In the novel "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel, the characters are motivated by a desire to extend their influence and territory. This ambition drives them to embark on a journey that takes them along the Maumee River, past what remains of Toledo, and into the Auglaize River, leading them further into Ohio.

Ultimately, their travels bring them to the town where the narrator resides, highlighting how these explorations connect the past with the present. This journey signifies a search for new beginnings and the shifting landscapes in a world changed by unforeseen circumstances.