Author: 🇨🇦 Helena Trooperman 
© Helen Bartley 2026, all rights reserved, includes but not limited to... 
no AI scraping and no permission to copy.
Blog main Featured Image: a scaled version of shutterstock_103888889-image

THE FIX-ION BLOG

optimistic near future science fiction.

Hello intrepid readers,

Welcome to my chapter by chapter storytelling fiction blog. I am truly excited to have this #FictionCuratedForYou. Every seven days a new chapter will be available here on my FIX-ION blog. 

Let’s find out a bit more about this complimentary story… Enjoy!

What is Destination Phobos all about?

Mirin’s contracting with the Beyond Earth Corporation and raising their children while her husband is flying to Phobos. As if that’s not enough, the government is reducing the age to marry with parental consent and pressurizing parents to arrange marriages for their teenagers in an attempt to boost falling birthrate numbers.

Now she’s being investigated.

She is determined to protect her children’s childhood and wishes Rick was home to help navigate the situation, especially since she’s recently given birth—early!

It’s a long shot.

Mirin has perfected her portable teaching assistant to help educate her children at home or off-world. Can Professor Beaky’s existence open doors for Mirin in the space community across the world? Just maybe, they can escape to a country where her children’s childhood is protected.

Trigger Warning: Destination Phobos includes a faked birth and breastfeeding. There’s a bit of grunting and it’s not graphic. Plus, there are a few curse/swear words used in my stories. These items are not everyone’s cuppa, and that’s okay.

Destination Phobos — First Chapter Taster

Chapter One: Fake

Be convincing. Mirin entered and gripped the nearest desktop in med-tech’s outer office. She groaned in a deep tone as if in pain. She exhaled recovering herself. “Mom2b’s ready for loading,” she gasped. “Latest version spacesuit and g-reduction seat. One parcel, as specified.” She sucked in a deep breath and exhaled, a supportive hand beneath her bump. “Number six here we come. Micky took six minutes. Where’s Doctor Zani?”

The two admin med-techs outside of Zani’s office peered at her over their screens, wide-eyed.

Their faces are a picture. Mirin groaned for added effect. “Can’t do data analysis until after the test results come in anyway.”

“How early is it?” …

Can I get each chapter delivered?

If you are already on my readers’ list and have indicated interest in the story, then yes, this will happen automatically. You can join my newsletter, Readers Hat On, at any time just by scrolling to the top purple bar and clicking there for free stories. A modal sign up form will appear outlining a few benefits, more will be in the welcome emails. Delivery will then happen naturally for other future FIX-ION story chapters, but not for the current story.

Are FIX-ION stories blogged here free? YES!

I want readers to be able to try my work and discover more about my character driven technology short stories. For this reason stories I share in the FIX-ION blog can be accessed without joining my readers’ list. 

Now it’s your turn. If you think a friend or family member would enjoy my fix-ion, please share this blog post.

ps: Chillax and enjoy this bite sized portion. To ensure you don’t miss the next chapters I suggest setting a reminder and favourite this site.