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''Insignia'' is the first book in the Insignia trilogy by S.J. Kincaid. The Insignia trilogy describes a dystopian future in which World War Three is fought throughout the solar system. ==Plot summary== Earth's natural resources are almost depleted, and the world is embroiled in World War III to control the remaining assets of the solar system. The Indo-American and Russo-Chinese alliances are fighting for supremacy through virtual reality (VR) battles in interstellar space. ''Insignia'' is told through the eyes of Thomas (Tom) Raines, a 14-year-old boy whose skill with VR games has attracted the attention of General Terry Marsh, a leading general in the Intrasolar Forces. Marsh offers Tom a position at a secret military training base: the Pentagonal Spire. At the Spire, trainees are retrofitted with neural processors, computer-like devices inserted into the brain. Tom trains under the supervision of Elliot Ramirez. Elliot is the public face of Camelot Company (CamCo), the secretive fighting force for the Indo-American alliance. With the help of his friend, Wyatt Enslow, Tom uses the capabilities of his neural processor to attempt to communicate with Medusa, the undefeated Russo-Chinese combatant. Tom thus discovers his ability to interface with the Russo-Chinese server and become a part of the system. Medusa invites him to battle in a VR simulation. Nigel Harrison, a fellow member of the Spire, is desperate to become a member of CamCo. Nigel leaks the identities of all members of CamCo under the belief that General Marsh would then choose him to be the proxy for Elliot during the annual showcase battle at the Capitol Summit between the Indo-American and Russo-Chinese alliances. Lieutenant James Blackburn is charged with investigating the leak. He discovers Tom's unique ability to interface with all machines and servers. General Marsh offers to protect Tom from Blackburn's investigations if Tom can win the battle at the Capitol Summit, serving as Elliot's proxy. Tom correctly assumes that Medusa will be fighting on the Russo-Chinese side and prepares a virus to knock Medusa out of commission. At the Capitol Summit, Nigel cripples Tom with a virus and explains his plan to use a battle ship to destroy the Spire so as to emerge the hero and the new face of CamCo. Tom overpowers Nigel with the virus he had prepared for Medusa and regains control of the battle ship. In a subsequent battle with Medusa to gain control of an orbiting satellite, Medusa continues to overpower him; but Tom finds himself able to interface with the satellite and his surroundings. He discovers that Medusa shares his capabilities, but Tom emerges as the final victor. Tom's victory guarantees him asylum from Blackburn's investigations and Nigel is revealed as responsible for the leak. Later, Tom learns that General Marsh sought him out especially as key to winning the war. However, Tom continues to regret that he exposed Medusa against her wishes. She vows to him that the next time they meet in a real battle, she will win. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Insignia (novel)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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