Empire (2006) is a speculative fiction novel by Orson Scott Card. It tells the story of a possible second American Civil War, this time between the Right Wing and Left Wing in the near future. The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... For other uses, see Country (disambiguation). ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Speculative fiction - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... A publisher is a person or entity which engages in the act of publishing. ... Tor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC, based in New York City. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Hardcover books A hardcover (or hardback or hardbound) is a book bound with rigid protective covers (typically of cardboard covered with cloth, heavy paper, or sometimes leather). ... ISBN redirects here. ... Speculative fiction - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... In politics, right-wing, the political right, or simply the right, are terms which refer, with no particular precision, to the segment of the political spectrum in opposition to left-wing politics. ... In politics, left-wing, political left, leftism, or simply the left, are terms that refer (with no particular precision) to the segment of the political spectrum typically associated with any of several strains of socialism, social democracy, or liberalism (especially but not exclusively in the American sense of the word...

Plot introduction

The book follows U.S. Army Major Reuben Malich and U.S. Army Captain Bartholomew Coleman, both former Special Forces, as America falls into a civil war, after the assassinations of both the American President and Vice President. A radical leftist army calling itself the Progressive Restoration takes over New York City and declares itself the rightful government of the United States.^[1] The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ... For other uses, see Captain (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Special forces (disambiguation). ... Assassin and Assassins redirect here. ... President of the United States - The President of the United States The American President (film) - A Romantic Comedy surrounding a fictional President of the United States and his attempts to win over an attractive lobbyist This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... A vice president is an officer in government or business who is next in rank below a president. ...

Plot summary

The book opens with Major Malich, a Captain at the time, leading a team of special op forces in a town of some unknown country, presumably somewhere in Iran or Afghanistan, because of the use of Persian. They are attacked and return fire, saving a village with only one civilian casualty. Farsi redirects here. ...

Major Malich works at the Pentagon, where he wrote the plans to find holes in American security, having no idea that they would fall into the wrong hands. The plans called for a stealthy underwater entrance into Washington D.C., followed by a rocket launcher attack on the White House, relying on an inside informant to give the location of the President. Malich and Coleman come upon the attack in progress, and, after acquiring rifles, attempt to prevent the attack. Although they succeed in killing one of the men holding the launchers, the second fires and hits the south wall of the West Wing, killing the President, Secretary of Defense, and several others. It is later revealed the Vice President had been assassinated by a dump truck backing up into his limousine. Suspicion then turns to Malich, as he had written the plans and was present at the attack. This article is about the United States military building. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... Rocket launcher or missile launcher can mean: Multiple rocket launcher Shoulder-launched missile weapon Transporter erector launcher (TEL) for large missiles Rocket propelled grenade launcher This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ... A rifle is any long gun which has a rifled barrel. ... The West Wing (in foreground) The West Wing is the part of the White House Complex in which the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room, and the Situation Room are located. ... The United States Secretary of Defense is the head of the United States Department of Defense, concerned with the armed services and The Secretary is a member of the Presidents Cabinet. ... A dump truck or production truck is a truck used for transporting loose material (such as sand, gravel, or dirt) for construction. ... For the song from the band: Brand New, see Limousine (MS Rebridge). ...

While Malich is being debriefed at the Pentagon, Coleman is asked to participate in a right wing coup to correct the existing government. Coleman recounts the meeting on live television and retreats to Malich's side in New Jersey. The next morning they both decide to take a borrowed SUV to Ground Zero. They are caught in an uprising led by high tech mechs that fire on anyone wearing uniforms. After rescuing a squad of New York Police officers, they escape on foot via the Holland Tunnel to New Jersey where they collaborate with the National Guard to repel a horde of the mechanized warriors. Two Air Force F-16 jets are shot down into New York Harbor, one hitting the gown of the Statue of Liberty. This article is about the U.S. state. ... Ground zero is the exact location on the ground where any explosion occurs. ... USAF redirects here. ... The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a modern multi-role jet fighter aircraft built in the United States and used by dozens of countries all over the world. ... New York Harbor, a geographic term, refers collectively to the rivers, bays, and tidal estuaries near the mouth of the Hudson River in the vicinity of New York City. ... For other monuments to freedom, see Monument of Liberty. ...

Once back in New Jersey, Malich and Coleman join Malich's wife who used to work for an Idaho congressman who is now, due to the order of succession, President of the United States. Malich's wife is summoned by the new President. He asks for Malich, Coleman and Malich's former Special Forces buddies to help save the United States. Malich is ordered to retrieve his operations report created at the Pentagon. While there, his trusted secretary, DeeNee, betrays him, shooting him in the eye and killing him before his Secret Service escorts could react. Coleman escapes only to be pursued by more mechanized warriors and hover-bikes. They are eventually repelled by Apache gunships dispatched by the President. The presidential line of succession defines who may become or act as President of the United States upon the incapacity, death, resignation, or removal from office (by impeachment and subsequent conviction) of a sitting president or a president-elect. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ...

The new National Security Advisor, Averell Torrent, is one of Malich's former professors. He sends a team including Malich's Special Forces buddies and Coleman out to discover information about the Restoration group responsible for Malich's death and the subversion of the United States of America. The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, commonly referred to as the National Security Advisor, serves as the chief advisor to the President of the United States on national security issues. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized...

Upon finding the Progressive Restoration's lair, the team, led by Coleman, reconnoiter the Washington mountain hideout. They invade and take its leader prisoner. With the defeat of the Progressive Restoration, the current president steps down, and Torrent is elected in a landslide victory as he was the presidential nominee for both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Towards the end of the novel, Reuben's wife Cecily begins to suspect Torrent's involvement in instigating the entire conflict in order to ascend to power. She discovers many of the key rebel leaders were taught at some point by him. From the notes Reuben left from his classes with him, she uncovers Torrent's obsession with the transition between the Roman Republic and the Empire, and his belief that the US is in the same stage. The book ends with Cecily and Coleman, whom she reveals her suspicions to, wondering whether this is truly the case. No indication is given as to how Torrent will use his power, setting the novel up for a possible sequel. For other uses, see Sequel (disambiguation). ...

Setting

Evidence within the book itself suggests that it takes place during and shortly after Friday June 13, 2008. This is supported by a number of suggestions, namely the fact that the only year in the near future which includes both a Friday the thirteenth in June and a Presidential Election is 2008[1]. Additionally contemporary commonly used electronic items, such as Apple iPods and Nintendo DS and Sony PSP portable gaming devices are directly named and mentioned, as well as a Chevrolet Corvette C6^[2], which according to Motor Trend is slated for replacement in 2010[2]. Later in the book, when Malich and Coleman go to ground zero, the area is described as it appeared in 2006-2007^[3]. Finally, a "Senator Stevens," who is Acting Speaker of the House, is mentioned as being 84 years old^[4]; Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska will be 84 years old between November 2007 and November 2008, and his seniority is appropriate to be appointed as Acting Speaker if the need arises and the Republicans regain majority (keeping in mind Empire was written before the 2006 United States general elections results were clear). is the 164th day of the year (165th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... There is also a series of Friday the 13th movies, and a TV series called Friday the 13th: The Series. ... Apple Inc. ... iPod is a brand of portable media players designed and marketed by Apple Inc. ... The Nintendo DS (sometimes abbreviated NDS or more commonly DS) is a handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. ... The finished PlayStation Portable, and a variety of accessories. ... Chevrolet (IPA: - French origin) (colloquially Chevy) is a brand of automobile, produced by General Motors (GM). ... The Chevrolet Corvette is the sixth and current generation of Chevrolet Corvettes built and marketed by Chevrolet. ... Motor Trend is one of the oldest automotive magazines still publishing. ... The September 11, 2001 attacks were a series of suicide attacks against civilians of the United States conducted on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. ...

Video game adaptation

Empire is not an original Orson Scott Card project, but rather stems from the development of the Empire video game. The game is being developed by the brothers Donald and Geremy Mustard, founders of the newly formed Chair Entertainment Group development studio and the original founders of GlyphX Games, which is developing the Advent Rising trilogy. Card was contacted by Donald Mustard and offered the chance to develop the game's storyline as well as a novel to set the series into action.^[5] Computer and video games redirects here. ... A video game developer is a software developer (a business or an individual) that creates video games. ... Advent Rising is a 2005 third-person, Science fiction action/adventure video game, akin to a fast-paced action movie. ...

Film adaptations

The rights to a film version of Empire have been acquired by Joel Silver and Warner Bros.^[6] Joel Silver (born July 14, 1952) is a successful Hollywood film producer. ... “WB” redirects here. ...

Footnotes

1. ^ Card, Orson Scott (November 28, 2006). Empire. Tor Books. ISBN ISBN 0-7653-1611-0. 
2. ^ Card, Orson Scott (November 28, 2006). Empire. Tor Books. ISBN ISBN 0-7653-1611-0. 
3. ^ Card, Orson Scott (November 28, 2006). Empire. Tor Books. ISBN ISBN 0-7653-1611-0. 
4. ^ Card, Orson Scott (November 28, 2006). Empire. Tor Books. ISBN ISBN 0-7653-1611-0. 
5. ^ Official ChAIR Entertainment website
6. ^ Movies Rights acquired by Joel Silver and Warner Bros. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.

The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... is the 332nd day of the year (333rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... is the 332nd day of the year (333rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... is the 332nd day of the year (333rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... is the 332nd day of the year (333rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 335th day of the year (336th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• List of works by Orson Scott Card
• Orson Scott Card

This is a list of the works of Orson Scott Card. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ...

External links

• About the novel Empire from Card's website