Team Fortress 2 and its characters belong to Valve. Most of this stuff remains canon; teams are portrayed in a more realistic manner (or as realistic as you can get with a game like this) while trying to stay true to the personalities of the characters involved. Have fun reading or simply close out of it if you don't.
Cheers.
P.S. I'm slowly easing names into the story so it isn't too much of a shock. Most of the characters already have names, but right now they're being used for clarification in multi-class scenes.
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The brunette Scout was up early today, making a rare trip to the infirmary.
It wasn't rare for him to be there, actually -- he was one of the head Medic's most frequent fliers in terms of field-related damage. But he never came by when he wasn't obligated.
Today was different.
Sitting on a backwards chair, he sipped from a can of Bonk and sighed at the man laying in front of him. It was the Pyro who had been attacked in the kitchen and placed in a coma. The Medics wouldn't tell him anything specific, though he'd managed to get a best guess out of the younger one. 75% chance of recovery if kept in a stable medical facility. Huh..
He wasn't even supposed to be sitting in here -- the only reason the head Medic allowed it was because of the Scout's insistence that he and the Pyro were good friends. It wasn't a complete lie, he'd made a fair effort to keep in touch with the guy after things became a bit warmer around base. The Pyro was a pretty cool dude from what he had learned. He used to be a firefighter before the war and had a baby daughter back home being raised by his wife. He even got to find out about his breathing problems when asked about the gas mask, several light-hearted jokes being passed between them on the subjects of Darth Vader and storm troopers.
There would be no jokes today, the Scout realized, watching the man's chest rise and fall with the aid of machinery.
Man.. Even laying there with his mask off, the guy still looked like a total badass. Auburn hair, a flash burned cheek.. That friggen awesome hawk's foot tattooed down the side of his neck. The Scout couldn't help but smile as he ventured a few words in his direction, "C'mon dude.. S'almost eight o'clock, when you gonna wake up, huh?"
He watched the Pyro for a little longer, emptying out his Bonk can and making a winning toss into the nearest waste can with it.
The infirmary doors swung open after that, a single set of footsteps crossing the polished floor to admit one (1) Red Spy -- the Sniper's friend. So long as they weren't coming toward him, the Scout decided to ignore him and focus on the Pyro.
As it happened they were not coming toward him, but rather moving toward the other curtained-off bed in the infirmary -- that of the Blu captive.
Pushing it open slightly, the Red peered inside to find the man still sleeping. Huh.. No doubt his days of hiding in the vents hadn't resulted in any meaningful rest. Still, this meeting could not be delayed.. Stepping past the curtain entirely, the Red Spy pulled up a chair and sat down.
The Blu's first waking thoughts were that someone was coming to kill him.
He jolted, cut short by his restraints as his eyes flew open and focused on the Red Spy who had been patting him on the shoulder and murmuring gently in French to wake him. Panting with surprise and distaste, he quickly ground his teeth and frowned with light shame at this jumpy response. The Red simply waited for him to blink himself into awareness before saying anything further.
"Bonjour, Monsieur. How did you sleep?" the Blu realized he was speaking in solid French, comforted mildly by the fact though he wasn't about to get cozy while he was still strapped to a bed..
"It was suitable," he replied arrogantly.
"Bien.." He reached forward to pull the Blu's blanket a bit higher on his chest -- no doubt he'd be cold with it exposed like that. "Have you considered my offer?"
"Oui.." the Blu said nothing more, clearly wishing to make the Red work for an answer out of some dire need for respect.
"Very good.. And what have you decided, mon Ami?"
"I zhink you already know. You are more obvious zhan you realize.." the Blu said with a measure of irritation.
The Sniper's friend only smiled, head tucked down and tilted before he continued, "I do not mean to appear so foreboding, Monsieur. Clearly joining Red eez your only viable option.." There was no reply from the Blu until the Red Spy suddenly stood and began to free him from his restraints. He spoke as he did so, leaning over him to reach for his far arm, "Zhey asked me to kill you when I came here today. Zhe trust is still raw, I assure.." The Blu Spy furrowed his brow, but found he had no words. "But I believe you will be compliant.. Zhere is no reason for you to kill any more of us, oui?"
"..Non."
The Blu didn't lunge for the Red as his last ankle was free and, likewise, the Red Spy's Ambassador never left his coat. They were at a stalemate of sorts -- peace, however tense it may have been.
The Blu captive sat up slowly, honey-flecked eyes locked on the Sniper's friend as he rubbed his wrists and attempted to sit up straighter. "My clothes?"
"But of course.." said the Red Spy, his attention daringly leaving the man as he bent down to pull a plastic parcel out from under the bed. He offered it to the Blu, head tilted as a pleasant smile appeared on his face, "I took zhe liberty of procuring a new shirt and tie for you. Zhe suit, however, will need some time before it can be replaced."
Accepting the bag with a neutral expression, the Blu finally quit staring at the Red Spy in order to examine the articles more directly. ..the tie was red. The Red operative folded his arms behind his back with a gentle grin, "Trust me, eet looks jhust fine on blue. Oh.. and zhere is zhe small matter of zhese.." He reached forward and drew out the only other red articles in the bag. Armbands. "Purely for your own protection, I assure you.."
"So you really knew what I would decide.. How did you know I would not try to escape or commit suicide?" asked the Blu, his attention currently distracted by getting dressed as he swung his legs off of the bed.
"Oh Monsieur," said the Red with a mock look of affront, "We men of mystery do not commit suicide in the face of great opportunity. Men like us.. We seize the day." The two met eyes for a moment while the Blu was adjusting his tie, the ghost of a smile passing his lips. "Come, I have someone I'd like you to speak with."
The head Medic was in a questionable mood as he watched the two men depart. They didn't see him as they left, the positioning of his office doorway preventing a clear view of the German standing with his arms crossed firmly and watching them through the blinds of his window. Did he trust the word of the Red Spies that they would take this newcomer under wing and shape him into a Red? Trust could not be determined from his ever present sneer, but he let them move throughout the base as they pleased..
"DOC! Doc, man, get in here!"
It was the Scout, his sudden shouts drawing the Medic's attention away from the pair as they disappeared out the door.
In less than thirteen seconds he shoved aside the curtain shielding the Pyro, eyes expectant and roving the scene before him. The Scout was on his feet with a hand on one of the Pyro's arms, "Dude look! He's wakin' up! What do we do?"
Sneering predictably, the Medic checked the machines and then stepped forward. he rudely shoved the Scout aside and checked the Pyro's pulse before watching his face. The man's eyes opened subtly, a sigh leaving him and entering the oxygen mask secured over his mouth and nose.
The Scout was less than thrilled to be shoved around but he only moved to the Medic's side and grabbed the side of the cot to lean over it and gawk, "Hey man, it's me! You OK?"
"Scout shut up, you'll just confuse him," the Medic barked, causing the young man to huff but say nothing more. "Herr Pyro, do you know where you are?" the doctor asked, his tone moving from angry to soothing in a matter of seconds. The Pyro blinked gently and looked at him for answers. "You vhere attacked in zhe mess hall, zhe man has since been captured and punished." After a bit more staring, the Pyro gave a subtle nod and sighed again with relief.
"Is he OK?" the brunette asked, unable to hold in his enthusiasm.
Rolling his eyes, the Medic gave him a look of exasperation and gently removed the IV in the man's arm, slapping a cotton ball and a Hello Kitty bandaid over it with utter professionalism, "Ja.. Do not let him schtand up, he should be fine in roughly half an hour.." The German peered at his watch, shaking his head and walking back toward his office.
The Scout buzzed back to life, a mixture of relief and excitement plastered on his face as he tugged his chair closer and began to chat with the Pyro and fill him in on what he'd missed.
Later in the day there was another meeting between the members of the Red team.
Again the mess hall was packed, again everyone was loud and opinionated. It was all the same save for the absence of two of the team's Spies.
In their place stood the two defected Blus, both man and Decaspy. They stood side by side at the forefront of the room, allowing themselves to be subject to scrutiny by the rest of the team as things began to quiet down and lend themselves to discussion.
The Tentaspy looked calm, but his Blu companion could tell that that was not truly the case. Despite the lack of his suit jacket and the obvious blood spatter around the bottom of his shirt and waistcoat, he looked composed.. His tentacles were swept in close to his body, spine rigid and arms folded against it to grant him a stance of utter professionalism. He knew that look.. it was a mask like the type he often wore. Use your job to drive away your true feelings on any matter and you will persevere -- that was standard Spy procedure.
Subtly assuming that posture for himself, the Blu looked out upon all the faces of disapproval and hatred sweeping them men assembled. That was to be expected, wasn't it? He was the enemy up until this morning and even though he could feel the Red tie at his throat, he knew it had little bearing on how he would be treated..
The previously accused Sniper stood next to them both, looking surprisingly casual with his shoulders relaxed and a thumb tucked into his belt loop. He toted his rifle in his free arm daringly, not much caring if it portrayed a more violent image to the members of Red.
He wasn't the least bit nervous today.
One of the Heavies up front clapped his large hands to get everyone's attention as he pointed to the front. "Everybody quiet! Little Spy is speaking!" he informed as the Sniper's friend stepped away from him thankfully and stood up to the same podium they had used last time, "Good afternoon, jhentlemen, I hope you are enjoying your free time?"
That didn't amuse anyone but at least there were no angry shouts.
He continued, "Clearly some decisions have been reached -- we have gained new members to zhe cause.." Murmurs passed themselves around the room though the Spy made sure to speak over them, "Zhese men here are on probation. For an unspecified amount of time, zhey will be monitored to assure zheir loyalty. As I am sure you have been made aware, our Sniper eez not one of zhese men. I do believe his loyalty speaks for itself at zhis point.." Stealing a glance toward Pierce, he nodded and then addressed the crowd, "You may rest at ease, jhentlemen. Zhe threat has been subdued and you will be informed as soon as a move is scheduled. Zhat is all. Questions will be taken for zhe next two hours, zhose who wish to leave may do so now."
And that's how it went.
Many men cleared out after that, taking the words at face value while the more curious classes, mainly Scouts, Medics, Snipers, and one or two Pyros stayed behind to question the men assembled up front.
When it was all over, everyone had gone but the two Blus, the Red Sniper Pierce, his Spy friend Pierre, and the shorter Spy whose name had not yet been openly passed. The Blu captive wanted to feel relief, but it simply wasn't forthcoming as he glanced toward Pierre and shrugged his shoulders, "Well.. Eez zhat everything?"
The Sniper and the Tentaspy said nothing, looking toward the Red Spies for instruction. The shorter of the two nodded subtly, "All should be in order.. Zimply remember not to remove your ankle bracelet at any time and we should be in business.."
Pierre cut in, adjusting his tie and puffing a bit of smoke at the ceiling, "A dorm 'as been set up for you, cause no trouble and you shall receive none. Wear your armbands at all times to avoid being shot and I do believe zhings shall move along smoothly."
"What about him?" the Aussie asked, gesturing to the Blu Tentaspy standing dutifully beside him with an arched brow marring his otherwise emotionless face.
The shorter Spy hummed.. They really hadn't decided on that point yet.. Pierre swooped to the rescue, filling in the silence with a quick reply, "Speak with zhe Engineers. No doubt zhey will be able to come up with somezhing."
"Ah.. so much deliberation on my account," the Decaspy said, a smile playing across his lips as he unfolded his arms and let them rest more comfortably at his sides, "Merci, Messieurs, eet eez much appreciated."
"Well, we best get movin' then, mate," the Sniper offered, nodding toward the door. Soon after that, the pair left together and Pierre graced the Blu Spy's side.
"Come, I will show you to your room, Monsieur," he said. The Blu looked at him with an eventual sigh and lowering of his shoulders. He smiled, attempting to look pleased though he couldn't shake that feeling of scrutiny..
