Person of the Year
Captain Jane Reed

Time’s 2067 Person of the Year is famed war hero Captain Jane Reed.Captain Reed is a household name after her daring rescue of the Olympus colony on Ceres and unveiling of shocking, widespread  corruption throughout the American military. Her bravery, skill, and heroics have earned her multiple medals, along with the Predator squad she leads, and the highest honor Times Magazine can award her. Our reporter met up with her to hear all about her.

Q: So what’s it like, seeing your face on the cover?
A: Well, I haven’t actually seen the cover yet. I hope they got my good side (laughs). But, uh, I never expected this, honestly. I’m not- I didn’t see myself here, ever. But it’s such an honor.., and, but I really don’t deserve it.

Q: You don’t deserve it? You’re a hero-you saved countless lives. I mean, you probably deserve more.
A: No, no, really. I was just doing my job. I get paid, you know, to save lives. The real heroes, they’re the people, that, uh feed the homeless, or organize marches, or whatever. The things they do for no reward, just because it’s the right thing. They deserve it.

Q: I doubt suicide missions are in your contract. And you went rogue to do it, which I’m sure isn’t in your contract.
A: Maybe, but everyone in the military does the same thing. I mean, I might… push the envelope a bit, but I’m just doing the same thing they do. They should be on the cover with me, because they deserve it just as much.

Q:(laughs) Have you always been so humble?
A: You should’ve seen me as a kid. No, it’s learned. My parents beat it into me (laughs). I wanted to be a hero so bad when I was little-like everyone else, I guess- and I always saw myself stopping wars singlehandedly or saving the day through some amazing feat. Which isn’t what my job is-honestly, it’s mostly paperwork and sitting around (laughs). I didn’t realize that I’d need help, people to watch my back and do the things I can’t. And when you join up (pauses), you’re already a hero. Every soldier, every pilot, every marine-they’re all heroes. I mean, my squad did the same thing I did, and they deserve this award too.

Q: Can you tell us about your them?
A: They’re amazing. I’m so lucky to work with them-they’re family, practically. They all do their jobs extraordinarily well and I’m just glad they had my back, cause I’d be dead without them.

Q: You’re squad isn’t exactly regulation, right?
A: No, we’re a mix between the different branches. I’m airforce, Clem (Sergeant Major Clementine Stevens) is army, and Ace (Corporal Ace Tadaaki)  is in the marine corps. They’re great, though we didn’t always work so well.

Q: What do you mean by that?
A: Well, let’s just say that a good fistfight and a bar fixed that (laughs). And that’s all I’ll say!

Q: Okay, okay. Though it sounds like a great story. Like’s talk more about you, then. Did you always want to join the airforce?
A: To the eternal embarrassment of my parents. They’re Army, and there’s a real rivalry between the two. But, yeah, I always knew I was going to join up. It was just a given, since it was all I knew. I was an army brat, and most of us join up. Though I didn’t always want to join the airforce.

Q: What made you decide to join the Air Force and not the Army?
A: One of the times we were unpacking after a move, I found my mom’s old Captain Marvel comics. Which, I know, sounds super geeky. But Captain Marvel was a pilot, and she was my hero. And I fell in love with flying, later. Once they announced that the Air Force would be in charge of any military space missions-well, that was all I needed.

Q: That’s not that geeky. I always loved Captain America, myself (both laugh). Was it hard, growing up an “army brat”?
A: In a lot of ways, it sucked. We were always moving- I’ve lived in 15 different states and 3 countries- and I never had a chance to make many friends. And my parents were often away-my father served in the Middle East for a couple tours when I was really little and my mom worked long hours as a Colonel. But I knew their jobs were important, and that they loved me. So it wasn’t the best, but I wouldn’t change it.

Q: Were they upset, when you joined up?
A: I think they always knew it was going to happen, and they never tried to stop me. My mom used to say I was the most stubborn person she knew, and that once I set my mind on something I’d do it no matter what. So, I think they might not have been too happy- no one’s happy when sending a loved one into a dangerous job like the military- but they always supported my decision. And it would have been hypocritical not to.

Q: What did they say when they heard about your mission?
A: They were really proud-my mom called me as soon as she found out, and they threw me a huge going away party. They knew how much I wanted the mission. But it was a surprise- I’d just been promoted to captain, and given command of Hawk squad. And after, when they heard I’d gone AWOL I’m sure they were worried, though we didn’t have communications then. When I got home (pauses) there was a lot of yelling. They were proud, but not too happy I’d put myself in such danger. In the end, though, they know that's the job.

Q: What was your reaction, when you found out you were going?
A: (pauses) It was- it was the best feeling. I couldn’t believe we were really going to Ceres. I’d uh, been to Mars but not to… never anything like this. It was completely new, new horizons, new sights, new adventures. Of course, I was terrified too. We’d be all on our own, and no one really knew what to expect. And then… then came the day to leave. We stepped on the Explorer, and-(gets quiet) it was real. It felt like… like the beginning of a new age, I guess.

Q: What was the Olympus colony like, when you got there?
A: It was a mess. Which makes sense- we were on the second transport, so they only had time to set up basic life support and a couple buildings. We actually ended up helping with some of the construction, putting up walls and stuff. That was a new experience. We got to see the colony grow and come into its own.

Q: What were the particulars of your mission, exactly?
A: We were in charge of defense, which included setting up the defense grid and teaching the scientists how to defend themselves and the colony. Of course, it was all just supposed to be a precaution, no one expected us to need it.

Q: What was it like when you did need it- when the colony came under attack?
A: It was a cluster****. They knew when to hit us. The rest of the security squad was on the next transport. (Pauses) we weren't ready. And we paid for it. Lost good people.

Q: You lost a member of your own squad in the attack, and that’s what pushed you to go off on your own?
A: (pauses) Rus (Lieutenant Rus Galen). Yeah, he died saving a group of scientists. But, it wasn’t-not just his death. It was the corruption too, which I’m, uh, not supposed to talk about. Classified. But he didn’t...he shouldn’t have died. The colony never should have come under attack, and that’s part of why we went AWOL. To protect Olympus and figure out who was the leak. And to, um, to get revenge, which I’m not proud of.

Q: What was he like?
A: Rus was our medic. And he seemed to think that he was our nursemaid, too (laughs). He would pester us if we didn’t get enough sleep or skipped a meal. He wasn’t what you’d expect in a soldier, either. He told the worst jokes-awful puns. You wouldn’t believe how awful (laughs). He was a great soldier and a better person.

Q: Let’s move to something a little more cheerful, now. What do you plan to do since you’re no longer stationed on the colony?
A: I’ve got leave for the next six months. Which is awful, because I’m miserable when I’m not working. And they’ve got some press stuff for me to do, and teaching at the military academies. I have no idea why (laughs). And then, hopefully, they’ll send us back to work.

Q: I think that’s it, Captain. Is there anything else you want to say?
A: Just that everyone should remember the people who do the same work I do without the recognition. I might be on the cover of Time, but there’s people around you who deserve the award just as much, or more, than I do.