The Nauvoo Ship Behemoth’s Journey Through The Expanse

In the expansive universe of The Expanse, the Nauvoo, a massive generation ship originally built by the Mormons, plays a crucial role in the series. This ship, which becomes known as Behemoth, undergoes a series of transformations and serves as a pivotal element in the ongoing conflicts and alliances within the solar system...

Transforming the Nauvoo into Behemoth: Repurposing a Generation Ship

At the outset of the third season, the Nauvoo is repurposed by Anna Volovyk as a formidable weapon. The OPA (One Person Army) seizes control and transforms the ship into a battleship, arming it with powerful weapons. However, the consequences of this transformation are potentially disastrous, as the powerful weapons pose a significant risk to the ship itself. This adaptation highlights the OPA's willingness to use any means necessary in their fight against the Outer Planet Alliance and their allies...

The Behemoth's Role in the Protomolecule Conflict

When the protomolecule emerges from Venus, leading to the creation of the Ring, the OPA sends the Behemoth to represent their faction. The ship plays a significant role in the story, particularly in the events following the Roci's flight into the Ring. The Behemoth, along with UN and MCR ship fleets, pursues the Roci into the Slow Zone, a region of space known for its unusual properties...

Conflict and Mutiny in the Slow Zone

The Slow Zone becomes a complex battleground, where a grenade thrown by Holden damages the station, prompting a drastic deceleration of speed. This event not only damages the Behemoth and its crew but also leads to a significant loss of life. The Behemoth serves as a meeting place for various factions, with ships docking to it and refugee camps emerging inside the vessel. However, the ship falls victim to a mutiny, with a faction of "crazy OPA people" clashing with the reasonable members, including Roci crew members, soldiers from the Martian Colonial Marines (MMC), and members of the OPA...

Behemoth as Medina Station: A Hub in the Slow Zone

Following the stabilization of the Slow Zone and the opening of gates to habitable worlds, the Behemoth is repurposed yet again, this time as Medina Station, a base that controls the region. The station serves as a gas station for the Slow Zone, facilitating the movement of ships and aiding in the transition between regions. However, the stability of Medina Station is threatened when some MMC soldiers and OPA goons, with the help of the Roci, reclaim the station and return it to the "good guys"...

The Final Destiny of the Behemoth

During the Free Navy War, the Medina Station becomes part of the Free Navy, but is later recaptured and returned to the OPA by the Roci. In a climactic event, when the Roci triggers an anomaly in the Ring, the entire fleet, including the Behemoth, is teleported to a mysterious location, effectively vanishing from the known universe. This event marks a significant shift in the power dynamics of the series and paves the way for the concluding chapters of The Expanse, leaving the fate of the Behemoth and its crew unknown...

In summary, the Nauvoo Ship, and its eventual incarnation as Behemoth, witnesses a series of dramatic transformations and plays a central role in the intricate plot of The Expanse. From being a weapon of war to a hub in the Slow Zone, and finally to its mysterious disappearance, the Behemoth's journey is a testament to the multi-faceted narrative of the series...