Chapter 13: Expanding Horizons

The soft hum of the control room filled the air as Max and Tony stood in front of the massive screen displaying the shipyard's construction progress. The various displays flickered with activity, showing schematics, blueprints, and timelines for the fleet of ships that would soon be built. The artificial gravity had been restored to the station, and Max was already deep in thought, eyes scanning the controls as he made adjustments to the construction plans.

"The smaller transporters," Max said, breaking the silence, "will take one to two days for the shipyard to complete. I've already optimized the process to speed things up, but we'll need them operational as soon as possible."

Tony nodded, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the holographic images of the transport ships. "And they'll be ready to deploy the Stargates to nearby star systems, right?"

"Exactly," Max replied. He tapped a few more buttons on the console, bringing up a new screen that showed a grid of icons representing Stargates. "I've just put in an order for a hundred Stargates, each with its own Dial Home Device. The transporters will carry the Stargates and deploy them across nearby star systems, creating a network of gates that will allow for fast travel between them."

Tony raised an eyebrow, impressed. "You're laying down the groundwork for an interstellar transportation network."

Max nodded. "That's the plan. With a functioning Stargate system, we can expand our reach beyond this solar system. But there's one transporter I need your help with."

Tony turned to him, curious. "What do you mean?"

Max hesitated for a moment, then spoke carefully. "I need you to arrange a meeting with Nick Fury. But not just any meeting—it has to be in person."

Tony let out a low chuckle. "You want me to have a chat with the head of SHIELD? What's the catch?"

Max sighed, leaning against the console. "I need information that Fury has, but it's not something I can just hack into. The data isn't on a computer—at least not one I can access remotely. It's in Fury's head."

Tony crossed his arms, his brow furrowing in thought. "And what exactly are you looking for?"

Max glanced at Tony, his expression serious. "I need the coordinates to a planet. Xandar."

"Xandar?" Tony's eyebrows shot up. "Why would Fury have those coordinates? And what's so special about this planet?"

Max sighed again, realizing he was about to dive into a conversation that was going to raise more questions than answers. "There's a lot you don't know about the galaxy, Tony. About the wider universe. Xandar is... well, let's just say it's the capital of the Nova Empire."

Tony blinked, clearly not following. "Nova Empire? Never heard of it."

Max turned fully toward Tony, leaning on the console. "Okay, let me explain. There are four major intergalactic powers in this part of the universe. First, there's the Nova Empire, which is centered on Xandar. They're a peacekeeping force, kind of like an intergalactic police department. They work to maintain order in the galaxy, particularly in regions where law and diplomacy are... fragile."

Tony nodded slowly, intrigued. "Alright, and the others?"

"The Kree Empire," Max continued, "is one of the oldest and most powerful civilizations in the galaxy. The Kree are a militaristic race, expansionist by nature. They've been involved in countless wars and conflicts, and their influence stretches across entire star systems. They're known for their advanced technology and their willingness to use force to achieve their goals."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "Sounds charming."

Max smirked but didn't break stride. "Then there's the Skrull Empire. They're shapeshifters, which makes them excellent spies and infiltrators. For centuries, the Skrulls and the Kree have been locked in a cold war, with both sides vying for control of strategic star systems and resources. The Skrulls are resourceful and cunning, but their empire isn't as stable as it used to be."

Tony let out a low whistle. "A cold war? So the Kree and Skrulls are basically playing intergalactic chess?"

"Pretty much," Max replied. "And then there's the Shi'ar Empire. They're more distant, but their influence is growing. The Shi'ar are a highly advanced species, known for their scientific prowess and their centralized government. They're more diplomatic than the Kree or Skrulls, but they aren't afraid to use force when necessary."

Tony leaned back, his arms crossed. "And what's the relationship between these empires?"

Max's expression darkened slightly. "It's complicated. The Nova Empire tries to maintain peace, but the Kree and Skrulls are constantly at each other's throats. The Shi'ar, meanwhile, are often caught in the middle, trying to navigate the political landscape without getting too involved in the conflict."

Tony nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "So, Xandar is important because...?"

"Because the Nova Empire is one of the few powers that can stand up to the Kree," Max explained. "They have the resources and the military might to maintain some semblance of peace in the galaxy. But right now, their political situation is... delicate. The Kree are becoming more aggressive, and the Skrulls are in a state of disarray. If Xandar falls, the balance of power in the galaxy shifts dramatically."

Tony was silent for a moment, processing the weight of what Max was telling him. "And you think Nick Fury knows the coordinates to Xandar?"

Max nodded. "SHIELD has been monitoring extraterrestrial activity for decades. Fury may not be openly involved in galactic politics, but he's aware of what's happening beyond Earth. If anyone knows how to get in touch with the Nova Empire, it's him."

Tony rubbed the back of his neck, thinking. "Alright, let's say I can get a meeting with Fury. What exactly are you hoping to accomplish?"

"I want to set up a Stargate near Xandar," Max said, his voice steady. "There's a nearby star system that would be perfect for a gate. With the right placement, we can create a direct line of communication and travel between Earth and Xandar. It would be a game-changer for both planets."

Tony narrowed his eyes. "You're talking about bringing Earth into intergalactic politics."

Max nodded. "Like it or not, Earth is already on the radar of these empires. It's only a matter of time before we're dragged into something bigger. If we can establish connections now—if we can start building alliances—we might be able to avoid some of the conflicts that are brewing."

Tony let out a long breath, running a hand through his hair. "Damn. I thought I was just dealing with one planet. Now you're telling me I've got to think about entire empires."

Max smiled faintly. "Welcome to the bigger picture."

Tony smirked, shaking his head in disbelief. "Alright, I'll talk to Fury. But no promises. He's not exactly the most forthcoming guy in the world."

Max nodded. "I understand. But if we can get those coordinates, it'll be a huge step forward."

Tony stood up from his seat, stretching his arms. "Speaking of huge steps forward... how's that fleet of yours coming along?"

Max turned back to the console, checking the status of the shipyard's construction. "The smaller transporters will be ready in a day or two. The dreadnoughts will take longer, but they're on schedule. Once they're built, we'll have the means to transport the Stargates to nearby systems and start expanding our reach."

Tony whistled. "And here I thought I was the one building the future."

Max grinned. "You still are. But this... this is something bigger."

Tony nodded, still marveling at the scale of what Max was doing. He looked out of the control room window, watching the shipyard continue its automated construction in the distance. The rings of the station spun slowly, the energy from the ZPM pulsing through the structure.

"You're really doing this," Tony said softly, almost to himself.

Max glanced at him. "Yeah. I am."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the future hanging in the air.