Gemotions

The engineer's words hung in the air: “...the core concept is, unfortunately, already claimed.” My stomach lurched. The prototype sat gleaming on the workbench, a testament to months of tireless work. I felt a coldness wash over me. The engineer watched me, waiting for my reaction. I forced a smile. A thin, brittle thing. “Well, that’s just… unsatisfactory,” I said, my voice tight. He nodded sympathetically. “Yes, it is.” I stared at the machine, a familiar burning sensation in my chest. I walked toward it, and I knew what I had to do.