Fabricator General Shoddy’s Workshop on Mars
Fabricator General Shoddy
The clang of tools and hum of machinery had filled the workshop for hours, but now it was quiet. Fabricator General Shoddy was just about to leave when his workstation beeped. He paused, mildly annoyed at the interruption until he saw the sender's name: Spotty.
Shoddy’s annoyance evaporated instantly. He opened the message, scanning the text:
"I have reviewed and tweaked your proposed upgrades. The changes are in the files attached to this message. Excellent work, Shoddy. Regards, Spotty."
His heart swelled with pride at the Empress’s praise. Few things pleased him more than her recognition. He opened the attached files, and as he examined the tweaks, his appreciation deepened.
The designs were still undeniably his, but they had been elevated to something greater. Systems were refined, production streamlined, and durability improved—all while maintaining the original intent.
She’s brilliant, he thought, shaking his head in admiration. Of course she would make these improvements. No one else could’ve done it better.
A smile tugged at his lips. He sent a quick acknowledgment to Spotty before shutting down his workstation, his mood buoyed by her approval.