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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"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.

Ben looked up, cheeks a little pink. "She's cute, okay?"

Ender laughed softly. "She is pretty cute," he said, "And you're adorable. It's a fine match."

"She absolutely has the look on her face that you get when you're trying to figure something out," Ben said.

"You'd know that better than me," Ender said wryly. "She likes to go from 'crying' to 'thoughtful' and back, doesn't she?"

"She does," Ben said, grinning. "The world does that to a lot of people."

Ender laughed softly as he began to walk. "I don't know which part worries me more," he said, "The thinking or the crying."

"The thinking," Ben said. "She'll outgrow the crying."

"We hope," Ender said, only a little bit of weariness sinking into his tone.

At least they had the luxury that both of them only had to work an hour a week.

Ben shifted Val so he could wrap his other arm around Ender's waist. "Need a nap?"

"If I nap now, she'll find a reason to start crying again," Ender said. "We'll take the walk and hope it wears her out."

Ben gave him a worried look. "I can take her for an hour if you want to lie down, kreetle."

Ender kissed his cheek. "I'll live, love."

"I know," Ben said, smiling back, "but I don't mind giving you a break."

"No, but I want that walk," Ender said wryly, "Before my legs atrophy entirely."

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

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