Hillman

Also known as Private Hillman, Hilly

Minor
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 58

Hillman is a minor character in The Expanse (Book 1).

Gender: male
Age: 20s
First appears: Book 1 · Ch. 58
Books: 2

Private Tev "Hilly" Hillman is a Martian Marine in Bobbie Draper's squad whose death on Ganymede becomes one of the defining losses of her life. Killed in the chaos of the protomolecule creature's attack while tending to a leaking actuator on Bobbie's powered armor, he is struck by the hurled body of a UN marine and sent tumbling away to his death. Though his time on the page is brief, Hillman lives on in Bobbie's memories, resurfacing whenever damage to her armor recalls the comrade who died repairing it.

Description

A man in his 20s with an average marine build, enclosed in powered armor bearing MCRN markings. He crouches with focused precision, tools in gauntlets repairing a knee joint. His helmeted form conveys youthful steadiness amid the suit's reinforced plating. Hillman’s most clearly established appearance is as a Martian Marine enclosed in powered armor, its surface marked in Martian camouflage. The armor gives him a broad, formidable silhouette, though the text does not describe his unarmored build, face, hair, eyes, or skin. No additional personal features or accessories are specified.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Roberta Draperconflicting source relationships
Hillman served under Bobbie as a squadmate and was also her friend. His final act was repairing her armor before being killed in the Ganymede attack, and his loss becomes part of the trauma Bobbie carries forward, with damage to her suit repeatedly reminding her of him and the comrades she lost.

Story so far

BOOK 1Leviathan Wakes
- Appears as Private Hillman, a young Martian marine nicknamed 'Hilly'
- Repairs Bobbie Draper's suit knee amid combat chaos
- Is killed when a UN marine's body is hurled into him at high speed
- His sudden death illustrates the camaraderie and brutality of the protomolecule conflict
BOOK 2Caliban's War
- Identified as Tev Hillman, a member of Bobbie Draper's squad on Ganymede
- Helps fix the leaking actuator on Bobbie's powered armor
- Is killed during the protomolecule creature's attack on the Marines
- Remains a lasting memory for Bobbie, evoked by damage to her armor and her grief over Ganymede