Paraterraformed Moon

[RVM45]

.....This is an idea I've been playing around with for years- I have a situation; but no plot.

.....First of all, Some experts think that there will never be enough atmosheric gases to "terraform" Mars. A slighty different process would be "Paraterraforming". Under Martian gravity, with materials that we should have in another two, or three generations; it should be quite possible to first build a regular framework of mile-high buildings. Phase II- run some sort of cabling between buildings(picture them two to four miles apart); final Phase- cover the whole planet with clear plastic- supported by the mile-high buildings.

.....In essence, you've just turned the whole planet into a BIG greenhouse.

.....I'm more interested in the type World that you'd get; if you Paraterrefrmed the MOON. You'd have 18% gravity. Days/Years would be 28 days long- 14 days of light; followed by 14 days of darkness. The Moon has about the same surface area as Africa. Just for the hell of it; imagine a terranium like climate- high humidity and rainfall- at least in "Summer"- without much surface covered with standing water- to allow more usable surface area.

.....We should also figure that each and every canopy supporting tower does double duty as a mammoth Arcology. And at least in some areas; the natives have dug very far into the ground.

.....Lets assume cheap; safe fusion is a common technology on the Moon- in Arcologies; Huge underground warrens; etc.

.....It's open to some interpretation how warm that it would get in "Summer" and how cold at "Night". The lunar atmoshere could be tailored to contain more Carbon Dioxide than Earth's. There's a limit to what animals can bear; but before the limit was reached; enough extra CO2 could be added, to increase the insulating properties of the dense, but shallow atmosphere SOME. It could also be thick enough to speed up plant growth noticably too- after all, there's only a 14 day growing cycle. There may even be enough waste heat from all the hundreds of fusion reactions; to raise the ambient temperature a degree or two.

.....Now lets further suppose that the paraterraforming is very old. It is fairly well maintained; but no race or nation now living on the Moon could build such a thing from scratch- such abilities belong to a bygone age. Most maintenance on the canopy/support system is done by ancient self-replicating AIs.

.....There's some techies around every Arcology and underground city. There's also a planet-wide guild of Mag-Lift Railroads and maintenance personel. But there are also large areas with much the same feel as the Appalachians or Ozark Mountain areas.

.....Finally, one of the umbiqutous sights on this world; is loafing, trouble seeking Samurai- who for no reason ever explored in the text; speak not Japanese; but broken, stereotypical Tex-Mex. Dudes in robes, carrying Katanas; Wazikashis; Tantos; and occasional Revolvers- all talking like the "Frito-Bandito".

.....Like I say, no plot so far. I'm tempted to try to do it as a Manga- though i've yet to study that drawing style.

.....RVM45