Memory’s Legion by James S. A. Corey
On Mars, a scientist tests a brand-new propulsion that will eventually power humanity’s ascent into the heavens. A group of prisoners are unaware of the disaster that awaits them on an asteroid station. A crime boss is urgently trying to find a way off of the globe in a future Earth plagued by overpopulation, pollution, and poverty. A human family struggles to create a colony and build a new home in an alien world. This must-read collection of short stories set in The Expanse’s gritty setting includes all of these tales and more.
Memory's Legion by James S. A. Corey
9 used from $9.99
Free shipping
Amazon.com
a narrative based on the creation of the Epstein Drive, a key component of the Expanse series’ premise. It’s interesting to see an early Mars and how the series’ tie with Earth was established. The account of how Fred Johnson was contacted by the OPA after becoming disenchanted with his military service. Almost entirely from Fred’s point of view. The show, in my opinion, executed this far better by concentrating on the station’s inhabitants rather than Fred. The father and daughter are still visible in photographs from space. In all honesty, this was just…meh. about Bobbie’s nephew, who becomes entangled with some shady characters.
The creation of Epstein Drive, Fred’s origins as Butcher of Anderson Station, Bobby’s nephew’s production and sale of illegal drugs, Baltimore thugs, Timmy/transformation Timothy’s into Amos Burton, researchers working on the protomolecule, a horror story and tragedy wrapped up in one, and finally a crime story are all covered. What happened to Pilip next? An Author’s Note follows each story.
Three of the tales take place before the start of the primary novel series. The first chronological story, “The Drive,” describes how Solomon Epstein built the Epstein Drive. Although he was unaware of what he was doing, it was very clear that he wouldn’t live to witness the effects of his innovation. When Jonathan Strahan’s “Edge of Infinity” anthology was first released, I had already read this when it first appeared there. The following story, “The Churn,” gives Amos’ backstory on the surface but is much more than that, as are most of these pieces.
There are many bizarre things happening in this place. “The Butcher of Anderson Station” is the third tale that occurs before the novels start. Notwithstanding the fact that they were seeking to surrender, Fred Johnson, a UN Marine colonel, slaughtered a whole station of miners who were protesting at the orders of his superiors. Of course, the story is about how the miners were killed, but it also explores Johnson’s regret and sense of guilt over what he did but didn’t want to.
