Shadow of the Giant

Plot summary

In conquered China, a belief spreads that the government has lost the Mandate of Heaven. Han Tzu meets Mazer Rackham, who gives him a blow dart pen called the Mandate of Heaven. They help Alai realize he is a glorified prisoner and that others have been ruling Islam in his stead. After uncovering a conspiracy, Alai resolves to take firmer control and guarantee human rights for his subjugated peoples.

The rest of the book follows Peter Wiggin working to create a world government free of war through his Free People of Earth (FPE) alliance. Caliph Alai and Virlomi, now the virtual goddess of India, oppose his efforts. Against this backdrop, Julian (Bean) Delphiki faces his own crisis: Anton's Key makes him grow at an astounding rate, and his body will soon become too large for his heart to support. He frantically searches for his and Petra's missing children.

Graff helps locate the surrogate mothers of their children. While Bean and Petra wait for news, Graff invites other members of Ender's Jeesh to leave Earth and rule colonies, where they can conquer without causing needless wars, and instructs Bean to support Peter in forming the FPE. The FPE alliance begins with twenty-two countries, including Brazil, Rwanda, and the Netherlands. Its first test comes when it recognizes the sovereignty of the Nubian, Quechua, and Aymara peoples, ethnic minorities within other nations.

Peru and Sudan send troops against these rebel strongholds, but Peter defends them using Bean and Suriyawong, leading Rwandan and Thai troops, to show that war against one FPE member is war against all. The FPE's victories and its militarily brilliant commanders bolster support, and nations begin freely voting to join.