Popular Mechanics, Tuesday, May 26, 2015

[momslilassassin]

True to his word, Ben had constucted a 28-foot platform down by the docks for the mechanics students to launch their flying machines into the water from.

How much did you trust your own ability to fight gravity, kids? Because it's now or never.

In the spirit of fun, Ben had even constructed his own craft that looked like a big wheel bicycle--mostly because he'd felt like it.

"Right, we're going to help push each other's machines over the edge and see who's gets the furthest," Ben said with a grin. "Hope no one here melts if they get wet. As a reminder, all of your machines must be human-powered and can't be longer than 10m or heavier than 150 kg, including yourself."

He pointed to some squirrels chittering down at the bottom of the platform, waving digital cameras. "All of this will be filmed for posterity, so if you don't want the pictures getting out, take it up with them after your run. So...who's going first?"

Comments

Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

That's what they're here for!

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[endsthegame]

Ender showed up to meet Ben near the end of class, bearing two cups of coffee - and a baby. "How'd it go?"

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

"Fell like a really amazing rock," Ben said, running his fingers through still-damp hair. "It was astral."

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[endsthegame]

Ender offered him one of the coffees (which would help him free up at least one of his hands, because this was a lot to carry). "I'm thoroughly unsurprised you think so," he said fondly. (At least damp Ben looked attractive.) He glanced down at the baby. "Val, please, don't listen to your redheaded father about anything related to sensible mechanics."

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

"You should definitely listen to me," Ben said, taking the coffee and grinning at the baby. "Because we're gonna be buddies."

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[endsthegame]

Valentine didn't really follow, but she let out a squeak and flailed a little.

"I'm not sure if that's a yes or a no," Ender admitted.

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

"It's a yes," Ben made up. "We have a connection."

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[endsthegame]

"I don't know if Force powers actually work that way," Ender sighed, sipping his own coffee. "I should've brought a towel."

But he was already overpacked, since he was also carrying some of Val's stuff in a backpack.

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

"It's not that cold," Ben said, smiling. "I'll live. The coffee helps, so thank you."

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[endsthegame]

Ender smiled a little. "I wanted to talk to you," he added, "About something that keeps slipping my mind. It's about one of my students."

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

Ben's forehead furrowed. "Of course. What's up?"

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[endsthegame]

"Her name is Alluka. She's young, but moreso emotionally and mentally," Ender said quietly. "I get the impression she was kept locked away from the world until recently. She's... very attached to her plush animals, and got very excited by the idea of having one she could talk to."

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

Ben chewed on his lower lip. "You want me to make one? Or a few?"

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[endsthegame]

"Just one," Ender said. "She said she left a panda at home. I thought maybe it'll be easier and more comforting for her to adjust, that way. To have something more familiar and safe than the complications of the rest of us."

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "Sure thing. Do you want it by Friday?"

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[notaweenie.livejournal.com]

Barry of course was secretly judging everyone's flying machine and making estimates in his head to see how far they would go.

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

"It's amazing that the 'fall from a thity foot drop for fun' hobby isn't more popular," Ben mused.

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[notaweenie.livejournal.com]

"Well it might be the thirty foot drop part," Barry said with a grin.

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

"Wimps," Ben said, grinning back. "This is fun!"

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[notaweenie.livejournal.com]

"Exactly," Barry agreed. "What are we doing for next week? I'm thinking base jumping."

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

"Oooh," Ben said, grinning. "Maybe testing landing gear?"

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[notaweenie.livejournal.com]

"It seems like a logical continuation from testing flying machines," Barry agreed.

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

"Because you can't always crash into the ocean."

Which was practically his family's motto.

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[notaweenie.livejournal.com]

Too bad Chewbacca's family didn't have a motto about moons crashing onto planets.

"You think we need to have disclaimers for these types of activities?" Barry asked. "Or was that covered in the student paperwork?"

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

"Eh," Ben said. "If it goes really wrong, I can catch them." He wiggled his fingers and grinned. "Trained Jedi."