Nemesis Games

How it opens

Back at Tycho Station after Ilus, James Holden watches a demolition mech cut away the hull of the battered Rocinante for repairs projected to take six months. Fred Johnson, who is building an OPA navy and holds Medina Station, sees the rush of colonists through the rings as his chance to lead the new worlds, while Holden argues that something killed off the builders of the protomolecule and that the real question is who. On the news, a leaked draft of the inquiry into last year's attack on the Callisto shipyards points toward a breakaway OPA faction. With the ship laid up, Amos books passage to Earth, saying a woman he used to know has died, and Alex plans a trip to Mars, hoping to make peace with his ex-wife, Talissa.

Who you meet early

• James HoldenJames Holden is back on Tycho Station with his crew about six days after returning from Ilus, and the Rocinante came back badly damaged. He shares a suite there with Naomi Nagata.
• Naomi NagataNaomi Nagata is the Rocinante's executive officer and Holden's partner, and she has already worked through the repair estimates for the ship.
• Alex KamalAlex Kamal pilots the Rocinante and, with the ship in dock on Tycho, keeps dreaming of his ex-wife Talissa.
• Amos BurtonAmos Burton is the Rocinante's mechanic. With the ship under repair at Tycho Station, he books passage to Earth, saying a woman he used to spend time with has died.
• Fred JohnsonFred Johnson leads the Outer Planets Alliance from Tycho Station, holds Medina Station between the rings and is building an OPA naval fleet.