Imperial Dawn is a Web Serial Novel taking place 20 Minutes into the Future.
Western civilization begins turning into something resembling Plato's Republic or the Tau Empire, coming under the sway of the philosopher-kings known as patricians. Some people support this development more than others, and fighting ensues. This story follows the lives of four people during the course of the war: a spy, a loyalist, a rebel, and an arms manufacturer. Both sides of the war are presented in equal detail, leaving the reader to pick which is best.
Imperial Dawn offers a fairly realistic depiction of war, and explores the moral ambiguities inherent in any conflict, no matter how noble the cause.
Originally available here, this story appears to have been deleted.
Imperial Dawn contains examples of:
- 20 Minutes into the Future: The setting of the story.
- Action Girl: Jennifer Ko, although given her violent nature, she could be considered a Dark Action Girl instead.
- Also, Jaina.
- Affably Evil: Blackwood is introduced as somewhat relaxed and friendly, and later takes on a sinister air, while still maintaining his charm.
- Badass Army: The ELITE regiments cultivate a reputation for being batshit insane beserkers.
- Corrupt Corporate Executive: Edward Donovan seems to start as this, supporting the Allies only because it is profitable.
- Grey-and-Gray Morality: Neither side is presented as morally superior. Both have legitimate reasons for fighting and both have their nicer and meaner moments.
- Putting on the Reich: Played with. The Imperials wear black uniforms, but are no worse morally than the Allies.
- Reconstruction: Of Plato's Republic, apparently.
- Screaming Warrior: The Engagement Light Infantry Tactical Enforcers, as a method of psychological warfare.
- Shout-Out: Seemingly quite a lot. The Imperials being based off of the Tau Empire is foremost among them.
- Colonel Hayter is a reference to David Hayter, voice of Solid Snake.
- Donovan's epiphany while reaching into the fridge seems to be a reference to this very wiki.
- Utopia Justifies the Means: The Imperials can get this way, although they are presented as just another political system that works, not a utopia.
- Villain Protagonist: Any of the four main characters could be interpreted this way: you have an arms manufacturer, a black ops assassin, a member of a unit known for being Blood Knights, and a soldier who can be a bit too passionate about her work.