The Expanse, #2
Caliban’s War
by James S. A. Corey
Contents
Chapter Twenty: Bobbie
Overview
Bobbie breaks with the Martian delegation after Thorsson treats Bobbie as a damaged liability rather than a witness to the Ganymede monster. Bobbie accepts Avasarala’s offer and is quickly drawn into the UN’s investigation, where Avasarala gives Bobbie broad access but Bobbie also discovers troubling dysfunction through Soren’s careless arrogance.
The chapter ends with a sudden crisis: Ganymede has escalated into open combat, forcing Bobbie into the role of liaison between enemies just as Bobbie’s loyalties and purpose are most unstable.
Summary
Bobbie waits in the Martian delegation’s lavish UN office suite after Thorsson summons her following her confrontation with Avasarala. Thorsson tells Bobbie that, because Martens has framed her outburst as trauma, Thorsson will not send Bobbie home but will keep Bobbie on staff to repair the damage Bobbie caused.
Bobbie, increasingly detached from Thorsson’s authority and frustrated that Bobbie is being used as a showpiece instead of being asked about the Ganymede monster, asks why Bobbie is there at all. When Thorsson insists Bobbie’s only role is to obey orders, Bobbie walks out. Bobbie says goodbye to Martens, who accepts the parting calmly, then calls Avasarala’s number and accepts Avasarala’s job offer.
Bobbie starts work for Avasarala and finds Avasarala’s office far less grand than the Martian suite. Avasarala immediately sends Bobbie the full Ganymede report and notes, clears Bobbie for access over Soren’s objections, and orders Bobbie to read everything that day. Bobbie is struck by Avasarala’s blunt trust, especially compared with Bobbie’s own government’s treatment.
After Bobbie and Soren leave the office, Bobbie sees Soren casually ignore Avasarala’s instruction to deliver a memory stick to data services. Soren explains that Avasarala treats everything as urgent, so he decides what matters and lets Avasarala complain. When Soren insults Avasarala, Bobbie is shocked and angry, but Bobbie restrains herself and leaves the issue unresolved.
Later, after staying up late reading, Bobbie is awakened at 4:11 a.m. by Soren, who says Avasarala wants Bobbie at the office immediately. In a moment of clarity, Bobbie recognizes how disordered Bobbie’s life has become: Bobbie has left Martian command, joined Earth’s side, wants to return to Ganymede for revenge, and does not know who the true enemy is.
At Avasarala’s office, Bobbie finds a crowded emergency meeting with civilians, military officers, and Sadavir Errinwright. Avasarala orders Bobbie, as liaison, to call Bobbie’s people. When Bobbie asks what happened, Avasarala says the situation around Ganymede has become catastrophic: Earth and Mars are in a shooting war.
Who Appears
- Bobbie DraperMartian marine who rejects Thorsson, joins Avasarala, and becomes liaison during the Ganymede crisis.
- Chrisjen AvasaralaUN deputy secretary who hires Bobbie, shares Ganymede files, and announces open war.
- SorenAvasarala’s assistant; outwardly composed, privately dismissive and negligent with Avasarala’s orders.
- ThorssonMartian delegation official who tries to retain Bobbie as an obedient, controlled asset.
- MartensMartian captain and counselor figure who parts amicably with Bobbie when Bobbie leaves.
- Sadavir ErrinwrightAvasarala’s powerful superior, present in the emergency meeting about Ganymede.