The president of the United States. McKinley avoided assassination in 1901 because of the Martian invasion of Earth. His primary concern is with the safe guarding of the nation, but he and others in the government expect this to be futile in the face of the vastly superior Martian technology.
President McKinley's popular vice president. McKinley is not overly fond of Roosevelt and his progressive philosophies. He sees an opportunity to be rid of him by encouraging Roosevelt to lead the response to the threat from Mars, but Roosevelt believes the United States has an important role to play in doing so.
Military officer, friend, and advisor to Roosevelt.
Inventor and entrepreneur. Edison, among with others, is developing new technologies from equipment the Martians left after their failed invasion. His electric generator will be instrumental in powering the sidereal boats that the American volunteers will use to cross the gulf to Mars
The electrical genius who developed an ether drive based on the discoveries of the physicists, Michelson and Morely. He only needs an electric generator capable of powering it and a vessel to install it inside.
Inventor of the first practical submarine boat. Since the submarine can support life under water, it's not much of a stretch to see how it could support life outside of Earth's atmosphere.
An American astronomer and considered by many (but not all) to be the person most knowledgeable about Mars.
Wealthy industrialist and employer of Tesla. Westinghouse's wealth provides the funding to construct many of the sidereal boats.
Writer and photographer. Burroughs applied to be a part of Roosevelt's Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War of 1898, but was refused due to health reasons. This time he will ride with Rosevelt, covering the volunteers' campaign on Mars. After returning to Earth, he begins writing a series of fictional stories about the colorful captain of the boat he traveled on, Capt. Jonathon Carter.
British writer and science popularizer. Wells reference on the Martians and their invasion is considered to be the most authorative in the world.
Indian lawyer working in Africa at the time of the invasion. In his writings and speeches, Gandhi emphasizies the equality between all people in the face of the Martian threat. He encourages Indians to stand with their British allies against the Martians.
The elderly monarch of the United Kingdom who became a victim of the Martian invasion. The British people recall how she and her family remained in London during the invasion to give the British people hope and encouragement.
A Russian lawyer, he opted to become a captain of one of the few Russian Aether Ships as a means to his rehabilitation with the Russian government. His views on Martian society are not the same as those of the American volunteers and will create friction.
