The Expanse, #3
Abaddon's Gate
by James S. A. Corey
Contents
Chapter Thirteen: Bull
Overview
On the Behemoth, a staff briefing confirms the Ring is an artificial gate with a strict internal speed limit and possible massive structures beyond. Ashford emphasizes restraint and politics. Pa moves to consolidate control by confining Sam over "irregularities," forcing Bull to comply despite loyalty. The chapter ends with the sudden destruction of the UN destroyer Seung-Un, escalating tensions.
Summary
The Behemoth arrives at the Ring amid Earth and Mars fleets. In a staff briefing, science officer Chan Bao-Zhi explains the Ring is an artificial Einstein-Rosen bridge. Data from the Y Que and Martian probes show a hard speed limit beyond the Ring—objects over roughly 600 m/s are abruptly halted and redirected—while sensors hint at numerous large, unlit structures.
Ashford redirects focus from exploration to politics and restraint: the Behemoth will not provoke or enter the Ring, only ensure the OPA has a place at the table. As questions mount, Pa shifts the meeting by announcing accounting irregularities and orders chief engineer Sam Rosenberg confined and locked out of ship systems.
Bull recognizes Pa’s power play aimed at weakening him by punishing his ally. Choosing mission unity over open defiance, Bull complies, escorts Sam, and initiates the lockout. The humiliation enrages Sam, and Bull admits responsibility for the resource use. Afterward, he visits Sam with beer as a peace offering; she condemns the politics but refuses to give Pa the victory of breaking their alliance.
Between actions, Bull recalls Fred Johnson rescuing him from a post-service spiral and pulling him back into duty, a memory that sharpens his guilt over betraying Sam to preserve the broader mission.
Their uneasy truce is shattered when security reports arrive: the UN destroyer Seung-Un has suddenly exploded, transforming a tense standoff into a crisis.
Who Appears
- Carlos "Bull" BacaHead of security on Behemoth; enforces Sam’s confinement despite loyalty, recalls Fred Johnson’s past intervention.
- Samara Rosenberg (Sam)Chief engineer; abruptly confined and locked out over alleged accounting irregularities; furious but maintains alliance with Bull.
- Klaes AshfordBehemoth’s captain; keeps focus on politics and restraint while allowing Pa’s move against Sam.
- Camina PaExecutive officer; consolidates control by ordering Sam’s confinement, pressuring Bull to comply.
- Chan Bao-ZhiScience officer; presents findings that the Ring is a gate with a strict speed limit and possible structures.
- JojoOPA security bruiser; escorts Sam to quarters at Bull’s order.
- SergeSecurity desk officer; on duty as Bull processes Sam’s lockout.
- GathoniSecurity shift relief; alerts Bull that the UN destroyer Seung-Un has exploded.
- Fred JohnsonBull’s former commander; appears in Bull’s memories as the person who pulled him back to service.