Warning: the following contains spoilers for the following works:
The Expanse, S01E01-S03E10. Abaddon’s Gate (Book 3), James S.A. Corey Three-Body Problem &The Dark Forest, Cixin Liu
If you want to try it out, read 5 books and watch almost three seasons of television.
. . . .
!!The ring gates are a Dark Forest weapons system. If this was clear to others, and I’m catching up, well, I’m slow. But, I just found out about Brin (1983).!!
Then, I got it. It’s such a well-structured Whatsit.
I feel pretty good about this realization. I’m glad that these works work so well together.
I’d say that The Eros Incident showed that Earth was the intended target.