"Planet Defenders. Basic Training Course"** is an exciting science fiction novel that blends elements of cyberpunk, spy thriller, and space opera. The story begins with Pyotr, a talented hacker who is recruited by a secret service after a failed attack on state security servers. Instead of prison, Pyotr is offered a role in a classified project connected to a virtual game where the fates of entire planets are decided.Once inside the game, Pyotr learns that Earth is merely a pawn in a galactic war between ancient races. Teaming up with a reptilian named Gena, he embarks on a space journey to protect his planet from the threat of the "Old Empire." But the deeper he delves into the game, the more he realizes that reality and the virtual world are closely intertwined, and betrayal can come from those closest to him.The novel is full of unexpected twists, action, and philosophical reflections on the nature of power, technology, and human will.