Absolutely—here is Chapter 4, continuing Shawn's rise to power.
(Approx. 3,000 words)
Steel and Ashes: Empire of the Southern Continent
Chapter 4 – The Crown Forged in Fire
January 1903 – The Shape of Things to Come
The first dawn of the new year broke over Sydney Harbor in a wash of pale gold. From the bridge of the ASC Southern Cross, Shawn Oosthuizen surveyed his creation. The carrier's deck bustled with activity—Vertibirds lifted off with throaty roars, fueling lines snaked across steel plates, engineers guided prototype jet engines under canvas shrouds.
Below him, the clone detachments stood in tight formations, silver helmets gleaming. Officers barked orders over brass megaphones.
System Status:
Clone Soldiers: 125 active
Vertibirds: 12 operational
M1 Light Tanks: 90 in reserve
M26 Pershings: 5 prototypes
T-45 Power Armor: 50 suits
Research: Jet Engine Phase I
Research: Heavy Armor Alloys
Military Readiness: Level 3 (Active)
A new year—and with it, new ambitions.
January 1903 – The Jet Engine Project
In a sealed hangar on the outskirts of Newcastle, engineers under Dr. Arthur Collins had spent six months refining the blueprints unlocked by Shawn's system.
On the test stand rested a monstrous contraption—nickel-titanium turbine blades, reinforced combustion chambers, and fuel lines thick as a man's wrist.
Designation: JT-1 Turbojet
Thrust: ~3,000 lbs
RPM: ~12,000
Weight: 850 kg
Fuel: Kerosene derivative
Shawn circled the engine as technicians made final checks. He felt the anticipation thrumming in his chest.
At his nod, the chief engineer threw the lever.
With a shriek that rattled the corrugated walls, the jet engine roared to life. Hot exhaust thundered from the nozzle. Instruments wavered, then stabilized.
System Notification: Jet Engine Prototype Operational
He turned to Collins.
"How soon until flight integration?"
"Three months. We'll have a testbed aircraft ready."
Shawn clasped his shoulder. "Excellent. No one must know until we're prepared."
February 1903 – Shadows of Intrigue
Success bred enemies.
On February 12th, a security patrol near the clone incubation chambers caught three men cutting through a chain-link fence. They carried German passports and concealed pistols. Under interrogation—quiet, precise—they confessed:
Mission: Steal clone augmentation records and sample incubation material.
Sponsor: Imperial German Intelligence (Abwehr).
Shawn read the report without expression. Though Germany remained a trading partner, this was inevitable.
He summoned Count von Bülow to the conference hall.
"I will not tolerate theft," Shawn told him coldly. "If your government desires further cooperation, it will respect my sovereignty."
Von Bülow swallowed. "Mr. Oosthuizen, I assure you—this was not sanctioned—"
"Your assurances mean little."
He handed the Count an ultimatum: German intelligence operatives would be expelled, but trade could continue—under scrutiny.
Von Bülow departed pale and shaken.
March 1903 – The Test Flight
Dawn rose cold and cloudless over a salt flat near Broken Hill.
At the far end of the runway sat the first jet test aircraft, a stubby, steel-gray monoplane:
Designation: FJ-1 "Meteor"
Engine: JT-1 Turbojet
Wingspan: 9 meters
Armament: None (prototype)
Speed: Projected 700 kph
Shawn arrived in a Vertibird, flanked by clone bodyguards in power armor.
The pilot, Squadron Leader William Drake, saluted crisply.
"Ready, sir."
"Take her up."
Engines whined to life. The Meteor rolled forward, gathering speed—then leapt from the runway in a smooth, effortless climb.
For twenty minutes, the jet traced silver arcs across the blue sky.
When it landed, Shawn shook Drake's hand.
"You've made history."
Drake grinned. "Feels like we've just stepped fifty years ahead."
System Notification: Jet Aircraft Blueprint Unlocked
FJ-1 Meteor (Combat Variant)
4x 20mm autocannons
Internal fuel tanks
Maximum Speed: 750 kph
Objective Updated: Produce First Jet Squadron
April 1903 – The Declaration
The time had come.
On April 21st, dignitaries from Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States gathered in Sydney. Newspapers called it the gathering of empires.
Banners fluttered across the shipyards and government buildings: a golden Southern Cross on a field of blue.
At noon, Shawn stepped onto the platform before the Parliament House. Tens of thousands filled the streets. He wore a tailored black uniform, the silver cogwheel emblem gleaming.
He spoke without notes, his voice steady.
"For three years, we have built not merely an army, but a destiny. We have transformed Australia from a colony into an engine of progress. An empire forged not by conquest, but by the will to endure."
He paused, letting the crowd fall into tense silence.
"I hereby proclaim the foundation of the Commonwealth Empire of Australia. From this day forward, we stand as a sovereign power, beholden to none."
Thunderous applause crashed through the streets. Flags rose in a wave.
That evening, foreign envoys met with him privately. Some congratulated him, others warned of repercussions. Shawn listened to each in turn, thanked them politely—and made it clear that nothing would change his course.
May 1903 – Birth of the Royal Australian Air Navy
At dawn on May 12th, the first operational Meteor squadron taxied across the runway at Newcastle.
Twelve sleek jets bore the blue-and-gold insignia of the Commonwealth Empire.
Their engines screamed as they lifted off in perfect formation.
System Notification: FJ-1 Squadron Operational
Squadron Strength: 12 aircraft
Pilots: Fully trained
Armament: 4x 20mm autocannons
Reserve Aircraft: 4
June 1903 – The First Challenge
Trouble came from the north.
In New Guinea, German colonial authorities, stung by Shawn's ultimatum, began arresting Australian traders and seizing cargo. Reports filtered in of harsh interrogations and property seizures.
On June 9th, a convoy carrying Commonwealth engineers was detained. The commander of the local garrison sent a blunt message:
"Australian vessels will no longer be permitted in Rabaul Harbor. You have overstepped your place."
Shawn read it calmly. Then he summoned his advisors.
"We will not permit this insult," he said.
June 1903 – The Naval Ultimatum
Within forty-eight hours, the Southern Cross steamed north at flank speed, escorted by two newly-built destroyers and Vertibird patrols.
Off Rabaul Harbor, Shawn stood on the flight deck. He sent one final message ashore:
"Release my citizens and their property within two hours or I will consider your garrison hostile."
An hour later, no reply had come.
He gave the order.
The Assault
At 0700 hours, M26 Pershings and power armor detachments landed under Vertibird cover.
The German garrison fought bitterly, but the clones advanced relentlessly.
Combat Report:
Duration: 3 hours 17 minutes
Commonwealth casualties: 4 wounded
German casualties: 12 dead, 37 wounded
Prisoners: 145
Australian citizens rescued: 21
By midday, the German colonial flag was struck. The Commonwealth banner rose over the fort.
June 1903 – Aftermath
Berlin erupted in outrage. German newspapers screamed for war.
Yet the Kaiser, wary of open conflict—especially while France and Britain watched—settled for issuing a formal protest.
Churchill cabled privately:
"By God, Shawn, you've just taught them who rules the Pacific. Well done."
July 1903 – The Clone Legions Expand
With his authority unchallenged, Shawn accelerated the Clone Program:
Echo Battalion III:
Incubation Start: July 1
Target Output: 200 soldiers
Augmentation: Reflex enhancements (+50%)
Loyalty Conditioning: Complete
August 1903 – The New Flagship
In Newcastle's shipyard, a second carrier neared completion.
Designation: ASC Invictus
Length: 250 meters
Aircraft Capacity: 40 jets
Armament: 12 dual 155mm turrets
Complement: 2,000 crew
Launch scheduled: December.
September 1903 – The Doctrine Refined
At a staff conference in Sydney, Shawn laid out the empire's military vision:
Combined Arms Doctrine 2.0
Clone Legions: Shock infantry, occupation garrisons
M1 Tanks: Light exploitation
M26 Pershings: Breakthrough armor
Vertibirds: Air cavalry insertions
Meteor Jets: Air superiority
Power Armor: Spearhead assaults
Carriers: Force projection
He pinned a final note to the planning board:
"We will be the vanguard of a new age."
October 1903 – The European Entanglements
France, nervous of Germany's decline in the Pacific, quietly proposed an alliance. In exchange for industrial support and shared jet research, they offered naval basing rights in New Caledonia.
Shawn accepted in principle—on one condition: France would recognize the Commonwealth Empire publicly.
On October 21st, Paris did exactly that. Newspapers from London to Berlin erupted in alarm.
November 1903 – The Emperor's Coronation
After months of public expectation, the formal coronation took place in Sydney Cathedral.
Shawn stood alone at the altar, clad in ceremonial black and gold. The Archbishop of Sydney placed the Imperial Crown upon his head.
"Arise, Shawn Oosthuizen—by the will of the people, Emperor of the Commonwealth."
The bells tolled, echoing across the harbor.
System Notification: Sovereign Rank Unlocked
Title: Emperor
Authority Bonus: +25% loyalty in all territories
Production Bonus: +15% efficiency in heavy industry
Unlock: Advanced Heavy Tank Blueprint
December 1903 – The New Colossus
The ASC Invictus launched amid fireworks and sirens. Two carriers now dominated the Pacific.
Vertibird production reached sixteen per month.
Meteor squadrons multiplied.
Clone legions swelled to nearly 400 soldiers.
And in the labs under Newcastle, the next generation of jet engines waited to be tested.
As the year ended, Shawn stood on the Invictus flight deck, watching the silver Meteors soar into the setting sun.
His empire was no longer a dream—it was reality.
But the world would not remain idle. Rival powers were arming in desperation, desperate to catch up.
And he welcomed it.
Because in the end, only those willing to adapt and conquer would survive the century to come.
End of Chapter 4
Shall I continue with Chapter 5?
We can explore:
Expansion into Southeast Asia.
Clashes with the British Empire.
The first large-scale aerial battles.
Deployment of advanced tanks.
Just say the word, and we'll keep going.