Chapter 4: The Seeds of Innovation
Word of Stikk's mechanical prowess spread quickly among the Grots. Soon, he was inundated with requests to fix everything from broken squig-leashes to malfunctioning spanners. At first, Tony was reluctant. He was, after all, Tony Stark, not some back-alley mechanic. But he quickly realized that these repair jobs were more than just a way to pass the time. They were an opportunity.
Each broken device, each faulty weapon, was a chance to learn more about Ork technology and identify areas for improvement. And more importantly, each successful repair solidified his reputation and increased his influence among the Grots.
He started small. He streamlined the process for sharpening blades, using a simple grinding wheel powered by a repurposed squig treadmill. He improved the reliability of the Grots' crude flashlights by replacing the flickering bulbs with more efficient (and less explode-y) alternatives. He even managed to jury-rig a rudimentary communication system using a series of interconnected tin cans and squig-skin diaphragms.
The other Grots were amazed. They'd never seen anything like it. Stikk wasn't just fixing things; he was improving them. He was making their lives easier, safer, and (slightly) less miserable.
One day, Gnash approached Tony with a worried expression. "Stikk, da Boss is havin' trouble with his shoota. It keeps jammin' and misfiring. He's real angry about it. Says he's gonna krump da next Grot he sees if it ain't fixed by tomorrow."
Tony swallowed hard. The Boss's shoota was a massive, unwieldy weapon that looked like it had been assembled from spare parts from a dozen different tanks. It was a terrifying piece of machinery, and the thought of having to fix it was enough to make even Tony Stark's stomach churn.
"Alright, Gnash," he said, trying to sound confident. "Bring it to me. I'll see what I can do."
Gnash returned a few minutes later, lugging the Boss's shoota behind him. The weapon was even bigger and more intimidating up close. Tony spent the rest of the day poring over the shoota, trying to identify the source of the problem.
The weapon's design was ludicrous. Ammunition was fed into the chamber via a haphazard system of belts and pulleys. The firing mechanism was a tangled mess of springs, gears, and rusty bolts. And the whole thing was held together with what appeared to be copious amounts of duct tape and wishful thinking.
This thing is a death trap waiting to happen, Tony thought to himself. I'm surprised it hasn't blown up already.
He identified several potential problems. The ammunition feed was prone to jamming. The firing pin was worn and unreliable. And the cooling system was virtually nonexistent, causing the weapon to overheat after only a few shots.
Tony knew that he couldn't completely overhaul the weapon without raising suspicion. But he could make a few subtle improvements that would significantly increase its reliability and firepower.
He started by streamlining the ammunition feed, replacing the tangled belts and pulleys with a more direct and efficient system. He then replaced the worn firing pin with a sturdier, more reliable alternative. And finally, he rigged up a rudimentary cooling system using a series of repurposed pipes and a reservoir of squig oil.
The next morning, Gnash returned, looking even more worried than before. "Da Boss wants his shoota, Stikk. He says if it ain't workin', you're gonna be da one gettin' shot."
Tony took a deep breath and handed the shoota to Gnash. "Tell him it's ready. Tell him I made a few… adjustments."
Gnash nodded nervously and hurried off to deliver the weapon to the Boss. Tony waited anxiously, wondering if he had just signed his own death warrant.
A few minutes later, the sound of the Boss's shoota echoed through the fortress. It was louder and more powerful than ever before. Tony heard the Boss roaring with laughter.
Gnash returned, beaming. "Da Boss loves it, Stikk! He says it's da best shoota he's ever had! He's so happy, he even gave me extra rations!"
Tony grinned, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. He had done it. He had impressed the Boss. He had taken another step towards solidifying his influence among the Orks.
But he knew that this was just the beginning. He had bigger plans. Plans that could change the entire course of the WAAAGH!