Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse, #1)

by James S.A. Corey

“Do people talk about the war?” Miller asked. “Often,” the missionary said. “Anyone make sense of it?” “No. I don’t believe war ever does. It’s a madness that’s in our nature. Sometimes it recurs; sometimes it subsides.” “Sounds like a disease.” “The herpes simplex of the species?” the missionary said with a laugh. “I suppose there are worse ways to think of it. I’m afraid that as long as we’re human, it will be with us.”

And until you figure out that you don’t have to love everyone you bed down with, I’m never going to know whether you love me or just want to bed down.

Holden turned off his newsfeed, fidgeted in his bunk, and tried to wake Miller up by staring at him. It didn’t work. The massive radiation exposure had failed to give him superpowers. Miller began to snore.

“Jesus, Captain, you still look like shit,” Amos said as the lift came to a stop. The mechanic was sprawled across two chairs at the sensor stations and munching on what looked like a strip of leather. “You keep saying that.” “Keeps bein’ true.”

“I was just thinking about something a partner of mine told me about letting cases go when you got pulled from them.” “What did he say?” “That it’s like taking half a shit,” Miller said.

“So here’s the thing. As far as the captain goes, you’re dipped in shit right now.”

Miller smiled. All his smiles looked like he was hearing a good joke at a funeral.

I didn’t call you to hear how it won’t work. Either help or give up. Right now devil’s advocate is just another name for asshole.”