Major Imbu

Major Imbu is a senior officer at the Battle School who appears in the novel's framing dialogues, where he discusses the psychological and strategic implications of Ender Wiggin's training with Colonel Graff. He is notable for his role in explaining the mind game's mysterious behavior, particularly the appearance of Peter Wiggin's image in the End of the World sequence, and for his insights into the school's methods of isolating and shaping its most gifted students.

Role in the Mind Game Controversy

Major Imbu is first encountered in a conversation with Colonel Graff about the computer's inexplicable behavior in the mind game. When Graff demands to know how the computer could have inserted a picture of Ender's brother Peter into the Fairyland routine, Imbu admits he does not know, explaining that the computer has never taken anyone to this place before. He describes the progression from Fairyland to the End of the World as uncharted territory, noting that the mind game is a relationship between the child and the computer, and that together they create stories that reflect the reality of the child's life. When Graff presses him for a meaning, Imbu offers several possibilities: that Ender is wishing for the end of the Battle School world, that it represents the end of his childhood home, or that it is his way of coping with having broken up other kids. He also reveals that the computer, as part of the I.F. network, can requisition a picture from a landside computer if the mind game program determines it is necessary for the child's own good, even without explicit authorization from the school. This exchange establishes Imbu as a thoughtful, somewhat philosophical officer who understands the mind game's deeper psychological functions, even as he cannot fully control or predict them.

Perspective on Ender's Training and Isolation

Imbu's dialogue with Graff also reveals his perspective on the school's training methods. When Graff asks about the other children in the simulator, Imbu responds that they are now his students, entering into the mysteries of the fleet, and he speaks with a near-mystical reverence for the command of starships. He describes the simulator as a place where Ender will "dance the graceful ghost dance through the stars," and where whatever greatness is within him will be unlocked and revealed. This contrasts with Graff's more pragmatic, even cynical, approach. Imbu also comments on the isolation imposed on Ender, noting that the school has given the other students no opportunity to become friends with him, and he observes that Ender, unlike the other students who are well into adolescence, is still a very little boy. His remarks suggest a degree of sympathy for Ender's situation, even as he accepts the necessity of the training.

The Final Examination and Its Aftermath

Imbu is present in the simulator room during Ender's final examination, which is actually the Third Invasion. When the enemy formation appears, outnumbering Ender a thousand to one, Imbu is among the observers who react with a quiet curse, recognizing the unfairness of the test. After Ender destroys the bugger homeworld, Imbu is part of the crowd that congratulates him, though his specific reaction is not detailed. In the aftermath, when Ender is recovering from his breakdown, Imbu is mentioned in a conversation between Graff and Mazer Rackham, where Graff expresses concern that Ender may be permanently damaged. Imbu's presence in these scenes underscores his role as a witness to the culmination of Ender's training, and his earlier insights into the mind game's symbolism prove prescient, as Ender's dreams and memories become central to his psychological state.

Significance in the Narrative

Major Imbu serves as a bridge between the technical and psychological aspects of the Battle School's operations. His explanations of the mind game's behavior highlight the novel's themes of manipulation and the blurring of reality and simulation. He is one of the few officers who articulates the idea that the computer and the child co-create the stories, suggesting that Ender's own psyche is as much a driver of the game's events as the programming. His presence in the framing dialogues adds depth to the portrayal of the military establishment, showing that not all its members are as single-mindedly focused on producing a weapon as Graff. Imbu's relative sympathy and his willingness to acknowledge uncertainty make him a more human figure within the otherwise cold and calculating hierarchy of the International Fleet.