The Expanse, #2
Caliban’s War
by James S. A. Corey
Contents
Chapter Nine: Avasarala
Overview
Avasarala connects the timing of the Ganymede attack to a simultaneous surge in protomolecule activity on Venus, raising the stakes from a military crisis to a possible alien escalation. Her tense interview with Jules-Pierre Mao yields no confession, but his controlled reactions convince her that he may be withholding something.
When Avasarala learns James Holden is secretly on Ganymede, she infers that the OPA is investigating rather than orchestrating the attack. This shifts her strategy toward surveillance and covert diplomacy with Fred Johnson.
Summary
Avasarala reviews a report on Venus and learns that the protomolecule activity there has grown stranger: enormous filament networks are encasing the planet, gravity has increased, and synchronized hydrocarbon whirlwinds move through Eros impact craters. The key fact is that the attack on Ganymede and a spike in energy use on Venus happened at exactly the same time, suggesting a connection no one can yet explain.
In a UN commissary, Avasarala questions Soren about Mars and learns that a Martian delegation is coming to Earth with Sergeant Draper as a witness, escorted by Admiral Nguyen. Soren then briefs Avasarala on Jules-Pierre Mao, whose company supplied Protogen but escaped prosecution by cooperating with the Eros investigation after Mao’s daughter Julie became the first protomolecule infection.
Avasarala privately interviews Jules-Pierre Mao and asks whether any undisclosed Protogen projects, business partners, or isolated programs survived the investigation. Mao insists that he gave the authorities everything he knew because Protogen killed Julie. Avasarala tests him by asking whether he has heard from Julie since Eros crashed into Venus, then tells him that the force that killed Julie may also have been present on Ganymede. Mao denies knowing anything more, but Avasarala senses that his reactions are too controlled and warns him not to hide information from her.
After Mao leaves, Avasarala considers the possibility that some remnant of Julie survived within the protomolecule on Venus and might have contacted Mao or Mao-Kwikowski Mercantile. She asks Soren for tea and begins thinking about indirect ways to monitor communications between Venus and Mao-controlled installations, since direct surveillance on Mao would be difficult.
Soren brings Avasarala a report showing that James Holden is on Ganymede aboard a relief ship rather than the Rocinante. Avasarala concludes that the OPA sent Holden because of Holden’s experience with Eros and the protomolecule, meaning the OPA likely does not know what happened on Ganymede either. She orders Holden’s team watched but not detained until they try to leave, then tells Soren to find a secret way to contact Fred Johnson because back-channel negotiation may become necessary.
Who Appears
- Chrisjen AvasaralaUN official investigating the Ganymede crisis, Venus activity, Mao’s knowledge, and Holden’s presence.
- SorenAvasarala’s aide; briefs her on Mars, Mao, Venus reports, and Holden’s Ganymede appearance.
- Jules-Pierre MaoPowerful Mao-Kwikowski executive questioned about Protogen, Julie, and possible hidden protomolecule projects.
- Julie MaoMao’s dead daughter; discussed as the first protomolecule infection and possible lingering influence on Venus.
- James HoldenReported on Ganymede aboard a relief ship, prompting Avasarala to order surveillance.
- Admiral NguyenUN admiral assigned to escort the incoming Martian diplomatic delegation.
- Bobbie DraperMartian marine witness traveling to Earth with the Martian delegation after the Ganymede incident.