[Gretin]

Here is my first oddworld fan fiction. The formatting went a bit weird, but it should be easy to read. I'll post Chapter 2 soon, and I'll hopefully have some feedback on this by the time I do.
Enjoy!

ODDWORLD: The Rector Refinery

A Fan Fiction

Chapter 1: Work-related accidents

It was a usual day of work at Rector's Refinery. The mudokons were working, the sligs were slacking off, and the glukkons were arguing. Same old samo.
These were the thoughts that were going through the head of Marn, the mudokon, as he was operation the device that would send the unprocessed metals one at a time into the heat chamber. His job was one of the more boring ones, all he had to do was push the switch to turn on the conveyer belt, wait until a pack of metal had gone, then pull the switch back again to stop the conveyer. Because of this, he quite often would become absent-minded about it, which usually would get him into trouble.
Today was no different, until he heard two sligs talking on the floor above.

"So, you heard about the new metal they're processing here?"

"Yeah, I heard that they've got some new alloy that's really strong and light. Is that what you're talking about?"

"Yep, that's the one. They reckon they might be able to design some new flying machines with it, ones that are faster and stronger than any yet!"

"Yeah, right! You know how most of their plans work out, they don't work at all!"

"Maybe, but I think this one's got a chance because -"
Marn's eavesdropping was suddenly cut short by a slig on the floor below yelling, "Hey! You up there! You gonna send some more metal in or what?"
Hurriedly, Marn pushed the switch over - too far, and too hard, and when he was ready to pull it back he found that it had jammed! He pulled and pulled but all that happened was the handle breaking off. "This is going to mean trouble," he thought. "MARN, YOU INCOMPETENT LITTLE FOOL!" shouted the slig below.
"Here we go again!"
Not long afterwards he was hanging up in the detention room awaiting punishment from Rector. He didn't have to wait long before the door opened and in came Rector, the boss of the refinery, and a slig with burn marks all over him. "Your daydreaming has done quite a bit of damage this time, Marn," said Rector in a calm, matter-of-fact manner. "Yes, sir," Marn replied, guiltily. "I don't pay you to daydream. You should consider yourself lucky you work here, many glukkons don't pay their workers at all!" "Yes, sir," replied Marn again.

"Do you realize how much it is going to cost to repair the damage you've done?"

"No, sir."

"It will cost as much as you earn in five weeks!"

Marn hung his head in shame, "I'm sorry sir."

"You're sorry?" asked Rector, his voice starting to rise, "That's all you have to say?"

"Yes, sir," said Marn, in a weak, whimpery voice.

"Well, it is not enough to make up for the damage you've done," Rector's voice had returned to normal now, "You will be punished with a beating, no food or water for four days, and you will not be receiving any more pay for five weeks, to pay for the repairs. That is all. Groll, you can administer the beating since it was you who was hurt by his carelessness. Good bye, Marn, I have pressing issues to deal with now, so I hope you learn from this little incident."

He left, leaving Marn to the mercy, or lack of mercy, of the slig, Groll.

End of Chapter 1