Hi this is my way of celebrating the 17th anniversary of the Orange box
Build it Engi-Bot Redux
Team Fortress 2 Valve
Wreck it Ralph Disney
My name's Robot Engineer, and I'm a bad guy. I build things—teleporters, sentries, dispensers—for the other robots. I'm very good at what I do, probably the best there is. Thing is, the game mode is Mann vs. Machine, or MvM for short. In this mode, we robots are AI-controlled, and our mission is to escort a bomb to a drop point located in one of the Mann Co. facilities. It's up to a team of six human players, Mercenaries, to stop us.
The Mercs get to buy upgrades during the game session—faster movement, better health regeneration, damage resistances—at an Upgrade Station using credits they earn by taking down us robots. But here's the kicker: those upgrades are only temporary. They last for the duration of the game session or until the wave ends. Between waves, players can refund their credits and reconfigure their loadout to adapt to the next challenge, but they always start fresh with each new session.
"But what do we get for destroying their base?" I ask. "Nothing. Just a pile of scrap and players shouting at each other, blaming their team."
Robot Engineer's voice softened as he continued, "I've seen consoles come and go. The Wii? Replaced by the Wii U, which was swapped out for the Switch. Xbox 360? Gone for the Xbox One. And the PlayStation 3 was the last to be unplugged for the PS4. But Team Fortress 2? It's still going strong, especially on PC. It's a steady gig, I guess, but it's hard to keep loving your job when no one appreciates what you do."
He paused, looking at the floor. "Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if things were different after work… but they're not. The Mercs, they go back to their apartments on the top floor of Steam City. But me and the other robots? We're stuck in the basement. Sure, we've got beds, furniture, even a TV where we can watch other games. But when I look up at the top floor and see the Mercs patting each other on the back, I think… it must be nice working on the other side."
As Robot Engineer finished his speech, the room erupted into a round of applause. The gathering of video game villains was seated in a private conference room within Modem Central—a bustling hub connecting various games and consoles. Above them hung a banner that read, "BAD-ANON: One Game at a Time."
Around the table were his fellow Bad-Anon members: Ultima from Final Fantasy XVI, Vaas from Far Cry 3, the Witch from Left 4 Dead, Sage from Sonic Frontiers, Eggman, Giovanni, Officer Tenpenny, and Ripto. GLaDOS, appearing as a flickering hologram, presided over the meeting with her usual calm but calculating demeanor.
"Excellent share, Robot Engineer," GLaDOS said, her voice tinged with a hint of sarcasm. "But I want to assure you, you're not alone. As fellow video game antagonists—or 'bad guys,' as some of us prefer—we've all felt what you're feeling and have come to terms with it."
Robot Engineer looked up, his uncertainty visible. "Really?" he asked.
Ultima, speaking with a serene authority, nodded. "There was a time I questioned my role as well," he said. "But then I realized—if I didn't exist, who would challenge the hero's strength? Who would push them to grow? Being a 'bad guy' gives purpose to the game."
Vaas let out a chuckle, shaking his head. "Right there with you, amigo," he said, his grin almost feral. "I've had my fair share of breakdowns, but hey, it's all part of what makes the game challenging, right? Keeps things interesting."
Robot Engineer managed a small smile but still seemed conflicted. "Yeah... I guess. But sometimes I think... maybe I don't want to be the 'big mean mother Hubbard' anymore."
The room fell silent. The Witch spat out her coffee with a loud hiss, while Freddy delivered a sudden jump scare that startled everyone. Ripto fumbled with his scepter, nearly dropping it.
"You can't go against what the developers programmed you for!" Eggman exclaimed, his voice stern and incredulous.
Sage leaned in, her eyes narrowed. "You're not thinking of becoming an Abandoner, are you?"
Robot Engineer shook his head quickly. "An Abandoner? No, nothing like that! I just... I don't know. It's not being an Abandoner to want something more, right? Like a friend? Recognition for my work? A little respect now and then?"
Officer Tenpenny smirked, leaning back with a satisfied grin. "Hell yeah, it's being an Abandoner," he said. "You start thinking like that, you'll end up on the streets, man. No one deals with a loose cannon."
GLaDOS's holographic form flickered as she gave Robot Engineer a sympathetic nod. "We understand, Engineer," she said, her tone softening slightly. "But remember—we can't change what we are. The sooner you accept that, the better off your game and your existence will be."
"One game at a time, Engineer," Ultima added with a nod of solidarity.
With that, GLaDOS straightened her holographic form. "Now, let's conclude with the Bad Guy Affirmation," she announced.
The group stood in a circle, some holding hands while others linked digital projections, and together they recited, "I'm bad, and that's good. I will never be good, and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be than me."
As the meeting came to a close, the room buzzed with the murmur of villains gathering their things and preparing to leave. Robot Engineer adjusted his helmet, casting a long glance at the banner that read, "BAD-ANON: One Game at a Time." He knew the journey ahead would be a long one.
Back at Modem Central, the hub was alive with the energy of digital traffic. Netta, the retro-styled stewardess, stood tall near the central departure board, her crisp blue uniform perfectly in place. Her voice echoed clearly over the intercom, announcing arrivals and departures. "Attention all passengers: Wi-Fi flight A113 to PC City is now boarding at Gate 2. Please secure your connections and have your boarding passes ready."
Robot Engineer made his way to the gate, joining Freddy, Vaas, and Officer Tenpenny in line for the flight. The buzz of activity around them was filled with avatars from various games preparing for their own journeys. He boarded the sleek aircraft, finding a window seat and buckling in. The hum of the engines built steadily, and the cabin lights dimmed to a soft glow, illuminating the digital panels that pulsed like streams of data. The Wi-Fi flight lifted off with a gentle shudder, smoothly transitioning into the digital ether, where the streams of code and data packets flowed like rivers outside the window.
Robot Engineer watched as Modem Central shrank into the distance, its lights twinkling like a distant city skyline. The Wi-Fi flight was sleek and streamlined, gliding effortlessly through the data channels that connected the world's gaming systems. The occasional turbulence made the plane shake slightly, and the passengers gripped their seats as the captain's voice came over the intercom, reassuring them that a minor "lag spike" was nothing to worry about.
He could see the vivid landscape of PC City approaching, its skyline a mix of towering servers and glowing icons, like a digital metropolis suspended in the network. As the aircraft began its descent, Robot Engineer took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his thoughts lighten just a bit. Knowing he wasn't alone in this journey made the landing smoother.
Upon arrival at the PC's Wi-Fi port, Robot Engineer stepped off the plane and made his way through the terminal. Officer Norton stood guard at the checkpoint, his posture as stern as ever. As Robot Engineer approached, Norton gave him a nod, gesturing him forward.
"Alright, Robot Engineer, you know the drill," Norton said as he initiated the full-body scan. The scanner emitted a series of beeps as it moved over Robot Engineer, confirming that everything was in order. Satisfied, Norton stamped Robot Engineer's passport with a firm motion. "You're clear. Welcome back to the PC," he said, his tone softening slightly, almost as if acknowledging the shared familiarity.
"Thanks, Norton," Robot Engineer replied, pocketing the passport as he headed toward the exit of the Wi-Fi port.
From there, he boarded the local tram that carried him through the heart of Steam City, watching as the digital buildings and game icons flew by, their lights reflecting off the data streams running parallel to the tracks.
As the tram approached the Orange Box Apartments, Robot Engineer caught sight of the towering structure standing proudly within Steam City. The building had a distinct, almost industrial look to it, with its exterior designed to resemble a retro-futuristic complex straight out of a video game from a bygone era. The sign at the top of the building glowed softly, reading "Orange Box Apartments," a nod to the iconic game bundle that included classics like Team Fortress 2, Portal, and Half-Life 2.
The complex itself was divided into multiple floors, each representing different levels of Steam City residents. The top floors were reserved for legendary game heroes like Gordon Freeman and Chell, their windows glowing brightly with energy and celebration. The lower floors were quieter, occupied by the less recognized characters—the ones who still played their part but often went unnoticed, like Robot Engineer and his fellow Mann vs. Machine bots.
Robot Engineer's apartment was situated on one of these lower floors. As he stepped off the tram and made his way through the entrance, he passed by the common areas where the ambiance was more subdued. The walls were decorated with subtle references to the games from The Orange Box, and there was a bulletin board in the corner displaying events and community notices for the residents, including strategy tips for upcoming missions and friendly reminders about building maintenance.
When Robot Engineer finally reached his apartment door, he entered to find the familiar, modest space. As the old TV flickered in the corner, tuned to a broadcast of another game's competition. He noticed an invitation lying neatly on his table—a glossy card announcing the 17th-anniversary celebration of The Orange Box on the top floor of the building.
Without hesitating, Robot Engineer picked up the invitation and made his way back to the elevator in the lobby. As he stepped inside, he was joined by a few other robots from Mann vs. Machine mode The robots stood tall and imposing, their frames a mix of gears, hydraulics, and metal plating, each representing the various classes of the game: Heavy, Sniper, Engineer, and more, just like in the image. Their faces were expressionless, yet their presence conveyed a quiet camaraderie among them.
The elevator doors closed with a soft chime, and as it began its ascent, Robot Engineer felt the hum of the machinery vibrating beneath his feet. The floors ticked by one by one, each ding of the elevator symbolizing a step closer to the celebration that awaited them. It wasn't just another mission or another wave to endure; it was a moment of acknowledgment for the roles they played in the grand scheme of their games.
As the elevator reached the top floor, the doors slid open to reveal the warm glow of lights and the sounds of laughter and music drifting through the air. Chell stood nearby, a rare, subtle smile on her face as she nodded in recognition, while Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance exchanged words with the Team Fortress 2 Mercs, who were already engaged in friendly banter over a makeshift battlefield map. The heroes turned to welcome Robot Engineer and his fellow MvM bots, treating them as equals for the first time.
Though Robot Engineer couldn't express emotions outwardly, the subtle straightening of his posture said enough. He was here, among allies—no longer just a tool to be used or an obstacle to be defeated, but a part of the team.
He looked up at the ceiling, imagining the battles to come and the challenges they would face together. For all his doubts and frustrations, this was still where he belonged—for now, at least. And as he thought about the words of the Bad Guy Affirmation, he found a small measure of comfort in knowing that he wasn't alone in his struggle.
Robot Engineer stepped forward into the celebration, knowing that tonight, he wasn't just making it alone—he was finally among friends.
(I wanted to show how home gaming works in the Wreck it Ralph universe)