Stark Industries, Monday

[endsthegame]

It was yet another quiet morning for Ender when he arrived to open up Stark Industries. He had his laptop on him, and a book or two that had lost their kitten status a few days ago.

He settled in at a desk in the shop (and was it even a shop?), quietly mulling over what little, sketchy information he could wrangle from the books.

So far, nothing he could use.

[ open! ]

Comments

[not-ironmaiden.livejournal.com]

The landing this time was so much easier. Mostly because it was through the hole in his building.

Even if he was sore as all hell from the firefight. At least the armor held up against it all. That brought him a small thrill.

And he was actually tired for a change. That might have been why he let the robots tug and pull on the armor without complaint. "That's my arm, idiot."

Okay, not much complaint.

[endsthegame]

There was more noise than Ender was used to. He looked up from the computer. Was it worth to take a look? Even as he thought it, he knew the answer. He was curious.

He made the few steps required to find the source of the noise. And...

...it was a lot like a flash suit, except bulkier, with more edges, more colour, and-- "That's a little clumsy," he commented.

[not-ironmaiden.livejournal.com]

Tony didn't even glance his way. "Less than the initial designs."

A beat.

"Okay, you're going to rip my arm off, so stop that."

[endsthegame]

"There are probably easier ways to get out of that," he continued, observing the suit with sharp eyes. It really did look like a weapon. "If you refine the design."

[not-ironmaiden.livejournal.com]

"It was a test run," Tony snapped harshly. He would have to work on the ease of removal and the cushioning hits on the inside.

[endsthegame]

"You took a lot of damage for a test run," Ender said. Bumps, scrapes and bullet holes. It didn't matter which century it was; people would always have their weapons.

[not-ironmaiden.livejournal.com]

"It was a successful test run."

[endsthegame]

"It depends on what you'll see as a success." Ender pulled up a chair and sat down. He didn't really want to get into an argument with his employer right now, but it was his curiosity taking the wheel.

[not-ironmaiden.livejournal.com]

"The armor held up against more... extreme conditions than I had hoped for."

Finally, there went the chestplate.

[endsthegame]

Ender followed the chestplate with his eyes. Not just the bullet holes, but also everything else about it. It was a primitive armor at best. "'Extreme conditions' like combat."

[not-ironmaiden.livejournal.com]

"Yes. Like combat." He let the gauntlets be pulled off, stepping out of the boots. And stumbled. He was going to need so much aspirin for this. "Jarvis, look into getting painkillers installed into the suit."

[endsthegame]

"Make sure it doesn't pull you in," Ender said, and shook his head. Games in colourful flash suits. It was a little much. He turned around, ready to head back to his station.

[not-ironmaiden.livejournal.com]

Tony turned and gave him a look. "Trust me. That's not an problem."

Already happened.

[endsthegame]

"I can see that," Ender said, throwing him one more look over his shoulder. "That suit could be a very bad thing in the wrong hands." Which, in his experience, was often any hands.

[not-ironmaiden.livejournal.com]

"Which is why I'm not going to be sharing this technology with anyone. Jarvis, render the specs on the improvements to the flight capabilities."

[endsthegame]

"Good," Ender said, and paced back to his station.

He wasn't sure if he considered Stark's hands 'good'. He resolved to keep track of that suit if he could.