Synopsis for Prisoner X

'Prisoner X' is a book about the journey of a bewildered spy trying to find his place in the earth's final world war. Two countries remain locked in a seemingly endless battle, that snares the lives of the four central characters.
The book is set around fifty years after a near apocalyptic nuclear conflict that has ravaged the world.
The warring countries are not referred to by the names they known as today, but subtle clues within the story suggest their identity. They are known only as Area 01 and Area 043. Both sides are now protected against any final nuclear attack by their respective satellite missile defence systems. (Based on the attempted U.S.A.'s 'Star Wars' project.) This has produced a destructive deadlock, with the two sides two battling for supremacy and the claiming of re-inhabitable countries that are now starting to recover from the effects of atomic fallout.
'Prisoner X', opens with two spies/agents, John Henson and Salome Hayward, who have penetrated the Area 043 borders and assault a seemingly insignificant installation. The true importance of this base is later revealed as the location of a top secret decoder that can disable the defence satellites. During the failed attack, John is taken captive but before doing so, brings on a deliberate state of amnesia, to avoid revealing his agenda under interrogation.
Now trapped in a world he does he does not understand or remember, John must decide where his loyalties now lie. With influences from various characters, such as an alluring enemy Commander named Rachel Dahan, and his former love Salome, John will remain constantly confused. Eventually it will be revealed that a high ranking Area 043 General is using both John and Rachel to accomplish his own quest for power, which would ultimately leave both sides destroyed and himself as the new world order.
This book introduces the main characters and how they respond to each other in the situations they are faced with. It highlights the forming romantic triangle between John, Rachel and Salome, the respect and betrayal of supposed allies and a view of a world in turmoil from several very different perspectives.
John, who was before his amnesia, an extremely efficient spy, is now a captive of Area 043 and under the personnel supervision of Commander Rachel Dahan. Despite being haunted by vivid flashbacks, his reforming values sway his loyalty to his captors and he finds himself wanting to make amends for his past actions.
Salome, who is also briefly detained with John, is a skilled and ruthless agent. Her love for John is betrayed by his condition, which only serves to make her a deadly enemy.
Rachel Dahan is the sullen head of security at the under fire base. Her fierce loyalty to her Command is bought into conflict by her growing affection for her prisoner, John. Rachel has certain physical and mental advantages, being a product of a gene selective conception, that is referred to as an Amalgam. Rachel is the only character noted directly as having this heritage, though as the story will progress, there are clues to John and Salome having similar birthrights.
General Milford is a respected General in Area 043 ranks. A defector from Area 01, he bought with him the secrets and means to duplicate his former side's missile defence system. Eventually he seeks to gain ultimate power for himself, using John and Rachel, who are oblivious to his plans, to achieve this. Although General Milford's deception is partly revealed by the end, the depths of Milford's schemes will be left to continue into following volumes.
This novel follows John's captivity under the guard of Rachel, their escape from the base's eventual destruction and the journey they make together to sanctuary, pursued by Salome and John's former allies.
'Prisoner X' culminates with a direct assault on a major Area 043 base, using a deadly new armoured vessel and also John's final decision of which side to assist in the fray. The conclusion being that he sides with Rachel, who in return offers him a chance for a peaceful existence.
The science fiction element consists of possible technological development such as the harnessing of nuclear energy, as a fuel and as an advanced weapon source. Also the implementing of computerized education, called Info-chips. Above all, this story is set some in around a centuries time, giving credence to these already potential developments.