52 bad short stories.

 Dr. Helix,  Is it wrong I am afraid to give birth here?  Everyone says I'm making history and creating the world.  I just want to make it through labor long enough to see my child be born.  -fearful Frieda  Dear Frieda,  It is possible to have all of it. Fear is a very natural feeling and it's only human to have it. You are changing the world. You are making history and with your care team you will make it through delivery.  Take a breath. Realize we are all here for you and your baby. You are surrounded by a community of people who care about you and have studied all the possible pitfalls of life on Mars.  It would be easy to say "don't be afraid" but it's easier to acknowledge the fear and get to the root of it. You can do this.  It's why we are here.  Also, unless your husband has suggested "Rover" as the child's name, you might be better off than you think. (Yes, this was an actual question from another person).  XO Dear D...

 Dr. Lara Helix Journal entry Mars Sol date 880 (2 1/2 years in the colony)  It's hard to imagine we've been here over two years! One dome is full constructed with tiny palm trees growing and snake plants everywhere. I heard someone call them "mother's tongue" and they truly are here. They continually breathe life into a place which has none.  Arthur is just turning one and it's amazing to think he has no idea what Earth was like. He probably never will. Sometimes we look out the tiny window of the tunnel apartment and count the rocks as they hurl by our window in the storms. It's a little frightening but we have a very solid system in place now for breaks. The first couple of times it happened and the air locks and seals went down it was terrifying, but now we've developed the new glass, plus specialized awnings it's not happening as much. We have some amazing engineers here!  Earth contact is scarce, but it seems like none of us notice like we di...

The Flame: Mars Day (Sol) 42 Days from landing    Dear Readers,  I am delighted to be writing this to you from OUR planet! I call it this because its only inhabitants are us, Earth born humans (and those adorable little rovers who've been here the last 100 years!), but soon, (many months from now) Martian born humans will join us. Many of you are expecting and now, myself as well! I know it has been a crazy few weeks, the carbon scrubbers and domes just getting started. The pressure alarms are going off less and less as our new living spaces are being used more and more. Our spaceships and sleep pods are now being abandoned for our permanent homes. It's bittersweet, to finally have our dwellings in this place. Sweet, because now we can begin the amazing process of creating societies and families. Bitter because some of us are home sick from not having our familiar gravity, water sources, fresh fruits and veggies, and all the smells. Does anyone else miss the smells, ...

It was a slow passionate kiss. That is what he noticed the most. His wife always said goodbye in the morning, but this morning was different. This morning it was like she was afraid he wouldn't come back.  "I hate it when you have to go inside the mines like you do today. Keep your helmet on and pay attention. I want you to come back to us." Mike knew she was worried. All he had in him was a joke, "Oh I should tell you I'm going into the mines everyday if I'm going to get kisses like that. I almost don't want to leave today."  She slapped him gently on the arm. "I can always call your boss and check the roster."  He smiled at her one last time and stepped out of their living pod and into the hallway. The tunnel felt a little extra damp this morning, but it was the same temperature and smell he'd grown accustomed to, the ozone and burning smell. Everything was controlled by machines, and they were below the surface, safe from the radiati...

Edgar watched as Roberta walked over to Carl. He was relieved. She could be a lot to handle sometimes. He'd whisper Carl a 'godspeed' if he didn't dislike him so much. He watched Edward talking to every waiter and waitress he encountered, probably looking for the tastiest treats, sugar, and caffeine. Edgar decided this would be a good time to look in on the youth program. This was always the main event for the colony. "The Children are our future", the wise words of Dr. Lira Helix carved into the cement bench by where the children were sitting.  Sorted by ages, the smallest children sat in a semi-circle around their teacher. The older ones, ages 6-11 were standing near Jenny Balata and listening intently. Milo and Orion would be found in this group.  Milo stood in the front talking to Jenny about a self-pollinating peach tree. He was an excellent student and would be going on his walk to the Remembrance Flame next year.  Edgar shuttered remembering his own exp...

The giant glass dome glowed red from the sky, reflecting the color of the Martian regolith surrounding it outside. In the distance the view of the Mountain and other domes clearly in view, no dust storms today. Inside people were gathering around and looking at the green plants scattered throughout the space. Automatic watering devices whirring while tending to the plants. The hellish land outside was unimaginable in this green, lush paradise.  "It's beautiful in here and it smells great!" Roberta commented to her husband, various plant and flower smells filled the dome. It was very different from the ozone and machine smells all the human Martians were accustomed to experiencing. Edward was ignoring her and looking in the direction of a blonde woman serving small liquid beakers for nourishment. The theme was science and technology; the decor and food, down to the smallest detailed microchip shaped crackers, were perfect. Even the test tubes of flavored protein showed the...