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Overview: Jim Henderson is a writer of fun, varied, and technically sound science fiction adventures with a bit of exploration of the human condition. He is also a long-term Air Force veteran and a cybersecurity professional with decades of experience in intelligence, communications, computers, and cyber operations. He has been a life-long aficionado of science fiction in almost every form – books, movies, TV, and games (role-playing, tabletop, and computer). When not mentally exploring the universe, he lives with his wife, stepson, and 2 dogs. He enjoys hiking in the mountains of Colorado, kayaking on its lakes, spending time with his family, and playing games.
Genre: Fiction > Sci-Fi/Fantasy

1. Jaunts of the Mantis
LCDR Ximon Sabo retires from the Kremniy Republic Scout Force and gets a retired scout ship -- The Mantis. Then he must find work to keep her flying. Mantis and its small crew have a series of adventures across a few dozen solar systems, including alien first contact, daring rescues, space combat, and even a murder mystery. Along the way, Ximon and his crew – a female engineer with a drinking problem, a sensor operator who’s also a priest, Ximon’s sexy companion robot, and the intelligent ship’s computer have to work together to face innumerable challenges.

2. Expeditions of the Mantis
Ximon and his unique crew continue their adventures on the retired Republic scout ship -- The Mantis. War has flared up and Ximon and Mantis have been called back to service to fill the gaps left by the redeployment of Navy and Scout forces to the front. Mantis is called to duty battling pirates from lonely outposts, doing deadly resupply runs to allies in a war zone, and then expanding Republic influence into unclaimed regions of the frontier. In this they deal with teams of diplomats, terrorists, scatter-brained scientists, hyper-efficient robots, and ships and stations facing disaster. To top it off, Ximon has to deal with his own sexy companion robot and the intelligent ship’s computer, both of whom have their own ideas of how they should “evolve.”

5. Mantis Intrigue
Ximon and the unique crew of the retired Republic scout ship Mantis continue their adventures. A while back they encountered some ancient, powerful aliens who violently want to be left alone. Now the Republic won’t leave them alone and wants more and more information out of them and won’t take “No” for an answer. Government entities scheme and pressure the crew, while the crew tries to hide a few details and make allies. Meanwhile, it’s unclear what the government will do with the information they’ve received. How will they deal with powerful aliens a hundred light years away? Can the crew make it out in one piece? Along the way, Ximon and his crew – a female engineer with a drinking problem, Ximon’s sexy companion robot, a robot mechanic, and the intelligent and evolving ship’s computer have to work together to deal with a powerful, government bureaucracy.

6. Mantis Exile
The unique crew of the retired scout ship Mantis faces life in exile and must make a living in the area of space beyond borders, known as The Vast. They’ve got some friends out there, but they’ve got to wonder if the home they’re exiled from, the Republic, will come after them. The crew must face great dangers, investigate new planets, interact with aliens, make some new friends, and face some old questions if they are to survive. Can they keep the ship running and make a living? Will they fall to pirates or other dangers in the Vast? Can they deal with the new peoples and governments they encounter? Will other dark things from their past haunt them?

7 Mantis Homeward
The unique crew of the retired starship Mantis is hired to transport passengers and cargo on a long path that could take them home. Home to the republic that they’ve been exiled from for over a year. They’ve been told that all is forgiven, and they can come home, but they’re not sure it’s safe to go back. But that path isn’t entirely safe and dark things from their past may still haunt them.
How will the crew respond to one of their number being almost killed?
Can a badly injured crewmate be saved?
Can they avoid getting dragged into the conflicts of other worlds?
Will they fall to pirates, war, or other dangers?
Will other dark things from their past haunt them?
If they go home, what will their reception be?