji and Crowe F. Almedio.
Survivors[]
- Edge Maverick
Edge's abilities include instantaneous analytical perception (likely the reason why he tends to shoot first and ask questions later), resistance to the effects of harsh environments, and the ability to use symbology. His proficiency with swords, but ineptitude with guns, is in large part due to his gifts: because of the time lag involved with aiming at and striking a target, his instantaneous perception often leads to accidental misjudgment.
The crest on the back of his hand is a sign that his unique DNA powers have activated, oftentimes as a direct response to an emotional situation, and is unable to control this "awakening" at will. As seen in a cutscene during the final boss fight, Edge's power could be connected to the power of life itself: Edge reaches out for a "light" while the party is stuck in the other dimension, and triggers his special power showing a connection between his power and the power of life.
- Reimi Saionji
The environmental adaptation and cell-regeneration abilities Reimi developed allow her to be able to survive in any environment and survive any disease. However, due to a traumatic incident in her childhood dealing with said powers, she grew to curse her own existence. This perception of herself only started to change after the encounter with Kokabiel. Reimi's crest is on the back of her neck, as seen in Star Ocean: Anamnesis.
- Crowe F. Almedio
Crowe's abilities have never been described properly but according to some PA's between Edge and Reimi, Crowe had always been the best among all, indicating he is very quick learner and very inteligent. He is also likely to be physicaly stronger than the others, as during the harsh battle of Nox Obscurus he remained the sole survivor of the entire SRF-001 Aquila crew. Furthemore, he was able to survive certain death during his suicidal attack on Obscurus' big dragon protector.
Trivia[]
- Reimi's power is referenced in Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, as her Trust Master is an equippable passive ability called "Seed of Hope". It gives HP and resistance to the game's status ailments.