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“I’, Prax”

The outer airlock cycled open with a distant hureen

“Whoa,” Alex said

“Problem?” Holden snapped

“No, it’s just—”

The inner door opened, and the biggest person Prax had seen in his entire life stepped into the roo armor If it weren’t for the transparent faceplate, he would have thought it was a two-h the faceplate, Prax saoe dark eyes and coffee-with-creaaze raked them with the palpable threat of violence Beside him, Amos took an unconscious step back

“You’re the captain,” the wo her voice sound artificial and amplified It didn’t sound like a question

“I aot to say, you looked a little different on-screen”

The joke fell flat and the giant stepped into the roo toward Holden’s gun with a auntleted fist

“Would it work?”

“Probably not,” the giant said She took another s when shestep back

“Call it an honor guard, then,” Holden said

“I’m honored Will you put theuns were stowed, and the huge wo inside the helmet with her chin and said, “Okay You’re clear”

The airlock cycled again, red to green, with the hu doors The woray hair was spiking out in all directions, and the orange sari she wore hung strangely in the low thrust gravity

“Undersecretary Avasarala,” Holden said “Welcoata,” the wizened little wolances, and Naoed