Overhauls

Tress's whole world had just been overturned. Memories of her childhood flooded her mind. All she ever knew besides the dullness of the orphanage was the Supremo's organization. The moment she stepped out of the car and saw the sleek, stark walls of the building before her, she couldn't have been more intimidated. For a brief moment, she felt that she missed the orphanage.

But then she remembered what being in the orphanage was like. It meant being alone, with nothing but the gray sky to keep her company, and even that was constantly out of reach, stuck behind the grated windows that felt more like prison bars.

At least now, she was surrounded by people. Even if they were strangers at first, as time passed, their presence grew familiar. She found herself becoming accustomed to her new life--imperfect as it was.

Tress slowly returned to the present, clearing her mind from these memories. What mattered now was what she chose to do next.

"Barrette... I did resent you. I always wanted a family, or at the very least someone to care for me, and I thought you would be the one. But now I see that it couldn't be. Still, I always sought validation from you. I did my job the best I could because it was the only thing I had to gain purpose from."

Tress felt tears surface in her eyes, but she continued. "You know, the Overhauls have been good to me. Working with them, or even just being around them, has given me happiness like I never had. I suppose, in an indirect way, I have you to thank for that. That's all I have to say now."

Before Barrette could respond, Tress left the office. She didn't stop walking until she was back in the security of her private quarters.

There, she let the tears flow freely.

Eventually, there was a knock on her door. Tress didn't know how much time had passed, but she quickly made herself look presentable and opened it.

It was Barrette. It was the first time she ever visited Tress; until now, it had always been the other way around.

"Tress, I just wanted to let you know that I contacted the Supremo. He agreed to meet you at the courtyard to hear what you have to say about the state of our city," Barrette said. There was an undeniable tension in the air.

"You did? Does that mean you--?"

"Yes. Whatever happens, I've decided to accept it. Greyscale's fate is for you to decide. Now go. He'll be waiting."

"Th-Thank you."

Barrette lingered for a moment, as if she wanted to say something else. But it looked as though now was not the time. She turned and left, leaving Tress alone to process her next move.

Tress chose to seek out the Overhauls first. For her meeting with the Supremo, she needed them by her side.

When Locke saw her, he didn't ask any further questions. He must've seen the look of determination on her face and knew what had to be done. He got up from his workbench, waved Curlo and MOPS over, and followed Tress outside to the courtyard.

~~~

The Supremo was already waiting for them.

As Tress approached him, she began to see how there could be a resemblance between them. It was barely noticeable, but it was there. If things had been different, they could have...

Tress swiftly brushed these thoughts away. There was something more important at hand than her personal feelings right now. I sound like Barrette, she thought. But at least I know when the time calls for this attitude.

"Who are these with you?" The Supremo asked, gesturing at the Overhauls.

"Oh right, you haven't met them in person. They're the Overhauls," Tress replied.

She nudged Curlo, who was nearest to her, and he beamed at the Supremo. MOPS did the same. Locke tipped his helmet in greeting.

"As you can see," Tress said, "our organization's technology has already reached an impressive point. I believe it's safe for us stop focusing on immediate progression now. Instead, we can take things slow and start working together with the general public. We can share our technology with them!"

The Supremo sighed. "I assume Barrette has told you about my true goals. I know Greyscale has the potential to become a paradise, but we can only achieve this through everyone's unyielding efforts. We're too far gone in this system of perpetual work to stop now."

"It's not too late! We can still make our way to the utopia you want so badly. We can start by making small changes and improvements around the city, rather than waiting for all the good results to happen at once. The people will be happier for this, I know it."

"Happiness?" The Supremo murmured. "I haven't known genuine happiness my entire life. Maybe except for when I was with..." He trailed off, but Tress had a feeling she knew what he was thinking of.

"We're all in need of a break," Tress said gently. "We need some time to spend with ourselves, and each other. Nothing bad will come of this, I promise you."

The Supremo looked curiously at her. "I can tell you're certain of your beliefs. Somehow, it reminds me of myself."

He looked wistfully into the distance. Tress waited. She knew he just needed time to figure it out.

After a while, the Supremo stated, "You have made your point, and I am inclined to agree with it. However, please understand that I cannot immediately change everything in Greyscale. Doing so would require me to go against the beliefs I've held since the very beginning.

But for now, at the very least, I know what has to be done."