The Red by Linda Nagata

First Light

In a near-future world where technology and warfare have evolved in tandem, a young soldier named Lieutenant James Shelley finds himself at the center of a conflict driven by unseen forces. As he navigates the complexities of a military system increasingly reliant on advanced technology, Shelley becomes aware of a mysterious entity known as "the Red," which seems to manipulate events from the shadows. With his life and the lives of his comrades at stake, Shelley must unravel the truth behind the Red's influence, challenging his own beliefs and the very nature of free will in a world where human and machine are inextricably linked.

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