The severe Donnager captain who receives Holden's crew under guard and treats the advancing ships as a live military threat.
Captain Theresa Yao of the Donnager answers James Holden's broadcasts with a compulsory pickup course, giving no sign that the Martian navy accepts his explanation. When the Knight docks, she has the survivors searched by armed marines and confined under guard, while still proceeding with a formal debrief.
Yao asks Holden what he knows about the six ships following him, then gives them a two-hour deadline to change course. Her explanation that she will launch torpedoes is flatly operational rather than theatrical. When the ships continue and return fire, the Donnager enters combat, confirming that Yao had been preparing for a real attack rather than simply an intimidation exercise.
Yao is an older severe-looking woman with hair pulled tightly back, a few gray strands, a softened jaw and eye corners, and a controlled stony expression. She wears an immaculate Martian naval captain's uniform.
Yao commands the Martian flagship that holds the survivors and now fights the unknown ships that followed them.