A Theory on Godhood: An Overlord Story

Chapter 12: Comrades in Arms

CZ Delta and Lord Ra Ra Rasputin's trek to their side of the wall was a far quicker affair than it had been for the humans and her other masters.

"Once we're out of sight, get ready to jump and scale the wall," Lord Ra Ra Rasputin commanded, the elder automaton placing a servo against the cold stone.

Unlike her master, she was outfitted with numerous senses that allowed her to receive different environmental inputs beyond pressure and temperature. While she knew it wasn't her place, she did wonder as to why he did not upgrade himself in one capacity or another.

Mayhaps Lord Ra Ra Rasputin is content with his current loadout? I should consult Lord Garnet on this matter when we return to base.

The gunslinger bent his knees, cracking the earth beneath him with a single leap up the side of the city wall. She followed closely behind, landing lightly on the ramparts with nary a sound. Her superior held a servo above his optics, as if he were shielding them from bright sunlight.

"Lord Ra Ra Rasputin?" CZ Delta began.

"Yes, my smaller friend?"

"I believe that the sunlight intensity has drastically reduced by at least ninety-seven percent, with the remaining percent reflecting off of the moon's surface. You also possess a cranial shield. Why do you shield your optics as you do?"

"Ah, that," her lord said, bringing down his servo to hover over his revolver. CZ became as still as possible when she saw that, believing that she had done something wrong to warrant a swift but brutal punishment.

That same servo went up to the back of his cranial support, where he rubbed at it with mimicked embarrassment. She logged down the action for later.

"It's a bit of an old habit, I suppose," her master explained. "I used to have to scout around like this in broad daylight, when the sun was just a bit too bright for my liking."

The pleiade tilted her head at his answer, not really sure what the purpose of it was.

Is my lord testing me somehow? Is he "quizzing" me as my sister's would say?

"I am certain then that whatever its intended use, it is beyond my comprehension. I would not even dare to guess as to why. My apologies, It won't happen again."

Now it was Lord Ra Ra Rasputin's turn to tilt his head. Though his optics fit right through his chosen headgear like a well lubricated socket, he still wore a lens to keep them clear of any dust or foreign particles.

Many of the broad-spectrum emotions, such as fear, anger, and others, were suppressed for her. It was a gift from her creator so that she would be unburdened from such trivial matters. Yet the way her automaton master studied her made her feel as if she was in the crosshairs of another sniper.

I must remain more diligent! My creator would be most ashamed if all I accomplish on this mission is to displease Lord Ra Ra Rasputin.

"Uh... Right... Well, we should get moving. We need to make sure there's nothing in the city that could actively hurt us. Come on, let's walk along the wall and we can talk some more."

CZ Delta nodded, unslinging her sniper and activating her thermals. Her world was awash in muted blues and purples, with the occasional flash of bright orange and red. She flicked the safety off of her weapon and activated her targeting systems.

Her lord did much the same, his optics flashing as he pulled out his revolvers and gave them a twirl. It was always an interesting display to see how he so flawlessly flung them through the air and balanced them on the ends of his digits.