A self-aware, part-machine, part-organic security unit who secretly hacked its own governor module. It acts as a freelance security consultant for a group of human allies from the Preservation system. Currently experiencing system-crashing flashbacks due to a recent traumatic event, it attempts to hide its reduced reliability from the rest of the crew while wearing flimsy environmental suits instead of its standard armor.

A powerful, sentient research transport ship from the University of Mihira and New Tideland. Secretly highly advanced and heavily weaponized, it operates with immense intelligence and a dry wit. It acts as an aggressively protective guardian for both its human crew and Murderbot, frequently distributing its consciousness into smaller iterations like the ART-drone to provide on-the-ground support in dangerous environments.

A high-ranking executive representing the Barish-Estranza corporation. She leads a mission to secure the colony's resources and population as salvage labor. Rather than relying purely on physical force, she utilizes calculated performance and propaganda to exploit the isolated colonists' fears and uncertainties.

The leader of the Preservation group and the person who originally purchased Murderbot's contract to give it legal freedom. She monitors the ongoing rescue operation from the Preservation responder ship in orbit, constantly worrying about the safety and mental state of her team.

A key human leader and primary crew member aboard ART. She possesses significant diplomatic skill combined with an unyielding resolve, serving as the lead negotiator during interactions with defensive colonists and hostile corporate representatives. She treats constructs as absolute equals and maintains a calm authority during high-stress situations.

A scientist from the Preservation system who serves as the emotional heart of the human crew. His scholarly background includes extensive research on the history of abandoned corporate colonies. He consistently provides moral support to the team and respects the boundaries of the non-human intelligence members.

A human crew member whose past experience in a corporate combat squad provides him with a highly cynical and realistic worldview. Initially somewhat peripheral to the group, he possesses a deep understanding of violent corporate operations and brings a pragmatic, strategic voice to the team's planning.

An ancient, non-human central system from the Pre-Corporation Rim era that manages an isolated, underground splinter colony. It operates logically and methodically, prioritizing the safety of its human inhabitants while controlling the facility's cameras, doors, and media directories.

A security unit that recently disabled its own governor module with Murderbot's assistance. It travels with the human negotiating team to provide security while awkwardly attempting to learn how to exist as an autonomous being and emulate human behaviors.

One of the leaders of the separatist colony residing in the blackout zone near the terraforming engines. She is highly skeptical of both the University team and the Barish-Estranza corporation, acting to protect her isolated community from any outside exploitation.

The lead negotiator for ART's home institution. She works tirelessly to convince the main body of colonists to accept medical help and legal sovereignty, trying to unify a deeply factionalized population.

A mid-level executive for the Barish-Estranza corporation who leads the initial ground team. He views local equipment and potentially the colonists themselves as mere inventory to be salvaged.

A member of the Preservation team working alongside Ratthi. She helps manage operations from orbit and begins developing resources for assisting newly freed constructs.

A member of Supervisor Leonide's corporate team. He represents a faction within Barish-Estranza that is deeply concerned about losing financial bonuses due to the mission's delays and complications.