Babylon's Ashes

Synopsis

Following the events of Nemesis Games, the self-described Free Navy, made up of belters using stolen military ships, has been growing even bolder. After the crippling attacks on Earth and the Martian Navy, the Free Navy has turned their attention to the colony ships headed for the ring gates and the worlds beyond. The relatively defenseless ships are left to fend for themselves, as neither Earth nor Mars are powerful enough to effectively protect them.

James Holden and the crew of the Rocinante are called upon once again by what remains of the UN and Martian governments to go to Medina Station, now in the hands of the Free Navy, in the ring station. On the other side of the rings, an alien threat is growing, the Free Navy may be the least of humanity's problems.

Characters

James Holden, Captain of the Rocinante and increasingly competent and trusted negotiator and troubleshooter of the solar system, is back in the thick of things as a combined fleet of ships from Earth, Mars, and the Outer Planets Alliance fight the Free Navy and try to structure a new place for humanity in the universe.

Naomi Nagata, one of the best engineers in the solar system and XO of the Rocinante, is in the difficult situation of fighting an opposing side she knows includes her son. Solving each problem as it comes to her, she may have found the key to saving humanity.

Alex Kamal, pilot of the Rocinante, lives for being strapped in to a maneuverable ship and solving problems on the fly, preferably not getting killed while he’s doing so. As war drags on, it’s possible he may find something else to live for.

Amos Burton, mechanic on the Rocinante, survived the battering of Earth with a friend, Clarissa. Now a teacher, he tries to get his own fighting in when he can.

Bobbie Draper, former Martian Marine and now military advisor to Earth’s leader and crew member of the Rocinante, understands that battle is necessary at times and will do her part as best she can. After a frustrating battle she cannot participate in, a split-second decision changes the dynamics of defense for Medina Station.

Clarissa Mao, former prisoner on Earth and now a mechanic’s apprentice on the Rocinante, is trying to fit in to her new life with the people she once tried to destroy.

Filip Inaros (Nagata), son of the Free Navy’s leader and Naomi Nagata, is growing disillusioned with life as a revolutionary. Finding it increasingly difficult to match his father’s statements and actions, he makes a decision that will change his future radically

Michio Pa, member of the original inner circle of the Free Navy, faced a choice. As she watches the Free Navy diverge from its original promise with a ticking clock counting down in the amount of time to change course, she breaks from the Free Navy to choose her own path.

Anderson Dawes, Governor of Ceres Station and long-time OPA leader, is having trouble finding a new role within the Free Navy. When the order comes to abandon Ceres, he begrudgingly follows it, but makes another choice as well.

Chrisjen Avasarala, now the leader of a battered Earth, is trying fight multiple battles at once: slowing the death rate of Earth’s decreasing population, trying to stop Mars from supporting the Free Navy, and trying to keep the Free Navy from causing further damage.

Praxidike Meng, plant researcher at Ganymede, is trying to wend his way through the changing political winds on the station that has declared itself officially neutral. Always trying to solve problems with food production, he may have an answer for the long-term survival of the human species.

Jakulski and Vandercaust, workers on Medina Station in the “Slow Zone” between star gates both know that their station will be key to any war. Their positions shift radically as paranoia becomes the policy of the day.

Fred Johnson, long-time recognized leader of the Outer Planets Alliance, is trying to find his new position within the hierarchy created by the rise of the Free Navy. Pushing himself too hard, his greatest threat comes from a place he didn’t expect.

Marco Inaros, leader of the Free Navy and father to Filip, has succeeded in knocking the old regime back on its heels. Can he build a new one with what’s left before they outmaneuver him?