fandomhigh | Popular Mechanics, Tuesday, May 26, 2015

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practical mechanics

Popular Mechanics, Tuesday, May 26, 2015

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?"

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"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.

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

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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"If it's not too much work." He gave Ben a little smile. "Thank you."

Ben leaned in and kissed Ender, then kissed Val's hat. "Of course."

Alluka's situation reminded Ender too much of his own, once upon a time. He looked relieved. "I was going to take her for a stroll, now that she's quiet. Are you coming?"

Ben nodded. "Sure. We're all finished here."

Ender kissed his cheek, careful not to jostle Val. "Love you," he said, then took Ben's hand.

Ben smiled at him. "Love you too. How's Val been today?"

"She stopped crying about fifteen minutes ago," Ender said wryly. "I saw it as a sign it was time to come pick you up."

"Poor girlie," Ben crooned, reaching out to touch her cheek, "and poor Dad, having to listen to it."

"Her life is very rough," Ender said. "She's tired, she's awake, she's hungry, she just pooped, the blankets are too rough, too soft..."

Ben laughed. "She keeps poking herself in the eye and then forgetting it was her fault..."

"On the upside, she's a Wiggin," Ender said wryly, "So she'll grow out of it at twice the speed and start asking endless annoying questions within the next year and a half."

"Probably deny she ever did something so stupid as poking herself in the face...we should get it on holo," Ben said.

"Mean," Ender said, "But just, I feel."

"I have a feeling we're going to need all the ammo we can muster for our future horde of geniuses," Ben said. "Do you want me to take her?"

Which was code for "Ben had missed her in class, shh."

Ender didn't call him on it, though he knew. "Please," he said, passing the baby over. "My arms could use the rest."

"Hello, jade rose," Ben murmured, smiling down at his daughter.

He was secretly hoping for green eyes when they decided what they'd be.

Well, Wiggin eyes were grey-green; it wasn't impossible.

Ender smiled at them both. He was happy to let Ben have his moment with her - and happier still to watch it.

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