Andrew Wiggin (judge)

Andrew "Ender" Wiggin is a fictional character in Orson Scott Card's science fiction series, Ender's Game. In the story, Ender Wiggin is a brilliant and empathetic child prodigy who is strategically manipulated and trained by the International Fleet to become a military commander against an alien race known as the Formics, or "buggers."

Born as a Third in a society that severely restricts family size, Ender is initially monitored closely by the government. They deactivate his monitor at age six, but quickly reinstate it following an act of violence against a bully, demonstrating Ender's capacity for strategic and ruthless action when he feels threatened. He is then drafted into Battle School, a rigorous military training program designed to cultivate future commanders.

Throughout Battle School, Command School, and subsequent simulated battles, Ender demonstrates exceptional tactical genius and leadership skills. He wins every engagement, constantly adapting to new challenges and outmaneuvering his opponents. He is portrayed as a complex character, burdened by guilt and empathy for his enemies, even as he is molded into a weapon of mass destruction.

Unbeknownst to him, the simulated battles are actually real engagements against the Formics. In the final simulation, Ender unknowingly destroys the Formic homeworld, effectively committing genocide. He is horrified when he learns the truth, and his actions are motivated by a genuine desire to prevent further conflict.

After the war, Ender travels the galaxy, seeking atonement for his actions and a new home for the last surviving Formic queen. He becomes known as the "Speaker for the Dead," chronicling the lives and deaths of individuals to understand their true nature. Ender's journey is one of moral complexity, responsibility, and the search for redemption in the face of unimaginable consequences. His character explores themes of childhood manipulation, the ethics of war, and the importance of empathy.