 Books ship
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 TV ship
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| “ | "This is your ship?"
"Mm, one of many, yes. The Belt needs to be able to protect its own, now. |
„ |
| — Naomi Nagata and Marco Inaros | ||
The Pella was the Flagship of the Free Navy (FN) and personal ship of Marco Inaros. The ship was a Light Cruiser of Martian design and was formerly in the possession of the Martian Congressional Republic Navy (MCRN). The Pella was vital in the operation and command of the Free Navy during the Free Navy Conflict.
Design
The Pella is an MCRN light cruiser of unidentified class. It is powered by 4 Epstein drives built in a similar layout of the Donnager-class's engines, giving it powerful speed and acceleration. Painted in the Free Navy's black and gray paint scheme, the Pella is a fearsome vessel, equipped with nine PDCs: one on each Epstein drive, two on each side of the ship, and one on a dorsal mount. Two protrusions near the front of the vessel reveal four bow missile launchers, two on each side. There are additional two + three missile hatches on the bow. Altogether, the vessel can launch up to fifteen missiles in a single salvo.
Alongside the Pella's dark paint scheme, the ship adorns the Free Navy's emblem on its dorsal hull and on either side of its bow. The primary airlock is also on the ventral hull of the ship, at the bow directly between its missile launchers.
The command deck is reminiscent of most MCRN command areas: an elevated part of the CIC housing railings and a screen table for command purposes, with holographic consoles around the elevated area. The deck above is also in view of the commanding officer if they wish to look up and see officers working on ship operation consoles there as well.
History
The Pella is the commanding vessel of the Free Navy and of Marco Inaros, operating covertly in the Belt. Apart from Inaros, other individuals close to him in his inner circle such as Filip Inaros, Cyn and Karal also live and serve aboard the vessel.
Throughout the series
“Battle for humanity” — "Gaugamela"
Naomi Nagata is delivered to the Pella by Filip Inaros on board the Chetzemoka.
"Down and Out"
Originally an MCRN light cruiser, Pella—alongside 4 MCRN heavy frigates including the Koto and the Serrio Mal[5]—were traded to Inaros by rogue MCRN elements aboard the MCRN Barkeith. These five former Martian warships would form the Free Navy Command Fleet, which immediately began a burn towards the outer limits of the Solar system.
The Pella alongside the Chetzemoka.
Throughout the course of the Free Navy Conflict, the Pella would see the Command Fleet grow from five ships to eighteen. Among these ships was the Chetzemoka—a vessel captained by Naomi Nagata, Inaros' former lover. The ship had been gifted by Nagata to their son, Filip Inaros, on Pallas Station. However, Filip later kidnapped his mother, bringing her aboard the Pella. Inaros would later criticize Filip for this decision, however Filip would initially stand by his decision.[6]
The Pella, alongside a former MCRN Heavy Frigate, moving to rendezvous with Drummer Faction Ships.
"Tribes"
The Pella would also rendezvous with Drummer's faction with a proposition to join the Free Navy; this was a proposition that Drummer simply could not refuse, for the sake of her family's safety. Much like other Belter factions including Black Sky and Golden Bough, Drummer would agree to a trade of crewmen; Serge Kylo would serve aboard Pella, while Karal would serve aboard Tynan.[7]
"Oyedeng"
The Pella would further lead and direct efforts to strike at the United Nations (UN) and the Martian Congressional Republic (MCR). Mechanics and technicians from the Pella would rig a proximity detonator to the Chetzemoka in an attempt to destroy the Rocinante, which was racing to answer a bogus SOS call from Nagata. The Pella would also closely monitor a precision micro-meteor field at this time, which appeared to be heading towards the Sol Ring.[8]
"Winnipesaukee"
Inaros would often receive personal updates notifying him of recent combat developments between UN/MCR forces and the Free Navy. Following the Engagement near Patroclus, Inaros would extend his gratitude to the Golden Bough forces who engaged in battle.[9]
The Pella at the Sol Gate, following the destruction of the defending EMC Fleet.
"Nemesis Games"
When the Free Navy's burn towards the outer planets concluded, the ships were revealed to have been burning towards the Sol Ring. As Earth-Mars Coalition (EMC) ships prepared to engage Inaros' ships, the micro-meteor field Inaros had been monitoring earlier slammed into the three defending battleships, dealing heavy damage. The Battle for the Sol Gate commenced, with the Pella leading the attack of the Free Navy. The ship fired several full missile salvos at defending EMC ships, and intercepted inbound torpedoes with its advanced Martian PDC systems. Ultimately, after the three defending battleships were destroyed, the Pella and the Free Navy moved to dock with Medina Station.
Inaros later received a personal congratulations aboard the Pella from former-MCRN Admiral Emil Sauveterre, who extended his congratulations on the victory on the behalf of Admiral Duarte.[10]
to right of the section title.Media
Notes
- The Pella's transponder ID is MVP3771H8WCRN_P. The ID still reads as Martian, given the ship's origin as an MCRN warship.[11]
Trivia
- Pella is a city in central Macedonia, Greece. Ancient Pella was the birthplace of Alexander the Great, and served as the capital of his empire after the Alexandrine conquests of the Middle East.
References
- ↑
Tweet from Ty Franck, co-author of The Expanse
- ↑ The Expanse TV Series - Season 6, Episode 06: "Babylon's Ashes"
- ↑ The Expanse TV Series - Season 6, Episode 06: "Babylon's Ashes"
- ↑ https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErI4j9FWMAABEFj.jpg
- ↑ It is unknown if the names of these vessels were their original names as designated under the MCRN.
- ↑ The Expanse TV Series - Season 5, Episode 5: "Down and Out"
- ↑ The Expanse TV Series - Season 5, Episode 6: "Tribes"
- ↑ The Expanse TV Series - Season 5, Episode 7: "Oyedeng"
- ↑ The Expanse TV Series - Season 5, Episode 9: "Winnipesaukee"
- ↑ The Expanse TV Series - Season 5, Episode 10: "Nemesis Games"
- ↑ The Expanse TV Series - Season 6, Episode 6: "Babylon's Ashes"
