A Robot Alone

[Vitruvius]

His inhuman senses picked up life. Quickly he replaced his hood over his face and stood up erect. His body tensed, muscles contracting to look bigger than his lithe frame really was. He turned toward the gate of metal and circuits. Two men in white armor sets emerged carrying...weapons. His hip joints widened very subtly, the outer thigh plates sliding open, readying his own arsenal. In less than a second forty inches of high end steel could launch through the hem of his pants followed by a second of twenty-one inches. In one scenario he would take one shot from the weapon before he reached the guards. The one on the left would have his helmet penetrated and the first blade would drive through the soft opening in either of his eyes, the one on the right would be kicked against the gate and with a twist of his torso he could easily slit, sever and separate his head from his shoulders. The damage would be minimal, nothing he couldn't repair himself. Another scenario would involve striking the weapon fire, hopefully deflecting or blocking whatever ammo it used, but instead of easily dispatching both guards, he would have to use the shorter blade to pierce through the chest of the left guard. The right guard would have to be tossed back through the gate he came from while he finished off the wounded soldier. From there he could jump through a different gate, follow his enemy and take him on before help arrived or just run and hope he could escape further detection. The simulations cut his internal picture as the guards noticed the figure standing by the pool.

Weapons were red alerts. He trusted himself with his toys. He didn't trust others with theirs. Raising his hands, palms out, Vitruvius approached the pair as they clutched their weapons tighter. An inquiry flashed behind his glowing eyes, did these creatures speak his language? He would allow them make the first move. Life forms appreciated thinking they had the advantage.

“Halt, Prime.” One of the called out. It was the guard on the left. His skill in body language had rightly picked him as the major threat which was why he would dispatch him first if need be. “State your name and business.” Either these two didn't care he was a machine or they couldn't tell what he was. Excellent. The magical robot could continue his ruse.