Malinems

Malinems is a fictional celestial body featured in the science fiction novel "Starfall Ascendant" by Kaelen Vance. It is described as a gas giant located in the Kepler-186 system, notable for its unusual atmospheric composition and the presence of advanced, non-corporeal life forms known as the Lumin. The Lumin are said to subsist on the planet's exotic energies, communicating through a form of resonant light.

The planet's atmosphere is characterized by vibrant, shifting auroras, a consequence of its unique magnetic field interacting with the stellar radiation from its parent star, Kepler-186. Malinems is depicted as having a series of rings, not made of ice or rock, but of condensed atmospheric gases that periodically crystallize into temporary, luminescent structures. These structures are a key element in the Lumin's life cycle and energy absorption processes.

In the narrative, Malinems serves as a focal point for scientific curiosity and ethical debate among the human factions exploring the Kepler-186 system. Its discovery challenges prevailing notions of life and intelligence, prompting a reevaluation of how advanced civilizations can manifest. The planet's inaccessibility due to its extreme atmospheric conditions further adds to its mystique, making direct observation and interaction with the Lumin a significant undertaking for the characters in the novel. The exploration of Malinems is a driving force behind much of the plot's development, exploring themes of xenobiology and the vastness of cosmic possibilities.