The Expanse, #3
Abaddon's Gate
by James S. A. Corey
Contents
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Anna
Overview
After Anna leads a unifying service, Ashford’s loyalists stage a coup in the drum. Serge confronts them and is executed, cementing their control. Hector Cortez reveals Ashford’s plan to refit the comm laser to destroy the Ring, sacrificing everyone to protect humanity. Anna rejects him as Clarissa joins Cortez en route to the bridge.
Summary
Anna reflects on preaching from the heart and delivers a well-received service urging unity among Belters, Martians, and Earthers. Afterward, she and Tilly retreat to Tilly’s tent for lemonade and a brief respite from the heat and crowding aboard the Behemoth.
The calm breaks when armed Belter squads sweep the tent city. Serge arrives with a small security detail to confront them, but a riflewoman shoots Serge in the head, and the loyalists disarm and bind the remaining security. Anna, shaken and ill, and Tilly barricade themselves in the tent as patrols consolidate control.
Hector Cortez visits, newly confident, and announces that Ashford is again in command. In private, Cortez asks for Anna’s support to persuade civilians to accept a drastic plan: refitting the Behemoth’s communications laser to destroy the Ring, trapping everyone inside to protect the rest of humanity.
Anna challenges Cortez’s fear-driven certainty, arguing that reckless actions created the crisis and that sacrificing the trapped crews without full understanding is immoral. She refuses to help and vows to oppose him. Cortez departs with an armed escort.
Fearing what comes next, Anna rushes to the drum elevator and sees Cortez boarding with soldiers and Clarissa. Clarissa gives Anna a small wave as the doors close, signaling that she is aligned with Cortez as they head toward the bridge to advance Ashford’s plan.
Who Appears
- Anna VolovodovMinister who preaches unity, witnesses the coup, rejects Cortez’s plan to destroy the Ring, and resolves to resist.
- Hector CortezPolitical leader regaining influence; backs Ashford and pushes the comm-laser plan to close the Ring, seeking Anna’s support.
- Tilly FaganAnna’s wealthy friend; shelters with Anna during the takeover and reports Clarissa’s detention.
- SergeBull’s deputy who confronts armed loyalists in the drum and is summarily executed, signaling the coup’s success.
- Clarissa MaoIn custody with Ashford’s faction; accompanies Cortez to the bridge, aligning with his plan.
- Klaes AshfordReinstalled captain via loyalist coup; authorizes refitting the comm laser to destroy the Ring.