Insignia by S.J. Kincaid

The science-fiction novel Insignia is written by S.J. Kincaid. It has some dystopian principles and explores a future which isn’t totally out of question with the way science has advanced technology. World War III is being waged throughout the solar system and is nothing like anyone could have imagined. India and the United States, the Indo-Americans, have formed an alliance against Russia and China, the Russo-Chinese alliance. To avoid the carnage and bloodshed of a traditionally fought war, the fighting has been taken to astronomical levels that are literally above and beyond. In Tom Raines’ world, little else than scrounging up enough money to eat and take shelter at hotel has mattered… until he is scouted out by the government because of his incredible gaming skills, in the form of an attractive teenage combatant, to be part of a special military project based in the Pentagonal Spire. Made the offer of a lifetime. Although his father is far from thrilled at the idea, Tom is unable to turn down the chance to be a somebody, and fight for his country, and have a shot at actually having friends. A neural processor is implanted in Tom’s brain to give him the mental flexibility and speed of a computer and the ability to control remote battleships throughout the solar system. To become an actual combatant and fight in the war, he will have to endure a few years of training and become acclimated to a new way of thinking and functioning. After a short time in training Tom hears of an enemy combatant with the call sign Medusa, supposedly unbeatable, and is instantly fixated. With computers in their brains, the combatants and trainees are prime targets for malware that could cause them to literally malfunction. Not only are they vulnerable, but Tom's father's words ".. they'll use you like equipment" continue to flash through his thoughts as he may find some things a bit off in the Pentagonal Spire.