What emerged from Laconia’s Ring Gate in the final moments of The Expanse season 6, episode 3? Marco Inaros’ Free Navy is currently the dominant force in The Expanse‘s Sol system – an achievement only possible thanks to his season 5 alliance with Martian rebels. In exchange for stolen stealth technology from the Red Planet, Marco “acquired” the mutineers a Protomolecule sample. The renegade Martians then fled beyond the Ring Gate to begin a new life in Laconia, while Marco stayed behind to occupy the Ring Gate’s Medina Station, controlling the pathway between worlds.

Since then, Laconia has kept suspiciously quiet. The Expanse season 5’s finale revealed reconstruction of an alien Protomolecule ship is underway, and season 6’s Cara scenes (which have opened every episode thus far) show how Laconia’s colonization is faring, both for the scientists on the ground and the soldiers in the sky. Nevertheless, the Laconia folk have shut themselves off entirely from Sol… until now. By the closing strains of The Expanse season 6, episode 3 (“Force Projection”), Marco has been forced to withdraw following his humiliating loss to the Rocinante. His shame would surely be deeper if he knew the mercy of James Holden is the reason everyone aboard the Pella still breathes. Predictably, however, Marco has an ace up his sleeve. Cheering him up considerably is news that something has been delivered to Medina Station out of the Laconia Ring Gate. Marco suddenly looks a great deal chirpier, but what could this ominous new addition to his arsenal be?

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What Marco’s New Weapon Could Be In The Expanse Season 6

This exchange shouldn’t be interpreted as proof Laconia will be backing-up the Free Navy in The Expanse season 6’s final episodes. As far as we know, Marco has sent nothing in return, suggesting Laconia’s new present is part of their original arrangement. Makes sense, considering the Sol system’s last remaining Protomolecule sample was way more valuable than the Martian stealth technology received by the Free Navy. Secondly, this weapon has been built inside Laconia, meaning it’s brand new to The Expanse‘s civilized worlds – not just more gear swiped from a dusty Martian warehouse. Whatever these weapons are, they’re part-alien in nature – either utilizing Protomolecule technology, or built with otherworldly materials found on Laconia.

Marco’s video feed shows a ship emerging from the Laconia Ring Gate, but that’s probably just transport for the actual weapon. The Free Navy officer excitedly claims, “If this one perform as well as the others, it will be fun.” Were Marco’s new weapon a ship, he couldn’t have tested it inside the Slow Zone, and either Earth or Mars would’ve noticed advanced new ships running test flights elsewhere. The vessel also looks nothing like the Protomolecule ships being built in the skies above Laconia, which the Martian colonists are almost certainly saving for themselves. Marco’s latest toy probably isn’t a ship, but a clue can be found within the weapon’s designated code name – “RS-RG-6.” This could be interpreted as “Ring Station Rail Gun No. 6.” Railguns are among the most deadly weapons seen in The Expanse. Has Marco taken delivery of 6 weapons, especially made for his purposes by the Laconians?

What Marco’s Ring Weapons Mean For The Rocinante, Earth & Mars

Railguns at the Ring Station could be a major problem for the good guys in The Expanse season 6. Marco Inaros has always favored the element of surprise in battle, and the combined forces of Earth and Mars won’t be anticipating such heavy firepower. Throughout The Expanse, viewers have witnessed the destructive capabilities of railguns, and in this very episode, the Rocinante’s proved instrumental in fending off a Free Navy 3-on-1- assault. And since Marco’s guns would have a Laconian flavor, they probably pack a little more kick.

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Marco Inaros arming Medina Station and the Ring Gate so heavily proves how much he values the location as a strategic asset. Previously in The Expanse season 6, the Free Navy leader spoke of prioritizing supplies at Medina over other Belter settlements such as Ceres. The Ring Gate will apparently be Marco’s base of operations, and where he’ll make a last stand… if necessary. But that strategy could play directly into the hands of Camina Drummer. Hedging his bets on Medina, many Belters would feel abandoned by the Free Navy, flocking to a less ruthless rival in the former of Drummer.

The Expanse season 6 releases Fridays on Amazon Prime.

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Craig Elvy
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Craig first began contributing to Screen Rant in 2016, several years after graduating college, and has been ranting ever since, mostly to himself in a darkened room. Having previously written for various sports and music outlets, Craig’s interest soon turned to TV and film, where a steady upbringing of science fiction and comic books finally came into its own.
Craig has previously been published on sites such as Den of Geek, and after many coffee-drenched hours hunched over a laptop, part-time evening work eventually turned into a full-time career covering everything from the zombie apocalypse to the Starship Enterprise via the TARDIS.

Since joining the Screen Rant fold, Craig has been involved in breaking news stories and mildly controversial ranking lists, but now works predominantly as a features writer.
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