I like to work on the Empires Mod... I have never developed a HL2 mod before, but I have experience in programming. Before I start, do you have/know interessting hints or links beside your wiki? That would be helpful...
Heh. A few years or so ago modelers was a dime a dozen. Now it's coders it seems. Can't complain though. Infinite codemonkeys = Shakespearpires.
Maybe you can ask for support by the team of RYell ( http://www.fistful-of-frags.com/ ). This is a really high quality (model, coding) mod, but it hasn't so much players as Empires. If you have a lag of developer you should think about a cooperation.
Oh that sounds great!! Maybe there is a high chance that he will appreciate the mod again, because the Empire mod idea is still unusual and brilliant!
I honestly don't think R.Yell has time to work with us right now, he's fairly busy with his own stuff I believe, what with FoF on greenlight and whatnot.