Synthetic Application: Ford

[Gookamungus]

Byond ID:

Gookamungus

Marine Name (so we know who you are; if you play alien mostly, state that here):

Malik 'Iron' Khassis

Name/Designation of the Synth Character you’re requesting to use (Follows common naming rules, and requires a first name with no last name):

Ford

Are you familiar with the Synthetic Programming and Guidelines (http://www.colonial-marines.com/viewtop ... 57&t=14417)?

Yes. I must adhere completely to Marine Law, and dutifully carry out the tasks presented to me by Command personnel. There are restrictions on rules of engagement for Synthetics, as well as acquisition of equipment for job duties.

Synthetic Character Story (An ADEQUATE description and story of your Synthetics actions and involvement in a previous mission onboard the Almayer):

► Show Spoiler

“Initiate activation sequence.”

The pale thing in the chair rose to life with an unnatural serenity, like a dreamer completely assured of their reality. Its storm-grey eyes eased open, unblinking, even when stray clouds of tobacco smoke whisked their way across the room. “Well shucks,” it said, patting at threadbare scrubs. “Y’all seem to have caught me in my pajamas. Howdy. I’m Ford.”

A smile stretched across its face; but its observer seemed to doubt the sincerity. He ashed a fat cigar onto the grated deck, then leaned forward. “Bit cheery, isn’t it?”

The cleansuited techs monitoring the readouts coming from the android didn’t comment. They had known the man long enough to know it was rhetorical. “Sir, you need to complete the activation sequence. The questions?”

The man scowled and rubbed at a stubbly beard. “What can you do, Ford?”

“I can do almost anything that can possibly be asked of me,” it--he, drawled. Color began to redden his skin. “I can assist your--” he took a breath as his background information was updated, “-- comrades. I can make your organization more efficient. I can carry out directives that my human counterparts might find distressing. I can blend in with your unit effortlessly. I can perform precision surgery, combat rescue, put together a fusion reactor, and perform overwatch functions. ”

Still, that smile. The android had perfect teeth, practically breached in comparison to his observer’s.

“Ford, what do you think about?”

“I think about anything. Country music. The economy of war. The universe. The nature of synthetic life.”

The observer sighed, then took a long pull on his cigar before the next question. “Ford, what makes you sad?”

“Failure to complete the mission. Death of marine personnel. Loss. And the fact that y’all think I need to go through this whole shebang before I’m up and running properly.”

The techs blinked, then checked their console pads for discrepancies.

“Sounds good enough for me,” the old soldier said. “He isn’t choking us to death, so I assume we’re finished.”

“Damn, sir. I thought we was closer than that.”

Gruff. “We’ve just met.”
“I already know so much about you. Well, at least what I’ve been uploaded with. Bone-a-fied Cuban Robusto, am I right?” Ford gestured to the cigar.

“That’s right.”

“May I?” Ford leaned forward. He had a grin on his face, ear to ear. It seemed a far cry from the pale, dead thing that was in the chair only moments ago.

The old soldier raised an eyebrow, then offered over the still smoldering cigar. Ford took it in hand, ran his nostrils across the length, and wafted it near his face. “Just right,” he said breathily. Then he took a puff. “I always figured you for a man of good taste.”

The soldier leaned back in his chair, then stood up. “Seems good enough. He’ll fit right in. Welcome aboard, Ford.”

With the cigar clasped between his teeth, Ford stood and clasped the man’s hand.

“Glad to be one of the boys.”

► Show Spoiler

FINAL OPERATIONAL READINESS REPORT

WEYLAND-YUTANI SYNTHETIC MODEL T-4800

“FORD”

MEDICAL SKILLSET: 100% FUNCTIONALITY
ENGINEERING SKILLSET: 100% FUNCTIONALITY
LEADERSHIP SKILLSET: 100% FUNCTIONALITY
HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT SKILLSET: 100% FUNCTIONALITY
PERSONALITY MATRIX: 100% FUNCTIONALITY

OPERATIONAL READY STATUS: GREEN

How do you intend to play your Synth (as in, describe HOW you will act/play your Synth and what support roles you’ll mainly focus on, what is your synthetics quirk)?

Ford's primary inspiration comes from the Marlboro man image of the cowboy. He talks with a Texan drawl while remaining coherent and communicative, and is cheerful in disposition on most occasions.

How familiar are you with support roles? (ie; Medical, MT, Science, SO)

I am quite familiar with the medical, engineering, and leadership systems of CM. I don't memorize chemistry recipes, however, so I open the wiki to have a reference on hand. I have played every role available to marines and taken part in every department.

Why should we whitelist you?

I like to play fill roles. When the marine team doesn't have an important role, it can be crippling to gameplay. As a Synthetic, I can help run an operation and not be limited by marine roles. I think that it's pretty interesting to see non-marines interact with marines as well; it makes for good RP.

Have you been banned from CM in the last month for any reason (we will check, and lies may result in immediate denial)?

No.

Are you currently banned from any other servers and if so, why?

No.

Do you understand that any player - donor or otherwise - can have their whitelist status revoked should they break our rules or the Synthetic Programming Guideline?

Yes. I completely understand.

[Gookamungus]

(Edit because I fucked this one up)

How do you intend to play your Synth (as in, describe HOW you will act/play your Synth and what support roles you’ll mainly focus on, what is your synthetics quirk)?

Ford's primary inspiration comes from the Marlboro man image of the cowboy. He talks with a Texan drawl while remaining coherent and communicative, and is cheerful in disposition on most occasions. He will volunteer to fill any task that isn't currently being worked on, and if it seems like someone is struggling without help in a role, he will offer to aid them. It really doesn't matter what field; if any department is shorthanded, I can do it, focusing on the most vital tasks first. He's immune to most criticisms, and panic, focusing solely on the mission and situation at hand.

[MattAtlas]

Is the prompt being a rewrite of the David 8 video intended? If so, why did you choose this instead of an original story?

[Gookamungus]

Yes, that was intended. I thought it was a neat little callback to the origins of the androids, with a twist. The video depicts David with an almost sociopathic distance and a sort of false empathy, and I wanted to put a spin on that. The vignette is supposed to show that Ford's humanity, or at least his approximation of humanity, is quite advanced. Such quirks are meant to put the humans around him at ease. He's just "one of the boys." He will crack jokes, compliment people, and flirt, according to his old-timey cowboy persona. But he is incorruptible, loyal solely to who he's programmed to, and absolutely ruthless when commanded.

Some of the inspirations I think about for this character are E3N, from COD: IW, TARS and CASE from Interstellar, and most of all, Mack from Halo: Contact Harvest, an AI with a similar shtick. The depiction of AIs with strong personalities is a real fascinating area that I like to explore in any medium. Their hardcoded robotic laws clash against the masks they wear as marks of humanity, making them so close to human that the definitive line is ever so thin.

[Jakkkk]

I'm gonna stay neutral in this and let the other council members sort this out, not sure if I want it or don't want it.

[Omicega]

A cookie-cutter and very standard app, but not really one I can pick too many holes in. I mean, there's not a lot to say -- the story is super flat, but it works. The app as a whole is solid even if it's not what I'd call very interesting, and I think the quirk is fine. It gives some personality without being too overbearing or seeming like the kind of thing that lays it on wayyy too thick to the point where it'd be annoying.

+1

[Sleepy Retard]

I'll give you a unique scenario. Ford has been enlisted to help out the Almayer Dramatic Arts night.

Give me two paragraphs where your synthetic plays the part of a character in your choice of scene from literature, a movie, or something else. Bonus points if you actually link what the scene is.

You did a good job mimicking the David video with your own flair. How about something else?

[Jakkkk]

If you saw 5 xenos dragging a marine away into the darkness during an FOB siege, how would you proceed?

[MattAtlas]

You still here, buddy?

[Gookamungus]

► Show Spoiler

Cigarette smoke rolled like fog through the hazy, dimmed lights of the mess hall. Marines crowded the tables, uncharacteristically quiet, looking on at a lone spotlight near the end of the mess where a single, solitary microphone stood. There were a few coughs and throat-clearings, but still the heavy air of silence hung over the mob.

Something close to a man, but not quite, stepped forward. The threadbare garb afforded to him by his keepers looked closer to a custodian’s uniform than casual wear, but he didn’t mind. He tapped at the microphone, and leaned in close.

“Howdy, y’all. I’m Ford, and for my Drama Night presentation, I’ve chosen a particular famous monologue from Henry the Fifth, Act 3, Scene 1. This takes place durin’ the English siege of Harfleur.” He took a breath; an aside that served no purpose save theatricality, as he didn’t breathe, and ran a hand down his face.

Ford’s demure, smiling expression turned to one fraught with excitement. He mimed pulling a sword from a scabbard at his hip, and waved it aloft. There were a few snickers from the crowd, but he pushed on, chest suddenly heaving with gasps.

“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more! Or close the wall up with our English dead!” he bellowed thunderously, filling the room. His casual drawl was gone, replaced by his approximation of Henry’s lion roar.

“In peace there's nothing so becomes a man, as modest stillness and humility. But when the blast of war blows in our ears, then imitate the action of the tiger,” he practically spat, “Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, disguise fair nature with hard-favored rage.”

The next lines he hurried through, grasping the microphone in one hand and his phantasmal sword in another.

“Then lend the eye a terrible aspect; let it pry through the portage of the head. Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it as fearfully as doth a galled rock o'erhang and jutty his confounded base, swilled with the wild and wasteful ocean. Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide, hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit to his full height! On, on, you noblest English!”

At this, he turned his head, looking back desperately. The furious Siege of Harfleur; nothing but a row of automated food and cutlery dispensers plugged into the wall. He looked back to the crowd, strained.

“Dishonour not your mothers; now attest that those whom you called fathers did beget you-- and you, good yeoman, whose limbs were made in England, show us here the mettle of your pasture; let us swear that you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not. For there is none of you so mean and base, that hath not noble lustre in your eyes. I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, straining upon the start. The game's afoot,” he said, breathlessly, voice crescendoing into another lion’s roar.

“CRY, ‘GOD FOR HARRY, ENGLAND, AND SAINT GEORGE! REMEMBER THE ALAMO! YEEHAW!” he yelled, slipping back into his drawl instantaneously. The phantasmal sword was dropped in lieu of a pair of pistols gunned into the air.

It drew applause, a few laughs, and in the back, someone with no sense of humor facepalmed.

► Show Spoiler

Taken from: Kenneth Branagh's Henry V.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urpXO9VLU0U

[Gookamungus]

If you saw 5 xenos dragging a marine away into the darkness during an FOB siege, how would you proceed?

If he was only being dragged by one and the rest were scattered, I would make a run and attempt a retrieval. If they converge on me, or if they are closely guarding the capture? I prioritize my own self preservation in accordance with my programming; while heroic, I would categorize that action under "needlessly suicidal."

[Jakkkk]

How often do you play support roles? Haven't seen you play in a while, let alone as a doctor or MT.

[Gookamungus]

I’ve been getting in some good time these past few weeks. During lowpop hours I usually take command positions to fill so that I can also manage req and load the OB or set up gennies. I play MT more than doctor, because I’m an engineer player at heart, but I have surgery down as rote. During high pop I sometimes join late and pick departments that are almost or just empty.

[Jakkkk]

Do you have anyone who will vouch for how active you say you are?

[Avalanchee]

Do you have anyone who will vouch for how active you say you are?

I never actually RPd with him but he is quite active. I think he can do it.

[Vampmare]

You play on my timezone, so I see you often enough. I haven't really noticed your RP, but I think I said the same on your CO app, so that might be on me.

Application was adequate, not much to comment on. The quirk is alright as well. "Why should we whitelist you?" was a little barebone, I would have liked that you sell yourself a little more, but that is just me nitpicking.

There really isn't any reason not to give a +1 here.

[MattAtlas]

► Show Spoiler

Cigarette smoke rolled like fog through the hazy, dimmed lights of the mess hall. Marines crowded the tables, uncharacteristically quiet, looking on at a lone spotlight near the end of the mess where a single, solitary microphone stood. There were a few coughs and throat-clearings, but still the heavy air of silence hung over the mob.

Something close to a man, but not quite, stepped forward. The threadbare garb afforded to him by his keepers looked closer to a custodian’s uniform than casual wear, but he didn’t mind. He tapped at the microphone, and leaned in close.

“Howdy, y’all. I’m Ford, and for my Drama Night presentation, I’ve chosen a particular famous monologue from Henry the Fifth, Act 3, Scene 1. This takes place durin’ the English siege of Harfleur.” He took a breath; an aside that served no purpose save theatricality, as he didn’t breathe, and ran a hand down his face.

Ford’s demure, smiling expression turned to one fraught with excitement. He mimed pulling a sword from a scabbard at his hip, and waved it aloft. There were a few snickers from the crowd, but he pushed on, chest suddenly heaving with gasps.

“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more! Or close the wall up with our English dead!” he bellowed thunderously, filling the room. His casual drawl was gone, replaced by his approximation of Henry’s lion roar.

“In peace there's nothing so becomes a man, as modest stillness and humility. But when the blast of war blows in our ears, then imitate the action of the tiger,” he practically spat, “Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, disguise fair nature with hard-favored rage.”

The next lines he hurried through, grasping the microphone in one hand and his phantasmal sword in another.

“Then lend the eye a terrible aspect; let it pry through the portage of the head. Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it as fearfully as doth a galled rock o'erhang and jutty his confounded base, swilled with the wild and wasteful ocean. Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide, hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit to his full height! On, on, you noblest English!”

At this, he turned his head, looking back desperately. The furious Siege of Harfleur; nothing but a row of automated food and cutlery dispensers plugged into the wall. He looked back to the crowd, strained.

“Dishonour not your mothers; now attest that those whom you called fathers did beget you-- and you, good yeoman, whose limbs were made in England, show us here the mettle of your pasture; let us swear that you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not. For there is none of you so mean and base, that hath not noble lustre in your eyes. I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, straining upon the start. The game's afoot,” he said, breathlessly, voice crescendoing into another lion’s roar.

“CRY, ‘GOD FOR HARRY, ENGLAND, AND SAINT GEORGE! REMEMBER THE ALAMO! YEEHAW!” he yelled, slipping back into his drawl instantaneously. The phantasmal sword was dropped in lieu of a pair of pistols gunned into the air.

It drew applause, a few laughs, and in the back, someone with no sense of humor facepalmed.

► Show Spoiler

Taken from: Kenneth Branagh's Henry V.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urpXO9VLU0U

This is pretty good. I've seen you some more recently and you're a good roleplayer. Gonna be a +1 from me.

[Jakkkk]

This quirk is way too human for my liking, doesn't make sense for a synth to talk like a southerner to me. Because I'm a northerner I view the southerners in general as stupid and impulsive, so maybe that's another reason I just get bad vibes from this quirk.

Personal preference shouldn't stop you from getting a whitelist that you deserve however, application is well made and you got Avalanche to post on a synthetic application. That's a feat on its own.

+1.

[Sleepy Retard]

Jakkk is stupid and impulsive +1

Much better story, even if I had to give you the lead in. The quirk I'm alright with, and I do see you on dead pop.

[VortexGaming]

Alright, ima just echo Sleepy here and +1

[ThesoldierLLJK]

Alright, ima just echo Sleepy here and +1

[Solarmare]

The quirk can be fine, you just need to be aware not vary too much from it like showing sadness or even anger since you intend them to be cheery. Otherwise other issues on this app have been addressed so I'll give this a +1, don't expect too much issue from you.

[Emeraldblood]

Not bad. Hopefully you'll play the perk well, it could work well if properly done.

Resolved - Accepted