To Lyger 0: It certainly could…

"So what's all this I hear about a Moon base?" Chloe demanded, leaning against the lab door and arching her eyebrows at Max.

Turning away from his computer, a rotating schematic just visible over his shoulder, Max cocked his head. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, what's all this I keep hearing about our plans to put a base on the Moon? The last I heard, it was nothing more than a pipedream, something that maybe we might think about doing sometime in the future, after we fix France after it was torn to pieces by a literal eldritch horror. But now it sounds like not only is it something that's happening, but you're already actually working on it!"

Max started. "Of course we are working on development," he replied, staring at her blankly. "Given the number of new vital systems that need to be created and tested, the proprietary material composites to be developed, the resources to be accumulated, if we are going to have a functional base before the end of the decade, we must begin now." He raised an eyebrow. "I have no less than eleven projects in various stages of development at this time," he pointed out. "That does not mean that any of them will come to fruition soon."

"Fine." Chloe sighed. "Still, you could at least tell me when something like this is happening – at least if it's something you're this serious about. And this far along working on. That way I'm not getting blindsided when our friends around the world mention it while I'm visiting them." She gave him a look. "I don't like not knowing what Paola and Julia are talking about."

Max quirked an eyebrow, and Chloe gave him a look. "Given that you have been conveniently scheduling your visits to coincide with your father's campaign rallies for the last three weeks, you can hardly expect me to devote all my time to briefing you on the latest developments in our space program," he pointed out.

Chloe frowned. "I have time now: Daddy isn't expecting to see me again until at least tomorrow, and Zoe went to see friends. So, bring me up to speed."

"Do you want everything?"

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Explain it to me like I should have failed Physics."

He sighed. "I suppose I ought to start from the beginning. The Moon base has been part of the long-term plan for two years, as long as we have been aware of the possibility of extraplanetary threats," he explained.

She nodded. "I remember. Adrien and Marinette were all in a panic over aliens, even before we found that–" She nodded toward the Shunjar escape pod resting against the cavern wall beside the lab, the ground around it having shifted slightly from the weight of the craft. "Then the alien tech, then Hugo and Victor – and Hoda and Kassim…"

"Add to that the Sssinulian vessel which crash landed in the middle of Paris, and there are no less than five known extraterrestrials living on Earth currently," Max finished. "As of now, one of them has actively attempted to incite an invasion. The other four have worked with us, but could there be more on earth? Even if there is only one, they could represent a hostile power intent on global domination."

Chloe hummed. "I get it. This is a big deal – I still remember the look on Adrien's face when he was describing it. Hence the space planes."

"To start," agreed Max, nodding. "But that was only ever the first step. Knowing that the threat existed, my 'think tank' has been putting as much effort as possible into space exploration and threat monitoring – anything to afford us the best chance of detecting the threat first and having the resources to deter it. In addition to fast-tracking development of the space-planes, I placed a pair of long-range sensors in the asteroid belt last year to monitor for extrasolar incursions."

Chloe blinked. "And?"

"Presently, no craft have been identified entering the solar system." Max frowned, a look of distaste on his face. "But I have recorded multiple vessels outside of the solar system." Chloe's eyes widened. "None have stopped, or even slowed down, in transit. But they are out there."

"Damn."

He shrugged. "Hence the need to prepare, in case any of them do come to visit."

"And that's where the Moon base comes in?"

He nodded. "Now that we functionally have the resources of all the heroes in the world – along with the United States government and the cooperation of RSA, ESA, and NASA – we have the capacity to establish and maintain a constant presence not only on the International Space Station but also at a forward base on the Moon – to start. A base as far away as Mars or even Titan is not out of the question, assuming that the test run on the Moon is successful; there is a 40% chance of unqualified success, though if the new radiation shielding material is insufficient, the chance of failure climbs to 30%–" Chloe cleared her throat pointedly. Max stiffened. "Regardless, those plans are at least a decade in the future. For now, the focus is on the Moon base. I already had tentative plans last year – mission parameters, requirements, and the like. My mother and I have been working on further developing those plans since her return from the ISS, and the others have been helping with elements of it. We are still not ready to begin construction, but once we are satisfied with the results, we will be able to build it on Earth and use a portal to transport it to its permanent location."

"And then, what? Park a space-plane there and see what happens?"

Max nodded. "In part. The base would require a permanent staff – scientists and maintenance personnel. But the majority of the personnel would be able to commute from Earth as needed."

"And for staff?" demanded Chloe. "Do we really have enough people, even with all the heroes in the world, to man a Moon base? Or are you planning to build it and just hand it over to ESA? Or is it supposed to be both?"

"Probably both." Max shrugged. "They do have the experience in aerospace engineering and maintaining installations in space."

"And they'll get there with your portals." Chloe examined him closely as he nodded. She groaned. "Do you have any idea how much the New Atlantis Council and the African Miraculous Council will both flip out if you tell a bunch of astronauts they've never met that it's fine for them to just wander through a portal and show up in one of their temples?" Max's eyes widened, and he started to open his mouth, but Chloe barreled forward. "It took weeks to convince them that it would be a good thing for us to be working together! That we wouldn't endanger their locations! That more international cooperation was a good thing! But six months ago, we revealed the location of the Angola Temple to the Dark Acolytes. And now, we could potentially reveal all our temples and headquarters to the world by letting a bunch of astronauts just waltz into them!"

Max held up his hands in a placating gesture. "If you will let me explain," he began shortly, "we have considered those security concerns and are taking them into account. The portals already have security measures in place; we can enhance them for the Moon base to prevent any unauthorized use. Two separate portal rings, with entirely separate security procedures. The heroes will be returned to our spaceport; the civilian astronauts will be returned to the American space center. If it comes up, you can assure our friends that their secrets are a top priority."

Chloe pursed her lips. "Just as long as you're keeping that in mind…"

"Of course." Max raised an eyebrow at her curiously. "But if I may, what brought these questions on? Did someone ask about security for the base?"

Chloe sighed heavily but shook her head. "Not specifically," she admitted.

"Then… what?"

She shrugged, looking away.

He hummed. "How is the situation with the new sister?"

She glared at him half-heartedly. "Why do you ask?" She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Are you thinking about number two already?" She feigned a gasp. "Why, Max. You really should ask your fiancée about those things…"

Max sighed. "Very well; you do not have to tell me. But I do hope you are speaking about it with someone."

She let out a breath, thinking back to her lunch a couple days ago. "I am."

"I am glad to hear that." He cocked his head. "Are you talking to Sabrina about it?"

"Not all the time," Chloe told him. "I have other friends, you know." She frowned, arching an eyebrow at him meaningfully. "Besides, Sabrina has enough on her plate at the moment, don't you think?"

"True…" He shook his head. "Just the very idea of being a parent… it still feels so foreign. I have grown accustomed to the reality of Sabrina's pregnancy, but I do not know if I am ready yet."

Chloe stifled a laugh. "It's a little late for that, you know."

"Indeed."

She hummed. "So… who do you suggest we visit next?"

"'We'?" He cocked his head to one side.

Chloe shrugged noncommittally.

Max sighed. "You can check on the Heroes of Lisbon and look in on the situation in Spain – I still am unclear on what is happening with el Peregrino, el Caballero, and Euskaldun." He chuckled. "If you call today, you may be able to arrange to meet with them during tomorrow's campaign rally!"

"Perfect."