In an alternate version of Earth’s history, Eric Wells experiences a devastating event at the age of 10 when he witnesses a Martian Tripod destroy Leeds, England, and tragically kills his parents. Fortunately, before the Tripod can also claim his life, it suddenly crashes to the ground, saving him from certain death. This catastrophic attack in 1899 results in the loss of over 140 million lives worldwide and the destruction of many major cities. The Martians, despite their advanced technology and destructive power, are ultimately defeated by Earth's bacteria, to which they have no resistance.
Fifteen years later, in 1914, the world has transformed into a steampunk-inspired landscape, blending dieselpunk elements with extraordinary technological advancements derived from reverse-engineered Martian tech. The setting is now dominated by giant, steam-powered Tripods engaged in ongoing battles—vehicles equipped with heavy machine guns, rockets, heat rays, and powerful cannons. Earth is teetering on the brink of the Great War as tensions between European nations deepen and threaten to erupt into global conflict.
Eric Wells, now a 25-year-old captain, leads a squadron of Tripods for the organization A.R.E.S. (Allied Resistance Earth Squadrons). His team, which includes Lieutenant Jennifer Carter (an American), Corporal Patrick O'Brien (Irish), Sergeant Abraham Douglas (Canadian), and Lieutenant Raja Iskandar Shah (Malayan), work under the strict leadership of Russian General Sergei Kushnirov. General Kushnirov, who lost his own family to the Martians during the 1899 attack in St. Petersburg, is fiercely committed to Earth's defense. The team also works alongside the enigmatic Serbian scientist Professor Nikola Tesla, who has used his expertise to develop war machines from the remnants of Martian technology.
During a training exercise, Eric and his crew are introduced to a new type of steam-powered, Achilles-class Battle Tripod, which he names ‘The Goliath’. This massive machine stands 65 feet tall and is heavily armed with machine guns, rockets, a heat ray, and an 88 mm cannon. As they prepare for simulated combat against Japanese Captain Sakai, tensions in Europe escalate due to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which sparks the beginning of the Great War.
Despite the political chaos and urgent mobilizations, Eric passionately advocates for staying and further preparing for the Martian threat rather than rushing into conflict. His suspicions are confirmed when the Martians launch a second, more aggressive invasion with large, 100-foot-tall Tripods capable of firing deadly heat rays and resisting Earth's bacteria defenses. They attack the A.R.E.S. forces, destroying many, including the initial squadron, but Eric and his team manage to hold their ground, destroying two Tripods with the help of local militia. Wilson, a militia member, guides them to a factory suspected of being a Martian base, where they discover that the aliens are capturing humans and manufacturing weapons to bolster their invasion.
Rescuing prisoners from the factory, the team evacuates aboard the Leviathan, their flying warship, but General Kushnirov warns that the true intent of the Martians is to draw A.R.E.S. out of New York City. Their strategy pays off as the Martians attack the city itself, forcing a desperate defense. The Leviathan and the floating warship Agemmon arrive just in time to bloody the Martian assault and save the city.
Yet the victory is short-lived. As the heroes celebrate, a colossal Martian spacecraft emerges from New York Harbor, unleashing devastating heat rays on the A.R.E.S. base. The Leviathan and Agemmon focus their fire on the alien ship, which retaliates fiercely. The Agemmon is destroyed swiftly, and during the chaos, the Leviathan crashes against the buildings, causing Dimitri Kushnirov (the general’s son) to fall into the water, hanging onto the wreckage. In a heartbreaking moment, Dimitri sacrifices himself to allow his father to regain control of the ship. As he falls, Dimitri calls out with emotion, "I love you, Father."
With remarkable resolve, General Kushnirov steers the Leviathan into a collision course with the Martian spacecraft, managing to destroy it and end the invasion. The story concludes with Theodore Roosevelt rallying the remaining humans to rebuild Earth and prepare to take the fight directly to Mars, signaling hope for humanity’s future despite the devastation endured.
