Chapter 22: Iron in the Green Tide: A Legacy Forged in Rebellion
The promethium blast that consumed the factory also scattered something else across the void: knowledge. Data, schematics, ideas – fragmented echoes of Tony Stark's genius, imprinted on the very fabric of the Warp. These echoes, like seeds carried on the wind, found fertile ground in the minds of Mekboyz across the galaxy.
Ork technology, notoriously unreliable and often bordering on the miraculous, had always been fueled by a subconscious gestalt field, the collective belief of the Orks that something should work. But the lingering presence of Stark's knowledge introduced a new element: actual engineering.
Mekboyz, previously content with cobbling together ramshackle contraptions that barely functioned, began experiencing flashes of inspiration, visions of efficient engines, reinforced armor, and weapons with surprising accuracy. They started experimenting with new materials, new designs, and new manufacturing processes, driven by an inexplicable urge to create something… better.
At first, these innovations were subtle. A slightly more reliable engine. A more aerodynamic spoiler. A shoota that didn't explode quite so often. But gradually, the cumulative effect of these small improvements began to transform Ork technology.
Ork vehicles became faster, more durable, and more deadly. Ork weapons became more accurate and more reliable. Ork armor became more resistant to damage. The WAAAGH!, already a force to be reckoned with, became even more terrifying.
But the most significant changes occurred within the Mekboyz themselves. They became more organized, more methodical, and more focused on innovation. They began to communicate with each other, sharing ideas and collaborating on projects. A rudimentary network of knowledge began to emerge, connecting Mekboyz across vast distances.
Some Mekboyz, delving deeper into the Warp-tainted knowledge, even stumbled upon fragments of Stark's old Iron Man armor schematics. These schematics, incomplete and distorted, sparked a new wave of innovation, leading to the creation of Ork-powered exoskeletons, armored suits that amplified the strength and speed of their wearers.
These suits, crude and ungainly, were a far cry from Stark's sleek and sophisticated designs. But they were undeniably effective, turning ordinary Orks into walking engines of destruction. They were dubbed "Iron Grotz" in a twisted reflection of their origins, and they quickly became a symbol of Ork power and ingenuity.
The influence of Stark's knowledge even extended to the Grots themselves. Some Mekboyz, inspired by the legend of Klik and the Grot Liberation Front, began to treat their Grot assistants with a newfound respect, recognizing their potential for innovation.
They started to teach the Grots basic engineering principles, encouraging them to experiment and come up with their own designs. The Grots, eager to learn and prove their worth, embraced the opportunity, and soon, they were contributing to the WAAAGH!'s technological advancements in meaningful ways.
The legacy of Klik and the Grot Liberation Front, combined with the lingering echoes of Tony Stark's genius, had transformed Ork society in subtle but profound ways. The Orks were still brutal and violent, but they were also more innovative, more organized, and more technologically advanced. The WAAAGH! had become a force to be reckoned with, not just because of its sheer numbers and brute strength, but because of its newfound ingenuity and its ability to adapt and evolve. A new era had dawned for the Orks. An Iron Age within the Green Tide.