Stark Industries [most of the day]

[momslilassassin]

Ben was prowling around the shop today with a giant wrench, making sure that the whole place was creepy doll-free.

And if anyone asked, he had not been bitten on the ankle by a doll yesterday as he got out of bed, okay?

And also shut up.

Comments

[endsthegame]

Ender shut the door to the shop behind him, and then turned towards Ben.

"How's the ankle?" he asked, because he was a terrible boyfriend like that.

[momslilassassin]

"Fine," Ben muttered, turning red. "Who even makes dolls with fangs?"

[endsthegame]

"The island, apparently," Ender said, "Or whatever other force was responsible for it."

He walked up to the counter and dropped a couple of burgers and a pint of ice cream on it. "But I think I've managed to clean up all the blood."

[momslilassassin]

"You're all heart," Ben said, grinning.

[endsthegame]

"I try," Ender said, shoving the pint at him.

[momslilassassin]

"Thanks," Ben said with a more genuine smile. "How's your day been?"

[endsthegame]

"Quiet," Ender said. "Thought I'd stay in, get some more Jedi reading in..."

[momslilassassin]

"...check for the political fall-out from the massacre in the Outer Rim..." Ben added.

[endsthegame]

"Yes," Ender admitted. "But you can hardly blame me for that."

Especially when the reports coming in from the people he had stationed there were... not good.

[momslilassassin]

"I'm kind of counting on it, really," Ben replied with a tiny smile.

[endsthegame]

"It's not looking too good for Daala," Ender noted. "In fact, the way the public discourse is swinging, it wouldn't surprise me if some were working on her impeachment."

Or other strategies. Ender wasn't so excited about those.

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "That's what I've been hearing too," he said. "Well, from what I can pry out of Jaina. She says that Jag's pretty upset too."

[endsthegame]

"He is?" Ender asked. "Did she say anything about why?"

Not for the first time, he wished he had someone on the inside with the Imperials. Sure, he could use Ben's contact with Jag to try and make something happen, but then it would be too-easily traced back to the Jedi...

Still.

[momslilassassin]

"Nothing specific, but I'm guessing it's because the Empire was kind of known for these sorts of attacks back in the bad old days and he doesn't really want them to be part of any alliance he's bring his government into," Ben said thoughtfully. "Somehow I think the Moffs would be less bothered, but Jag has standards and ethics."

[endsthegame]

"So essentially, he's - once again - rethinking his plans with rights to integrating with the GA?" Ender asked, speaking slowly as he turned it over in his head. "I can't really blame him right now. In comparison to the GA, the Empire is a downright bastion of stability and morality right now."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded, looking deeply saddened by that. "I wouldn't be surprised to hear that he's left Coruscant in a few days."

[endsthegame]

Ender blew out a breath.

"Meanwhile," he said, "I'm not putting it past several factions not to try something stupid."

[momslilassassin]

Ben started ticking a list off on his fingers: "Sith, Moffs, Senators...military, Jedi?"

He made a face. "That's pretty much everyone."

[endsthegame]

"If there's anything the GA needs right now, it's for the democratic process to continue uninterrupted," Ender said. "The reason you keep getting in trouble is because everyone keeps seizing power - that's not good for stability."

[momslilassassin]

"We had a peaceful transitions of power from Mon Mothma to Aunt Leia and then to Borsk Fey'lya, even if he turned out to be kind of a gundark," Ben replied. "People need to remember patience."

He didn't sound optimistic about that happening.

[endsthegame]

"How long ago was the last one?" Ender asked.

[momslilassassin]

"Cal Omas took over after Fey'lya blew himself up when the Yuuzhan Vong conquered Coruscant," Ben said. "So when I was really young."

[endsthegame]

"Exactly," Ender said. He finally pulled up a seat - next to Ben, not on the other side of the counter. "We can only hope everyone else realises that this needs to stop. I'm doubtful."

[momslilassassin]

"Me too," Ben said with a sigh. "The situation is too charged."

[endsthegame]

Ender ran his hand through his hair. "But if our suspicion is right and someone has been trying to push Daala's buttons, we might as well start preparing for another coup," he said. "If they take the stupid way out."