History Main / MissionControl

* HotScientist and/or HotLibrarian

* ''VideoGame/XCOMEnemyUnknown'' features Central Officer Bradford, the player's NumberTwo, in this role, as he walks the player through the tutorial and offers commentary on new developments in the field. [[HotScientist Dr. Vahlen]] and [[TheEngineer Dr. Shen]] occasionally chime in as well.

* Crystal Kane from ''WesternAnimation/{{Centurions}}''. HotScientist, and was pined after by womanizing Ace [=McCloud=]. Also had an impersonator moment, by her own clone.

* Occasionally Director Jenny Shephard for Tony during the "Le Grenouille" arc of ''Series/{{NCIS}}''. Gibbs sometimes does this with his team as well. More often it's [=McGee=] operating out of MTAC.

** ''All the time''. Really, if there's an activated tower, the chances are almost 50/50 that XANA is trying to attack either Aelita or Jeremie. ([[RunningGag Or Yumi]].)

* For one portion of the game in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel III'', [[TheHero Rean]], who normally joins his students navigating through the Einhell Fortress, ends up being the mission control for his students while they navigate through the fortress as a test for his students. And in ''Cold Steel IV'', [[TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsFromZeroAndTrailsToAzure Tio]] and Elise end up being the mission control for the Thors II staff and students as they navigate [[spoiler:the Einhell Fortress' Level X.]]

** The expansion pack, ''Resurrection of Evil'' has Doctor McNeil in place of Sergeant Kelly.

* Creator/SethGreen's character [[AcePilot Jeff "Joker" Moreau]] in ''Franchise/MassEffect'' serves as this in several missions. The sequel also has [=EDI=].
** Played with for EDI in VideoGame/MassEffect3 ; she will act as this from the ship, or instead bring her with you (in her new RobotGirl form). Same goes for [[TheSmartGuy Liara]].

* In ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'', Vic, who is with mission control, turns out to be mission control ''for both sides''.

** After [[spoiler:Cap'n Cuttlefish is squidnapped in ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}'']], the mysterious Agents 1 and 2 fill in for him to help you rescue both the captain and the Great Zapfish. It's very clear that they're [[PaperThinDisguise the Squid Sisters in disguise.]]

* ''VideoGame/Splatoon2'': The ''Octo Expansion'' DLC campaign has Pearl and Marina (using the pseudonyms [[Music/TheNotoriousBIG MC Princess]] and [[Music/TupacShakur DJ_Hyperfresh]]), as well as Cap'n Cuttlefish (using his real name Craig) serve as this for the Octoling protagonist. It also ties into the campaign's MercyMode: if you game over twice on a stage, [[SlidingScaleOfGameplayAndStoryIntegration Marina will hack the system]] so that Kamabo Co. believes you passed the test anyway, allowing you to skip the level (though doing so [[EasyModeMockery doesn't restore the protagonist's memories]]).

* Two in ''Manga/{{X1999}}'': for the Dragons of Heaven (those chosen to save the world), the [[IllGirl crippled, blind]] [[DreamWeaver dream seer]] Hinoto guides them, while for the Dragons of Earth (chosen to destroy the world), Hinoto's younger sister Kanoe guides them.

* David Bowie's "Space Oddity" has Ground Control communicating to Major Tom before blastoff, after, and before his spacewalk--where communiction is suddenly cut off.

* [[VoiceOfTheLegion The Administrator]] of Wiki/TVTropes, as depicted in ''WebVideo/EchoChamber'', [[TheUnseen is only ever seen remotely]], through a large monitor at the top of a room. From... wherever he is, he issues orders and ultimatums to the team creating his "Trope Of The Week" videos.

* The Mayor on ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' has a direct line to the girls from his office. He usually calls if it's serious, but once in awhile it'll be for something quite mundane, like opening a pickle jar.

* Barbara Gordon, alias Comicbook/{{Batgirl}}, helped out many of the superheroes in Gotham City and around the world when she was ComicBook/{{Oracle}}, since she was shot and paralyzed by the Joker in ''Franchise/{{Batman}}: ComicBook/TheKillingJoke''. However, she most often served as actual Mission Control for Comicbook/BlackCanary, Comicbook/{{Huntress}}, and even Comicbook/{{Catwoman}} in the ''ComicBook/BirdsOfPrey'' comic. She also served as Mission Control for other heroes like Comicbook/{{Supergirl}}, [[ComicBook/Batgirl2000 Cassandra Cain]] and [[ComicBook/Batgirl2009 Stephanie Brown]].
* In ''Comicbook/SupermanVsTheAmazingSpiderMan'', [=NASA=]'s personal who oversaw satellite Comlab's launch. Comicbook/LexLuthor specificlly called them "Mission Control".

* Since the 2004 CrisisCrossover ''Comicbook/IdentityCrisis'', The Calculator is the villain equivalent of Oracle.

* In ''Comicbook/LegionOfSuperHeroes'', Dyrk Magz [[NonActionGuy loses his magnetic powers]] in a fight with Mordu. However, he can't bring himself to stay in civilian life and comes back to work as Mission Control -- though he did serve a crucial role in a battle with the Fatal Five.
-->'''Comicbook/{{Brainiac}} 5:''' You forgot about Dyrk Magz, and all because he has no superpowers. And now -- neither do you.

** Cortana returns as Chief's mission control for all of his missions in ''VideoGame/{{Halo 2}}'', sharing the role with Commander Keyes and Sergeant Johnson in spots. Halo 2 notably included the Elite Arbiter as a player character for half of the campaign however, and so his mission control is usually the Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadumee (Who would often accompany the Arbiter into battle, only to run off, frustratingly stating that he'll follow when reinforcements arrive) and the Brute Chieftain Tartarus. The latter only serves this role for one mission, however [[spoiler:before the Brutes betray the Elites on orders from the Covenant High Prophet of Truth, kicking off the Great Schism, setting up Tartarus as one of the series few [[BossBattle Boss Battles]].]]
** When Cortana is absent for the first part of ''VideoGame/{{Halo 3}}'', Commander Keyes and Sgt. Johnson often take this role up.

** In ''[[VideoGame/{{Halo 4}} Spartan Ops]]'', Miller is your main mission handler, with Palmer and Roland sometimes joining in as well. Additionally, Dalton handles your air support and Glassman eventually provides some additional tech support.

** ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'' features Mitsuru Kirijo as Mission Control, who passes the baton on to Fuuka Yamagishi when she joins the front lines.
** Similarly, ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}'' introduces Teddie as Mission Control, a role later taken up by Rise Kujikawa.
** ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'' has Futaba Sakura, whose GuardianEntity serves as a mobile command center where she can feed you info on enemies and your current heist.

* '''You''' technically play as this in ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemElibe Fire Emblem: The Blazing Sword]]'' as a Tactician.

* In ''Videogame/TeslaTheWeatherMan'', this role is filled by Creator/MarkTwain.

%%* ROB and general Pepper in VideoGame/{{Starfox}} series
%%* Commander Laurence Nelson and Alice in VideoGame/TheWonderful101

** In the [[FinalBoss Time Eater-battle]] from ''Videogame/SonicGenerations'', the two Tails-es enable everyone who you've freed during the game (plus [[TheRival rivals]] Shadow and Silver) to encourage the Sonics and warn them about incoming attacks. Unfortunately, they don't serve this purpose very well.[[note]][[MemeticMutation THAT LOOKS LIKE]] [[BrokenRecord A HOMING SHOT!!!]][[/note]]
** In ''Videogame/SonicForces'', Sonic's friends once again have the ability to talk to him, but while the Chaotix, Tails, Knuckles and Silver mostly just offer encouragement, BossBanter and updates on their own respective missions, Amy is the one giving Sonic vital information about his assignment, such as the whereabouts of Shadow.

* ''Videogame/DeepRockGalactic:'' Never referred to by anything else other than Mission Control, he gives you important information both right before and during your missions, directs you around important details, and gets utterly frustrated whenever you start misbehaving at the base between missions, never able to act on any threats to cut your paycheck even if you mess with the gravity controls and stuff the boarding pod full of barrels before heading to work drunk. The profile picture makes it uncertain if he's human or dwarf, however.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* In the second season of ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'', [[NonActionGuy Mal Duncan]] seems to have taken on the role of mission control for the team. Sometimes others will step into the role for the episode, usually either Batman or later, Nightwing. By the 3rd season Batgirl has been crippled and assumed the role of Oracle, so she takes this spot naturally.

** Parodied in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' (in which Snake can receive intel on other fighters in the game from Col. Campbell, Mei Ling, and Otacon), when [[VideoGame/StarFox Slippy Toad unexpectedly shows up to proffer advice on fighting Falco Lombardi]].

* In ''VideoGame/KidIcarusUprising'', Palutena serves as this to Pit. As well as providing information, they also engage in casual conversation (where she often teases [[ButtMonkey Pit]]), and one early chapter has her attempt to intervene and destroy the Boss itself. Later on, [[FriendlyEnemy Viridi]] is forced to take the role when Palutena is unable to, and the player can switch between them after beating the game. It's also heavily implied that the MistressAndServantBoy relationship he has with these characters forms the bulk of any social life he has.

** In a similar vein to the ''Metal Gear'' example above, Palutena and Viridi can give Pit advice about the characters he's fighting against in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU'' and ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate Ultimate]]''. In the former game, [[VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening Chrom weighs in when they discuss Robin]], and, in the latter, [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight Alucard recounts Richter Belmont's plight from his own journey]].

* ''Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse'':
** Jor-El's hologram takes on this role in ''Film/ManOfSteel'' to help Superman and Lois Lane escape from General Zod's ship. "Look to your right. Fire." "Move your head to the left." "Strike this panel."
** In ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'', this is Alfred's role for Franchise/{{Batman}}, even going so far as remotely controlling the Batplane when needed.

* in ''Film/BooneTheBountyHunter'', Kat and Denny guide Boone towards his targets and, later on, Jackson helps coach Boone through a fight against two opponents more skilled than him.
* ''Film/AvengersEndgame'': Natasha acts as the coordinator for the Avengers, receiving holo-calls from allies across the world and beyond as they respond to various emergencies. In fact, she, personally, [[NGOSuperpower is the only form of government we see at any point]].

* Two in ''Manga/{{X1999}}'': for the Dragons of Heaven (those chosen to save the world), the [[IllGirl crippled, blind]] [[DreamWeaver dream seer]] Hinoto guides them, while for the Dragons of Earth (chosen to destroy the world), Hinoto's younger sister Kanoe guides them.
* The Long Arch crew in ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers''. We also have the [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Numbers Cyborg]] Uno, who takes this role on the villain's side.
* The Pretenders in ''Anime/TransformersSuperGodMasterforce'' drifted into Mission Control territory when CharacterFocus shifted to the Headmaster Juniors, and completely became this when the [[SpotlightStealingSquad Godmasters]] showed up.
* ''Manga/SoulEater'': This seems to be Yumi Azusa's main purpose, having been shown on several occasions to advise Shibusen people in the field, though she has an effective Weapon form which is used on occasion. Being clairvoyant and having awesome Death Note-style ''map-drawing skills'' helps.
* The GGG Main Order Room is this to the titular robot from ''Anime/GaoGaiGar'', not only providing [[TheHero Guy]] with information but also with the occasional superweapon.
* This is Koshiro "Izzy" Izumi's role in ''Anime/DigimonAdventure02'', as he mostly stays in the computer room or gives them advice.
* Matsu from ''Manga/{{Sekirei}}'' does this occasionally, providing intel and support for Minato. However, she is also capable of jumping into the fray and fighting, with a motorcycle and rocket launcher, if needed.

* The CoolBoat, Ikaruga from ''Anime/CodeGeass'' often performs this role, This is especially vital as Lelouch is a FrontlineGeneral and thus needs the logistical and tactical updates to change his strategies as needed.
* Deconstructed in Manga/{{Bleach}}. While the Mission Control guys work at full capacity during the [[spoiler:Vandereich invasion]], the sheer turmoil and chaos of the invasion is really making their leader (Akon from the Twelft Division) stretch his resources. And for worse, [[spoiler: when the MC area is attacked, they're completely defenseless... because the attack ''comes from the inside'', as they're either BrainwashedAndCrazy or [[PeoplePuppets externally forced]] into attacking each other. ]]
* Shizuki from ''Manga/HekikaiNoAiON'' takes this role whenever Seine needs advice or information through the use of mobile phones.
* Averted in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}''. The Intelligence Division of the Shinobi Alliance army acts as this to help coordinate their attacks based on the info that pops up in the battlefield. It's not limited to one place, though. It's separated into at least 2-3 control positions, with the main one at their headquarters.
%%* Benny is this to the crew of the ''Manga/BlackLagoon''.
* Ruru in ''Anime/GaikingLegendOfDaikuMaryu'' is in charge of directing [[SuperRobot Gaiking]] on the battlefield [[spoiler: until he's promoted to Captain of the Daiku Maryu]].
* In ''Animation/GuardianFairyMichel'', Biam often stays behind to pilot the Black Hammers' castle, and briefs them if something is going on in missions.
* Despite being one of the series' strongest fighters, Saruhiko Fushimi from ''Anime/{{K}}'' often takes this role, as Scepter 4's hacker. He does it notably in the very beginning of the first season, and the Christmas mission in the second season, in which he (along with Enomoto) controls the security points and blockades within the tower. It's an important role, but it often leaves him aching for a fight.
* In ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'', [[spoiler:after Ragdoll of the Wild Wild Pussycats has her Quirk stolen, which is essentially a CareerEndingInjury in this setting, she becomes her team's Mission Control so as to be able to continue helping her teammates.]]
* In ''[[Anime/BattleSpiritsShonenGekihaDan Battle Spirits Brave]]'', the two scientists Kenzo and Stella serve this position to the crew of the Beautiful Sophia. They're essentially informants. In Kenzo's case it's surprising, because he was one of the main heroes in the previous season, and has mostly retired from battling.
* Most of the crew who stays back in the command room in ''Anime/TomicaHyperRescueDriveHeadKidouKyuukyuuKeisatsu'', including Commander Saionji and the two operators, Shinmon and Anzai. They of course are the ones making important decisions and launching the support vehicles to the scene, but aren't participants in the action.
* ''LightNovel/RebuildWorld'':
** The main example is the VirtualSidekick but also manipulative EvilMentor Alpha, who connects to Akira via his {{Transhuman}} wireless BrainComputerInterface. Alpha shows herself via an InvisibleToNormals avatar of her ProudBeauty SmugSmiler form. Besides providing seemingly prescient instructions based on advanced super-computer calculations, she also boosts Akira’s vision with AugmentedReality to let him see through walls, in the dark, and many other such things. Alpha is frequently controlling Akira’s PoweredArmor like PeoplePuppets and hacking into his AutomatedAutomobiles vehicles to do things like a HighSpeedMissileDodge or CarFu.
** Akira eventually gets a [[CorporateSponsoredSuperhero corporate sponsorship with KIRYO]] that sees Sheryl’s gang receiving a lesser equivalent to Alpha’s support capabilities on their own that helps them shape into a fighting force. The resulting VirtualTrainingSimulation bouts against Akira see both sides [[TookALevelInBadass take a level in badass.]]
** The PlayfulHacker Shirou also serves as this, communicating with Akira via PsychicLink that can extend to SeeingThroughAnothersEyes. Shirou also provides support to Erio during TheSiege that sees Erio almost acting like a OneManArmy while borrowing Akira’s previous set of equipment.

* Emulated in the second half of ''Manga/AngelicLayer'' with the concept of the Second.
%%* Hiroshi Ozora in ''Anime/{{Moldiver}}''.

* Yuuji of Class F from ''LightNovel/BakaAndTestSummonTheBeasts'' often does this. He often doesn't fight directly, since he plans his attacks beforehand and has his classmates do the bulk of the fighting, but he's no slouch himself, and when one rival class tries to sneak attack him, he beats them all up himself.

* Professor E. Gadd in the ''[[VideoGame/LuigisMansion Luigi's Mansion]]'' games, who communicates to Luigi to give advice and mission goals through the Game Boy Horror, Dual Scream, Virtual Boo, or whatever communication device that particular entry uses.
* ''VideoGame/Splatoon2'''s ''Octo Expansion'' DLC campaign has Pearl and Marina (using the pseudonyms [[Music/TheNotoriousBIG MC Princess]] and [[Music/TupacShakur DJ_Hyperfresh]]), as well as Cap'n Cuttlefish (using his real name Craig) serve as this for the Octoling protagonist. It also ties into the campaign's MercyMode: if you game over twice on a stage, [[SlidingScaleOfGameplayAndStoryIntegration Marina will hack the system]] so that Kamabo Co. believes you passed the test anyway, allowing you to skip the level (though doing so [[EasyModeMockery doesn't restore the protagonist's memories]]).

** The same role was filled by Prof. Kabuto in ''Anime/GreatMazinger'' and Prof. Umon in ''Anime/UFORoboGrendizer''.

* In ''VideoGame/DCUniverseOnline'', the oft-mentioned [[Franchise/{{Batman}} Oracle]] acts as Mission Control for hero players. If you're a villain, the Calculator serves as your main source of information. However, characters that sometimes fight for themselves such as {{Superman}}, Franchise/{{Batman}}, ComicBook/LexLuthor, or ComicBook/TheJoker give the player information on specific missions.

* In ''Series/ComeBackMrsNoah'', many of the scenes on Earth centred around "mish-con" (which seems to be populated by middle-aged {{Stuffy Brit}}s wearing ties and [[BridgeBunnies beautiful women]] wearing SpaceClothes that reveal their cleavage) attempting to find a way to retrieve Britannia Seven. Or [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption making excuses as to why they can't]].

* In ''Series/ComeBackMrsNoah'', many of the scenes on Earth centred around "mish-con" attempting to find a way to retrieve Britannia Seven.

* In ''Series/ComeBackMrsNoah'', many of the scenes on Earth centred around mission control attempting to find a way to retrieve Britannia Seven.