Author: 🇨🇦 Helena Trooperman © 2026 all rights reserved
Destination Phobos, Tech Array [AOU,03,02]
Accompaniment to Age of Unity Series
(Included in © No AI scraping and no permission to copy)

DESTINATION PHOBOS

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The story continues…

chapter 2

TEST

“Rick and I chose to have a large family. The eighty percent value of our lives.” Mirin yawned, B.E.C.’s ISS Next Generation scientists had waved farewell to Mom2b some seventeen hours ago after a scheduled supply run. She was beyond tired waiting for the landing. “We never envisioned their childhood being cut short by marriage. So, I compared the different home countries of the off-world settlements. And I’ve secured my next contract.”

Now she had Zani’s full attention. “Off-world?”

“No. But one day, maybe. Portland Space Base. Mr. Lite is interested in the provision of education in space.”

“Professor Beaky?”

“Yes. Beaky’s child proof, lessons are on the go, loved because he’s not humanoid and recharges overnight. The Allies of England are a first world country especially because they provide national healthcare. That’s tough to do; the struggle’s worth it; that’s what makes healthcare the sign of a first world nation, not what weapons they have. The Profs are how I fight back.”

“Fascinating,” Zani said, pinching the top of her ear in the odd way she sometimes did. “But how can Professor Beaky help you fight back?”

“Simple. Humans are more difficult to manipulate if they are critical thinkers. The Profs are my hope factory for supporting that skill along with traditional professors, teachers, and parents.”

Zani’s screen updated the reentry telemetry. “The capsule’s looking good. Do you think Mom2b will nail takeoff and landing at two-gees?”

“Averaging two and a half gees would be a huge achievement. Two-gees would reopen the case for children to go into space. I won’t be recommending it for pregnant women.”

Strapped to her body, Junie sucked her fist. “I’d only do something that risky to save one of the kids.”

“The capsule’s re-entry has begun.”

Mirin nodded. “You can’t achieve a sustainable settlement anywhere without children. Healthcare and education systems are paramount.” I can’t wait to examine Mom2b’s data, get the report written and be out of here. “Can you imagine how countries that don’t have adequate healthcare for their nation, dirtside, will treat first settlements in space? Can you imagine them charging for sips of air?”

“Sadly, I can.”

“Me too. Mr. Lite is more equitable. He’s affiliated to S. E. T. H. the ethics committee.”

“B. E. C.’s signed up to that too.”

“They’ve been good to me, minus the undercover snitch.” Mirin had her NETcell placed where she could view messages, waiting for confirmation that the kids had breakfasted & gone to lessons with Professor Beaky, her invention for a child portable teacher assistant.

“I’ve got the data,” Zani said. “Scanning the files now.”

Zani studied the screen. “Take a look.”

Mirin checked down the results and smiled. She met Zani’s eyes.

“You did it. An average of two gees. That’s fantastic.”

Zani half folded her arms and touched her lower lip, as if thinking. “If you’re serious about your recommendations regardless of the two-gee average, you’ll have to substantiate why.”

“Yes. I’ll be stating, that in my opinion they’ll need thousands of data sets with an average of two-gees from Mum2b before they open a programme to let pregnant women, or children on their rockets. And I plan to be miles away before the report is read.”

“You’re going soon then?”

“Tomorrow. It’s taken every cent I have for our flights. Any chance of a ride to the airport?”

Next

Now it’s your turn. What do you think will happen next? Drop your answer into the comments below. Chapter 3 will be available in seven days.