The Expanse, #3
Abaddon's Gate
by James S. A. Corey
Contents
Chapter Forty-One: Bull
Overview
Bull, isolated in Behemoth’s storage decks, meets Holden and Amos and hears that Ashford’s plan could doom humanity. Bull chooses to ally, aiming to retake engineering and disable command nonlethally.
He establishes Monica’s studio as a broadcast hub to rally ships to power down and to draw Ashford’s forces away.
Summary
In Behemoth’s vast storage decks, Bull assesses that Ashford controls command and engineering, Pa is missing, and his own efforts to build order are failing. Expecting a final confrontation, he prepares for the worst.
Holden and Amos arrive, relaying that Ashford’s planned laser strike could trigger the station to annihilate humanity and trap everyone inside the Ring. Bull challenges whether Holden’s information is trustworthy, but accepts that both paths carry existential risk and decides action is required.
Bull outlines a plan to retake engineering—leveraging Sam inside—to cut Ashford off from reinforcements, then to flood command with nitrogen and capture Ashford’s team alive. As a backup, they will shut down Behemoth’s reactor and push all ships to power down to lift the station’s lockdown.
Seeking both a rally point and a distraction, Bull leads them to Monica Stuart’s makeshift studio. Corin reports with thirty armed allies, civilians secured, Pa alive but battered, and Serge killed. Bull declares the office complex a provisional security HQ and asks Monica to broadcast that Ashford has been relieved and to urge every ship to power down.
Monica demands the full story later; Bull agrees and adds a plan to recruit the widely trusted priest to convince the fleet. He also intends the broadcast to provoke Ashford, pulling his forces toward the studio and away from engineering and command.
Who Appears
- Carlos "Bull" c de BacaSecurity chief in a mech; allies with Holden; plans to retake engineering, capture command, and use broadcasts to rally shutdowns and bait Ashford.
- James HoldenWarns Bull that Ashford’s strike could doom humanity; agrees to join the push on engineering and fleet-wide power-downs.
- Amos BurtonBacks Holden; suggests Sam can soften engineering defenses; ready to fight despite injuries.
- Monica StuartLeads Radio Free Slow Zone; agrees to broadcast Bull’s message to the fleet in exchange for later full access.
- CorinBull’s ally; reports holding civilians with thirty armed troops; confirms Pa alive and Serge killed.
- Klaes AshfordAntagonist offstage; controls command and engineering; preparing a laser strike Bull aims to thwart.
- Sam RosenbergEngineer allied with Bull and Holden; positioned in engineering to sabotage and soften defenses.
- Captain PaLeader of civilians; alive but injured; potential authority to reclaim command if Ashford is removed.
- OkjuMonica’s crew member at the studio; helps keep the broadcast operation running.
- ClipMonica’s Martian crew member; part of the reduced broadcast team.
- SergeBull’s subordinate; reported dead during Ashford’s takeover.
- Fred JohnsonMentioned; Bull considers contacting him, reflecting on leadership and past choices.