The Expanse, #2
Caliban’s War
by James S. A. Corey
Contents
Chapter Twenty-Two: Holden
Overview
Holden and the others make it back to the Rocinante and survive a chaotic escape from Ganymede, with Alex, Amos, and Naomi working together to evade missiles and reach open space. The rescue gives Prax a fragile sense of safety, but Holden’s fear of the protomolecule drives him toward a confrontation with Fred Johnson.
Naomi challenges Holden’s assumptions and warns that trauma and anger are turning him into someone she cannot follow. Her ultimatum shifts the stakes from physical survival to the possible fracture of Holden’s closest relationship and his moral direction.
Summary
Holden, Naomi, Amos, and Prax reach the secret landing pad in a crater and find the Rocinante waiting while battle continues overhead. The sight of the ship releases Holden’s fear, but the flashes in orbit remind him that people are still dying above Ganymede. Alex opens the airlock in armor, relieved to see the crew alive.
Once aboard, Holden introduces Prax to Alex and orders preparations for an immediate liftoff. Prax is disoriented by the Rocinante resting on its side and moved when Holden assigns him a room of his own. Holden explains that Prax should strap into a crash couch and use medication to survive the coming high-g escape.
In the cockpit, Alex reports a cargo airlock seal warning, likely from damage during landing, but Holden decides to ignore it because the cargo bay can remain in vacuum. Holden tells Alex to burn hard after takeoff, even if the drive plume destroys what remains below, because Holden fears the protomolecule traces in the hidden base. The Rocinante launches from Ganymede and immediately becomes a target for many ships fighting around the moon.
Alex steers through a deadly missile swarm while Amos controls the aft point defense cannons and Naomi prepares jamming. Alex aims for Callisto and uses a dangerous close slingshot around the moon while Naomi blinds the missiles long enough for the Rocinante to change vector. Most missiles miss, crash, or fall behind, and the remaining pursuers are destroyed; Alex sets course for Tycho at half a g.
After the escape, Holden and Naomi retreat to their cabin and reaffirm their survival physically, but Naomi then forces a serious conversation. Holden wants to confront Fred Johnson because Holden gave Fred the last protomolecule sample and now fears Fred or the OPA may be responsible for the black filaments on Ganymede. Naomi warns that Holden’s fear is not evidence and that accusing Fred of endangering an entire moon would be reckless.
The argument exposes Naomi’s deeper concern: Holden has become increasingly quick to violence and suspicion. Naomi compares this hardened version of Holden to Miller and says she cannot stay with him if that is who he has become. The chapter ends with Naomi telling Holden that if he continues down that path, she wants to be dropped off and is out.
Who Appears
- James HoldenReaches the Rocinante, commands the escape, and grows determined to confront Fred over the protomolecule.
- Naomi NagataHelps the escape with jamming, then challenges Holden’s suspicions and threatens to leave him.
- Alex KamalPilots the Rocinante through Ganymede’s battle and executes a risky Callisto slingshot escape.
- Prax MengBoards the Rocinante, meets Alex, and is emotionally affected by being given a safe room.
- Amos BurtonWelcomes the return home, escorts Prax, and operates aft defenses during the missile attack.