Ring Station

Story so far

Ring Station is the blue alien sphere at the center of the slow zone, distinct from the human drum of Medina Station and ringed by the gates. Its structural bands support the enormous Medina rail guns that have made the Free Navy's claim on the gate network militarily enforceable.

The Giambattista's swarm draws defensive fire while Bobbie Draper and Amos Burton land a small ground force on the sphere. The surface's unfamiliar blue light, tiny gravity, close curved horizon, and starless sky make it feel less like any world than an enormous artificial ship. Its guarded gun bases stop the force from taking the controls directly.

Bobbie sends her landing craft into a reactor beneath one emplacement. The blast turns the surface acid green, then makes it strobe between green, white, and black; its metal bands visibly separate and begin to move. The station gives no readable answer to the damage, but the rail guns stop firing. Whatever deeper response the alien structure may be having, the immediate tactical fact is that the Roci can now cross the Ring without being torn apart by its artillery.

Appearance

An immense faintly glowing blue alien sphere at the slow zone's center, with close curved horizons, a starless black sky, broad metal-and-ceramic bands, and rail-gun turrets; its surface flashes green and white after a reactor blast.

Role

Ring Station is the strange strategic platform whose damaged surface and disabled weapons open the slow zone to the coalition.

Relationships

Earlier in this series

Also appears in books you've already read — spoiler-safe to their endings:

• Abaddon's GateBook 3