Wolkas

Wolkas is a fictional celestial body featured in the science fiction novel "Starfall" by author Anya Sharma. Within the narrative, Wolkas is described as a gas giant located in the Kepler-186 system. Its atmosphere is characterized by vibrant, swirling cloud formations and a unique bioluminescent flora that thrives in its upper atmospheric layers. The planet is known for its extreme weather patterns, including colossal lightning storms and powerful atmospheric currents.

The story "Starfall" posits that Wolkas harbors a primitive, yet intelligent, indigenous species known as the Lumina. These beings are said to communicate through patterns of light emitted from their bodies, a trait directly linked to the bioluminescent environment of Wolkas. The Lumina are depicted as a peaceful and technologically nascent civilization, deeply connected to the cycles of their home world.

Exploration of Wolkas is a significant plot point in "Starfall," as a human expeditionary force arrives seeking resources and scientific understanding. Their interactions with the Lumina and the planet's hazardous environment drive much of the novel's conflict and thematic exploration of interspecies relations and ecological respect. The planet's unique characteristics, particularly its luminous atmosphere and the Lumina's light-based communication, serve as a central element in the novel's speculative biology and world-building.