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Though the thoughts running through the Medic’s head concerning most humans were dubiously humane at best, he did not treat his doves the same.
He almost seemed to treat Archimedes as his second in command. The bird was uncannily intelligent, able to fetch certain tools from around the lab for the Medic’s work, and often perching on him or the subject while he experimented— which is how he ended up inside the Scout’s chest after the Medic had put in the Übercharge implant.
That isn’t to say he neglected the rest of his dovery. His birds were plump, bright-eyed and shiny-feathered, perfectly healthy with (suspiciously) long lifespans. They had a nesting area in the Medic’s bedroom (which branched out from his lab) hung next to an open door to allow them free flight.
None of his doves ever left without returning.
When the mercenaries were not in battle, it was common to see a whole crowd of birds perched on the Medic’s head, shoulders, and arms as he went about his day. He never treated this as odd or even annoying, only occasionally pausing to absentmindedly pet a dove or two.
He had eight altogether currently, each named after a Greek scientist or philosopher.
Archimedes, his partner in crime, and more often than not with blood on his feathers.
Euclid, who had to be shut in the dovery at mealtimes (against the Medic’s wishes) after stealing a few too many scraps from the mercenaries plates.
Eratosthenes, a talkative little thing who preferred to sit on the Medic’s head, and refused to sleep unless the rest of the flock was home and safe in the dovery.
Hippocrates— named a bit ironically, and not the sharpest scalpel in the tool drawer. Excitable and affectionate nonetheless.
Aristotle. If a bird could flounce, this one definitely did. Almost as egotistical as the Scout, with a long iridescent set of tail feathers and an obsession with preening— himself or the others.
Thales, a kleptomaniac with a nest full of trinkets (many from fallen mercenaries on the battlefield,) stray human teeth (from the aforementioned source) and on one memorable occasion, Scout’s dog-tags.
The Demoman had a soft spot for Eudoxes, who was blind. She didn’t fly except in short fluttering hops, and when she wasn’t with the Medic or her flock, she could be found riding on the Demo’s shoulder.
Galen has a speckling of gray along his underbelly and a penchant for causing the maximum amount of trouble possible. His behavior was only encouraged by the fact that the Medic could never stay upset with him.
On the day the mercenaries first met each other, the Medic had made it clear that if anyone harmed his doves they would spend the remainder of their lives strapped to his operating table and being experimented on.
It was hard to get used to at first, but eventually the mercs adjusted to the presence of all the feathers and bird droppings, and the doves warmed up to the new humans.
The base wouldn’t quite feel like home without them now, too empty and quiet without the constant quiet cooing and fluttering of the eight honorary mercenaries.