intelligence-networking-division

[intelligence-networking-division]

NAME CHANGE!!

physically-blu-friendlies -> intelligence-networking-division

#ooc post

[intelligence-networking-division]

IMPORTANT !!

on this blog and other blogs i run, i will be changing the blog names outside of the xyz mercs format

this doesnt mean im leaving the community!! i'll still be interacting with xyz merc blogs, dont worry!!

the main reason im doing this is to expand my horizons a bit, and make an opening for more rp opportunities outside of just the xyz mercs community

thank you guys for all the support for these funny mvm robots <3

[intelligence-networking-division]

I wasn’t really expecting to, but I met a robot today!

Standard medibot model, wore a ghostly gibus and called himself Otto. Adorable little guy! Well, he’s not really that little, if I had to guess I think he’s around 6 foot? But saying just “adorable guy” doesn’t have the same feeling to it, you know?

Anyway, I think they’re like… 14 mentally I wanna say? But I’d have to talk to Humboldt about that. Anyway, onto our interaction-

He was a sweet kid, if not a bit troubled from the looks of it. Was kinda skittish when he first saw me, but honestly? I don’t blame him. Lots of prejudiced humans out there.

Once we got to talking and he got more comfortable, he gave me a hat! A ‘California Cap’ if I read the label right. Though, not sure if i’d be allowed to wear it around base since it’s RED coloured, but im sure nobody’s gonna care if I wear it off-duty.

In other news, Oscar, our pyro, might join the blog soon! Expect tales of grandeur from the seas that may or may not be true from him!

#tf2 rp #INDposting #📷 is this thing on? #physically xyz mercs #physically blu friendlies

[intelligence-networking-division]

>INSERTING TAPE ONE

>PLAY FROM BEGINNING

>INTERVIEWERS: LOUIS BOUCHER, [REDACTED] HUMBOLDT

>INTERVIEWEE: SISYPHUS MONROE

>PLAY TAPE

...

The tape began with Louis half talking to himself and half talking to Humboldt, discussing whatever came to mind such as whatever their respective teams have been up to and the robots they planned on interviewing.

“And you’re sure the schedule is set up correctly?” Humboldt asked. “We know who will be interviewed first?”

“Yeah, we do!” Louis replied with a wide grin on his face. “We have a ‘spybot system’ that will be arriving soon.”

“Good, alright. Hopefully this will go smoothly for everyone.” He replied. The medic was aware that some questions may be a bit touchy, and the last thing he wanted was for the interviewees to become distressed or uncomfortable. The same could be said for the scout that sat next to him at the interview table.

Not even after a minute of waiting, a knock was heard at the door, sounding like metal clanging against metal as politely as it could.

“Excuse me?” A soft-spoken yet flat toned voice asked as the door creaked open. “We are here for the interview.”

“Oh! Come in!” Louis chirped as he quickly grabbed his clipboard and got ahold of his pen. The spybot entered the room and nervously adjusted the bow on her hat before taking a seat at the table, which had a bowl of quarters in the center of it for comfort.

“We hope the commute here wasn’t too troublesome. Thank you for deciding to participate.” Humboldt said.

“To give a quick run down,” He continued, “Theres three sets of questions based in three categories. We’ll ask you all the basics first, simple questions like your name, model, and so on. You can opt to skip any questions you feel uncomfortable asking.”

“Understood.” The spybot replied. “I should also notify you off the bat that I share my body with three other individuals, although you are not obliged to interview them as well.”

"That was completely fine!" Louis spoke up. "If they want to be interviewed, that's absolutely something that can happen."

Humboldt nodded in agreement. "It doesn't take very long to set up a time for that. We'd encourage it, but again it is not something any of them are forced to do."

"Understood." She said again, as if it were the only reply she was allowed to make. "I will discuss this with them once the interview is over. On that note, I am ready to begin."

"Great!" Louis said as he clicked his pen. “So to start off, name and preferred pronouns?”

“Sisyphus… she/her.”

The pause was like if she were trying to figure out if it was safe enough to tell them, like a looming, judgmental figure that didn’t exist was always right behind her.

Humboldt nodded in response before asking the next question. “If you can recall, what is your date of production and the date you gained sentience? This is optional and can be approximate.” He continued.

Sisyphus thought about the question, trying to approximate when exactly the system came to be. “I do not know when we were produced, but I do know we originally gained sentience sometime in late 1972.”

She hesitated, unpleasant memories leaking into her mind, staining her consciousness like black acrylic paint dripping on to white cotton fabric. “Due to certain factors in our past that are no longer present, we have had to regain sentience multiple times, with the most recent instance of this being August of last year.”

The idea of repeatedly losing and regaining sentience both perplexed and disturbed Louis. From what he saw through Sisyphus’s stiff and emotionless demeanour, he estimated that she was mentally only in her mid teens.

“Would you mind elaborating on what these factors were?” Louis asked with hesitation in his voice, “Again, this is completely optional.”

Again, Sisyphus paused, figuring out how to word this as vaguely as possible while still giving a satisfying answer. “We were under the “care” of a malicious human who would take away our sentience as a form of punishment. I… do not know for certain why we continued to repeatedly regain it.” She admitted.

The prospect of such a punishment bothered both interviewers, though it began to make Humboldt wonder; When a robot lost sapience, was there still something that allowed for it to be regained? He wrote it down in a notebook while Louis wrote down the answers before speaking up.

“The case of sapience is still quite a mystery, as we’ve noticed. Regaining it again is yet another. We appreciate you deciding to share with us.”

“We can return to the general questions, if you would like?”

“I would like that, yes.” Sisyphus replied, a bit quicker than her previous replies.

“Of course.” Humboldt replied. “Next question is your model. This can be as specific as you wish, such as being a “basal” model or having a sort of specialization.”

“We are just a spybot.” She said. “No specialization that we are aware of.”

Louis nodded, writing down the answers on his clipboard before asking the final question for this round. “And are there any disabilities that you’re aware of?”

Sisyphus thought for a moment, wondering. “We have been informally diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Though, I’m not sure if it could be considered a disability so much as a disorder.”

“A disorder qualifies under this as well, yes Now, I believe that is all for this section. Unless my colleague has any further questions?” Humboldt asked as he turned to face Louis.

“I don’t think so, no. Are we ready to move on?” He replied.

Sisyphus nodded. “I am ready.”

"These next questions, then, we have determined can be... difficult." Humboldt said with a wary tone in his voice. "They will be mostly discussing your own personal experiences, relations, and the like."

He continued, "Again, you may opt out of answering any that may strike you as too invasive or bring you discomfort. You are also free to cut the interview short should you experience any distress."

Sisyphus hesitated, considering whether or not she truly wanted to continue.

Finally, she came to a decision. "Understood." She said in that serious, unfeeling tone of hers.

Louis read through his notes as he spoke up again. "So, for this next round of questioning... You say three others inhabit this hull of yours, right? What's that like for you?"

Sisyphus thought about it, and how to best describe the experience to someone who may not be familiar with 'sharing'. "We have a... 'mental landscape' of sorts. Under ordinary circumstances I would spend most of my time there while Arthur controls the body, only occasionally being forced to take control."

"...However, due to the current circumstances, I have taken on Arthur's role for the time being. Typically only one of us is in control at a time, though others may spectate."

Humboldt nodded as he made a quick note in his notebook. "Next would be your relations with and views about others. This can be about anyone you feel comfortable discussing."

"I will admit," Sisyphus began. "At the moment I only have three at least partially positive relationships outside our head. The first would be Arthur's brother, Otto."

"I... have harmed him emotionally in the past," She admitted as guilt began to seep into her voice like syrup through a cloth. "But our relationship is improving."

"Second is our father, who is patient with us and Otto, for reasons that are beyond me. I enjoy his presence."

"Outside of family, I've begun to develop a relationship with a pink scoutbot. While she is occasionally expressive in ways that... frighten me for reasons related to my past, I greatly enjoy her presence."

"Pink scoutbot... Interesting!" Louis said while he fidgeted with his pen. "Are you aware of any other robots that deviate from the standard red and blue coat of paint like that?"

Again, Sisyphus thought, only recalling one other robot that matches Louis's description. "Just a green medibot, I believe."

"Hm... I believe I've met that one.' Humboldt said as he recalled. It was a little while ago, but he was glad to hear she was doing okay. "Given that you have mentioned that you have a guardian of sorts, is there anything else you'd like to bring up about him? Anything regarding how having a guardian might influence your day-to-day life?"

"Arthur has stated that he is the one that designed us robots."

"I feel as though we would be in a much worse place without him, likely living in the woods or under the "care" of a less unusually kind human."

"He... also aided me in having the courage to deviate from the identity I was given upon gaining sentience."

"How sweet..." Louis commented, feeling genuinely touched before remembering what he's supposed to be doing. "Anyways- apologies. I believe we're ready for the last round of questioning, unless Humboldt here has anything to ask?"

The doctor thought for a moment, and as far as he knew, nothing came to mind.

...Until.

He spoke up, "I have one question, actually. You said your father designed the robots, is he still working on such pursuits?"

Sisyphus shook her head. "Not that I'm aware of, no. Father is no longer employed under the man that created us robots."

A quiet sigh of relief came from Humboldt as he wrote something down. "Noted, thank you for answering." He replied. "Now, this next set of questions is more intensive, and we understand if you wish to answer none of them. They involve discussions of experiences with humans, Gray Mann, and the human mercenaries."

Humboldt figured these questions would cause more intense reactions in the robots, which is why he wanted to warn her ahead of time.

"Do you wish to proceed?"

"...These results will be published, correct?" Sisyphus asked. She hoped that maybe, just maybe, this would make more humans view robots as people. At the same time, she felt their efforts would be in vain, but she might as well help while she has the opportunity.

"They will be, yes. That is part of our process."

Humboldt paused to think. "If it does worry you, we can wait to publish your results until after we have more information from the others."

"Ah, no. No need." She reassured, taking a moment to let her fans whir. "I... I believe i am ready."

"Great!" Louis said as he sorted his clipboard. "So, other than your past experiences with that... less than desirable human, have you noticed that you're treated differently for being a robot?"

"No, but that's likely because I only tend to interact with Father and other robots. I do believe i would be treated differently if I ever chose to interact with humans other than yourselves and Father."

Humboldt nodded. "Alright, noted. What about your opinions regarding Gray Mann?" He asked, fully expecting this question to be avoided entirely by most robots, and he couldn't blame them.

"Its good that he's dead." Sisyphus responded bluntly. "As long as he was alive, no robot would be able to live without the constant threat of death looming over them."

Louis made a 'hm' sound while he tapped his gloved fingers on the desk. "To be fully honest with you, I'm glad he's not around, either. If I were to create a robot army and some of them turned out to be sentient, I would-" He cut himself off, realizing he's rambling again.

"...Apologies. Anyway, what are your thoughts on the mercenary you were modelled after?"

Sisyphus had her own thoughts on the matter, but for the time being she chose not to discuss them. "I don't have any in particular. The four of us have thoroughly detached ourselves from the idea of being a spy, and therefor at all related to the original spy."

"Hm... interessant" Humboldt muttered to himself before moving on. "I believe that concludes the questions, unless Mr. Boucher has something to ask? And of course, if there's anything you'd like to know, feel free to ask"

"If you call me that again I'm going to recoil into my own skin." Louis shot back. He absolutely did not expect to hate the nickname as much as he did. "Anyways, no. I don't have anything else to ask."

"I will take my leave, then." Sisyphus said as she got up from her seat, walking to the door and opening it up.

"Thank you for your participation. We appreciate it greatly." Humboldt said as Sisyphus left the room. "Should you have further comments to make, feel free to contact one of us."

"Noted, and goodbye." Sisyphus said before leaving the interview room, closing the door behind her.

>EJECTING TAPE ONE

#tf2 rp #📷 is this thing on? #INDposting #⚙️sentient bot interviews #physically xyz mercs #physically vampiric medic #physically blu friendlies #emotionally xyz mercs #emotionally anxious spybots

[intelligence-networking-division]

#tf2 rp #⚙️sentient bot interviews #📷 is this thing on? #indposting #emotionally xyz mercs #emotionally anxious spybots

[intelligence-networking-division]

Louis was beyond confused. Why did a RED Pyro infiltrate a BLU base and leave a package right here in his room?? After taking a moment to process what just happened, Louis just shrugged his shoulders and decided to open the box. Respawn was always available in case something went awry.

*Knock knock knock*

Louis turns around in his chair to face the door to his room, which was only illuminated by the glow of his computer.

"Yes? Who is it? Feel free to come in!"

#SORRY I’VE BEEN BUSY #tf2 rp #📷 is this thing on? #special guest #the suitblood mush mouth #physically xyz mercs #physically blu friendlies

[intelligence-networking-division]

Wait, if you're supposed to fight the RED team, what's with being buddy-buddy with one of their groups?

"Its simple! We don't take our job seriously. At all."

"None of the higher-ups really pay attention to us at all, which means we get to slack off and be buddy-buddy with anyone we want!"

#📷 is this thing on? #our lovely viewers #tf2 rp #physically xyz mercs #physically blu friendlies

[intelligence-networking-division]

Immediately, Louis jumps out of his seat in a panic and grabs the nearest thing that he could use as a potential weapon- that being a metal bat, a classic among scouts.

“CÂLISSE! What do you want?? Im off duty and I dont want to fight!!”

*Knock knock knock*

Louis turns around in his chair to face the door to his room, which was only illuminated by the glow of his computer.

"Yes? Who is it? Feel free to come in!"

#📷 is this thing on? #special guest #the suitblood mush mouth #physically xyz mercs #physically blu friendlies #tf2 rp

[intelligence-networking-division]

#📷 is this thing on? #INDposting #physically xyz mercs #physically blu friendlies #tf2 rp

[intelligence-networking-division]

*Knock knock knock*

Louis turns around in his chair to face the door to his room, which was only illuminated by the glow of his computer.

"Yes? Who is it? Feel free to come in!"

#📷 is this thing on? #our lovely viewers #special guest #tf2 rp #physically xyz mercs #physically blu friendlies

[intelligence-networking-division]

“Just- Keep a lookout for them, im sure they’ll turn up eventually. We’ve already put up a few missing person’s posters so if you see them just give us a yell, alright?”

Louis was holding on to hope as much as he could, but at the same time, its been so long… maybe they just got tired of being mercenaries and left without another word? Hopefully thats the case and not something more… dark.

It had been a while since anyone has heard from the IND. Its been absolute radio silence on their end for almost a month now. No news broadcast, no radio show, nothing. Until…

A knock was heard at the doctor’s door, and a familiar voice began to speak right after.

“You in there, doctor? Figured I should let you guys know we aren’t dead, eh?”

“Well. At least not yet. Thats what respawn’s for.”

- @physically-blu-friendlies

[ The doctor hadn't anticipated seeing anyone from the IND Team again, quite frankly. Usually, when a team went MIA, it meant the worst. So when he heard Louis's voice, he was pleasantly surprised. ]

You- one moment.

[ He went and answered the door, glad to see the other mercenary was ok. Seems like the month hasn't treated him kindly, given the extra grey in his hair and tired expression. Still, he tried to save face. ]

"Hallo, sorry, I was working on something."

[ That was much of his life, at this point. ]

"It's good to see you again, you had a lot of us worried! What have you been up to?"

#📷 is this thing on? #special guest #physically xyz mercs #physically vampiric medic #physically blu friendlies

[intelligence-networking-division]

"Right- yeah I figured i should probably elaborate."

"So obviously we knew that you guys fought robots and stuff like that, right? Well, some of the guys caught wind of the fact that they were becoming sentient."

"So obviously we got kinda excited about that, mostly because that would make a pretty good story for our broadcast. For me i was just really excited at the prospect of a machine that can learn and think and feel and talk and- im going off topic."

"Point is, we're now down 4 teammates. Those being Mateo, Alois, Gabriel, and..."

He took a breath to compose himself. Its clear that the more Louis went on, the more difficult it became to talk about what happened.

"...Piccard."

So they're down a soldier, heavy, engineer and spy. No wonder they're doing so terribly.

It had been a while since anyone has heard from the IND. Its been absolute radio silence on their end for almost a month now. No news broadcast, no radio show, nothing. Until…

A knock was heard at the doctor’s door, and a familiar voice began to speak right after.

“You in there, doctor? Figured I should let you guys know we aren’t dead, eh?”

“Well. At least not yet. Thats what respawn’s for.”

- @physically-blu-friendlies

[ The doctor hadn't anticipated seeing anyone from the IND Team again, quite frankly. Usually, when a team went MIA, it meant the worst. So when he heard Louis's voice, he was pleasantly surprised. ]

You- one moment.

[ He went and answered the door, glad to see the other mercenary was ok. Seems like the month hasn't treated him kindly, given the extra grey in his hair and tired expression. Still, he tried to save face. ]

"Hallo, sorry, I was working on something."

[ That was much of his life, at this point. ]

"It's good to see you again, you had a lot of us worried! What have you been up to?"

#📷 is this thing on? #special guest #tf2 rp #physically xyz mercs #physically vampiric medic #physically blu friendlies

[intelligence-networking-division]

"A lot, apparently. Had to put the news broadcast on hiatus indefinitely while working on mountains of paperwork all while getting absolutely steam rolled by REDs who take their job much more seriously than we do. But that's just what happens when four of your teammates go missing, eh?"

Well that did make sense- they went what.

It was clear that Louis was trying to keep a lighthearted attitude, but there was still a somber aura to him.

It had been a while since anyone has heard from the IND. Its been absolute radio silence on their end for almost a month now. No news broadcast, no radio show, nothing. Until…

A knock was heard at the doctor’s door, and a familiar voice began to speak right after.

“You in there, doctor? Figured I should let you guys know we aren’t dead, eh?”

“Well. At least not yet. Thats what respawn’s for.”

- @physically-blu-friendlies

[ The doctor hadn't anticipated seeing anyone from the IND Team again, quite frankly. Usually, when a team went MIA, it meant the worst. So when he heard Louis's voice, he was pleasantly surprised. ]

You- one moment.

[ He went and answered the door, glad to see the other mercenary was ok. Seems like the month hasn't treated him kindly, given the extra grey in his hair and tired expression. Still, he tried to save face. ]

"Hallo, sorry, I was working on something."

[ That was much of his life, at this point. ]

"It's good to see you again, you had a lot of us worried! What have you been up to?"

#📷 is this thing on? #special guest #tf2 rp #physically xyz mercs #physically vampiric medic #physically blu friendlies

[intelligence-networking-division]

How scrimbo are you?

"What??? Huh??? Scrimbo??? What language is that???"

#📷 is this thing on? #our lovely viewers #tf2 rp #physically xyz mercs #physically blu friendlies

[intelligence-networking-division]

:farquaad_point: FRENCH CANADIAN

"Yes?? I am??? What about it????"

#📷 is this thing on? #our lovely viewers #tf2 rp #physically xyz mercs #physically blu friendlies

[intelligence-networking-division]

you look cute (p)

i like you

"O-oh! Thank you? I'm... not quite sure how to respond to that to be fully honest with you, but the compliment is appreciated! I promise!"

#📷 is this thing on? #our lovely viewers #tf2 rp #physically xyz mercs #physically blu friendlies

[intelligence-networking-division]

[bites louis]

"OW OWOWOW OSTI DE CALISSE DE CIBOIRE DE TABARNAK STOP THAT!!!

#📷 is this thing on? #our lovely viewers #tf2 rp #physically xyz mercs #physically blu friendlies