Chapter Text
“ATCP-1943, open your eyes and repeat the movements I’ve previously showed you.” The Creator ordered.
ATCP-1943 obeyed, but the final result didn’t satisfy the Creator, who pressed his lips into a thin line.
“ATCP-1943, remain still.” The Creator ordered.
ATCP-1943 obeyed the order it was given.
The Creator began to carefully remove ATCP-1943’s facial skin, followed by the removal of its eyes.
“I’ve done this procedure with you more times than I can count and yet it all ends up in failure.” The Creator complained.
“Next time it will be a success.” ATCP-1943 said with a familiar voice.
That voice sounded suspiciously similar to Mistress Martha’s.
“I know it will.” The Creator said, then continued, “ATCP-1943, go over the recent events regarding the Wayne family.”
“Mistress Martha with the help of Lucius Fox found anomalies within Wayne Enterprises’ finances which ended up being a simple, yet vast embezzlement scheme run by Paul Nashton, Wayne Enterprises’ CEO. After this discovery, Mr. Nashton was arrested but he died in the custody of the GCPD. His death is currently being investigated but neither Master Thomas nor Mistress Martha have any hope that it will amount to anything given the GCPD’s reputation. Due to all these recent events, all future dealings between Wayne Enterprises and Drake Industries have been put on hold.” ATCP-1943 informed the Creator, who quickly nodded while inserting new eyes into ATCP-1943 empty sockets.
“ATCP-1943, close your eyes.” The Creator ordered.
While ATCP-1943’s eyes were closed, the Creator began to methodically re-apply ATCP-1943’s facial skin while humming a lullaby until the process was finished. Once it was finished, the Creator said, “Now, repeat the movements I’ve previously showed you.”
ATCP-1943 obeyed the order it was given.
“It’s better.” The Creator remarked, then he stood up and left the room to bring it back.
Once the Creator returned with it in his arms, the Creator handed it to ATCP-1943.
“And don’t destroy it this time too, ATCP-1943. I’ve put too much effort into re-building it and I really don’t want to do it again.” The Creator warned ATCP-1943.
“It won’t happen again, Creator.” ATCP-1943 responded.
“Believe me, ATCP-1943. I know it won’t.” The Creator said before turning it on.
Once it was on, it began to cry.
ATCP-1943 had orders from the Creator to make it stop crying. However, unlike the earlier attempts, the Creator had ordered ATCP-1943 not to destroy it.
This presented a problem to ATCP-1943 as it wasn’t equipped with any other solutions. Thus, ATCP-1943 failed at the task the Creator had given it.
“Guess I’ll have to work on that.” The Creator said before it turned off both ATCP-1943 and it.
When ATCP-1943 was turned on, it was already inside a car driven by Master Thomas.
“So, how was London?” Master Thomas awkwardly asked.
“Asides from the usual weather, it was lovely as always.” ATCP-1943 answered.
As far as ATCP-1943 was aware, it had never been to London, however, the Creator had made sure it was constantly updated with news and weather reports about the city as well as other related information so it would have no problems in responding to questions about its supposed stay in the city.
“That’s… Good to hear.” Master Thomas responded with the same awkward tone.
A few moments in silence passed until ATCP-1943 said, “Master Thomas, if you’re going to continue fidgeting while driving, I do highly recommend for you to allow me to drive. After all, I’m-”
“NO! I mean… No. You’ve just gotten off from an 8-hour flight and- SHIT!” Master Thomas cursed after realizing that he almost crossed a red light.
“Master Thomas, it was a 7 hour and 35 minutes flight in first class. And, if you still insist on not having me drive, at least have someone else drive.” ATCP-1943 informed him.
Master Thomas sighed in return and parked the car in the closest place he could.
“Alfred, I- and Martha are really grateful about all the help you have provided in the time you have been with us. But I was wondering if you could… Um… What I mean is- I-” Master Thomas was fumbling with his words.
“Master Thomas, if you’re firing me, I do believe there are more simpler terms you could say.” ATCP-1943 informed Master Thomas while pressing its lips into a thin line.
“Fire you!? God, no! Alfred, I’m not firing you. I just want to give you Jar- your father’s possessions… Or possession as I haven’t given it to you.” Master Thomas clarified.
“Master Thomas, you have given me more than enough of his possessions. If you want to keep that possession in particular, then I see no problem with it.” ATCP-1943 answered with a calm tone.
“It’s something that you should have. After all, he is your father… Not mine.” Master Thomas said although he whispered the last words with a melancholic tone.
Not knowing how to respond, ATCP-1943 nodded.
From that point, the remaining drive to Wayne Manor was in silence and, even when they arrived at Wayne Manor, Master Thomas remained silent.
His silence was finally broken when ATCP-1943’s luggage was safely stored in the room that used to belong to Jarvis.
“Wait right here. I’ll be right back.” Master Thomas said before leaving the room.
When Master Thomas came back, he was carrying something with him.
“This used to belong to your father. It is a photo album… Um… Jar- your father bought it shortly before his death. I haven’t opened it, and I don’t know if it has any photos, but he would’ve liked for you to have it.” Master Thomas said before quickly exiting the room.
ATCP-1943 didn’t hesitate in opening the album and discovered that only 2 pages were filled with photos.
Those photos were of Master Thomas at different stages of his life with tiny words written at the bottom of each bottom; giving some description about why the photo was in the album. The last photo was of Master Thomas’s wedding with Mistress Martha and the words written at the bottom were, “My son’s wedding… I’m so proud of him.”
ATCP-1943 couldn’t comprehend why this was so important to Master Thomas.