Chapter 6: The Mek-Grot Cometh
With the squig pens running like a (relatively) well-oiled machine and the Grots working with a newfound sense of purpose (and a slightly larger share of squig meat), Tony felt it was time to shift his focus back to technology. He couldn't just improve the Grots' lives; he needed to improve their capabilities. He needed to turn them into something more than just cannon fodder. He needed to turn them into… well, miniature versions of himself.
He started by gathering a group of the most intelligent and mechanically inclined Grots. He called them his "Tinkerz." They weren't exactly Pepper Potts and Happy Hogan, but they were the best he could find in this green-skinned dystopia.
He set up a small workshop in a secluded corner of the fortress, filled with scrap metal, salvaged parts, and a surprising number of stolen tools. He taught his Tinkerz the basics of engineering, explaining concepts like leverage, combustion, and the importance of proper insulation (a lesson learned the hard way after one Grot accidentally electrocuted himself while working on a faulty power cable).
The Tinkerz were surprisingly quick learners. They might not have had Tony's genius, but they were eager to please, and they possessed a natural aptitude for tinkering that seemed to be ingrained in their Grot DNA.
Their first project: a Grot-sized battle suit. Tony envisioned a lightweight, armored exoskeleton that would enhance the Grots' strength and speed, allowing them to fight more effectively on the battlefield.
The project was ambitious, to say the least. The resources were limited, the technology was crude, and the Grots were… well, they were still Grots. But Tony persevered, driven by his unwavering belief in the power of innovation.
He scavenged parts from broken-down vehicles, wrecked weapons, and even the occasional discarded toaster. He designed the exoskeleton using a combination of salvaged metal plates, scavenged hydraulics, and a surprisingly sophisticated (for Ork standards) control system.
The Tinkerz worked tirelessly, fueled by squig meat and a burning desire to impress their new mentor. They welded, hammered, and bolted, transforming Tony's vision into a tangible reality.
After weeks of hard work, the Grot-sized battle suit was finally complete. It was a crude and ungainly contraption, but it was functional. It was armored, it was armed, and it was ready to rumble.
Tony called Gnash to test the battle suit. Gnash was hesitant at first, but Tony convinced him that it was a great honor. Gnash squeezed himself into the suit, and with a few adjustments, the exoskeleton sprang to life.
Gnash stomped around the workshop, marveling at his newfound strength and speed. He punched a hole in a metal wall, kicked over a stack of scrap metal, and even managed to lift a small Ork (who was not amused).
"By Gork and Mork, dis is amazing, Stikk!" Gnash exclaimed, his voice echoing through the suit's internal comm system. "I feel like I could krump anything!"
Tony grinned. "That's the idea, Gnash. That's the idea."
The Grot-sized battle suit was a success. It was a testament to Tony's genius, the Tinkerz's hard work, and the power of innovation.
But it was also just the beginning. Tony had bigger plans. Plans that involved transforming the entire Grot army into a force to be reckoned with. Plans that could potentially turn the tide of the WAAAGH!