Chapter Thirty-Six: Holden

Martian marines remove Holden from his cell on the Hammurabi, explaining he is being evacuated as part of a surrender. Exhausted troops accompany him on a skiff to the Behemoth, where OPA personnel accept custody. Captain Pa grants Holden shipwide liberty under strict debriefing conditions.

Holden immediately tells Captain Pa he knows how to lower the station’s alert state so it can lift the speed restriction, recounting his encounters with Miller and the plan. Pa withholds judgment and departs to handle security issues, leaving Holden to seek his crew in the medical bay.

On the drum walkway, Anna approaches Holden, asks him to keep quiet about “Melba,” and explains that Naomi was badly injured during Melba’s attack. Anna reveals Melba is Clarissa Mao. Reeling, Holden asks to see Naomi; Anna leads him to the Rocinante crew’s room.

Holden reunites with Naomi, Alex, and Amos, confirming they all survived the slowdown injuries and Naomi’s subsequent assault. Anna then asks the group not to publicize Clarissa’s confession to prevent her likely execution. Naomi agrees to stay quiet, but Holden, enraged by the harm done, refuses.

Alex challenges Holden’s perspective, pointing out Naomi’s greater claim to forgiveness. Confronted with Naomi’s choice, Holden relents. He resolves not to expose Clarissa to the UN as a favor to Anna and in deference to Naomi, while making clear he will never forgive Clarissa. Amos concurs to hold back for now, but warns he’s ready to act if things change.