The Expanse quotes

Anderson Dawes

Would you like me to tell you the real story?

Joe Miller

I'm sure you've told so many lies about it you don't even remember what happened.

Joe Miller

So, you killed her.

Anderson Dawes

And that makes me a monster. There was no scrip to bury her, so I laid her to rest in a beautiful bauxite tunnel that we discovered together. Do you know it is possible to cry so hard that your tears turn to blood? And living with this pain, I came to realize that I have millions of brothers and sisters in the Belt. I even count you among them. As I did Julie, an Earther.

Joe Miller

So, everybody dies for the cause, except for you.

Anderson Dawes

Now I'll tell you the truth about Julie.

Joe Miller

Just tell me if she's alive.

Anderson Dawes

If she was here right now, she'd spit in your face. You're everything she despised. A Belter who preys on his own kind. Welwala... Die as you lived.

I know that you and your team did a rotation on the Donnie. I knew people on that ship too. Captain Yao was a friend. But still, nobody knows what really happened.

We know those stealths were Earth-built.

So says Fred Johnson, mouthpiece for OPA terrorists. And now Earth is accusing him. We will not be led into war on anyone's leash. I was a private during the Vesta blockade. Half the Earth's fleet was headed to Mars, to annihilate its former colony. If they couldn't have what we built, they were going to pound it back into dust. We went to bed every night thinking that we would wake in nuclear fire. Luckily for everyone, cooler heads prevailed.

We all grew up with that story.

Because it was a warning. We've managed to avoid a shooting war with Earth up till now. That's our job. To make sure that that war never happens.

And because of Vesta, we pushed back the terraforming project. Fifty years and 50 more. All those resources to the military. Now, none of us will live to see an atmosphere over Mars.

That was the price.

But it's still worth fighting for.

Sadavir Errinwright

We need to talk about Eros. Mars and Earth may be busy pointing guns at each other, but those quarantine beacons won't keep people away from Eros forever. There's already a lot more do-gooders than we expected. Next will be the looters.

Then get rid of them.

Sadavir Errinwright

Yes. Of course. I'll sacrifice what's left of my credibility for a few short-term trinkets.

[chuckles] Sadavir! You're witnessing a discovery that could rewrite the story of humankind, but your imagination takes you as far as putting the boot heel to your former colony. [chuckles] This was Julie's spot. Far from the house, where no one could find her. Where she could find her adventures. She taught herself to shoot a bow and arrow at this tree. Nine years old. Just woke up one morning, and taught herself. My Julie. Even losing her was worth it. She's a sacred part of it now. So don't talk to me about sacrifice ever again.

Holden

Listen, I hope you understand if I ask you to sit this one out. Close quarters battle can get kinda hairy.

Miller

What the hell use would I ever be on a ship? Nah, Im going down with the assault team.

Holden

Have you seen the breaching pod? Its a beer can taped to a rocket. You're not going to like the ride.

Miller

Fred's trying to land 50 pissed off Belters and seven different OPA factions on that station. I mean, somebody's gotta keep these idiots from shooting each other. Oh, I ain't sitting this one out.

Dawes

Assistant Director of Operations. You've come a long way since the loading docks on Ceres. Eh, Mali?

You don't get to call me that anymore, Pampaw.

Dawes

From what people tell me, you're the one really running things around here. We need you back home. It's hard to find good people.

I prefer it here.

Dawes

This floating tin can? I don't know if it's the aching bones or the constipation I miss more.

You been on Ceres too long, eh? You forget how to be a good rock hopper. You're constipated, you stuck a stone to get thing moving. If it's the other problem, you shove that rock up your ass.

Dawes

Do you know how old you are?

Nineteen, I think. Earther years.

Dawes

Even our sense of time comes from them. The time it takes the Earth to spin on its axis... The Earth to go once around the Sun. On Jupiter, you'd be celebrating your first birthday. It's hard to feel we matter out here, isn't it? The distances are so vast. It's hard to believe that we can make a difference.

Who's in charge of security at this goddamn station?

That would be me.

Interesting.

Say what you mean.

Either you're doing an incredibly shitty job or you're no longer in control of the people who work for you.

Anderson Dawes

Fred Johnson. We have traveled far together, my beratna, but this is where we must part ways. Ever since I found you, broken, looking for redemption under a Belter knife, I have tried to teach you the Belter way. I have failed. You told us that when you destroyed Protogen, the Earth corp responsible for killing so many of our brothers and sisters on Eros, that you destroyed all its secrets as well. There was nothing left for us to fear. But instead, you preserved what you could of this terrible new weapon, and took it back to Tycho with you, keeping those secrets for yourself, no doubt believing that when the time comes, as it surely must, you and you alone, would decide when to use the weapon to defend the Belt. Now, I believe you have the Belt ere kori. And we have taken to you as a brother. But this? This is the Earther in you still. We do not want to live under anyone's boot, Fred Johnson, asilik towchu! Even a friendly one, afraid that if we disobey, we will have our air cut off, our water rationed, be spaced, or be herded into chambers to be used like animals. This is the way it has been until now. No more. I have stolen your secret, Fred Johnson. And I am giving it to the Belt.

You okay, Dad?

Sadavir Errinwright

I never really did tell you that I was sorry that I had to leave your mother. You know, you're at an age now when time is just gonna... You're just going to put your head down and "Whoosh." And all the old farts like me, we're all going to be telling you this is how you do it and this is the path you take. We're all going to be experts on how you should grow up. But there's only one thing that I need to tell you. And it's the simplest thing. But it's the hardest thing to remember. Listen to your heart. No matter what. It'll always be the right call.

Alex Kamal

When I first saw that thing outside, for a split second I thought I was hallucinating. But after hearing what went down in that lab, now I wish I kinda had been.

Jim Holden

When the European tall-ships first arrived on the American continent, the natives couldn't see them. The sight was so completely outside of their experience, they just couldn't compute. So they didn't see.

Alex Kamal

Those natives all got wiped out in the end, didn't they? If that thing out there really is some sort of human-protocrap hybrid, then we're yesterday's model. Obsolete.

Alex

We're not done here, but just look at my eyes and tell me the god's honest truth - what were you thinking when Naomi told you what she did? I'm not gonna lie, I didn't know what she was saying 'cause my blood was so hot in my ears...

Amos

[pondering] She's not the person I thought she was...

Cotyar

Where is our martian tank? [seeing Avasarala holding a gun] So you're in charge of defense?

Avasarala

Damn right!

Cotyar

Well, suits you. Errinwright gave the order to kill you, he wants confirmation which he won't get from that guy [looking at a dead officer] - so what's Errinwright's next move?

Avasarala

He's got people on that escort ship. We have to assume they'll be back...

Cotyar

So we take control of this boat, haul ass to a safe port where we can broadcast out for help...

Avasarala

...unless you have a better bad idea...

Cotyar

[pondering] No - alright, I'm ready, let's do this! [tries to stand up]

Avasarala

Wait, let me help you!

Cotyar

Uaargh

Avasarala

Hold on, what?

Cotyar

[letting him fall onto the couch in pain] Maybe I'll just ... uggh ... for a minute...

Avasarala

Shit [opens fire on the door]

Cotyar

Whoah whoah whoah

Bobbie

[Appearing in the door with her armour, not phased by the shots] Well done madam - this is Theo, he's gonna help us out...

I've got it! [Giving the box to Avasarala]

Avasarala

You've done your planet a great service!

Cotyar

She says that to everyone - let's go!

Bobbie

Sit still, you're gonna need it!

Avasarala

[feeling the "Juice"] Ooh, ooh, get me off this ship!

Bobbie

Hitch your tits and pucker up, it's time to peel the paint! [accelerating the Razorback away from the exploding ship]

Alex

Hey ya’ll. This is Alex, your daddy. Well I mean, your husband and your daddy. This feels kind of awkward actually, talking like we all don’t know each other. But I guess it’s…it has been a while. You know, you might not even recognize me little guy. So I should have called you after the Donnager, I know. Well, I guess I’m doing it now right? Better late than never. Sorry. I know you hate when I say that. Look. I just want to make sure ya’ll are safe, with everything that’s been going on right now. I don’t think Earth would ever bomb mars, but people have been acting real crazy lately. So you pay extra special attention to those drills at school, all right cowboy. You listen to what the government and you mama tells you. It’ll keep you safe. I’ve been an awful husband…and a worse father. I know. I’m just trying…I’m just trying to do some good out here. And we have. I have. I think uh…I think this is what I’ve always really wanted to do….more than I wanted to be there with you. I just could never really tell you that…’cause I don’t think I knew myself. But that doesn’t mean that for one second I did not love you, both of you, very, very much.

Bobbie

How are you feeling back there?

Avasarala

Like you were standing on my chest - I'm fine...

Bobbie

Tunnel vision?

Avasarala

Yes - I feel like I'm in a goddamn tunnel, look around you...

Bobbie

Sharp headache?

Avasarala

Why?

Bobbie

I'm trying to gauge if you're having a stroke

Avasarala

What could you do if I were?

Bobbie

Keep clenching your thighs

Avasarala

If you're hitting on me, I'm flattered, but I have neither the inclination nor... what does clenching do?

Bobbie

It keeps your blood moving around rather than pooling up in the back of your legs. Do you like to whistle?

Avasarala

Don't try to distract me like I were a child...

Bobbie

It forces you to breathe! Do anything, just don't pass out!