Edward Simms

Vice Admiral Edward James Simms (service number 30316-84521-ES) is an American serviceman of the USC Navy, holding the rank of Vice Admiral. Aside from his extremely decorated military career which saw him through the Jovian Conflicts of 2687 and the Second Energy War of 2695 - 2700, Simms was the head of the Office of Space Intelligence's Section Three division. In 2720, Simms personally oversaw the USC's H5 Project to create a newer, more advanced interceptor fighter for use in the war against the Arabic Republic.
In 2686, Simms was engaged to be married to the love of his life, Bethany Luther. Simms wanted nothing more than to spend every day with her, but tragically Bethany was taken away too soon after she was shot dead during a jewelry store robbery. Her death hit Simms hard and he never truly moved on.

Appearance

Edward Simms, despite his age, is a man who takes great pride in his physical appearance and maintains an excellent level of fitness. Standing at 5'11" and weighing 210 pounds, Simms has a well-proportioned muscular build. He has a broad chest, defined arms, and a strong jawline.
Simms has dark black hair that is now starting to show some streaks of white, giving him a distinguished look. He keeps it neatly trimmed and styled in a military cut. His skin is fair, with some wrinkles and age spots starting to appear. His most striking feature are his light blue eyes that seem to pierce through anyone who meets his gaze. They are often described as intense and commanding, reflecting his strong personality and determination.
Simms takes great pride in maintaining a clean-shaven appearance, ensuring that he always looks sharp and professional. Despite his age, he shows no signs of slowing down or letting himself go. However, despite his physical fitness, Simms is not immune to the effects of aging. He suffers from arthritis, which can sometimes slow him down and cause discomfort. But he refuses to let this hinder him from fulfilling his duties.
Prior to being deployed to New Earth during the onset of the Human-Hivivian War, Simms received some bad news from his doctor back on Mars, lymphoma - stage 4, terminal. The news was never disclosed at Simms' request to keep it confidential until he could formally give his resignation to Fleet Admiral and USC Chairman, Martin Gains.

Attire and personal effects

As a high-ranking officer in the United Space Command Navy, Admiral Simms is almost always seen in his standard service uniform. This consists of a deep off-white jacket with epaulettes on the shoulders, displaying his rank of Vice Admiral. The jacket also features four gold buttons down the front and two on each cuff. On the left breast, Simms wears various service ribbons denoting his accomplishments and achievements throughout his military career. His slacks are black with a yellow stripe running down the side. They are tailored to fit perfectly and are always neatly pressed. He pairs this with a pair of shiny black dress shoes that are also kept in impeccable condition.
In more casual settings, Simms can often be seen wearing a black sweater vest over a white collared shirt. This is still considered a formal look for him, but it gives him a bit more comfort and flexibility for personal time.
For official meetings or ceremonies, Simms dons his dress whites, which consists of a white jacket with gold buttons and epaulettes indicating his rank. The jacket is adorned with various medals that he has earned throughout his military career. He wears matching white slacks along with shiny black dress shoes. A nameplate is also present on the right side of his chest, displaying his name and rank.
Aside from his uniform, Simms usually carries two personal effects with him at all times: a pocket watch that was given to him by his father when he graduated from the Naval Academy, and a silver ring that was passed down to him from his grandfather. Both items hold sentimental value for Simms and serve as reminders of where he came from and what he has achieved so far in life.
Even off-duty or while at home on Mars or New Earth, Simms maintains a professional appearance at all times. He believes that as an officer in the USC Navy, he must set an example for those under his command and represent the United Space Command with dignity and pride. As far as firearms are concerned, Simms only carries a G47C magnum handgun with a smart-linked scope and voice-activated trigger safety, and though he doesn’t see direct combat anymore, Simms does prefer the A475 Designated Marksman Rifle with a custom finish and smart-linked scope.

Biography

Early life and education

Edward James Simms was born on the 12th of May, 2655 to Navy Commander John Simms the Third and Navy Captain Susan Conner. Simms grew up on the independent colony of Mars within the American Zone on the outskirts of Deimos City. As a child, Simms was always actively constructing a variety of new innovations of life-sized aviation models with his first being a one manned, ten-foot-long plane. It was this model that Simms used in the designs of the USC’s prototype H5 interceptor fighter he helped on more than forty years later.

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Naval service and boot camp

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Recruitment by OSI

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Protégé, Leslie Andrews

Main Article: Leslie Andrews

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Jovian Conflict of 2687

During the early stages of the Jovian Conflict after the USC’s involvement, Simms commanded the USC Honor Grace battleship as well as several groundside units. Most of his engagements both in orbit and on the ground were all quite successful with Simms’ units receiving very little casualties. However, that all shifted slightly after Simms got an emergency distress signal from the UNF’s industrial colony of Enceladus.

Battle of Enceladus

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Capture/Imprisonment/Rescue

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Second Energy War

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Battle of Washington

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Becoming Head of OSI Section 3

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Development of the H5 fighter

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Arabic Republic attack on Harmony

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Human-Hivivian War

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Siege of New Earth

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Reputation

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Awards and decorations

Bronze Star

Silver Star

Jovian Conflict Service Medel

Second Energy War Service Medal

Navy Cross

Navy Distinguished Service Medal

Combat Action Ribbon

Navy and Marine Corps Interplanetary Service Ribbon

Planetary War on Terror Service Medal

Prisoner of War Medal

Commands

USC Honor Grace (2688 – 2691)
USC/OSI Stealth Fox (2697)
USC Gilded Knight (2725; last command)

Personal life

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Family and relations

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Personality & Traits

Edward Simms is a man of steadfast resilience and decorous demeanor. Imbued with an iron will that has been hardened through decades of military service, he exhibits exceptional strength both physically and mentally. Despite the countless battles and atrocities he's witnessed, Simms maintains a measured and calculated demeanor.
He is deeply loyal to the USC and his crew, often putting their well-being above his own. His commanding presence inspires confidence in his subordinates, making him a natural leader who retains the respect and trust of those who serve under him.
A brilliant strategist with an analytical mind, Simms is known for his ability to think clearly under pressure. His tactical acumen and problem-solving skills have lead the USC through countless victorious battles against formidable enemies. However, underneath this strong exterior lies a grieving man who still mourns the tragic death of his beloved Bethany. He lives with a guilt that he was unable to protect her and seeks salvation by protecting others from the very horrors that had stolen her away from him. This tragedy steeled his resolve and fueled his dedication to the USC, turning him into the formidable force he is today, however, he never truly recovered from Bethany’s loss.

Political Views

Simms has consistently shown himself as a staunch believer in the ideals of democracy and freedom. He believes that every individual, regardless of their race or origin, deserves the right to self-governance. Although his loyalty to the United Space Command never wavers, he has been vocal about the need for reforms within the institution, advocating for greater transparency and accountability. He is particularly critical of any form of authoritarian rule and has shown a keen interest in restoring balance within governing systems, seeking ways to combat corruption and nepotism.
Simms is also a strong advocate for veterans' rights and welfare. Having seen firsthand the toll war can take on servicemen and women, he believes it's the government's duty to provide comprehensive support for those returning from service. This extends to mental health services, a subject he is passionate about due to his own struggles with grief and trauma. In regard to interplanetary relations, Simms encourages peaceful diplomacy but firmly believes in maintaining a strong military presence to safeguard against potential threats. He calls for collaboration among allied planets to ensure mutual security and prosperity. Despite holding anti-authoritarian views, Simms understands the importance of being prepared for conflict and supports responsible defense spending.
While a believer in the advancement of technology, he also holds a cautious stance on complete dependency on Artificial Intelligence. Having seen the potential misuse of such tech in warfare, Simms stresses the need for stricter regulations to prevent potential catastrophes.

Hobbies and Interests

Simms doesn’t have much in the way of casual hobbies as the military is his life. However, he is known to have a deep interest in astrophysics and aeromechanics, spending time poring over research and analysis reports or working on the development of more advanced spacecraft concepts. His love for aviation began in childhood with the construction of life-sized models, a pastime that he occasionally indulges in to this day when time permits, albeit on a smaller and more detailed scale. These intricate models often serve as prototypes for new designs and innovations, proving Simms' commitment not just to military service but also to the advancement of aerospace technology.
Another interest of Simms is history, more precisely military history. He has an impressive collection of books and memorabilia from various military campaigns across human history and other sentient species. His historical knowledge has often come in handy while formulating strategies during war times, providing him with insights on how battles have been won and lost throughout the centuries.

Biographical Information

Homeworld

Mars

Born

May 12, 2655; Deimos City, Mars (age 69)

Personal Details

Race

Human

Gender

Male

Parents

John Simms III (father)

Susan Conner (mother)

Spouse

Bethany Luther (girlfriend; 2680-2686)

Children

Elizabeth Luther (estranged daughter)

Height

5' 11"

Weight

210 lb.

Hair color

Black with a little white

Skin color

white

Eye color

light blue

Religion

Christian (Baptist)

Military Information

Affiliation

United Space Command Navy

Office of Space Intelligence

Rank

Admiral (USC Navy)

Former Head of OSI Section Three

Vice-Chairman of the USC Security Council

Vice-Commander of the United Space Command

Service

2675 - present

Service number

30316-84521-ES