The Expanse, #2
Caliban’s War
by James S. A. Corey
Contents
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Avasarala
Overview
Avasarala realizes the public attack on Prax is a smear campaign, which reveals that Errinwright’s faction is afraid of Holden and Meng. While she uses her remaining political reach to stir up investigations and contact Souther, she also learns that Venus may be thinking, deepening the scale of the alien threat.
Souther’s warning leads Avasarala to uncover Nguyen’s apparent move to send warships after the Rocinante. When Mao’s yacht blocks her attempt to warn Holden, Avasarala abandons political maneuvering and orders Bobbie to seize control of the ship.
Summary
Avasarala watches Nicola Mulko’s accusation against Praxidike Meng and immediately identifies it as a coordinated smear campaign rather than a spontaneous confession. Because the attack suggests Errinwright’s side is afraid of Holden and Meng, Avasarala treats it as the first useful sign that her enemies have been forced to react.
Avasarala records a message to Admiral Souther, opens her private files on Holden to him, and deliberately chooses not to include Errinwright. She then pressures Emma Corlinowski and others in the UN bureaucracy, launching inquiries into the smear, demanding information on Mei Meng, and seeking the identities of the doctor and woman from Holden’s broadcast. Avasarala floods the system with messages, hoping that volume, bureaucratic fear, or media attention will let something slip past Errinwright’s damage control.
Hours later, Cotyar brings food after Bobbie repeatedly fails to get Avasarala to stop working. Replies confirm that people are cautious and that some messages are being delayed or managed. Souther answers in guarded language, avoiding Holden’s name and implying surveillance, while Michael-Jon reports that analysis of Venus indicates the protomolecule activity there may be actual thought, comparable to a cetacean solving spatial problems.
Avasarala struggles with the terror of Venus’s alien intelligence and recognizes why Errinwright, Nguyen, and their allies prefer familiar human war to confronting what Venus means. A second message from Souther directs her to check Ganymede force assignments. After investigating, Avasarala discovers that Nguyen has ordered six UN destroyers away from Ganymede and that Martian ships have followed; the course points toward the Rocinante, meaning Nguyen is likely moving to kill Holden.
Avasarala warns Bobbie and Cotyar that her next move may escalate their danger. When Avasarala tries to tightbeam the Rocinante, the Guanshiyin refuses the connection, and the ship’s officers claim communications are unavailable. The captain admits in effect that he answers to Mao rather than to Avasarala’s authority, so Avasarala formally declares the yacht in violation of law and orders Bobbie to take control of the ship.
Who Appears
- Chrisjen AvasaralaRecognizes the smear campaign, probes Nguyen’s orders, and orders Bobbie to seize Mao’s yacht.
- Bobbie DraperGuards Avasarala, supports her under confinement, and prepares to take control of the ship.
- CotyarProtects Avasarala’s suite, manages security, and witnesses her declaration against the yacht.
- Admiral SoutherSends guarded warnings that help Avasarala identify the threat to the Rocinante.
- Michael-JonReports that Venus’s protomolecule activity appears to be a form of thought.
- Captain of the GuanshiyinBlocks Avasarala’s communications and refuses her emergency beacon request, citing Mao’s authority.
- Sadavir ErrinwrightOffscreen antagonist whose apparent smear tactics and surveillance shape Avasarala’s response.
- Admiral NguyenOrders UN destroyers away from Ganymede, apparently positioning them against the Rocinante.
- Emma CorlinowskiUN media figure Avasarala pressures to expose whoever arranged the Prax smear.
- Nicola MulkoAppears in the leaked accusation video used to discredit Prax Meng.