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Situated in a solar system light-years from Earth, the Banahatti Station - better known as Enigma Station - is home to thousands of humans and aliens of several different species. Lying on a space lane between several major planetary systems in a solar system full of mineral-rich asteroids, it functions as a trading port and mining hub. However, adventurous explorers have discovered strange happenings throughout the station. Strange objects appear, then disappear. Rooms and hallways deform their shape. Unexplained signals of energy burst into existence, then vanish. Some inhabitants even experience strange sensations within their bodies. Now Santosh Banahatti, the station's discoverer, struggles to govern the mysterious station, its diverse populace, and potential dangers. And the mysteries of Enigma Station may demand even more! |
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Santosh BanahattiA savvy and charismatic man of Indian descent in his early 30's. Originally an explorer and prospector, he discovered the derelict station and claimed ownership of it, then exploited his extensive connections to encourage people to relocate to the station. Now if he could only uncover the source of the strange occurrences still plaguing the station... |
 | ClunoxThe Krelkin warrior Clunox owed Santosh a debt of honor, so he assists the security teams that keep Enigma Station safe. His mustard-yellow fur is crisscrossed with scars. Despite his species' smaller size, Clunox is one of the most ferocious beings on the space station. He also keeps his fellow Krelkins in line, and his fellows on Enigma station have begun to follow his leadership, much to his surprise Now if he could just do something about those cannibalistic Zautans... |
 | Captain Sumalee ChaoCaptain Sumalee Chao commands the Antioch, a destroyer assigned to patrol the system around Enigma Station and protect it from external threats. A rising star in the Earth Republic military, she believes her latest assignment will do nothing to further her career. Despite her frustration, she must watch over a station full of humans, aliens, and mysterious occurrences. Quasi-legal activities abound, forcing her to cooperate with both Governor Santosh Banahatti and his Chief of Security, Jake Brower. And Enigma Station itself continues to defy analysis, so she sees no end to her assignment. |
 | Jacob (Jake) BrowerWhile Santosh Banahatti governs Enigma Station, he relies on Security Chief Jake Brower to maintain order. A retired Space Marine, Jake met Santosh years ago, and when Santosh needed someone to keep the peace, Jake rose to the challenge Now, Jake contends with smugglers, angry miners, irascible Krelkins, and the mysterious Zautans. Fortunately, he knows when to bust heads and when to look the other way. He has to ignore some illicit activities, but he has a limit to the amount of corruption he'll tolerate. The bizarre occurrences on Enigma Station - that's another story... |
Each alien race has its own planets and territory, and there have been some wars among the different races. However, this is a (relatively) peaceful time for humans - the Earth Republic isn't at war with anyone.
Krelkins are small humanoid creatures (about 4' tall) vaguely resembling stout goblins (from the Harry Potter movies) crossed with a wolverine (in both appearance and attitude). They come from a higher-gravity world, and are much stronger than they appear. They are actually the most warlike species of the 'verse - technologically savvy, quick to offend, fast breeders, and stronger than humans. Humans fought several skirmishes with them, but right now, they aren't causing problems.
Nasty bastards, they fight with shredder pistols, power glaives, and their natural claws. Most wear light but functional armor. They have patchy fur on their body, usually yellow, gold, or brown.
Zautans resemble thin, eight-foot-tall lizard-like aliens with four arms and a turtle-like shell covering parts of their bodies. They have three eyes (the middle one differs from the other two, and senses infrared light). Zautans have a philosophical outlook, seeking to understand the other races and each other. They even venture into mysticism.
A poorly-kept secret of the Zautans is that they're cannibals. Part of their philosophy includes understanding something by eating it. They claim they can absorb the thoughts of whatever they eat (whether this is true or not is unknown). They don't wantonly eat everything though - consumption of another is a solemn occasion. They have eaten other sentient species too (including humans). The Krelkins are terrified of them, but try not to show it.
Despite their size (and cannibalism), Zautans are generally peaceful and sedate.
Miclites are an Arthropod species vaguely resembling a solifuge (camel-spider). They have four dedicated legs (from their abdomen section), four limbs that function as either arms or legs (from their thorax section), and two dedicated arms. They can raise their thorax section up into a posture resembling a centaur; they have eyes on both the underside and top side of their thorax (the underside eyes let them see ahead of them when they're in the centaur posture). They have the distinctive four-jaw structure of solifuges.
Male miclites are only about three feet long; females are about four feet long. They can climb walls and are fond of traveling through the station on the ceiling. One of the more recent intelligent aliens humanity has encountered, the Miclites love to explore the station, including people's homes. They have no sense of privacy.
Miclites are adept engineers, mechanics, and electricians. Santosh is trying to hire a few for engineering repair work on the station, but he's having trouble getting them to focus on any particular task.
The editor and creator of Enigma Station, Edward Swing is a writer of stories, software developer, avid gamer, and otaku. Books he's written include the New Pantheon series, the Gozen Saga (2 books), the Adventures of Gavin Greene (2 books), and Neuraides. He has been a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, learned taekwondo, traveled both within the United States and internationally, and studied diverse topics including astronomy, mythology, and mathematics. The father of three young adults, he lives with several pampered cats.
Jason Abofsky is an author of Science Fiction and Fantasy stories, including his novel Celoven, Stormchaser. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science. His hobbies include reading, video games, and board games, and he participates in different conventions and festivals each year. Software Engineer by day, writer by night, Jason has blended his technical experiences and love of Science Fiction and Fantasy to craft a unique and imaginative universe influenced by some of his favorite authors and the lessons they've imparted.
After thirty years at sea, Ross Baxter now concentrates on writing short stories. He has won a number of awards, and had a story included on the 2017 HWA Bram Stoker reading list. Married to a Norwegian and with two Anglo-Viking kids, he now lives in Derby, England.
B.A. Booher has been teaching English for over 20 years and has been published in over a dozen publications. As co-host of the Gored Ox Pub - a stream dedicated to creating and discussing art and writing - B.A. Booher fosters a community of creativity and expression. B.A. Booher lives in Indiana with his lovely wife, two sons, and a menagerie of furry things.
Edward Cooke was educated at Walton High School, Stafford, UK and Flensburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany. He wrote book and lyrics for the stage musical "The Talisman" ("Great show. Weird ending.'"—audience member, during the interval). He is in love with a rail engineer.
Jessica Dorden is living in Maryland enjoying her time of writing stories, playing games, and being a caretaker. Writer of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, she loves the strange and mysterious and exploring things that should probably not be explored.
Joe Gallagher lives in Mount Airy, MD with his wife Dena and two of his children, Ryan and Lilli. His eldest child, Andrew, is a college graduate and has started his own life journey. In addition to writing, Joe has created a card game, Here’s the Deal. Through all of this, Joe remains an active member of various communities.
A retired police officer, Mac King is a member of the Maryland Writers Association and the Novel Construct Writing Group. He also contributed a short story to the "Starship Blunder" anthology and is polishing his manuscript for an Action-Adventure novel.
Keith A. Kline is a lifelong lover of speculative fiction. His zombie novel was workshopped as part of the UCLA Master Class in Novel Writing. His first professional sale was to Monstrous Books in 2022. Keith lives in Maryland with his wife and dogs.
Deidra Whitt Lovegren has written over one hundred short stories and regularly competes in international writing contests. Her publications include 21 Conversations, a collection of dialogue-only stories, and The Lady of the Match, a short story collection translated into Arabic that premiered at the 2024 Cairo International Book Fair.
Deidra Whitt Lovegren's Website
Indie author Beth Martin has published several books, including sci-fi thrillers and escape room-style puzzle adventures. She has her degree in mathematics, enjoys all things numbers, and is always up for a board game. When not writing, her hobbies include playing the piano, dabbling in crafts, and relaxing with cozy video games. She lives with her husband, two kids, and two fluffy cats.
Ariele Sieling is a NH-based writer with several science fiction and fantasy series, including post-apocalyptic monsters in Land of Szornyek; soft science fiction series, The Zirian Chronicles; sci-fi fairytale retellings in Rove City; future fantasy trilogy, Aria's Song; and epic fantasy series Sablewood. She has numerous short stories published in a variety of anthologies and magazines, as well as eight children's books. She lives with her dogs, cats, goats, geese, chickens, and duck, as well as her spouse, Josh, who is very tolerant of her idiosyncracies.
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