Shadow of the Hegemon

Plot summary

In 2197, all Battle School graduates except Ender return to Earth. Ender's brother Peter, using the pseudonym Locke, arranges for Ender's return, but Valentine, as Demosthenes, uses Peter's violent past to keep Ender exiled. Shortly after, most of Ender's former unit, the Jeesh, are seized as strategists by Achilles de Flandres, who subjects them to solitary confinement. Achilles, whom Bean imprisoned in the previous novel, attempts unsuccessfully to kill Bean.

The Delphikis go into hiding while Bean joins Sister Carlotta. Bean decodes a message from Petra confirming the Russians back Achilles, then works to free the captives and help Peter gain power. Peter publishes under Locke that Achilles is a murderer, leading to the release of all prisoners except Petra, whom Achilles takes to India. Petra devises a plan to strip India's garrisons along the Indo-Pakistani border, which she expects will never happen, but Achilles encourages peace between India and Pakistan and war on neighbors, secretly letting China annihilate the Indian army.

History

Card credits two books as profoundly influential: Thailand: A Short History by David K. Wyatt and Raj: The Making and Unmaking of British India by Lawrence James. At publication, Card believed the Bean series would be only four books long.