Exit Strategy

Dr. Ayda Mensah serves as the moral center of the narrative and the primary catalyst for Murderbot’s journey toward self-actualization. As a round but largely static character, her core values of compassion and respect for all forms of life are firmly established. Her significance lies in her profound impact on the protagonist, for whom she is a mentor figure. Mensah is the first human to recognize and affirm Murderbot’s personhood, treating it as an individual with rights and agency rather than a piece of equipment. This perspective places her in direct opposition to the novella’s critique of The Dehumanizing Logic of Corporate Power, as her actions are guided by ethics rather than profit.

Mensah’s most defining trait is her unwavering trust in Murderbot’s capacity for independent thought and moral choice. Even after Murderbot leaves her protection at the end of a previous mission, she does not condemn its decision, understanding its need for freedom. Her role in this novella is initially that of a damsel in distress, having been abducted by GrayCris to be used as leverage. However, she is never a passive victim. She remains resilient and composed, and her primary concern upon being rescued is for the well-being of others, including Murderbot itself.

Mensah’s fundamental belief in Murderbot’s personhood is most clearly demonstrated on the company gunship. When Murderbot considers a violent takeover, Mensah confronts it directly, stating, “I know exactly what you are. You’re afraid, you’re hurt, and you need to calm the fuck down so we can get through this situation alive” (138). In this moment, she sees past its function as a weapon and addresses its emotional state, treating it with a respect that de-escalates the situation and reinforces their bond. By the end of the story, she offers Murderbot options for its future, not orders, cementing her role as a figure who champions autonomy over ownership.

Pin-Lee is a key deuteragonist and a member of Dr. Mensah’s survey team, PreservationAux. A round and static character, Pin-Lee is the group’s pragmatic and resolute strategist—qualities that buttress her abilities as a lawyer. Pin-Lee’s defining characteristic is a tough, no-nonsense exterior that conceals a fierce loyalty to her friends and a developing sense of responsibility toward Murderbot. When the team finds itself stranded and attempting to negotiate Mensah’s release, Pin-Lee takes command, navigating the treacherous corporate landscape with determination. She is the first to grasp the cynical legalese logic of the bond company, understanding that their loyalty is a commodity that GrayCris can purchase.

Pin-Lee’s relationship with Murderbot is initially grounded in the practical need for its skills; she is cautious and resentful about the way it left the team in the first novella in the series. She does not offer the immediate, open warmth of Ratthi, but her trust, once earned, is steadfast. This is evident at the end of the novella, when she provides Murderbot with untraceable currency cards and new IDs, an act she admits is “technically illegal” (162)—a complex admission for someone whose job is the law—but necessary to ensure its freedom and safety. This gesture signifies her complete acceptance of Murderbot as an ally who deserves protection. Her transformation from a wary client to a proactive advocate is completed when she declares herself Murderbot’s “legal counsel” (161), a role that formally recognizes its personhood and her commitment to defending it. Through her practicality and eventual advocacy, Pin-Lee represents a form of trust built on shared experience and mutual respect rather than inherent idealism.

Ratthi, a biologist on Dr. Mensah’s survey team, acts as an important supporting character and serves as warm emotional center of the human group. He is a flat character whose primary trait is his open and trusting nature. He is immediately and unconditionally friendly toward Murderbot, greeting its return with uncomplicated enthusiasm: “You look great! What have you been doing?” (70). This reaction contrasts sharply with Gurathin’s suspicion and Pin-Lee’s pragmatism, establishing Ratthi as a representation of the human potential for easy and accepting connection.

His role in the narrative is to provide consistent emotional affirmation for Murderbot. He never doubts its intentions and readily accepts it as part of the team. This unwavering trust helps to counterbalance Murderbot’s deep-seated anxiety about human interactions and its fear of betrayal. Ratthi’s character, while not deeply complex in this installment, is crucial for illustrating that relationships with humans do not have to be entirely transactional or fraught with danger, offering a model of the simple friendship that Murderbot struggles to believe is possible.

Gurathin is an augmented human and a specialist on the Preservation team whose apprehension about Murderbot functions as a foil to Ratthi’s trusting nature. Gurathin is a round and slightly dynamic character, defined by his skepticism and cautious analytical approach. His past experiences have made him wary of corporate entities and their technology, a suspicion he continues to extend to Murderbot even though the pair reached a kind of détente in the first installment of the series. Gurathin’s initial reaction to Murderbot’s reappearance is one of unconcealed dismay, and he consistently questions its motives and the wisdom of relying on a rogue unit.

Despite his guardedness, Gurathin is not an antagonist. His caution is rooted in a logical assessment of risk rather than malice. Over the course of the rescue operation, his perception of Murderbot shifts. He witnesses its loyalty and competence firsthand and is the one who illegally uses his technical skills to manually open the port security barrier to allow its escape. This action marks a significant development, demonstrating that his intellectual rigor can lead him to a new understanding. His admission to Murderbot, “I’m not your enemy. I’m just cautious” (80), signals a turning point in their relationship, evolving from one of deep suspicion to a form of grudging, intellectually earned respect. Eventually, the mutual dislike becomes a team joke—Murderbot remembering his antipathy to Gurathin heralds its reconstituted memory’s return.

Serrat is a representative of GrayCris and serves as a primary antagonist in the narrative. As a flat and static character, he is the physical embodiment of the dehumanizing logic of corporate power. His worldview is entirely transactional, and he is incapable of understanding motivations that are not rooted in profit, control, or revenge. He operates with an air of calm superiority, fully confident in the power his corporation wields.

Serrat’s one scene highlights the central conflict surrounding Murderbot’s identity. He cannot perceive Murderbot as anything other than an object, a “deadly weapon” (88) that must be under Mensah’s control. When Murderbot claims responsibility for its own actions on Milu, Serrat dismisses the idea outright, revealing his ideological blindness to the possibility of non-human agency. His arrogant assertion that Mensah’s group should have expected retaliation for challenging a corporation—“what did you expect to happen?” (90)—encapsulates the corporate belief that power is its own justification. Through his actions and dialogue, Serrat provides a clear and unwavering representation of the dehumanizing system that Murderbot is fighting to escape.