86 EIGHTY-SIX

In a world ravaged by perpetual war, the proud Republic of San Magnolia has achieved a bloodless victory through its autonomous, unmanned drones. Or so they claim. Beyond the safety of the Republic's walls, the truth is far grimmer: the "drones" are piloted by the 86, a persecuted minority stripped of their humanity and forced to fight to the death in machines they call "Juggernauts." Lena, an elite handler from the Republic, finds herself commanding a squadron of the 86 known as Spearhead, led by the enigmatic Shin. As their lives intertwine across the virtual battlefield, Lena begins to question the very foundations of her society, confronting the brutal realities of war and the devastating cost of a nation built on lies.

✦ AI-drafted summary