A Parallel Sandrock: What If they lost?

by Triccina

Summary:

Probabilities. You know that certain actions can trigger different outcomes in the course of a story, but can you imagine them all? It would take years of research and deduction, but feel the glimpse of one of the parallel realities to ours, which unleashed a series of tragedies in our beloved Sandrock.
Lucy no longer has the determination to save the city of Sandrock, after the battle in which the Duvos soldiers defeated the town. The builder spends her days waiting for her time in Sandrock to come to an end. Everything is about to change when she encounters a mysterious man wearing a yakboy hat and a mask.

Chapter 1: The first meet

The hot sun bathed the streets of Sandrock, a decaying city in the middle of the Eufaula Desert. The crumbling buildings and the atmosphere of abandonment concealed a recent past of the city that was once a place of resilience and hope. Amidst the chaos the city had become, young Lucy walked through the empty streets of Sandrock with attentive eyes.

Lucy was a young builder who came from the city of Highwind. Despite her youthful appearance, she had already faced several hardships since moving to Sandrock. She dedicated her time to construction and repairs, from a simple pot to the bridge where the train line passed. However, things changed when war reached the city. Sandrock suffered an irreparable betrayal and fell into disgrace, now serving as a base for soldiers of the Duvos Empire. Lucy now spent her days mapping the soldiers' movements, noting the cargo schedules, and helping the remaining residents.

As Lucy walked through the sandy streets, she noticed a solitary man walking in the distance. He wore a horned cowboy hat and a mask that covered part of his face. She had never seen him in the city, and tourists had been forbidden in Sandrock. As she followed him from a distance, Lucy theorized about the guy. "Could he have crossed the desert?" she wondered. "He seems to know the city." Lost in her thoughts, Lucy found herself in front of "The Breach," a Hazarous ruin in the city center. That ruin used to be a place with few monsters and dangerous AI robots, but the Empire decided to conduct experiments with desert creatures, throwing various monsters in there.

Curious, Lucy entered the ruin to get a closer look at that mysterious figure. As she approached the man, she heard a sound coming from the escalators.

"Get ready!" whispered the guy, wielding his dagger in one hand and his revolver in the other.

Suddenly, the creature appeared, with a body covered in a resilient shell. It wasn't a regular Tripion; it was an adaptation of that type of desert scorpion. It was five times larger, and its claws were the size of an average human. Its stinger was ready to attack anyone in its path.
The man charged at the creature first, accurately firing his revolver, hitting its vulnerable spots and eyes. With his dagger, he moved in to strike the monster, which tried to attack him with its stinger. But the man jumped back. Lucy saw an opportunity to attack the monster. She gathered speed and leaped. With her pick hammer in hand, she focused her strength in her arms and struck the scorpion's head, shattering its shell and crushing it with force.

" That move?!" whispered the man, still in disbelief at the strength of the girl who followed him.

"Hey, you fight well, stranger!" the breathless girl shouted as she jumped down from the monster's demolished head. "How did you enter the city?" she asked, smiling as she caught her breath.

"How did you learn that move?" the suspicious man asked.

"From an idiot!" she replied, wiping the smile off her face. "And where did you come from?" Lucy showed signs of impatience.

"I just..." He paused, carefully choosing his words. "decided to come back to my city." He lifted his head, locking eyes with Lucy with his penetrating blue eyes. She couldn't look away. She stared at him with her large grayish-brown eyes. Time seemed to slow down, and a strange connection formed between the two. "I left the city about two years ago," he broke the silence.

"That explains why I don't know you. I must have arrived in the city shortly after you left," Lucy said, composing herself. "Well, then it's always a pleasure to meet a new Sandrocker. My name is Lucy, I'm a builder."

The young woman extended her hand to shake hands with the man, who returned the gesture but did not disclose his name.

"If you don't tell me your name, I'll come up with one for you," Lucy threatened, and the man shrugged. "Alright, Mr. Snow Head," Lucy said, noticing the man's white hair. The man looked embarrassed, with an annoyed expression.

"Just call me Logan!" Lucy laughed.

"Alright, Logan! The night is falling, and it's almost curfew time. Let's go to my workshop before the soldiers come to investigate all this noise. They don't like Sandrockers, whether old or new."

Chapter 2: What remains

Logan looked at that picturesque workshop. It was different from what he remembered. Mason's simple cottage, the former builder's, was now a garage filled with machinery. Many of them were idle, gathering dust. The garage had another floor above and a room next to it. Upon entering the room on the left, there was a rustic sofa covered in claw marks, and a white and yellow cat slept on it, responsible for the scratches. In front of the sofa, there was a rack with an old-world television and some old discs. The kitchen faced the living room, with two counters, a sink, a refrigerator, and a cooking station, and in the center, there was a small table with two chairs. It was a small house, but the space was well utilized. The bed was separated from the rest of the house by a slatted wooden partition. Next to the bed, there was a dresser with a teddy bear with button eyes. In this room, there was also an old-world table with a gamer chair, also from the old world. On the table, there were many books and a desk lamp. The spiral staircase that led upstairs was in the garage, and there was a locked trapdoor, preventing anyone from entering the place. On the back wall of the garage, a glass door led to a small greenhouse with two tea-coffee tree bushes, some pomatoes, and a jutecantaloupe vine. Hanging on the only slatted wall were pots with mountain roses. Everything was clean and well-maintained. The soil seemed very fertile, which impressed Logan. In the center of the greenhouse, there was a small irrigation system with a water pump and filter.

"This looks like a mini Moisture Farm!" Logan exclaimed in admiration.

"That was the idea of the blueprint. Heide and Qi did an excellent job!" Lucy said, checking the soil moisture of her crops. "Qi only worked on the project because I promised to bring him free tea supplements every week!" Lucy's expression filled with sadness, and an uncomfortable silence hung in the air.

"Do they still live here?" Logan asked cautiously.

"No," Lucy replied coldly. She then stood up and leaned against the greenhouse glass. "They fled from Sandrock. I wonder if they're safe." Lucy looked towards the mountains, but her thoughts were with those who had escaped the city.

"Who else fled?" Logan asked hopefully.

"You should ask who stayed, it's easier to count," Lucy said with pain in her voice. She took a deep breath and tried to answer without getting emotional. "The ones who stayed were me; Hugo, who was forced to forge weapons for the Duvos. Owen, who spends most of the week at the base in the Northern Plateau, is forced to cook for Tiger and the commanders... Burgess, who is now the new pastor of the town, Tiger likes how he preaches hope instead of violence, it suits her. Fang and X are still here, it's not like they have anywhere else to run to." Lucy smiled bitterly. "Zeke is still at the Moisture Farm. We have many Duvos mouths to feed. And of course, Justice and Captain. There's no more Civil Corp, but he tries to negotiate with the idiot Duvos to avoid unnecessary conflicts."

"What happened to the others?"

"Those who didn't flee are dead," Logan felt a shiver run down his spine, his heart raced, and he asked without hesitation.

"And Haru?"

"So you know him?" Lucy could see the anxiety in the young man's eyes. "He lives next to the city's arch. He helps Zeke on the farm when he's not out hunting monsters in the desert." Logan breathed a sigh of relief. "The city has become more crowded again since the Empire ordered Sandrock to annex the nearby villages. Some families came here and are taking care of some shops and the ranch."

Lucy looked once again through the greenhouse glass and walked towards the workshop. Logan followed her. He stood staring in the direction of the house where Lucy said Haru was. He was determined to go there when he felt something rubbing against his legs.

"Banjo likes you!" Lucy said, bringing a bottle of yakmel milk for Logan. "I'll take you there tomorrow." Logan looked dissatisfied. "If you go now, you might encounter some soldiers. During curfew, they have permission to kill anyone they want. Besides, someone in the streets can lead to retaliation. One day without water, two days without food. It depends on Lefu's mood."

Logan listened horrified. He had heard rumors that Sandrock had suffered a severe blow, but seeing the reality filled him with regret. Lucy watched him attentively. She already knew who he was from the stories they had told her. Besides, she was in possession of all the journals of the young man's father. It was strange for her to know so much about a stranger. She knew about his childhood, his achievements, and his failures. For a moment, she felt uncomfortable having read all those journals. But those were not the only journals Lucy kept. The Gordana girl, the commander of the shipwrecked submarine, and any others she could find. Lucy felt that by reading the journals of people who were no longer here, she allowed them to continue living, at least in her memory.

Logan sat down on a chair in the workshop, nodding in agreement to Lucy's idea of taking him to Haru's house tomorrow. He drank from the bottle and nostalgically looked at the yakmelo ranch, now managed by a family from a neighboring village. He kept his questions to himself, fearing the worst. His eyes followed the sunset, and memories filled his mind. The city where he was born and raised was unrecognizable.

After hours of silence, with only Lucy tinkering with her machinery and playing with Banjo, she decided it was time to sleep. She took some extra blankets and placed them on the sofa. The cold desert nights could be frightening. Logan was arranging the sofa when he noticed Lucy changing clothes behind the partition. After taking off her shirt, she revealed various marks and scars. Her back bore a large burn mark that extended to part of her right shoulder. The young man wondered if those marks were from the Battle of Sandrock. Logan couldn't help but notice that the kind builder had an empty look in her eyes, even when she smiled and made jokes. Upon realizing she was being watched, Lucy hurried to put on her nightshirt and lay down in bed. Both felt embarrassed and didn't bid each other goodnight.

That night, Logan couldn't sleep. Not only because he was trying to imagine the horrors that Sandrock had faced, but also because Lucy woke up several times from her sleep, with moans of anguish and screams. In her last nightmare, she screamed for Trudy, the mayor of Sandrock, before waking up in tears. The girl got up, searching for water. Logan pretended to be asleep, but he could see that while Lucy filled a glass in the kitchen, her hands were trembling, and her eyes were filled with terror.

Chapter 3: Wounded Friendship

Logan got up, trying to make as little noise as possible, aware of Lucy's difficulties during the night. But when the clock struck seven, Lucy was already up, making the bed and with Banjo at her feet, begging for food. She looked at Logan with embarrassment, expecting a question or indiscreet comment. But Logan just greeted her and walked out the door. Lucy sighed and felt grateful that he didn't want to be intrusive.

Logan waited outside workshop, not wanting to repeat the embarrassing scene of seeing her change clothes the previous night. She emerged from the workshop wearing her usual denim overalls, boots, and a dirty white t-shirt. They walked through the city tunnel, next to Hugo's old forge. Lucy knew the guard's patrols, and she knew that many of them didn't bother to do their job properly.

The dark glass door of the house reflected Logan's expression, which despite being masked, showed apprehension. Logan hesitated to take action, causing Lucy to knock on the door without worrying if he was ready. The door creaked open, and a lad with blue hair stepped out. He looked confused when he saw Lucy, but upon locking eyes with the masked man, he recognized him.

"Logan!" Haru murmured, his voice trembling. Haru clenched his fists and struck Logan in the face, pushing him backward. Logan didn't retaliate and waited for more. "You abandoned us!" Haru shouted as he struck the man who remained still, accepting his punishment. "I, I..." Haru stammered. "I missed you so much, you idiot."

After releasing his anger, Haru hugged his old friend, and Logan returned the embrace. "I'm sorry, Haru. I'm back," Logan said with a trembling voice. They then stepped back, patting each other on the shoulder. Haru invited them inside, but Lucy declined the invitation after thanking him, leaving Logan and Haru alone in the old house. She returned to the workshop, reflecting on the scene she had just witnessed.

Haru's house was actually Logan's old house. It looked exactly as he remembered it, with the room for weapons, the torn sofa, the books, and the shelves. Even his own room remained the same, with a torn photo of a wedding thrown in a corner and many medical books on the desk. Everything was dusty and sandy. Haru brewed coffee while Logan immersed himself in his memories. He stopped in front of a picture from his childhood, showing a young Logan with his father in the desert, both smiling. Then he heard a voice coming from Haru's room. A boy of nearly ten years old, blond with boundless energy, complained about the noise. This was Andy, a boy whom Haru had saved in the desert during one of his hunts. The boy's family had been caught in a sandstorm, and he was the only one who possibly survived. The boy looked at Logan with suspicion.

"Where's Lucy?" he shouted to Haru, who was downstairs.

"She didn't want to stay," Haru replied with another shout.

"Okay," the boy said, still staring at Logan. "And who are you?" Andy crossed his arms, trying to appear tough.

"My name is Logan, kid. And this is my house." The boy looked at the picture and then back at Logan. His expression of suspicion turned into excitement.

"Logan?! The monster hunter?!" The boy was thrilled. "Wow! I thought you were a legend."

"Thank you, kid. But I'm not the man I used to be."

Haru called them for coffee, offering a cup to Logan. They sat at the table, and Andy wanted to ask questions. Haru didn't mind because they were probably the same questions he had. Logan explained that for the past two years, he had left the desert and fought in The Peripheries. Haru listened silently. After a long time, he went to the city of Lucien and heard that Sandrock had been invaded by Duvos soldiers and had become part of the Empire's territory. After some investigation, he decided to return to the city and see for himself what had happened.

"How did things end up like this?" Logan asked, looking at Haru.

"Miguel and Yan were stealing water from Sandrock," Haru replied, surprising Logan. "Lucy managed to expose them along with Grace, an agent from Atara Intelligence. Miguel was deported to Meidi at the Deacon's request, and Yan managed to escape. Lucy and Grace discovered that Miguel wasn't the mastermind behind the operation, just a scapegoat. The real Tiger, as Duvos calls the operation's leader, is Matilda." Logan shifted in his chair, incredulous. "She deceived all of us, including Lucy, who tried to negotiate the freedom of the people of Sandrock with her. But a tragedy occurred. The negotiation failed, and Lucy, with the help of Grace and Justice, tried to free the people with her own hands. But Lefu took Trudy hostage. Lucy and Lefu planned a duel, but Lucy wasn't fast enough, and Trudy..." Haru paused, and a silence filled the air. Andy was visibly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. He stirred his spoon on the table, wishing that Haru wouldn't finish the sentence. "Trudy died," Haru concluded.

Andy stood up from the table and headed to the room. Logan struggled to process the information. It explained the nightmares of the builder. His heart filled with sadness as he thought about the death of Sandrock's mayor and how her daughter, Jasmine, had been affected by the events. Before he could think about everyone in the city, he was already consumed by guilt, flirting with despair. He wondered if things would have been different if he had been in the city. He also thought about Lucy, her smile hiding a guilt as persistent as his own.

"And when did you stop fighting?" Logan asked with a misunderstood tone.

"Stop fighting?! We've been fighting to survive all this time!" Haru replied, getting worked up. "Lucy was forced to make a deal with Matilda so that as many people as possible could escape, and she's still fulfilling that agreement. Justice, even after Unsuur's death devastated him, continued trying to maintain control over the city, preventing the soldiers from harming the people even more. Everyone who stayed behind sacrificed themselves so that others could escape safely. Otherwise, we would have all perished." Logan fell silent and briefly looked at Haru's face. The young man's expression was troubled. The scars left by the battle were not just external; internally, everyone was broken. Every dream and feeling of the city had been swallowed up, not even the sandstorms had accomplished such a feat. Fueled by anger and guilt, he shouted at his friend.

"I returned to fight, Haru." The young man stared at Logan with suspicion. "I made a big mistake, and those damn bastards destroyed our city, the city my pa loved so much and fought to protect. I denied his legacy two years ago, but I won't do it now!"

"You won't find people willing to fight, just wounded ones, and I'm not talking about their bodies."

"And the Builder?"

"Leave her alone." Logan looked confused at Haru. "She won't accept, and nobody in Sandrock wants her to."

"If she's as skilled as you say, we need her. And if she wants to fight, the city will want to fight alongside her, won't it?" Haru agreed. "I'm going to the workshop."

"She's not there," Andy warned, looking at the two from the mezzanine. He was still attentively following their conversation. "Today is Tuesday."

Chapter 4: End of the Road Graveyard

Lucy, after stopping by her workshop to pick up some flowers and dried fish, made her way to the city graveyard, to Mort's shack, the elder of the town. Mort was waiting for her, sitting on his wicker chair on the porch. He watched the builder enter through the gate and smiled with a sweet expression that showed all the signs of his age. Lucy handed the fish to Mort, who thanked her. On the table on the porch, there were two cups of tea. They sat down and remained silent for a few minutes until Lucy spoke up.

"Howlett's son came back to town," she said, looking at the few clouds hovering in the sky. "He went to see Haru today."

"Logan?! Where has he been all this time?! That boy worried everyone when he left town," Mort said, surprised.

"I don't know. I didn't want to ask. Even after figuring out who he was, I pretended not to know anything." Lucy leaned over the table with a reflective look. "You know, gramps, it's very strange to know so much about someone whose face you barely know. For some reason, he never took off that mask."

"If Logan has returned, maybe you have a new ally in your struggle, dear builder."

"My struggle..." Lucy said, reflecting as she stood up. "My struggle is dead, just like my dear friends."

"Such bitter thoughts for someone so young," Mort replied.

Lucy smiled wryly, finding amusement in her own misfortune. She grabbed the broom and began sweeping the graveyard, removing as much sand as possible from the paths. With a feather duster, she cleaned the tombstones. Then, removed the wilted flowers and lit the candles that the wind had blown out. Carefully, she repaired the names and engraved phrases left by those who loved the graveyard's townsfolks.

The builder reached the nearest tombstone to the gate, Howlett's grave. She sat down, took a flask of whiskey, took a sip, and poured some onto the tombstone. She arranged the flower in a small glass vase and smiled with excitement.

"I met your son today, old man," Lucy spoke while conversing with the dead, as Mort watched her with sorrow. "He's just as you described, a strong and courageous guy. He's not much of a talker anymore, though. But I was curious to know if he's handsome or not since you said the girls who come to Sandrock love to hear him talk about yakboy's stories. I bet that whole mask thing must be something about honor; it's just like you to teach him that kind of thing." Lucy took another sip, unaware that more people were watching her. "You know, Howl, I found one of those traps you described when I went to the Paradise Lost again. It's amazing how some AIs have adapted. I dismantled it and got some really good materials. Thank you."

"Hey, builder!" Lucy rolled her eyes and stood up. "I heard you like talking to your dead friends." Soldier Duvos laughed. The other soldier with him remained silent, nudging his companion. "And what's with the flowers? Tomorrow the storm will swallow everything, just like it did with this garbage town!"

"Stop it, she'll get angry," the other soldier said, frightened. The soldier who was mocking the builder shrugged and continued with the insults.

"You know, you piece of shit, you seem new around here. So let me tell you how things work in my town: the deal is simple, don't mess with me, and I won't mess with you." Lucy walked out through the graveyard's townsfolks gate. The soldier's expression changed instantly. "Even if you didn't step into the territory of my dear friends, I still felt invaded."

Lucy clenched her fist and struck the soldier, who fell to the ground. Lucy intended to hit him some more, but caught sight of two figures nearby, leaning against Mort's hut. She stopped and composed herself. "Get him out of my sight," she said threateningly. The soldier took the injured comrade away.

The three of them stared at each other until Mort called Logan over to greet him, happy to see the son of an old friend. Logan courteously greeted the elder, and they exchanged compliments. Haru approached Lucy to check on her.

"Are you okay?" he asked, slapping Lucy on the shoulder. "It's been a while since I saw someone mess with you."

"He must be new around here," Lucy suggested. "Last week, a Duvos plane landed at the base. Must be some recruit who came along, and someone up there must have encouraged him."

Lucy went back to placing the remaining flowers on the graves, with Logan following her with his eyes, thinking of a way to approach her.

After double-checking that all the graves were clean and adorned, Lucy went to the fence to check the integrity of the stakes and stones. Logan went to his father's tombstone and whispered something that Lucy couldn't understand. She futilely tried to ignore Logan's conversation with his father, but seeing him talk to Howlett made her nostalgic, as if she could remember things she hadn't experienced, only written in the old journal.

Logan saw an opportunity to start the conversation.

"How did you know my old man?!"

"When I was on the Northern Plateau, I found some of Howlett's journals," she replied, trying not to sound strange. "I read all of them." Lucy visibly embarrassed herself, but Logan didn't seem bothered. "He knew everything that was happening here. He wrote a lot about you, Haru, your old friends. I know it's strange, but I ended up getting attached to your Pa. He loved this town so much. But most of all, he loved you." Lucy's words hit Logan like a knife, and he tried to hide his feelings, but his eyes betrayed him. "I'm sorry for what happened, know that it wasn't your fault," she said, sitting on the fence, facing Logan.

"It was my fault," he replied, looking her in the eyes. "If I had come up with a better plan than blowing up that damn temple." Lucy thought of interrupting him, but Haru looked at her, shaking his head. He still didn't know the true reason for his father's death, and this wasn't the right moment. "He would still be alive."

Silence now accompanied them. Lucy wanted to question him, and Logan was waiting for it. But she already had an idea of the answer. And that's how it happened. When the builder asked why Logan had returned, he said, plainly, "To fight for Sandrock." Lucy looked at the sky, waiting for the end of that sentence. In her heart, a mixture of hope and sadness. Her thoughts wandered between the traumas of battle and the good memories she cultivated in the city. She was determined to decline any request from that man because she knew her heart couldn't take any more losses or battles between life and death.

"I want you to join me!" Logan's voice was serious. His words carried an encouraging tone that made Lucy divert her attention from the clouds and look into his eyes. "Haru told me what you did! Together this time, we can put an end to them!"

"Together, you say?!" Lucy replied with disappointment, while her heart filled with anger. "I failed even with all the help from the town!" she said, but Logan remained firm in his proposal. "I work for the Tiger!" Logan wouldn't back down; he was determined to have the builder as an ally. Lucy stood up and, with her face close to Logan's, shouted with the anger exploding in her chest. "I killed Trudy!" Logan took a step forward, determined.

"Let me be clear, will you or not join me in hunting down those damn bastards and avenging Sandrock?" Logan's words were firm. He recognized Lucy's pain, but still believed he could ignite her will to fight again. Lucy smiled with indignation. She felt angry, almost offended. But Logan looked at her, waiting for an answer. She then stared into Logan's blue eyes and said with a firm and intimidating voice.

"I will follow you to hell for the heads of those bastards!" The flame in Lucy's eyes sent shivers of excitement down Logan's spine. Revenge was also in Yakboy's plans; Lucy's pain was his pain, just like the pain of all the citizens of Sandrock.

The two shook hands in front of Howlett's tombstone, sealing the agreement to avenge Sandrock and all those they had lost.

 

 

Chapter 5: Balancing the Game

Andy played with Banjo in Lucy's workshop backyard. The boy enjoyed peeking at the cat, who responded with purrs and cuteness, flipping his belly up to be scratched. Lucy retrieved the finished materials from the machines and packed them up to be sent for the construction of the tunnel to Portia. In the eyes of the Duvos soldiers, it was just another normal day in that picturesque workshop. Logan sat at the kitchen table with Haru, discussing ways to initiate a rebellion. Haru challenged almost every plan of Logan's, as most of them had already been attempted.

"We need let the Alliance know that we're here, alive, and fighting!" Logan slammed his hand on the table in frustration. "They need to know that we need their support and they can count on us to hold out."

"They have been ignoring us for months!" replied Haru. "Our only contact with the Alliance was Grace, who got shot down." Haru's voice carried a tone of anguish; the two were more than just close friends.

"What if we hijack a train?" Lucy appeared at the doorway, leaning against the frame. "A Duvos train that comes from Baja and crosses the desert. We can take supplies and send the train to Atara as a message."

"Since when that line exist?" Logan asked.

"It's recent. The builders from the Northern Plateau constructed one part, and Duvos built the other. It disrupts the train line from Highwind to Atara," Haru answered.

"That's how Highwind turned into a second Lucien." Lucy said, staring at them. "With the construction of the new Musa settlement, many civilians escaped. But the city is doomed in conflicts. If the Alliance loses Highwind, they'll lose the new settlement as well. So, it would be good to show them that we can still be their alternative route."

"Hijack a train and send it to Atara! I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Builder."

Lucy smiled, and Logan observed her for a few seconds. Then she turned her back and returned to tinkering with the materials. Haru sensed the different atmosphere but decided to be a mere observer of those lingering gazes between Lucy and Logan.

Lucy took a yakmel cart and went to deliver the materials to the construction site of the road to Portia. The Duvos Empire wanted to continue with the construction because it would provide faster access to other free cities. Her fellow builders looked at her with disdain. To them, Lucy was like a traitor. She would simply drop off the materials and leave them working like slaves for the Sandrock Base. She recognized them from the Commerce Guild meetings. At first, she tried to argue with them, but tired and depressed, she decided to accept the opinion her colleagues had of her, as a traitor working for Duvos. Few knew that this was part of the agreement Lucy had with Tiger. Lucy supplied the materials in exchange for people who wanted to escape from Sandrock, allowing them to leave unharmed. Unfortunately, Matilda deceived her about the builders. According to her, none of them were Sandrockers. Only Mi-an, her colleague who lived in the city, managed to escape the fate of the other builders.

Lucy could escape from all of that. She knew how. But guilt and responsibility for the city always held her back. She felt weak and cowardly, a puppet in Tiger's hands.

On her way back to the workshop, she stopped at the train station to greet Jensen. They spent almost an hour talking about trains and how to operate them. Jensen seemed like a child, commenting that in the old world, trains didn't have conductors and were powered by AIs. Lucy then grabbed some data disks and headed to the dusty Research Center. She turned on Director Qi's machinery and started researching if there was a simpler way to remotely operate trains.

Lucy and Qi spent a lot of time together, causing the builder to develop some skills that Qi considered notable. She would have excelled in Vega 5 if she had the opportunity to study there. She could research, design, and create her own diagrams.

After a sleepless night, Lucy managed to draw a prototype of an electric lock that would prevent the train from being stopped until it reached Atara.

"What would Qi say?" she wondered aloud, feeling nostalgic. "Probably something like: I would think of something more sophisticated, but good job," she answered herself, imitating the director's voice. Perhaps in another life, the two of them would have accomplished wonders together, a fleet of robots or a spaceship.

The memories brought sadness to Lucy's heart as she reluctantly turned off the lights in the Research Center, filled with longing.

Returning to the workshop just before dawn, Lucy was greeted by Logan, who was waiting for her with a bottle of whiskey in hand.

"Haru found out from Zeke that a train carrying water and food is coming from Baja in two days," Logan said, handing the bottle to Lucy, who took a long sip and went to her workstation. "It seems you figured out a way to make the train run without a conductor."

"It's not a complex mechanism, so I don't think you or Haru will have any trouble operating it," Lucy replied, taking another sip and feeling her body demanding rest after a sleepless night.

"Hey, builder," Logan called, holding Lucy by the shoulder. "You should rest." Lucy nodded, and Logan guided her inside.

They sat on the couch, and Logan tried to place the bottle on the coffee table, but Lucy took it, taking one last sip before resting her head on Logan's lap. He felt uncomfortable, but the builder didn't mind. Fatigue and alcohol made her carefree.

"Why don't you take off that mask?" Lucy asked, looking at Logan.

"I can't face Sandrock with a clean face until I fix my mistake," Logan replied, looking into Lucy's eyes. She then reached out, trying to reach for his mask. Logan hesitated for a moment but consented.

Logan's face was pleasant, with a stubble and soft lines of expression, indicating that he was no longer a boy but far from being an old man. Lucy felt her cheeks blush, and before she became embarrassed enough to lose her sense of humor, she blurted out

"Now I understand why girls love hearing your stories, Snow Head." Logan laughed at the compliment followed by the teasing nickname.

"I bet you had plenty of tourists wanting to hear you talk about machines and diagrams too, Panbat girl" Logan said. Lucy smiled and covered her eyes, feeling the swelling.

"Is it that bad?" she asked, watching Logan put the mask back on.

"Dreadful. It would be better if you slept in bed," Logan replied, making a hint. Lucy smiled awkwardly due to the indirect comment, stood up, took the whiskey bottle, and took another sip. "Hey, are you okay?"

"No." Lucy replied, her voice trembling. "The last time I did something like this, I lost everything. It's not like I have much to lose now. But..." She looked at the bottle, avoiding eye contact of her wrists hidden by the gloves. "I'm not even a fraction of what I used to be. I built bridges, faced the Geeglers and the Bandirat Queen. But I lost Trudy, Unsuur, Grace, and Sandrock... I couldn't even succeed in dying. I'm a failure."

"Before he died, my Pa asked me to protect Sandrock. He warned me about Duvos. But I was trapped in my pain and guilt. I fled the city. After wandering through ruins and cities, I went to The Peripheries, hoping to die there. When I was about to succeed, I heard my Pa calling me. I didn't want to go back; I just wanted to find peace. But even in death, I was a coward." Logan took off his mask and kept looking at Lucy, who was on the verge of breaking down. "I'm a failure too."

Logan beckoned her with a gesture. Lucy sat on the couch and settled in, resting her head on the chest of the man, who placed his arm around her waist. "We're going to get revenge on these bastards, and only after that can we decide if we want to keep living or not! That's what I'm telling you."

Lucy agreed, shedding tears that had been held back for a long time. They remained silent until Lucy fell asleep. Logan stroked the builder's hair, succumbing to the instinct of protection. The girl who fought Duvos soldiers, walked confidently among the people who hated her, and always had a confident smile on her face when challenged, was becoming increasingly fragile, on the verge of shattering.

The morning light streamed through the windows of the house, illuminating Lucy's face. Logan realized he was in danger. It wasn't just the builder who easily became vulnerable around him; he also felt that near her, the burden was lighter to carry. Trying not to wake her, he carried her to bed in his arms.

Logan left the workshop and went to Haru's house to continue preparing for the train heist.

Chapter 6: The Assault

Lucy finished the lock and handed it over to Haru and Logan. She wanted to join the assault, but Logan said they would need eyes watching the city. Haru, in turn, entrusted Andy to Lucy's care permanently. He knew that after that day, he and Logan couldn't walk the streets of Sandrock anymore. Andy insisted on going with them, but Logan astutely assigned the special mission of protecting Lucy to the boy, who agreed with pride. The yakboy and the builder locked eyes once again, and Lucy couldn't look away. Logan stirred long-forgotten feelings within her. Logan turned his back, but Lucy grabbed his hand, surprising him. She then attached an amber pendant to his jacket. The builder wanted to express her gratitude to him in some way.

"It's for good luck! I forged it this morning," Lucy explained, feeling embarrassed.

"I don't need luck, Builder," Logan winked, implying his gratitude. Lucy blushed at his gesture. His tone wasn't one of arrogance or mockery but inspired confidence.

Andy handed Haru a windproof waist bag. The boy was thrilled to give something he had personally made as a gift. Haru thanked him for the kindness and ruffled Andy's hair.

Lucy's heart seemed to want to leap out of her chest. She watched as Logan mounted his goat Rambo and Haru mounted his goat Merle. Andy held Lucy's hand and proudly told her, "They'll be fine, and I'll be protecting you!" Lucy smiled and nodded.

Logan and Haru rode north through the Eufaula Desert, staying close to the train tracks to avoid being seen by possible patrols. Their destination was the central station, where the railway lines from Baja, Atara, Highwind, and Sandrock converged. From there, they could change the train's route and send it directly to Atara, intercepting it and informing the Alliance that Sandrock was still fighting.

Haru's watch showed eight in the evening. The expected arrival of the train in Sandrock was nine in the morning.

After a few minutes of observation, the two began to put the plan into action. Haru would plant bombs on the tracks toward Highwind to attract the attention of the Duvos soldiers. Logan would have to change the direction of the tracks as the train approached. After that, they would jump on their goats and board the moving train, fighting the conductors and installing the lock.

With the bombs planted, they awaited the arrival of the train on the horizon. In Haru's hands, a device to remotely trigger the bombs, courtesy of Lucy, who repurposed Heide's diagrams from the mountain explosion.

"I know it's not the right time," Haru began hesitantly, "but why didn't you take me with you when you fled Sandrock?"

"I couldn't do that to you," Logan replied, eating a dried sandberry. "I had already dragged you into the temple invasion, and things happened the way they did." Haru considered telling Logan the truth about who was truly responsible for the temple explosion but feared his friend would become furious and act recklessly without thinking. "I couldn't face you or any other Sandrocker."

"Logan, you're like a brother to me! Since you and Howlett found me in that village forgotten by the Light, I would have done anything for you guys. I felt as responsible for Howlett's death as you did. And you abandoned me. Do you know how much guilt I carried? I had to face Miguel alone, accusing me. I wasn't sent to Atara only because Trudy, Owen, and Hugo intervened on my behalf. I can't fight by your side without understanding what's going on in your head!" Haru was angry, and his long-held resentment finally poured out.

"No matter how many times I apologize, it won't resolve our differences. I was a coward, and to show you that I'm still your brother, I'll return Sandrock to you and all those who lost it." Logan's eyes sparkled like embers. Although Haru still harbored resentment toward his dear friend, he knew Logan didn't make empty promises. He was the kind of guy who followed through with what he committed to do, so once again, he would blindly trust his brother.

In the distance, they could hear the train rolling on the tracks. The two mans looked at each other and initiated the assault. Haru detonated the bombs, drawing most of the soldiers to investigate the situation. The remaining soldiers had to face Logan, who was determined to eliminate anything in his path. He drew his revolver and didn't allow himself to miss a shot. The soldiers fell without a chance against the man who had survived in The Peripheries. For a moment, Logan felt excitement coursing through his body. He had finally found a purpose to fight for.

Logan pulled the lever, changing the direction of the tracks. Rambo and Merle appeared with a whistle. The outlaws jumped onto their mounts and chased after the train. Logan was the first to leap into the wagon. He was intercepted by two visibly frightened Duvos soldiers, who jumped off the train, leaving Logan disappointed. He wanted to fight a bit longer. The two saw Haru jumping from Merle into the wagon.

Inside the train, there were barrels of water, cabbages, and some sacks of cereals. They intended to loot as much as they could. They loaded everything they could into the last wagon and detached it. 

In the conductor's cabin, a man nearly two meters tall tried to defend his train. He and Logan exchanged punches. Logan took a few hits. Haru intervened by releasing a smoke bomb that disoriented the man. The yakboy then leaped straight toward the man, hitting him squarely in the face. The conductor passed out, and they threw him out of the cabin.

Haru installed the lock. The train would depart non-stop to Atara. They took the cans of paint they had brought and began writing messages inside the wagon. "Sandrock still fights," "We need help," "We are the resistance." Afterward, they jumped off the train and accompanied it to the end of the Eufaula Desert.

They returned to the abandoned freight wagon and retrieved as much as they could. Haru found a yakmelo cart at the central station. They loaded their spoils onto it and headed back to Sandrock. The first part of the plan had been completed. Now they would find a place to hide. Haru suggested they find the mole mines, a network of tunnels that Lucy had explored after the Bandirat Queen destroyed the pipes in Whispering Valley.

"The builder went after the Queen to prevent her from destroying more dangerous things and ended up encountering Princess BandiRat," Haru recounted as they made their way toward Sandrock. "She saved Lumi from her stepmother, and the princess fell in love with her. Maybe if we find her, she can help us hide." Logan listened to the story carefully. "Lumi didn't knew about the city's attack; otherwise, she would have tried to help. Especially Ged, who had a crush on Trudy. He was devastated when I told him what happened." The yakboy looked at him confused. "He's a mutant mole." Logan had a playful expression beneath his mask. Many things had happened while he was away.

"Has she always been like that?" he asked, referring to Lucy.

"The builder?! It would take more than one trip to tell you everything she's done for Sandrock. She was always running around, smiling at everyone, helping everyone. She got herself into every trouble—The Breach, Paradise Lost, the Geegles, Shipwreck. Justice had no choice but to officially debut her as a member of the Civil Corp!" Logan laughed, imagining the scenes. "It wasn't fair, everything that happened." Haru was overcome with sadness. "If you hurt her, I'll end you," he threatened, composing himself. Logan pretended not to understand. "I've noticed the way you two look at each other."

"Do you think any ordinary girl can easily tame me?!" Logan defended himself arrogantly.

"But she's not an ordinary girl, is she?!" Haru countered, cornering Logan.

"No, she's not," Logan admitted with a murmur, finding himself thinking back to the first time they met.

Chapter 7: Logan becomes wanted

In the following morning, Lucy, who had barely slept thinking about her allies, woke up to screams outside the workshop. Andy looked out the window, wanting imprudently to go confront them. Lucy changed clothes and headed towards the Duvos soldiers who were waiting for her at the gate.

There were three soldiers. All three wanted to ask her questions at the same time. Lucy, growing impatient, shouted at all three, silencing them. One of them then began the interrogation.

"Where is the man known as Haru?" Lucy shrugged, denying any information.

"Where is the boy known as Andy?" another soldier asked.

"Can we skip to why you're here?" Lucy retorted.

"Commander Lefu demands to see the boy," said the third soldier.

A knot formed in Lucy's throat. Haru had been recognized. The builder remained calm, trying to think of a solution to prevent them from taking the boy. She wouldn't allow anything to happen to him. Andy was under her care, making her almost like a mother figure, and she already had a fraternal love for the boy. Lucy, Haru, and Andy had a close bond, almost like a family.

"No," Lucy replied, making the soldiers uneasy. "You can't simply want to take a child to the Northern Plateau without giving me a reason."

"Builder, please make it easy for us," one of the soldiers said, only to be reprimanded. "I'm being honest. Commander Lefu is furious and wants the boy. He believes the boy knows something." He was reprimanded again.

"If you don't help me, I can't help you," Lucy said, crossing her arms.

"He thinks the boy knows something about the train robbery last night!" replied the soldier who had been reprimanding the talkative one. "Yes, yesterday one of the Duvos trains was robbed by two bandits, and they took the train towards Atara!"

Lucy was relieved at the success of the mission and contained herself as much as she could.

"And what does that have to do with the boy?" Lucy asked, feigning innocence.

"Haru has been identified as one of the bandits."

Lucy cursed the informant in her thoughts. She couldn't let Lefu lay a finger on Andy. The builder then offered to go in the boy's place, claiming to have information. She warned Andy and made him promise to wait for her inside the workshop, to which the kid agreed.

Walking through the corridors of Sandrock Base made Lucy nauseous. She looked at the walls, and every scene of horror she experienced while being detained in the Northern Plateau came to her mind. She began to break out in a cold sweat, her heart pounding, and the air seemed to not reach her lungs. She tried to focus on the story she would tell Lefu, repeating it countless times in her head, so as not to make any mistakes.

The interrogation room was quiet and a place where she had not been frequently. As she focused on her breathing, she could hear Lefu screaming at his subordinates. "Cool under pressure," she repeated, remembering Justice, who always admired her ability to stay calm. But that was before.

Lefu entered the room, wearing his authentic gas mask that covered his skull, with only his tied-up hair visible. He stared at Lucy, and if she could see beyond his mask, she would see a satisfied smile and a frightening look in his eyes.

"Long time no see, Builder! I hope my idiotic soldiers weren't kind to you!"

"Don't talk about them like that, Lefu. Subordinates are just reflections of their superiors," Lucy mocked.

"That explains your connection with the imbecile Yan," Lefu retorted, winning the insult game. "What do you know about the train robbery?"

"Your subordinates told me this morning. And from what I understand, you believe Haru was involved," Lefu confirmed the story. "I saw Haru yesterday morning. I went to pick up Andy so he could spend the day with me at the workshop. Andy told me that Haru intended to go monster hunting in the desert." Lefu remained silent, waiting for the continuation. "From my workshop, I saw him take Merle and head towards the desert. But..." Before she could continue the script of her story, a familiar figure entered the room. It was Pen, in his Duvos attire. He dragged a chair and sat down, smiling at Lucy.

"Hello, Skinny Arms!" he said with an arrogant and mocking tone.

"Hey, Fake Pecs, have you taken your pump today?" Lucy retorted with a cynical smile on her face.

"First of all, my pecs are not fake! Come on, feel them." Pen adjusted himself in the chair, getting closer to the table where Lucy could reach him if she wanted to. "No? Well, you're the one missing out." The two locked eyes, and the rivalry and tension increased. "Continue what you were telling."

"Well, yesterday after I picked up Andy, I saw a suspicious guy lurking around the house." Pen looked at her with interest, expecting a twist. "I didn't see his face because he was wearing a mask. But he had a yakboy hat and white hair. He was tall too. He stared at me for a while, and those eyes seemed intimidating." Lucy acted out her performance quite well. Pen, who had a smile on his face a moment ago, turned serious. Lefu seemed lost with the description. "Andy asked me who the stranger was, and I told him it was better for us not to know."

"Logan!" said Pen with a mix of satisfaction and anger. "That damn bastard is back in town!" He quickly stood up with a laugh. "I finally get to crush him like a nut."

"Howlett's son? The one who blew up the temple? Impossible," Lucy continued laughing. "What would he want in this end of the world?"

"My head!" Pen said with satisfaction. "Forgot, I blew up the temple."

Lucy glared at him furiously. She knew the guilt Haru had carried for years and that Logan still carried. Her impulse was to start a fight right there. Maybe in another time, that's what she would have done, but now, with a new objective in mind, she simply dismissed Pen's words. He laughed in Lucy's face.

"Don't be like that, Skinny. Come on, smile for your old friend Pen! Heard you still use the move I taught you." Pen approached Lucy, getting too close to her face. She remained serious. "We've lived so many stories together, I taught you some moves, you taught me..." Lefu interrupted Pen's provocation with a cough. Pen stepped back from Lucy with a cynical smile, then said his goodbyes and left the room. Lefu ordered the soldiers to take Lucy back to the city.

Two days passed, and no news about the two new outlaws in Sandrock had been reported. However, Lucy spotted Duvos soldiers posting posters on the walls.

"Logan! Outlaw! Convicted of blowing up the Temple of Light in Sandrock and robbing a cargo train from the glorious Duvos Empire! Dead or alive. Reward: one month's supply of water and food."

Lucy's heart raced with joy. If the poster was there, it meant he hadn't been caught. But Haru's poster wasn't among them.

In the early morning, Lucy heard a suspicious noise in her workshop. She grabbed her pickhammer and opened the door. Then a hand covered her mouth from behind. She noticed that a tall man was holding her, but in the darkness, she couldn't recognize him. She stomped on the intruder's foot, and he let go of her. She turned to strike, but the moonlight streaming through the open window illuminated part of the intruder's face.

"Logan!" exclaimed the builder, dropping her weapon and embracing the yakboy, who was still complaining about the pain in his foot. "I was worried! Where is Haru?"

"Now I understand why you don't mind sleeping with the window open," joked the bandit, laughing and grimacing from the sore foot. "Haru is fine. We found a place to hide, thanks to your friend Lumi. When everything is ready, I'll let you know where to go for Rambo to pick you up." Lucy stepped back, her cheeks reddened by realizing her recklessness in hugging him so carelessly. Logan didn't seem to mind. Deep down, he was starting to enjoy the attention that the builder gave him.

"They put up posters about you all over town!" Lucy exclaimed excitedly. "I think things are happening!"

"Great! We followed the train until it passed through the desert. We marked the entire train with messages. We took almost everything from there. There was food and water. We can try to distribute them to the people here." Lucy agreed. "Didn't those bastards suspect you?"

Lucy recounted what had happened and how she tricked them. He expected nothing less from his ally.

"I'll tell Andy in the morning that you're both safe," Logan agreed.

The two had another one of their moments of exchanging glances. But this time, any word could ruin the moment. Lucy could no longer ignore the feelings that Logan had inspired in her. He had brought her hope, and she was extremely grateful for that. Near him, she felt carefree, as if she were cradled by the calm waters of an oasis. The builder didn't know if she had already fallen for him or if she was just in danger.

On the other hand, Logan tried to ignore the attraction he felt for the Builder. The way she fought made his heart race. Every time she protected Andy or played with Banjo, she hypnotized him. He futilely fought within himself, knowing that his responsibilities should take priority. But she was like fire, spreading rapidly through his thoughts. A flame that could warm him on the coldest night in the desert or burn an entire city for him.

"I have to go," Logan broke the silence with regret. "I won't make any promises, Builder. But wait for me."

"I will," Lucy replied, eliciting a satisfied smile from the man behind the mask.

Chapter 8: Justice for All Sandrockers

By the Stairs was now managed by a woman who had been brought from one of the villages around Sandrock, Marlene. She was not older than thirty-five, but she had a good and youthful appearance. Her curly green hair shone in the Sandrock sun. Some Duvos soldiers had already tried to ask her out, but she ignored them. She took care of her Pa, Rick, and her younger brother, Luka. Marlene missed her village; life could be tough, but Sandrock was getting the best of her.

Lucy was looking for a cabinet where Andy could put his things. Rick was a carpenter and made beautiful woodworking furniture, which seemed like a waste given the current situation of the city.

"What do you need, sweetheart?" Marlene asked Lucy, who looked undecided at the dressers.

"Andy will be living with me permanently, and I wanted a cabinet for him to put his toys and clothes," replied Lucy, considering whether to use a larger cabinet that would fit both her and Andy's belongings or a smaller one to place next to Andy's bed.

"Oh, sweetheart, why don't you take..." Marlene paused for a moment and looked at Sandrock's square. "Oulala, Justice is radiant today." Lucy turned to see the former sheriff of Sandrock casually walking through town. He indeed had a lighthearted expression on his face, one that Lucy hadn't seen in a long time. "Now I've fallen in love with him."

Lucy quickly chose the small dresser and asked Marlene to deliver it to the workshop. She rushed to greet Justice. Justice looked at Lucy and smiled broadly. He rarely saw her outside his workshop or the cemetery, except when he roamed the city mapping the soldiers' routines. So, noticing that she had been shopping made him even happier. Lucy felt the same way; Justice rarely left home, except to patrol the city before curfew, making sure no one stayed out of their houses to avoid punishment. Their encounter was filled with hope.

"Hey, Builder! Stepped out of your den?" greeted Justice.

"Andy will be living with me from now on, so I need to improve the house to accommodate a child," replied Lucy, smiling.

"So Haru is really tangled up in this."

"I think so, especially since..." Lucy lowered her voice and whispered, "Logan is back." Justice's eyes lit up. He agreed with the builder and called her to talk in a more private place, but not before waving to Marlene, who yearned for a kind gesture.

Justice and Lucy sat on the deck of the oasis, which was becoming shallower. They turned off the relic and occasionally turned it on again to refill the oasis.

"I know it's hard to imagine what goes through a guy's mind like him. But man, he stole a Duvos train, and who knows what he did! It was his way of saying, 'I'm here, you assholes, and I'm going to finish you off.' That's my little brother's style," Justice sounded proud. "It's strange to feel hope after such a long time."

"I don't know him, I only know what Howlett wrote in the diary and what you and Owen told me. Could he really have come to free Sandrock?" Lucy, afraid of putting Justice in danger, hid the truth from her friend.

"I don't know, man. But I feel like something big is about to happen!"

Suddenly, they heard a scream coming from the square. They ran quickly to see what had happened.

The square was chaotic, residents fighting with soldiers, residents fighting with each other. Marlene hugged her scared brother. Rick was arguing with Duvos soldiers. The soldiers, in an oppressive gesture, raised their batons to strike anyone who tried to question their actions. Justice acted quickly and went to the balcony of the old town hall.

"Guys, guys," eyes began to turn toward him. "Let's all stay calm. We know that violence won't help calm anyone's spirits."

"Mine would," said one of the soldiers.

"Okay, dude, you're being an idiot. We're all trapped in this city; we have to cooperate. Soldiers, without the citizens, you have no one to..." Justice paused, thinking about his words. "...Oppress. And the people of Sandrock, let's stop and think for a moment. It's not by fighting our own battles that we're going to put things in order." Everyone seemed to agree.

"Sheriff!" shouted Rick. "They're saying that if we say anything about that Logan guy, we'll be taken as accomplices to the Northern Plateau."

"Wrong, you can speak ill of him," shouted another soldier.

The argument was about to begin when Justice resumed his speech, making positive indirect remarks to the people and giving false reasoning to the Duvos soldiers. In the end, everyone was appeased. But Lucy heard the murmurs of the people. It was truly starting; Sandrock was regaining hope. Lucy wondered what her favorite outlaws' next move would be. They needed to ignite the flame of the city's resilience once again.

Justice accompanied Lucy to the workshop. There, he saw Andy and Banjo having a pleasant afternoon. Justice cared a lot about Lucy, who, like him, carried the guilt for the day Sandrock fell. He was responsible for the Civil Corp, and the lives of Unsuur and Lucy were his responsibility. Knowing that he had failed as a leader and mentor took him to dark places. But there he was, feeling hope again, for a better day. He wanted to allow himself to try once more, but he hoped that the builder would be by his side again.

"Do you want fight again?" Justice asked cautiously. That question could sound offensive, but he wanted to know if his old fighting partner would be there, supporting him. Lucy sighed, but her tone was not discouraging or irritable; it was confident. She looked into the sheriff's apprehensive eyes.

"Yes, I want!" Lucy affirmed loudly and clearly.

Justice felt his chest burn with excitement. He could see the determination in Lucy's eyes as she stared at him. That was the look that all Sandrockers admired, the sign that their reliable builder was there, helping to rebuild the city with her own shoulders.

"I think if he intends to start a rebellion, he'll need all the help he can get," said the builder. "You have influence in the city; people from the villages admire you, unlike me. Many still see me as a Duvos lapdog or some other nonsense. If you want to help him, why not start spreading the good news?"

"Justice for all Sandrockers, or something like that?" Lucy laughed, and Justice joined in. "Do you think that alone can help?"

"If we raise people's morale with hope, they will want to fight, they will want to resist. We can use Logan's figure as a symbol of revolution and rebellion. And I know you're the right man to lead the people. I'll have your back, partner."

Justice nodded and began to think about how to act against the Sandrock Base, who needed to be on his side, and who he knew would fight again knowing that Lucy was standing there, wanting to protect Sandrock.

Chapter 9: Retaliation

Lucy hadn't heard from Logan or Haru anymore. However, the city was buzzing with talks of resistance and Logan bringing food and water to the needy. Even some Duvos soldiers were considering switching sides. Sandrock could be a city for everyone, a prosperous city for those who dream of a lighter life. "They even managed to plant trees in the desert!" "Monsters attacked the city and destroyed the bridge, but soon everything was back to normal!"

Lucy roamed the streets, listening to the murmurs of the city. She wanted to run to Logan and tell him about what was happening in the city. She hadn't felt this way since she purified the air of Whispering Valley. But something was wrong, the city was burning with fire, and the Northern Plateau was too silent. Water and food supplies were normal. The number of soldiers in the streets remained the same. Lucy shuddered at the thought that Matilda, the Tiger, was planning something.

Matilda is a woman who knows how to play with people's hope. She has made Sandrock unite countless times, and when the rope that held all the Sandrockers together seemed unbreakable, she used it to hang them all.

When Lucy returned to the workshop, Andy wasn't there. She found a letter in her mailbox. It was a special invitation from Matilda for dinner. According to her, Owen would cook Lucy's favorite dishes. "Andy has already been brought in as an incentive." A knot formed in Lucy's throat. "Dress nicely, I like to see my girl well-presented." A package was included, containing an olive-green dress, the same color Matilda wore.

The dress was too revealing for Lucy's taste, but the thigh-high slit was enough for her to attach a belt with a dagger and screwdriver. She grabbed a coat and headed to the cable car behind Wandering Y Ranch. The guards couldn't help but look at Lucy, who visibly embarrassed, tried to ignore them.

At the base, Lucy was led to the dining hall. She saw Owen setting the table and ran to hug him. He returned the gesture, holding her tightly. Seeing that Owen was okay was a relief for the builder. He was also part of the agreements made with Tiger. Owen didn't want to leave the city, even though Amirah insisted that he go with her. She then tried to ensure Owen's safety, as a cook, he could also overhear all the conversations the walls could transmit.

"Get ready, she's worse than usual," Owen warned.

Before he could say anything else, Pen and Yan entered through the door. Owen let go of Lucy and went back to setting the table.

"Now I'm jealous, Skinny," Pen said, looking Lucy up and down. "Hmm, why don't you take off the coat? Matilda spent so much time thinking about which dress would look prettier on you." Lucy remained serious, trying not to shrink in front of the knight. "She likes to dress up her little doll."

"Why don't you go..."

"Calm down. Why do you two always have to argue like this?" Matilda entered the hall with Andy by her side. The boy was dressed appropriately to match Lucy's dress. "Go to your Ma, dear." Andy went over to Lucy, trying to provide reassurance.

"Did they do something to you?" Lucy asked as she straightened Andy's crooked collar. The boy shook his head. "Be strong, I've got your back, and you've got mine."

"That's my job!" Lucy smiled at the boy's response.

Matilda sat at the head of the table, with Lefu and Yan on her right side. On the left were Lucy, Andy, and Pen. Owen served the dishes and stood by the door, observing the scene. He wanted to provide some kind of support to Lucy, but he could only show his presence as a form of support.

The dinner was silent. Andy felt tempted to break the silence, but Matilda occasionally stared at him. She was the only one in the room who could instill fear in the boy.

Owen cleared the plates to serve dessert. When Matilda asked him to talk about the town's rumors.

"I don't go down there much, Minister," he replied, evading the question.

"But you still heard something, didn't you?" Matilda insisted. Lefu let out a short laugh, already making Lucy anxious.

"I did hear something, Minister." Owen looked at Lucy as if he wanted to apologize. "I heard the soldiers talking that Logan has returned." Matilda urged him to continue. "And that he plans to free Sandrock."

"What nonsense!" Pen chuckled. "That idiot was so cowardly as to abandon everything after thinking he killed his Pa!"

Lucy tried to maintain the same expression she had throughout the evening. Any display of changing emotions could lead to a dangerous turn of events.

"What do you think about this, Newbie?" Yan asked, provoking the conversation.

"I don't have an opinion," Lucy said, bringing the napkin to her mouth. "The town is just excited. And it's your fault." Yan seemed furious, and Matilda wore a satisfied expression."You want to show the people that you're powerful, but at the first sign of weakness, you announce to everyone who was responsible for the failure!" Lucy folded the napkin and smiled ironically at Yan. "Pathetic."

"Someone who can understand my frustration at this table!" Matilda exclaimed, maintaining her composure. "That's why you're my little girl, dear. Yan! I told you not to spread posters around the town. And Lefu, I told you not to let the soldiers talk about the matter in the city!"

"But Minister, I..." Yan tried to argue, but Matilda's icy gaze silenced him.

"We only need to punish people so they stay quiet," Pen suggested, with a cynical smile on his face.

"Hey, no one should be punished for talking about someone who came to liberate us!" Lucy's heart skipped a beat when Andy spoke up. She looked at him with anguish, he didn't understand why. Despite being a clever child, he was still a child with strong opinions. Pen smiled and looked directly at Lucy, noticing her desperate gaze.

"Let the people go without food for two days," Lucy suggested, trying to suppress the boy's comment. "The Moisture Farm produced less due to Logan's water diversions. That way, the people will blame him for the lack of food, give the farm time to recover its production, and you will still get the punishment you want." Lucy said this, knowing that Logan was distributing predictions to the city's poorest residents.

"Why don't I trade Yan for you!? Builder, you're a genius!" Matilda said humorously. Lucy forced a smile. "Oh, I know why," the builder felt a shiver down her spine, her face gradually stiffening. "Because you lie too much to me." Matilda had a disapproving and sad tone in her voice.

Before Lucy could get up and pull Andy closer to her, Pen grabbed the boy and pointed one of his gloves at his head. Lefu burst into laughter, and Owen was forcibly taken out of the room by four soldiers.

Matilda brought the napkin to her mouth, then clasped her hands on the table, staring at Lucy.

"Now tell me the truth, Builder," Matilda's voice was soft and intimidating. "Where is Logan?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Matilda! Leave the boy alone!"

Lucy was trying to remain calm, but when she looked at Andy, her trauma was triggered. To make matters worse, Lefu provocatively looked at the builder and, with a gesture, mimicked a gun with his hand and made a shooting sound with his mouth.

"I'm go kill you." Lucy said coldly, looking at the commander. She took her dagger out of the belt and leaped over the table, trying to reach Lefu. She cut his clothes, grazing his skin near his throat. Pen pushed the boy and went to try to restrain her.

"Andy, this way!" Owen shouted, opening the door and calling the boy, who hesitated.

"Go, Andy!" Lucy shouted, still struggling with Pen. He ran to Owen, who took him away.

"Yan, go after the boy," Matilda ordered, watching the battle taking place on the table.

Pen tried to hold Lucy, who was visibly distraught, attempting to strike him with the dagger. Lefu whimpered as Lucy managed to hit him near the neck, but didn't inflict any serious injury. The commander stood up to retaliate against the builder.

"Enough, you three. I hate seeing these children fighting."

Pen took the dagger from Lucy's hand and managed to hold her arms. Lefu cursed at Lucy as he tried to stop the small bleeding on his neck.

"Stop crying like a little child, Lefu! She didn't even come close to killing you!" Pen taunted.

"That's right, Lefu,! You're just a frightened little child! You have to wear that mask because behind it, you're a pathetic creature!" Lucy shouted, still struggling to break free from Pen's grip.

In a fit of rage, Lefu punched Lucy in the stomach. She felt the dinner rise, but managed to hold back the nausea. Pen laughed at the situation but didn't allow the commander to continue hurting Lucy.

"My family dinner has turned into chaos," Matilda lamented. "Pen, take Lucy to her former quarters. When we capture the boy, she'll feel compelled to talk."

Chapter 10: Old Friends Reunite

Owen had spent enough time in the Northern Plateau to know a few exits that would avoid drawing the soldiers' attention. He knew that if something bad happened to Andy, Lucy would break down once again, and he feared it would be irreversible. Andy complained that he wanted to go back and help, that it was his mission. Owen tried to explain to the boy that they needed to safely leave the base so that Lucy could fight without worries. Despite his resistance, Andy followed Owen. He wondered how he would face Logan and Haru, knowing that he had "failed in his mission."

There was a route where wagons climbed the mountain with supplies. The cook observed the soldiers' movements, waiting for an opportunity. Owen hid Andy under some fabrics and took one of the wagons. He wore a standard Duvos soldier uniform, as Matilda demanded. Owen didn't pretend to be a soldier, but everyone knew the cook and knew that he occasionally came down to the city.

"It was my fault, wasn't it?" Andy asked, lifting the fabric and looking at Owen.

"She has been through worse situations, Andy. And no, it wasn't your fault. Matilda already knew that you were Lucy's motivation to cooperate. It was all planned," Owen replied, trying to comfort the boy. "There was nothing either of us could do."

Andy felt bitter, trying to convince himself that Lucy was also being strong. But all the while, he remembered the look of disapproval during dinner. He imagined that Lucy was angry with him or hated him for being a weakness to her. A tear rolled down his cheek. He wanted to hug her, thinking that he just wanted to go home and watch old-world series with her while eating Milk Chestnut, with Banjo purring in his lap.

Owen's wagon ended up being intercepted. Yan had ordered the search of all wagons. Tension filled the air as Owen tried to reason with the soldiers who were ready to use brute force. Suddenly, the shadow of a yakboy riding a goat appeared before them. Logan rode up to Owen's wagon, recognizing his friend. Andy then emerged from the fabrics and called out to him. Haru set off bombs behind the wagon, blocking the guards descending the mountain. Logan dismounted with a leap, kicking one of the soldiers with his feet. Then he shot another soldier. Andy and Owen were amazed by the yakboy's skill.

"Let's go, you two, quickly!" he shouted, extending his hand to Andy.

Owen had many questions to ask. Seeing Logan in that situation left him stunned. He understood the urgency of escaping safely, but he couldn't contain all his doubts. Logan assured him that he would answer any questions once they reached the hideout.

Haru appeared, riding Merle, and extended his hand to Owen, who held back his inquiries and mounted the goat. The mounts headed toward the The Badlands.

"We have to go back!" Andy shouted. "Lucy is still there!"

Reluctantly, Logan denied the boy's wish. He wanted to go back and find Lucy more than anyone else, but he needed to ensure everyone's safety. If he allowed his impulsiveness to dominate again, the people he loved would continue to get hurt.

The animals descended the cliff of the Paradise Lost , entered a steel door, and made their way to the ruins. Logan's hideout had a secret stone door. Logan opened it, and they descended to the location.

Justice eagerly awaited them. When the sheriff saw his old friend Owen, he didn't hesitate to run and embrace him. Now, the old gang was reunited—the bar owner, the sheriff, and the hunter.

"What happened? Where is the Builder?" Justice asked anxiously.

"We were heading up the Plateau when we saw Owen and Andy," Haru replied. Logan impatiently paced back and forth, restraining his impulses. "We preferred to bring them to safety rather than risk everyone's lives." Haru's voice was bitter. "Logan, we need to go back there!"

"You stay, I need you here. The resistance will arrive soon, and we're waiting for Atara's response."

"Resistance? What are you talking about, Logan?" Owen questioned.

"The town is going to fight, my friend!" Justice exclaimed confidently. "Everyone wants to come together. Logan managed to acquire weapons. Man, Elsie sent me a message through one of her birds. She's gathering those who want to return and fight for Sandrock." Owen's eyes held hope and uncertainty. "Logan was going to get Lucy and Andy from the workshop when I went there to inform the her about Elsie's letters. On the way, I intercepted some soldiers who mentioned there would be a meeting at the Tiger's table and that Andy had been escorted there."

"When Justice told us, we rushed to the Northern Plateau." Haru continued the narrative. "The intention was to bring Lucy, Andy, and anyone else who could fight."

Owen absorbed the events and felt his chest swell with hope. The thought of the town fighting again brought a mix of fear and determination, but being able to defend the city he loved so much, the city his father loved, made him smile with emotion.

"It's good to have you back, old friend," the cook said, snapping Logan out of his anxiety. "Especially now, returning to fight for Sandrock."

"Your old man couldn't be prouder, man," Justice concluded.

Logan, in silence, thumped his chest, nodding in agreement with his old friends' words.

The yakboy was already gathering his belongings to leave when Owen offered to rescue Lucy. He knew the Base like the back of his hand. Logan agreed, and they quickly began devising a plan, although the yakboy wanted to improvise when they arrived.

"It was my fault," Andy whispered, but the men didn't hear him. "It was my fault!" Andy shouted, and everyone stopped to listen to the visibly distressed boy. "I should have helped her, but I ended up being a burden." Andy fought to appear strong but was on the verge of breaking down. "I wanted to be stronger, I..." Logan interrupted the boy, squatting down near him.

"I'm sure you did everything you could, kid. But there are certain battles even the strongest of us can't win," Logan said, stroking the boy's hair. But he spoke with a firm and confident voice, "Stay strong so you can fight another day. Meanwhile, trust old Logan here. I'll bring our Lucy back!"

Logan's words encouraged the boy, who proudly raised his head and agreed. "Alright, I'm counting on you," Andy said, renewed.

"Merle will take you, Owen. Take this too. Logan told me you were an excellent shooter during the battle in Lucien," Haru handed a rifle to Owen. "Bring Lucy back and stay alive."

Logan adjusted his hat and nodded. Thus, Owen and Logan returned to the Northern Plateau to rescue Lucy.

Chapter 11: A Doll's Room

The comfortable bed was covered with a light blue sheet and lilac pillows. The dresser had a few sets of clothes. In the corner next to the door, there were a few plush figures. It looked like a child's room, with pastel and cozy colors, but the feeling it conveyed to Lucy was pure horror. This was the room Matilda had ordered to be built for Lucy. After the condemnation of the Sandrock Base chief for failing to extract the engine from the Olympia 6 Ship, Matilda decided to turn the life of the one responsible for her failure into a living hell, just like her own. The former Minister forced Lucy to behave like her daughter, turned the city's builders against her, and made her work tirelessly for her and the Sandrock Base. The weeks confined in that room destroyed every part of the builder's soul. Lucy could feel every muscle in her body trembling, and her heart racing when the knight opened the door, revealing her dusty old room.

Pen threw her onto the carpet and locked the door. Lucy sat on the floor, leaning against the bed, trying to calm herself by counting her breaths. She focused only on the sound of the air entering her lungs and how long it took to exhale, but the builder was already in a state where none of the techniques prescribed by Fang worked. She was on the verge of a breakdown, worried about Andy and Owen, her thoughts racing without brakes. Fear coursed through her veins, and she flirted with despair. Every time she took a breath, her chest lacked the strength to expand, causing a sense of breathlessness. Still, she tried to breathe, tried to remember something that could bring her back to reason.

"Does this kind of thing really work for you, Skinny?" Pen remarked, observing the builder. "Meditation and these clownish practices were never my thing."

"That's why you only got strong with experiments," Lucy retorted, being pulled out of her mental loop of bad events.

Pen sat beside Lucy and took out a flask with a hard liquor smelling.

"I know you like this," he said. Pen opened the flask and took a sip, showing that there was nothing in the drink. Lucy took it from his hand. She hesitated, considering any other alternative to escape her thoughts rather than getting drunk. However, overcome by the circumstances, she drank almost half of the flask as if it were water. "See, I still remember what you like."

"I sometimes forget that we used to be best friends," Lucy said, feeling the texture of the flask, running her fingers along the seam. "Why did you have to be such a scoundrel?" She looked at him, and he was smiling confidently. "You're an idiot." Lucy took another sip. Pen took the flask from her hand.

"I guess that woman does this to people," he replied, then joined the builder in drinking, as if competing. "You're her little rag doll, and I'm her paper soldier. They created me to serve her, and that's what I do. At least they made me look handsome with these perfect muscles."

"Something had to verge on perfection in this whole broken being," Lucy laughed, and Pen joined in. "When did we stop having moments like this?"

"When I tried to kill you," Pen answered with a certain anguish in his voice. He handed the flask back to Lucy.

"You were going to hurt Andy, weren't you?"

"If Matilda ordered it, yes. Just like I did with Howlett, Unsuur, Grace..." He paused for a moment. "...You." He stared at the ceiling, reconsidering all his actions. "Sometimes I didn't want to enjoy hurting people so much."

"Sometimes?!" Lucy scoffed, realizing the flask was empty. "And why only sometimes?"

"Because I have to see you look at me like that. You silly, skinny girl."

It was a rare moment where the rivalry and hatred they felt for each other were ignored. Lucy and Pen had both suffered, albeit to different extents, when Matilda went mad and vented her fury on everyone. So, when Lucy was imprisoned in the Northern Plateau, the two had to live together, and often the old feeling of friendship they had before the Sandrock tragedy resurfaced.

Lucy would never forgive Pen for his atrocities; she still held a lot of resentment and anger towards him. But mentally exhausted from the crisis and emotionally vulnerable from the intoxication, she endured his presence by her side longer than usual. Memories from before the battle for Sandrock returned. Competitions to see who could eat more chili peppers - obviously, the builder won - who could reach the city entrance faster by jumping across rooftops, who could destroy more AIs in Paradise Lost. Even Lucy's special move had been taught to her by Pen; she simply adapted it to use her pickhammer.

In a world where Pen wasn't a soldier created by experiments and Lucy wasn't his enemy, could they have been true friends? Or even more than that? These were the questions Pen had while watching Lucy lost in her memories. And for the first time, he regretted it.

Encouraged by the alcohol, the knight removed his gloves and held Lucy's chin. His fingers delicately traced her neck, reaching her soft hair. Pen kissed her, using his other hand to pull her close to his body. He tried to feel Lucy's warmth and held her firmly, pressing her body against his. The builder was in shock. Lucy summoned reason from the depths of her consciousness, turned her face away, and placed her hands on Pen's chest, pushing him with the little strength she had left.

"I'm not in the mood for this," she said, expressing an empty gaze. "Especially with you."

Pen let go of her. Still processing the situation, he got up. The rejection left him more irritated than he had imagined. Feelings of failure and disbelief consumed him.

"We would have never worked out," Pen concluded arrogantly, trying to have the last word. Lucy ignored Pen's words and the other thoughts that situation brought up. She looked out the window, hoping to fall asleep right there and forget that Pen had kissed her.

Pen left the room, and a cascade of emotions continued to fill his thoughts. He wanted to go back and try again, to make her reciprocate his feelings. But Lucy's empty gaze haunted his thoughts. That wasn't his rival, the lively builder who ran and jumped across the rooftops of the city. The one who carried more weight than him when it came to building something grand. He had his share of responsibility for the state Lucy was in. He was a puppet knight, following orders and not caring if the woman he admired and had feelings for would get hurt in the process.

Pen yelled at some soldiers who watched him fight his thoughts, trying to vent the anger burning in his chest. Afterward, he forced a confident smile and ordered two of them to guard the door before heading to his room.

 

Chapter 12: The Rescue

Sandrock Base was located on the Northern Plateau. There were three means of transportation to reach the top: a cable car station near the Moisture Farm, behind the Wandering Y Ranch; a road at the foot of the plateau; or by air, using an aircraft or airship. The base consisted of two rectangular buildings, each with three floors. On the left was the weapons warehouse, an imposing building that housed not only a vast quantity of weapons and AI, but also the interrogation room, dark cells, and the upper floor designated for relics. This building was connected to the one on the right by an iron framework platform. On top of the right building was the helipad, where Empire airships and spacecraft landed, and sometimes it also hosted planes from the Sky Sharks, a guild of sky pirates. Descending to the third floor, there were the commanders' dormitories, the meeting room, and the dining hall. The kitchen and soldiers' mess hall were located on the second floor. On the ground floor, there were three large windows with mirrored glass that reflected the surrounding environment. This floor also housed the entrance to the Spaceship Abandoned Ruins.

Logan expected to find Lucy in a dungeon or a cold cell. He and Owen managed to enter through the warehouse building's loading station. They headed to the floor with the cells, but Lucy wasn't there. Owen suggested, expressing his anguish, that Lucy could be in her old room at the base. The yakboy, without questioning, went to the terrace to cross the platform connecting the buildings. Owen followed, providing cover.

The helipad was guarded by some soldiers who were talking about the night's events. The pair tried to pass them stealthily, but a conversation caught their attention.

"But I heard it was a fling!" The other two soldiers whispered, questioning the gossipmonger. "I'm telling you, just before we invaded, Tiger ordered Pen to neutralize her! But he couldn't kill her!"

"But the way he stormed out of the room didn't look like a meeting of former lovers."

"The  builder must not be easy to please either."

Owen rarely got so angry that his hatred showed. But something in the soldiers' gossip bothered him. He remembered Pen about to kill Lucy that morning in front of the train station. The shocked and heartbroken builder, her best friend trying to assassinate her. The cook struck one of the soldiers in the back of the neck with the butt of his rifle. Startled, they tried to fight back, but Logan subdued both of them.

"Thanks for that," said Owen. Logan nodded, adjusting his hat.

"I was also upset about the direction of the conversation." As they hid the unconscious bodies, Logan tried to contain his curiosity, but Lucy's past intrigued him. "So Pen tried to kill her?"

"Yes. Right after the water theft was discovered. Pen was arrested as an accomplice in the theft. It was morning, Lucy had just left the workshop and was coming to have breakfast. I was waiting for her in front of the Saloon. That's when Pen suddenly appeared and used his special move on Lucy. She was in shock. I ran to see her. I had never seen her like that before. The bastard aimed at her with the gauntlet, but Rosy quickly came out of the workshop and threw herself in front of the shot," Owen recounted. They started walking toward the staircase.

"Who is Rosy?" Logan asked.

"An AI. Lucy took her in at her workshop after the BandiRat Queen was defeated. She saw Lucy as her master. Lucy had to deactivate her because of the damage. Qi managed to get some parts in Vega 5, but due to the invasion, they never arrived." Logan fell silent, thinking about the accumulation of losses Lucy had experienced.

"She thinks she's a failure, but even after everything, she still agreed to fight one more time," Logan thought aloud. Owen heard a familiar tone in his voice.

Logan saw two guards at the door of the room where Lucy was. He was growing impatient. Before forming a distraction plan, he revealed himself to the soldiers, greeting them while adjusting his hat. The soldiers were momentarily confused, not giving them time to react. Logan swiftly banged their heads against the wall and kicked down the door.

Lucy was sitting on the floor at the foot of the bed. Her eyes were closed, and the light streaming in through the open window illuminated her dark green dress, creating a beautiful contrast with her loose black hair that covered part of her shoulders. She looked visibly exhausted, and there was an empty canteen lying beside her.

Logan approached quickly, calling her name. He crouched down and took her in his arms. Lucy opened her tired eyes and saw those worried pair of blue eyes staring at her.

"Thank to Light, I finally died and made it to heaven!" she said, smiling sarcastically.

"What are you talking about, woman?! Is this the time for that?" Logan chuckled subtly, already familiar with the way the builder acted. She smiled gently at him and hugged him.

"I was waiting for you, Snow Head."

"I know. I came across this guy with a child in trouble, had to play the hero. You know me, I can't resist." Lucy looked at the door where Owen stood and felt relief.

"Is Andy alright?"

"Yeah, he's safe in the hideout, along with Haru and Justice."

"Thank to Light you're okay!" Owen approached. "Do you have the strength to get up?"

Lucy struggled to get up, feeling a slight dizziness. Logan took her in his arms and carried her out of the room. Lucy insisted that she could walk on her own, but the yakboy was enjoying the moment and denied her request. Owen provided cover as they advanced to the lower floors.

The ground floor was strangely devoid of soldiers, and there didn't seem to be anyone waiting for them outside. Logan put Lucy down and, cautiously, they walked out through the building's door. They ran towards the goats, but a figure suddenly appeared in the sky, shaking the ground. Pen appeared, delivering his Space Punch near the group. Logan flew to one side, while Owen managed to hold onto Lucy. She was trying to understand what had hit them.

"Take her away from here!" Logan shouted to Owen, who held Lucy and brought her closer to Merle.

"I won't leave without him," Lucy protested their escape. "Owen, I can't lose anyone else!"

Owen was torn. He knew better than anyone in that town about everything Lucy had been through, uncovering the water theft, fighting against the Geeglers, facing the Sandrock commanders. He placed the dagger he had brought into Lucy's hands.

"If something happens to you, I..." Lucy interrupted, stretching as she always did before a fight.

"Hey, have a little more faith in me. I'm the friendly builder of the neighborhood, remember?" Lucy warmly smiled at Owen, infecting her friend with her enthusiasm.

"I'll provide cover, but we can't attack Pen without a plan."

"Logan and I can take him down if we find an opening. Provide a distraction."

"I'll try something." They both nodded, and Lucy went to where Logan and Pen's battle had started.

Pen was stronger than Logan remembered. Even after all his years fighting in the Peripheries, Pen still posed a challenge, especially since the knight seemed consumed by a newfound emotion. The anger and rivalry he felt towards Logan had only grown. He was determined to kill Logan.

In a moment of hesitation, Logan left an opening for Pen to strike him. The eyes of the two rivals met, and Logan saw the satisfied smile on Pen's face. After striking the yakboy, Pen laughed, boasting of his imminent victory.

"I have to savor this moment because it's unique. Once I kill you, I'll never be able to see that look of despair on your face again. Just like what happened with Howlett."

"What are you talking about, you bastard?" Pen laughed, seeing the perfect opportunity to undermine Logan's emotions.

"They didn't tell you that it was me who poisoned Howlett?"

"You poisoned my Pa?!" Logan shouted in fury.

"Yes, he discovered our little operation, so I injected that virus into him. And when you blew up the temple, I saw the perfect opportunity to finish the job."

Logan, enraged, lunged at the knight. Pen struggled to dodge all the blows. Logan was determined; he had discovered who he should direct his vengeance towards. The fight was intense, but Pen still had a trick up his sleeve, or in his glove. He aimed his hand towards Logan. Before the energy sphere could hit Logan, Lucy threw herself at him, causing them both to fall to the ground, evading the attack.

"Lucy! You should be going down the mountain now!"

"And if I had done that, it would take me a thousand years to find all your pieces now." Lucy looked into Logan's eyes with an expression of enthusiasm, sending shivers down the yakboy's spine. "Do you remember when we first met?" Logan nodded. "We'll have to fight together just like back then."

"With you, love, I would fight even in hell!" Logan responded, hypnotized by the builder's gaze. Lucy smiled, feeling the adrenaline infecting her being.

Logan and Lucy got up, standing side by side, facing Pen. The knight saw his satisfaction turn into hatred and resentment. He could see the sparkle returning to Lucy's eyes, with that smile that always tugged at her lips whenever she fought seriously. He hadn't experienced envy in a long time. His builder stood tall with a determined look, ready to fight once again, but this time alongside another. Pen smiled with indignation. He fired at them once again, but they each dodged in different directions. Lucy moved in first, attempting to land some close combat hits. When the knight tried to counter-attack, she leaped away. Then Logan struck. Surprised by their synchrony, Pen couldn't defend himself in time and was hit by most of the punches and kicks.

Owen watched the battle from afar, unable to find an opening to hit Pen. Then he noticed the windows reflecting the fight. He aimed at one of the windows and fired. Pen laughed, and Logan seemed confused. But Lucy looked directly at one of the intact windows and saw her reflection. Pen then attempted one final attack, targeting Logan. Lucy was positioned behind Logan, waiting for the right moment. She glanced at the shattered mirrored glass on the ground. As Logan dodged, she hurled the shard towards Pen. The knight saw his own reflection approaching and briefly fixed his gaze on the passing glass. When he looked back, Lucy was already in the air. Pen didn't have time to fully grasp the irony of being defeated by his own move, that a builder, with skinny arms, had managed to strike him. He collapsed a few meters away.

Chapter 13: A Open Conversation

Logan watched Pen unconscious, and despite the victory, he didn't express any satisfaction. He was still digesting the knight's provocation. For two years, he believed he was personally responsible for Howlett's death. The burden that Logan carried, along with the responsibility of abandoning Sandrock, hadn't been alleviated but had become fuel for the anger growing in his chest. Bitterly, he stared at Lucy. The builder saw Logan's icy gaze, and even behind her mask, she could sense his wrath.

"Is what he said about my Pa true?" Logan asked, still fixated on Lucy. She felt her chest ache with rapid heartbeat.

"I tried countless times to tell you. But Haru insisted on telling you himself," Logan replied with a reproachful look. Lucy tried to continue explaining, "He feared that if you found out at the wrong time, you might succumb to anger and end up hurting yourself, risking everything."

Tension hung in the air. Logan averted his gaze from the Builder, holding back the words that surfaced in his mind. Meanwhile, Lucy recognized her fault in not having told him about Howlett's incident earlier. She knew how much Logan suffered from the responsibility of hastening his own father's death, but above all, she feared losing his respect.

Owen appeared, celebrating the victory, but he sensed that the atmosphere was not one of festivity. Before he could question them, Lucy impulsively, with an anguished and trembling voice, asked Logan.
"Don't be angry with Haru." Logan looked at her, surprised. "He loves you and cares about you deeply, and he knows you would never forgive yourself if you impulsively ruined everything. He didn't want to go through the pain of losing you again." Tears welled up in the Builder's eyes. "If you want to be angry with someone, be angry with me." Logan felt a tightness in his chest. "I should have been more honest with you from the beginning. I owed you that, and most of all, I owed it to Howlett." Logan began walking toward the Builder. "Logan, please forgi--"

"Don't ask me that!" Logan interrupted the Builder. She let her tears fall, which she had been trying to hold back. "You should have told me! Lucy, you, more than anyone else, know the weight I carried! I can't ignore what I'm feeling, but..." Logan paused, placing his hand on Lucy's head and stroking her hair. "Haru is right. If I had found out earlier, I would have torn this place apart looking for that bastard. I hate to admit it, but I could have ended up dead. Both of you were just trying to protect me from myself." Lucy's lips trembled, and she saw Logan's compassionate gaze. "Let's go to the hideout. Everyone is worried about you." Lucy nodded.

Owen observed the scene with surprise. He had never seen Logan make such an effort to remain composed with someone, especially on a matter that affected him directly. Owen wondered if it was due to the maturity he had gained while he was away or because Lucy meant more to him than his resentment. Lucy also seemed different. In the last few times he had come to Sandrock, conversations with the Builder were limited to discussing how Logan had caused trouble for the Base and the usual gossip. The cook had noticed the subtle excitement in her during the conversations, especially when the new outlaw was mentioned, but he assumed it was her desire to fight that had been awakened.

Logan took off his cloak and handed it to Lucy. She put it on, feeling a sense of comfort. Logan didn't want to forgive her at that moment. Insisting on the conversation would only hurt them further, but she could understand that he still cared about her.

"Let's go before the soldiers show up," said the Yakboy, heading toward the mounts. Owen approached Lucy and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you okay?" the cook asked. She nodded. "So, you and Logan, how...?"

"When he told me he came back to fight for the town, I knew I should fight by his side." They watched Logan walking away. "Maybe it's for Howlett or for myself, but I couldn't deny it. I've felt, since the first time we met, that our destinies were intertwined."

Owen understood what Lucy meant, so they walked behind Logan to fetch the mounts. The cook mounted Merle, and Logan mounted Rambo. Lucy was about to go to Owen, but the Yakboy extended his hand to the Builder. She held it without hesitation. Logan then pulled her up, helping her to mount Rambo. Lucy hugged Logan's back and felt her cheeks warm, her heart racing. She rested her head on the Yakboy's back, trying to find rest.

As they distanced themselves from the Northern Plateau, Lucy began to feel anxious. Leaving that place that had brought her so much pain and suffering should have brought her calmness, but she reconsidered everything that had happened there. The conversation with Logan, although partially resolved, still troubled her. The feeling of guilt began to corrode her, and other memories of her failures involuntarily resurfaced. She questioned whether she truly deserved to be saved or if she had the strength to save the town, even if she was worthy of fighting alongside Logan. She wanted to have a little more faith in herself.

The Builder clutched Logan's clothes as she struggled against her thoughts. She knew it wasn't fair to the people who were helping her to allow herself to be defeated by such thoughts. For the first time in a long time, Lucy didn't accept those feelings in her heart. Logan noticed that the Builder was distressed.

"We're almost there," he said, trying to find words to distract her. "Justice managed to contact Elsie. He said she talks to the beasts now."

"Monster whisperer," Lucy corrected, and Logan smiled. "Your Pa's books are responsible for that."

"My Pa would be happy to know that his books and journals are helping the townsfolk find themselves." Lucy smiled.

"What was he like?" the Builder asked. "Really, without all this talk of being a hero and a monster hunter." Logan fell silent and began to recall his time with his father. The times he got annoyed, when he smiled, when he was sad or dissatisfied.

"He was stubborn! Once he set his mind to something, no one could stop him. He liked his coffee black, no sugar, and he said no coffee in the Free Cities was better than the one brewed in Sandrock. Once, when I was just a sprout, he got into a fight with a tourist because of that. Owen's father broke up the fight. Theodore had just become mayor, and he scolded him, but as soon as he heard about the tourist, he agreed with my Pa, and they both went to the Saloon to confront the guy." Logan laughed, and Lucy joined him. "He complained every day about the creaking step on the stairs, but he never commissioned Mason to fix it because he thought the price he wanted to charge to repair it was absurd. To this day, that step still makes noise. Sometimes, you remind me of him." Lucy was surprised and asked why. "When you're about to start a fight or talking with the townsfolk. You know, he became calmer over time, but he wasn't one to take insults when I was a child, especially when people spoke ill of Sandrock. He always had a gentle smile for everyone, except those who got on his nerves. Before a fight, he always had this expression of confidence and enthusiasm on his face." Lucy smiled and tried to imagine the situations. "Next time, let's go together to tell him what we've been up to around here." Lucy agreed and hugged Logan more affectionately. He just smiled satisfactorily, already observing the cliff of the hideout.

Chapter 14: The Tale of Lucy I

The day Sandrock fell remained in everyone's memory. Not only because of the defeat, but also because of the casualties. It all started to go wrong when Pen was arrested for the second time, after attempting to assassinate Lucy. The builder gradually delved into dangerous thoughts.

The invasion of Duvos soldiers happened after Grace, with Qi's help, discovered the location of the empire's base in Sandrock. Even with the armed citizens, the city fell, and the people were imprisoned. Lucy had to work for Commander Lefu, supervised by Stev, a soldier of the Empire.

"Commander Lefu was serious at dinner," Stev commented while watching the builder work on constructing the Commander's jacuzzi. "Man, you would have been a sensation in Duvos." Lucy scoffed mockingly. "Without you builders, we were lost, whether it's in Duvos or the Free Cities."

"In Sandrock, I learned that a builder is nothing without the people around them. The city still stands, not because of the bridges, the water tower, or anything else I've built. The city lives because of the people." Stev nodded silently and sat on the swing.

Stev fell asleep on the swing with the dog Nemo in his lap. Grace appeared from behind the workshop and handed Lucy a package. It was an explosive that Haru had produced. Before Stev woke up, they went over the plan to create a distraction and free the city. But things couldn't have gone more wrong.

The bomb installed in the jacuzzi exploded, creating the necessary distraction. After freeing the prisoners in the Civil Corp, Lucy went to the Temple of Light. Lefu came out with Trudy as a hostage. Trudy trusted that the builder would save her, but Lucy missed the shot that would disarm the commander. Lefu, reflexively, pulled the trigger, killing the mayor of Sandrock. Jasmine's screams echoed inside the temple. Lucy was left speechless. The blood on the stairs and the terrifying sight of the mayor shook her irreversibly. That moment of anguish and disbelief seemed to last for hours. Lefu ordered the builder to be arrested, Lucy didn't resist the capture.

Lucy was taken to the Northern Plateau by an airship that landed in the city. Matilda wanted her to fix the crane that pulled the engine of the Olympia 6 spaceship.

Lucy repaired the crane while trying to come up with a plan. She couldn't ignore the feelings of hatred and guilt that haunted her thoughts. She had made a mistake, and it cost the life of her great friend.

The Builder sabotaged the crane with a weight lock. Once the crane reached a certain height, the pulley would detach, causing the object to fall freely.

Pen was ordered to escort Lucy to where Matilda was. Tiger wanted to have one last look at the Builder before leaving, victorious. As they descended the stairs, Unssur and Justice appeared. Elsie, with her giant duck Daisy, had brought them. They started a battle that also wouldn't end well. Pen landed a blow on Unsuur and aimed his relic at the young man who was still trying to get up. Lucy ran to save him but in vain. She was also hit by part of the explosion. This was the second casualty. The morale of the sheriff and the builder disappeared. You can't save everyone in a battle, but losing the people you love is like losing your own life. Pen grabbed the injured Lucy and continued to take her to where Matilda was. Justice tried to rescue Lucy with the last of his strength, but the sheriff lost the fight. Pen was overwhelmingly stronger.

Matilda was coming out of a combat suit when she saw Lucy visibly in shock and injured. Tiger smirked with satisfaction and cynically stared at the builder.

"My dear builder. I didn't want things to end like this. I swear I tried my best to protect Sandrock and you." Lucy stared at her angrily, her body burning, not only from the burns but from the hatred she felt for Matilda.

Suddenly, the noise of the huge engine crashing to the ground startled everyone. Lucy smiled with satisfaction amidst her expressions of pain.

"What have you done?!" Matilda shouted, losing her composure.

"Oops," replied the builder.

In a fit of rage, Matilda slapped Lucy across the face, but even so, the mocking smile never left her. Seeing the woman who had caused her so much pain in despair gave her some pleasure amidst the anguish.

"They're about to arrive! They'll be furious!" Matilda began to transmit her desperation until the sound of an airplane landing on the top of the plateau could be heard. Matilda felt terrified but tried to maintain her composure.

With a gesture, Tiger instructed Pen to take the builder.

The knight took her to the dormitory of the ship, leaving her alone. The hours passed, and Lucy no longer knew if it was day or night. The loneliness of that place made her believe that it was all just a nightmare. The scenes replayed in her mind thousands of times. The sound of the shot that killed Trudy, the explosion that killed Unssur. The intense pain in her body didn't stop her from being consumed by guilt. Destroying the engine didn't make her victorious; the battle had already been lost when people started dying.

 Matilda came to visit her. She was different, the woman who exuded confidence and superiority was now distraught, angry, and mad.

"You will build a base here on the plateau. A cable car system to the city, and we will continue the road from Portia," she ordered, trying to remain calm.

"No." Lucy said with the last of her strength.

"You will! Because of your trickery and Pen's incompetence, I was condemned to stay in this infernal city. Away from my children and my country. If I'm wretched here, my dear, your life will be hell alongside mine!" Lucy ignored the woman, who left the dormitory.

Later, Stev secretly came to where Lucy was locked up. He brought her water and a piece of bread. The soldier also brought some cloths and a medical kit with him. He handed her a cloth to bite on while he cleaned and debride her burns.

Lucy writhed in pain as the soldier tried to provide medical care. She could see his anguished look; Stev was there when the tragedy in front of the temple happened.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this," Stev lamented, gently placing damp cloths on Lucy's newly cleaned wounds. "I'm so sorry, Lucy."

"How can you work for people like them?!" questioned " You're not like them; they're evil," concluded  Lucy still breathless from the intense pain.

"I wish the world was as black and white as you see it, builder. There's more to it than just good or evil. When you grow up in a place like Duvos, you do what it takes to improve your life. Man, in the end, it's just a job like any other."

They fell into silence. The soldier continued to tend to Lucy's wounds while she tried to hydrate herself.

"Why do they want a base in Sandrock?" asked the builder after a while.

"I overheard that the Empire intends to build a railway line from Baja to here, to weaken Atara, which depends on Highwind's wind energy. They are figuring out a way to make you cooperate. You'll have to be strong, builder. Tiger is not in a friendly mood. They humiliated her and forced her to stay in the city. They threatened her children."

In the hallway, Pen walked toward the dormitory with a water bottle in hand. He entered the dormitory and saw the soldier helping Lucy drink water. Upon seeing the scene, the knight became furious and grabbed Stev by the collar. Lucy tried to get up, but a debilitating pain hit her.

"What do you think you're doing, soldier?" Pen asked, intimidatingly.

"She will die if you don't treat her," said the soldier, choking. "They need her alive, don't they?"

Pen released the young man. Stev crouched down, picking up the canteen he had brought. The water that spilled onto the floor made him briefly reflect on Sandrock. The soldier glanced one last time at his builder friend and left the room. Later, Lucy knew that he had been sent back to Duvos.

Lucy returned to the city under escort. The soldiers took her to Fang's clinic, who did everything his can to treat her. Pen descended from the Plateau constantly to keep an eye on the builder, who was hospitalized.

After three days, Lucy already felt better, and her wounds were no longer infected. That's when Mi-an appeared, saying that Yan had returned, bringing with him builders from the Sandrock region. The base was going to be built, and Lucy and Mi-an were to provide the materials.

Lucy, furious, confronted Yan, who was sitting in Trudy's chair, counting the goals that Musa had left for the tunnel construction. She was determined to crush him. But the town hall was overrun by soldiers, and Lefu was keeping a close eye on the commissioner to prevent any diversion.

The heated argument between Yan and the builder was interrupted by Lefu. He said that the execution of the spy had been a success. Lucy's heart raced, and she tried to grab him by his clothes, but four soldiers held her back. She screamed and struggled to break free. In Town Square, Lucy saw Pen with Grace's body. He threw her into the middle of the square, shocking everyone. Lucy stared at him in horror as the knight turned away and headed toward the Northern Plateau. She cursed him with every breath in her lungs, thrashing about. Eventually, she managed to break free and went straight to attack Pen.

She was still weak, but she gave the knight a hard time, although he didn't seem very willing to fight.

"Enough, builder!" shouted Lefu. Lucy turned, seeing Haru holding Grace's body, and Lefu pointing a gun at the young man's head.

Lucy's heart felt like it was having a heart attack. She felt a sharp pain in her chest. She was desperate, as if she was about to die. The air seemed not to reach her lungs. Overwhelming fear took hold of her body, causing her to tremble. She hugged her arms, digging her nails into her own skin until it began to bleed. She fell to her knees, and the soldiers approached, handcuffing her without resistance.

"Good girl," Lefu said, holstering his gun.

The peak of stress caused by panic made the builder faint. She was taken to Fang's clinic once again.

"The scenes and the noise, they keep coming back. I can't control them; I can't take it anymore!" Lucy told Fang. "Now Grace too. I don't want to see anyone else die!" Lucy began to pant heavily. Her hands trembled. "I can't sleep; if I sleep, I can't wake up from the nightmares. What do I do, Fang? I've never felt like this before."

"Accounts from the old world say that after a situation of constant stress and losses," Fang spoke slowly, preparing medication. "A person can have a breakdown, and if it persists, panic."

"Did I break?"

"You could say so. This will help you sleep." Fang handed Lucy a yellow-colored medication. "It's made with calming herbs; it will help."

"Poor builder. We're here. It will help, it will help," X repeated, landing on Lucy's shoulder. She caressed his beak, and he settled near her neck.

"Thank you, I'm glad to still have both of you." Lucy held Fang's hand, and he nodded.

Lucy returned to the Northern Plateau, this time cooperating. They had surrounded her, knowing that every Sandrocker was her weak point. She carried the materials and assisted the builders. They wanted to rebel, but Lucy wouldn't allow it. She didn't want anyone else to get hurt. They began to lose faith in Lucy, and some unfortunate comments about her started to surface. The worst was when they discovered that one of the rooms in the base would belong to her, something the builder herself was unaware of. Rumors spread among the builders and soldiers that she had turned against Sandrock, eventually reaching the townspeople.

The base was completed halfway through the summer.

Chapter 15: The Tale of Lucy II

Lucy was a prisoner at the base. She hadn't seen any of her friends for a month. She only went down under escort to work in her workshop. There were days when she acted rebellious and destroyed machinery and supplies. She was taken to the prison, where Lefu was ordered to torture her. The builder could observe the commander deteriorating as time passed. At first, Lefu seemed reluctant to take extreme measures to punish her, but every time Matilda threatened him, he lost any remaining empathy.

Lucy was also forced to work in the ruins of the Ship, collecting ores and searching for relics. She had tried to sabotage the entrance to the ruins several times, as well as set fire to the base. Matilda could no longer control the builder. Prison and torture no longer worked. Even though Matilda considered discarding her, Lucy was still the best builder in the city, and her workshop only functioned in her hands. Other builders had been sent to the workshop, but none could manage it like her. They would need Lucy for the railway to be built. However, the builder also had her own plans.

"Pen said you wanted to talk to me," Matilda said, clasping her hands on the table.

"Let the people of Sandrock escape," Lucy pleaded with Matilda. "The last train leaves for Highwind tomorrow. Let them leave!"

"Why? The city needs people."

"Get others, you were ordered to annex the villages around Sandrock, rebuild the city with people who will fear you because they don't know who you are."

"The idea is not bad, but what do I gain from it?"

"Me," Lucy replied bitterly. "I am the strongest person here, my workshop can produce all the materials you need, and I will stop trying to kill you." Matilda laughed.

"Kill me? Do you think you're in a position to negotiate with me, little girl?!"

"If that's your answer."

Lucy drew a revolver and fired. The shot hit Matilda in the chest but did not mortally wound her. Fortunately for the Minister, the emblem on her chest slowed down the bullet, causing it to stop at her rib before entering her chest. Pen restrained Lucy and disarmed her. He saw the signature—it was Howlett's weapon. She had found it inside the ship along with some of his journals. The builder knew she had failed once again because Matilda was still writhing in pain in her chair. If she had hit the heart, Matilda would have fallen silent.

Pen threw Lucy into her room. Later, he returned with a Duvos uniform the size of Lucy.

"She agreed. Tomorrow your friends will be able to escape if they want to."

Lucy mustered a smile; at least she could do one last thing for her beloved city.

The next morning, she fled from her room and watched the train from the Northern Plateau. She noticed a commotion. Pen found her and watched her. Lucy wore her uniform with Duvos symbols. That would be the mark she would carry for the next season.

The days at the Sandrock Base passed, and insanity grew among the residents. Every time Matilda received a telegram, she lost all composure and took it out on one of the base's residents. To continue feeling in control, Tiger began treating Lucy like her doll. She chose the clothes the builder should wear, dictated what she should eat, and at what time to perform each of her tasks. Sometimes Matilda entered Lucy's room and combed the builder's hair while threatening each of the new habitants of the city and the remaining builders.

Lucy lost the last remnants of her sanity every day. She was exhausted from the guilt she carried. She was lonely and depressed, wandering between bitter thoughts and sweet memories of her beloved people of Sandrock. Ironically, the only person who kept her company was Pen. They trained together, raided the kitchen for drinks, and sometimes shared past stories. Lucy felt no gratitude or affection for him, but as long as he could bring her back to reality, she would use him.

The last straw came when, during a dinner, Matilda decided to punish the builders because of a revolt. Lucy had tried to stop it, but the builders themselves denied her because they still resented her, thinking she had betrayed everyone in Sandrock. Only a few builders, including Mi-an, were able to escape on the last train to Highwind, and none of those left behind knew about Tiger and Lucy's agreement. One builder died that day.

Lucy went to the kitchen, where Owen prepared Highwind fried rice, her favorite. She couldn't see him often because Lucy was forbidden to know what was happening in the city unless Matilda allowed it.

"Owen, can I ask you a favor?" Lucy asked with a distant voice. "Can you send this letter to my parents? Keep it for as long as you need, but deliver it to them."

"Of course, Lucy. I can try." Owen suspected that something was wrong. "You will see them again, Lucy. Don't rush."

"I know I will."

Lucy got up and went back to her room. She took out a knife she had secretly taken from the kitchen and, lying on the bed, looked at the ceiling, recalling all the bad things that had happened. She replayed the horrors of the last seasons thousands of times in her mind. Every loss, every defeat, every failure. There was no hope in her being, no will to keep living. She closed her eyes, hoping it would be the last time.

Lucy woke up in Fang's clinic. She sighed and once again felt like a failure. She noticed that beside her bed were her things from the base—the journals, Howlett's revolver, and some items she found in the ruins of the Northern Plateau, such as gemstones and relics, all in a box. She didn't immediately understand what had happened. She looked to the side and saw Owen sleeping in a chair. When he woke up and saw the builder staring at him, confused.

"Good morning, Builder," he said, smiling. "You finally woke up; you had me worried."

"What happened? Why are my things here?"

"I was worried after our conversation and convinced Pen to go see you. He saw that you had an accident and brought you here. After debating with Matilda, I convinced her to let you return to the city as long as you continue working and attending the weekly meetings. You can go back to your workshop!"

"And what about you?" Lucy asked, worried and on the verge of tears. "I can't just leave you behind here, Owen!"

"It's okay, I'll be your eyes and ears on the inside."

Lucy mumbled her lips and started to cry. Owen stood up and hugged her, trying to comfort the girl who now carried one more guilt and failure.

The builder arrived at her dusty workshop. She began cleaning some furniture in the house. She noticed Nemo's empty and dusty couch and started crying. Her faithful companion had been taken from Sandrock by Elsie, but at least she knew he was safe.

Haru appeared at her door, carrying a bottle of whiskey and a bag. The two embraced; they hadn't seen each other since Grace's death. Lucy begged Haru for forgiveness for Grace. The young man simply placed his hand on the builder's head and tried to console her. He had lost his love, and she had lost her best friend.

Haru and Lucy spent a few hours drinking and talking about the days that followed the Battle of Sandrock. Haru told her who wanted to leave the city and who decided to stay.

Feeling obligated to tell her friend, the builder took out the journal she had found in the ruins and handed it to Haru. It contained the information that Howlett had known about the Empire's intentions from the beginning. Lucy pondered her words, trying to find a better way to tell Haru about the temple incident and about Howlett himself.

"It wasn't your fault, or Howlett's son's fault, that the temple exploded," she said hesitantly. Haru listened in silence. "Pen, when he was drunk, told me that he infected Howlett and blew up the temple."

"I know," Haru replied, surprising Lucy. "I confronted him one day when he came down. After the beating, he boasted about Grace's and Howlett's deaths." Lucy fell silent, thinking about how Haru endured the whirlwind of emotions alone.

Before the builder could find any kind and comforting words, Haru took out more journals from his bag and handed them to Lucy.

"Owen said you distract yourself by reading Howlett's journals and those of other people from the old world. I don't think he'll mind you reading them. He liked sharing his stories with people and was always very open about his feelings." Lucy hesitated but took the diaries as a treasure.

"Thank you! It's a somewhat macabre hobby, but I feel like none of them wanted to be forgotten. I don't want their feelings to be forgotten either," Lucy justified with a gentle smile. Haru agreed.

"Old Mort wants to see you. He didn't want to leave because Zeke felt obliged to stay, abandoning his research would have been too hard for him." Lucy agreed.

The builder said goodbye to Haru and went to get her old drying rack from the garage. She found her old fishing equipment and went fishing.

Lucy arrived at the graveyard, where Mort lived. The place was in a deplorable state. The tombstones were dirty and damaged, the fence was falling, and there was sand everywhere. Mort was still inside his house when he heard the noises Lucy made while cleaning the place and taking notes of the materials she would need.

"Young Lucy!" the old man exclaimed with joy. "I can finally see your vibrant spirit again!"

"I don't think it's as vibrant anymore, Grandpa," Lucy said, running to hug him. "I missed you so much and our small talk."

"I missed you too, my young one, I missed you too."

The two spent hours talking, eating dried fish, and drinking tea. The contrast in age didn't diminish the connection Lucy had with Mort. Although she wasn't originally from Oasis, she inherited the dreams and desires of Mort and Martle. Even though they had been taken away from her temporarily, Mort believed that sooner or later the builder would be ready to try again, as resilient as the desert rose.

Lucy visited the graveyard whenever she could. She started the habit of greeting the deceased while repairing their tombstones and cleaning the alleys. But she stayed away from Howlett's grave. Mort encouraged her to tell monster hunter about the journals and confirmed that he would love to meet her.

Lucy sat in front of the grave for the first time, took out her flask, and poured a shot into the glass vase where she always put flowers for him.

"You must be wondering how I know that this is your favorite whiskey. I kind of read it in your diary," she said awkwardly. "Maybe you won't like to know that I read and reread all of them, but I want to thank you for writing them. They have helped me so much! Your stories are incredible. You seemed to be a very kind and gentle man with everyone. And your skills, wow! Did you really make that deal with President Geegler?! That was amazing!" Lucy smiled, remembering each story she read, feeling moved by the sad parts, and continued talking to Howlett, not realizing how time flew by. "I want to try to visit every place you described; it seems like there are good materials there. And I wanted to say sorry for your wife and your son. You loved her so much. If Logan comes back, I'll tell him that you're waiting for him to have a conversation. But don't be angry with him; maybe he doesn't know that Pen and Matilda orchestrated all of this. It's very hard to lose the people you love; it can shatter even the healthiest person in the world. The world collapsing at your feet, never hearing their voice again, feeling their warmth, their affection. I would have run away too; walking these streets without finding the people we love hurts too much."

The flask was empty, and the sun was setting. She promised to come back to talk more with him. Imagining that someone was listening slowly eased her sadness.

When Haru went hunting, he left Andy with Lucy. He hadn't been able to convince the boy to leave with Heidi and Jasmine—he said he would wait for Lucy to return from the Plateau. One day, Lucy and Andy found Banjo lost near the ranch, calling for Elsie. So they took him home. The three of them didn't spend as much time together as they would have liked, but sometimes when Lucy invited Haru and Andy to dinner, it eased her longing to be with her family again.

Gradually, Lucy felt a little more willing to face her demons. She began observing the soldiers' routines and trying to help the remaining people of Sandrock. She did free commissions, cleaned the oasis with Burgess, tried to have lunch with Fang and X every day, helped Zeke on the farm with Haru, encouraged Andy to read and build things, got drunk with Owen on Saturdays while gossiping. But deep down, she felt the need for something more. Just surviving in that city forgotten by the Light was not enough. In her heart, she longed for something that would change her life forever.

Chapter 16: Sandrockers

Elsie tried to be strong and tough, but as soon as she saw Lucy, she ran towards her with tear-filled eyes. She hugged the builder, who returned the embrace and gently patted the auburn's head. Justice gave Lucy two pats on the back and smiled emotionally. Lucy then looked around. Unable to contain her emotions, she started to cry. Qi, Zeke, Heidi, Fang, X, Hugo, Cooper, Rocky, Venti, Jensen Burgess, and Mi-an. All gathered in the hideout, ready to take Sandrock back. Heidi and Mi-an approached Lucy and hugged her alongside Elsie. Lucy broke into sobs as she cried. She hadn't seen most of the people present for months. They all looked at her with understanding.

"Forgive me," she pleaded through tears. "Please, forgive me!"

"You don't have to ask for forgiveness, girl," Zeke said as he approached the builder. "We all know what you've done and continue to do for Sandrock."

"Zeke, Trudy, I..." She stuttered.

"You tried to protect her; nobody blames you for that. I brought this here. Jasmine made it for you." Heidi handed Lucy a drawing of Jasmine holding hands with Lucy and Trudy."She misses you so much and told you to teach them all a lesson."

"You don't have to tolerate everything alone anymore," Fang said. "We can help rebuild."

"No breaking, no breaking. We love you, builder," X said.

"We all know who to blame! And she's up there on her glorious mountain, thinking she took the best from us honest citizens of Sandrock." Cooper began his speech, but Hugo stopped him from continuing.

"We are here once again, builder. And we will fight with you."

"Violence is never the first answer, but Matilda didn't want to see the Light. It's time for her to face her crimes," declared Burgess.

"They should have stopped a long time ago!" said Jensen.

"Let's reclaim what they took! Krystal wanted to come along, but someone had to stay with Pebbles," Rocky said.

"I would have volunteered, boss, but I wanted to come and help take our city back," Venti retorted.

"We're in this together. And we'll finish it together," said Mi-an, still embracing her mate. "I talked to the builders, told them everything that happened. How Matilda turned them against you, how she threatened us so you would surrender, and how thanks to you, many of us escaped. They were reluctant at first, but Elsie and Daisy gave them a stern talking-to. They will fight!"

"Forgive me for leaving you behind, Lucy. We are a team, and I should have stayed and helped you more," Qi said, holding a pickhammer in his hands. "I drew this for you, and Mi-an built it. It's based on one of our obscure ideas." He winked.

Lucy took the pickhammer with trembling hands and looked at everyone around her. With their gentle gazes and warm smiles, she felt that Sandrock still lived in the heart of each inhabitant. Amidst tears, Lucy smiled genuinely from the bottom of her heart.

"I'm counting on you, Sandrockers!" she exclaimed.

Haru watched the emotional scene. He knew how important it was for Lucy to see everyone she loved there, providing the support she needed.

Andy approached Lucy and stared at her, trying to find some encouraging words or apologize. But when Lucy saw the boy, she opened her arms, understanding the feelings of a child who wanted the comfort of his mother.

"Hey, it's not your fault, okay?!" she said, embracing him tightly. "I love you, Andy. I'm glad you're okay." The boy couldn't hold back his tears and continued hugging the builder.

Haru joined the two and hugged them both. He stroked Andy's hair and smiled at Lucy.

"I was worried, builder."

"I'm here now," she said, smiling at her friend. "We'll all stay together from now on."

Logan looked at the scene and, as happy as he was to see them reunited, he felt uneasy. His old friends greeted him. Elsie wanted to know everything about the Peripheries and seemed very excited as she introduced Mi-an to him. Heidi, Justice, and Owen asked about his adventures, never with a judgmental tone. Logan even apologized for the blackout he caused in Burgess. Of course, in true Yakboy style. However, he constantly looked over at Lucy, Andy, and Haru's gathering. Logan wasn't the type of guy who took time to reflect on his feelings; most of the time, he acted and said whatever was on his mind. But this time, he found himself thinking about the past, understanding that part of his uneasiness was about how he wished he had never left Sandrock, how he had known Lucy earlier, and had lived more with her, Andy, and Haru as a family; a little unusual, a little broken, but in Yakboy's eyes, a perfectly fitting family.

The atmosphere in the hideout was one of joy and hope. Sandrock is a city that will always be synonymous with resilience and unity, and once again, its inhabitants gathered to prove it.

Lucy looked at Logan and noticed the distant look on the Yakboy's face. He was talking with Owen and Heidi, but Lucy realized that even amidst laughter, he was anxious, with hands more agitated than usual. Then, the two made eye contact. With a gentle smile, she called him over. Logan greeted his old friends, adjusted his hat, and walked toward her.

"Finally, Logan's Gang is back together!" Andy exclaimed happily.

Haru punched Logan's arm, and he hugged the Yakboy by the shoulder. Andy crossed his arms in front of both of them and smiled. Lucy hugged Andy from behind and, with a genuine smile, said to the boys.

"Thank you, all of you." They looked back at her and smiled back.

Chapter 17: The Hideout

In the comfort of the hideout, the first rays of sun streamed into the place where Logan, Lucy, Andy, and Haru were sleeping together, seated on the couch, facing the opening to the ruins. The rest of the night had been long for them. Finally, the three of them had a heartfelt conversation about their differences. Logan expressed his discontent, especially towards Haru, as there had been opportunities for the young man to tell the truth to his friend. Lucy tried to share the blame, but Haru took full responsibility, and Logan ended up forgiving them.

Andy listened to everything cautiously until he fell asleep. The boy slept embraced by the builder, his feet resting on Haru's lap. Lucy slept with her head against Logan's chest, and he held her with one of his arms. They were awakened by Owen, who was attempting to prepare breakfast for the remaining Sandrockers. He accidentally knocked some wood onto the iron frame supporting a pot on the stove.

The four looked over the backrest of the couch at Owen. The Saloon owner smiled awkwardly and asked for help. Lucy promptly got up and went to assist him in collecting the wood. Haru also got up and fixed the frame. Logan and Andy sat, gazing at the rays of sunlight coming into that part of the hideout. The yakboy felt that it was a good opportunity to make up for lost time. Logan then stood up and called Andy.

"Has Haru taught you how to shoot?" Logan asked, carrying his gun. The boy shook his head. "My Pa taught me when I was about your age." Logan squatted down and pointed to a can on top of a ledge. There was a row of them. "I was training here. Have you seen how a sight works?" Logan unloaded his revolver and handed it to Andy so he could check the rear and front sights. The boy listened attentively. "Now watch." Logan stood up, loaded the gun, and skillfully fired six shots, hitting each can. Andy barely saw Logan's movements. The boy was amazed, his body trembling with excitement from seeing something so cool up close.

Lucy heard the sound and watched from afar. Logan squatted down and helped the boy aim, but he never let Andy hold the gun by himself. With Logan's assistance, Andy shot and hit one of the cans. The boy shouted with joy and ran to the builder.

"Did you see that?! I hit it!" Lucy smiled, trying not to show her concern so as not to undermine the boy's feelings. Andy ran off to tell anyone who would listen that he hit a can.

"I had everything under control." Logan said, already defending himself from Lucy's concerned look.

"I know, I'm just being overly protective. I think I'm paying for all the times I worried my Ma." Lucy smiled, eliciting a subtle smile from Logan beneath his mask.

Qi, who had woken up with the noise, approached Lucy, asking her to test the new pickhammer. The sparkle in the director's eyes excited the builder.

The tool was surprisingly light and sturdy. It was a bit larger than her usual one, which was already more than half her size. Lucy spun it easily in her hands.

"It's made of an aluminum and magnesium alloy. Much stronger than your chromium pickhammer and also lighter. This means you can use it faster and with more force. Your Galactic Pickhammer will be devastating!"

"Galactic Pickhammer?" Logan asked with humor.

"That's none of your business." both Lucy and Qi replied at the same time.

"Don't ask, Logan. These are 'obscure' business" Heidi suggested, knowing which series they had chosen the name of Lucy's special move from.

The builder turned the pickhammer and noticed that its end resembled a wrench. Upon closer inspection, she saw a small lock. Qi hoped Lucy would quickly figure out the secret. When she pressed the lock, the wrench came out, revealing a dagger.

"You found it!" Qi said, adjusting his glasses.

"This is awesome! Just like in episode 30 when..." Lucy interrupted herself. "I have no idea how you can think of that."

Logan seemed somewhat skeptical but curious. This was a side of the builder he didn't know. She looked like a child with a new toy, completely different from the protective mother expression she had a moment ago. He felt tempted to tease her.

"Why don't you test it?" Logan asked, looking cheeky.

"What do you suggest?" Lucy asked, eyeing him.

Logan took his dagger from his waist and began to swing it around. Lucy watched him. The Sandrockers gathered around to witness the beginning of a duel.

"Man, I really wanted to see if Logan is stronger since he fought in the Peripheries!" Justice said excitedly, watching the start of the duel.

"But I thought they were, you know, a thing," Owen said, confused.

"That's their style!" Elsie replied, excited. "Romance comes in the heat of battle."

"I think you don't quite understand how romance works, Elsie," Mi-an said, and the redhead smiled at her friend.

Lucy only smiled with her lips. Her eyes seemed fiery as she gazed at the yakboy, who was burning with excitement. Logan advanced first, without any hesitation, and struck Lucy, who quickly defended herself with the pickhammer. She then pushed Logan back with the tool and tried to hit him with a spinning kick, but he stopped the kick with the arm holding the dagger. They stared intensely at each other and resumed their attempts to hit each other.

The spectators were as excited as the dueling couple. Even rumors about the winner started to circulate. In a positive way, the fight was boosting the spirits of the Sandrockers even more—it was a small demonstration of power from their two strongest allies.

Things started to intensify when Logan, intending to provoke the builder, tore part of the shirt she was wearing.

"Is this your shirt, wise Snow Head?!" the builder said, not losing her good humor.

"Just one more reason I want to take it off," Logan whispered provocatively, and only Lucy could hear him.

The woman blushed and impulsively ran towards Logan, trying to hit him. The yakboy defended himself with difficulty but knowing he had achieved his goal. Seeing her blush so shyly energized him.

Lucy then focused all her strength in her arms and jumped. Logan positioned himself, waiting for her final blow, ready to defend himself. Elsie then shouted. Lucy tried to dodge his attack, but in doing so, she landed on the yakboy, who didn't defend himself, and they both fell to the ground.

"A letter from Atara! It's from Ernest!" Elsie said, holding a paper in her hands.

Lucy found herself in an embarrassing position on top of Logan. Still out of breath, she turned red and paralyzed with embarrassment. Logan opened his eyes and couldn't control any muscle in his body. Haru playfully covered Andy's eyes, who shouted, making them even more embarrassed. Lucy quickly got up and helped Logan to his feet, keeping her gaze averted from his.

"What does the letter say, Elsie?" Haru asked, still playing with Andy, trying to cover his eyes.

"Ernest made contact with the Alliance. They intend to send a fleet to Sandrock!" Elsie said excitedly, and everyone cheered. "But they'll only come if we give them a signal... What?! Damn stuffed shirts!"

"They won't risk coming here to get blown up!" Owen replied sensibly.

"We need to tell them that the battle has started, and we're in control," Hugo concluded. "Any ideas?"

They debated while Lucy composed herself. It was hard to think with those butterflies in her stomach. Logan then called her, hoping to bring her back from her thoughts. She looked at everyone and directly at Haru, expecting him to have an idea. A bit awkwardly, the young man smiled, showing the irony of his idea.

"Let's blow up the Sandrock Base." Everyone present looked at each other. Lucy glanced at Logan, who was also seeking her with his gaze. They looked at each other, excited, and both smiled, agreeing with Haru's idea.

Chapter 18: Under the Blue Moon

Notes:

nsfw...

The plan was laid out. Burgess and Andy would be in charge of gathering the children and those who couldn't fight at Moisture Farm, where Rocky and Venti would handle the defense. Elsie and Mi-an would lead the builders towards the city. Owen and Justice would lead the townspeople against the soldiers. Heidi and Hugo would provide support on the front line, along with Qi in his Gungam suit. Fang and X would take care of the wounded, with Zeke and Cooper providing cover. Haru, Logan, and Lucy would plant the bombs at Sandrock Base and initiate the revolt.

Lucy directed the plan with firmness, drawing determination from the depths of her allies to fight for Sandrock once again. Logan equipped his fellow townspeople with the weapons he had stolen from the soldiers, while Haru prepared the explosives. The real battle to reclaim Sandrock would begin on the morning of the next day.

Lucy was anxious, wanting to go to the workshop to get her clothes and weapons. She was still stuck wearing that odious dress. Haru noticed her restlessness and decided to give her the perfect excuse to visit the workshop.

"I need more gunpowder," said the young man, looking at Lucy.

"I'll go to the workshop to get more," she said with a smile on her face. "I'll change clothes and check if Banjo is okay."

"I left Captain with Banjo," said Justice. "And enough food, I hope." he added, recalling the orange cat's insatiable appetite.

"I'll check if he's okay. But we're talking about Captain! Everything is under control." They both agreed.

"I'll go with you!" said Logan, already getting ready to leave. "It's dangerous to go alone."

Lucy tried to argue, but Logan showed no signs of changing his mind easily. Haru took the opportunity to ask for a few more materials, knowing that the builder would have an extra set of hands. They decided to go after nightfall.

Lucy and Logan headed to the workshop, riding on Rambo. There were more soldiers in the streets and around Sandrock than usual. They dismounted near Eufaula Salvage and walked to the back of the workshop. The workshop's window was open. They entered cautiously, hiding from the soldiers patrolling the area.

Lucy saw Banjo and Captain sleeping on the workshop chair and proceeded up the spiral staircase. She moved a board from the trapdoor, revealing a gear mechanism. Lucy turned it, unlocking the trapdoor. Logan seemed surprised by the ingenuity. He still didn't know what the builder was hiding on the second floor of the workshop.

Lucy opened a window in the ceiling, allowing the moonlight to illuminate the entire room. Logan saw some relics, books, chests, pictures of some townspeople, and an object the size of a person covered by a sheet. One of the items that caught the yakboy's attention was the photograph of Trudy, Jasmine, Andy, and Lucy. He sat near the picture, admiring it.

"We were planning to build a school in Sandrock on this day. Heidi took the photo," said Lucy with a sad voice. "As soon as we finish hunting them down, I'll replant Little Woods, and I'll build our school."

"That's the spirit!" Logan agreed, feeling admiration for Lucy. Once again, she was there, dreaming of rebuilding the city.

"You know, I thought about retiring this attic and making a room for Andy," Lucy seemed a little embarrassed. Logan looked at her intrigued. "Maybe add one or two more rooms up here."

"It's good for a child to have space," Logan concluded, not understanding where Lucy was going with this.

"This extra space isn't just for Andy, actually..." Lucy was stumbling over her words. "What I mean is..." Logan was looking at her seriously, making her even more embarrassed. "I just..." She took a breath and said without pausing, "I just wanted to invite you, Haru, and Andy to live here with me at the workshop after we retake Sandrock."

Logan was surprised, and Lucy became aware of her words, turning her face, fearing Yakboy's negative response. Logan, still silent, looked at Lucy. He felt his heart beating fast and searched for words to try to respond to her. Lucy then gathered courage and started justifying herself before any response from Logan.

"You would have your own room. I have enough space to make a laboratory for Haru if he wants to continue working with cosmetics or study for the university entrance exam. I can expand the workshop too. Make a room for weapons and things you can use on patrols and hunts. I can't promise to cook every day, but Owen has the Saloon for that, right?!" Logan remained silent, imagining all the circumstances that the builder was talking about. Lucy understood that Logan was inclined to deny the idea. "What am I thinking? Sorry, I just... You're like family to me now. But I understand it's a reckless idea, and maybe you don't want to live here..."

Logan instinctively stood up. He grabbed her by the waist and looked into those grayish-brown eyes that showed surprise and nervousness. Lucy brought her trembling hands to his face, taking off the mask, revealing a gentle smile on Yakboy's face. Lucy bit her lip and smiled, still trembling.

"I would love to live here, Builder," Logan replied, getting closer to Lucy's face.

"I..." Lucy gathered courage. "I fell in love with you from the first time we met, Logan."

Logan kissed Lucy, embracing her in his arms. The builder hugged the yakboy’s neck, leaning her body towards his. Logan's hand moved up, running through her neck, reaching Lucy's hair, causing a shiver to run through her body. She pressed her body even more against his. The kiss was intense, leaving the couple eager for more.

Logan then lowered his arms and pulled the builder up, onto his lap, holding her by the thighs, accidentally causing his hat to fall. Lucy's face was slightly above than his. They looked at each other, a thousand thoughts running through their minds.

"Everything I've been doing is with you in my heart. I want you to be mine, Lucy." Logan said, breathing heavily.

"You don't need to ask, I'm already yours, Logan."

They kissed again. Logan slipped his hand inside Lucy's dress, gripping her thigh tightly. The young woman let out a moan, making Logan even more eager. She looked at him shyly, but he didn't back down and continued to squeeze. Lucy took off her shirt, revealing the upper part of her dress and her battle scars. She felt a slight discomfort, but in Logan's eyes, her scars made him even more in love with her, as it was the woman who fought until her last strength that he had fallen for.

"You are beautiful, Panbat." Lucy smiled.

"You're a silly, Snowhead.”

Logan smiled and kissed her again, placing Lucy back on the ground. He straightened up and removed his coat, unbuttoning his leather vest. He looked at Lucy, who was panting, watching him undress without being able to say a word. He looked at her dress, the color of the empire, and without hesitation, he tore it, revealing Lucy's entire body.

"You wanted to do this with this damn dress as much as I did.."

"I can't deny that," Lucy said with a humorously smile. Logan smiled back, but with a more mischievous air. He lifted the builder's leg and began to kiss her. Constantly, he looked at her, checking her expressions. Lucy called him with a whisper, and he promptly responded by kissing her lips.

Logan gently touched the builder's body, making her shiver with pleasure. The touches intensified as they became completely lost in each other. She sighed with pleasure, and Logan expressed a satisfied smile, while his muscles contracted with each movement. With a hoarse voice, he let out some moans as he entertained himself with his partner's expressions of delight.

The builder leaned her body closer to Logan and wrapped her arms around his neck. He supported one hand on the ground and clenched his fist tightly. She kissed him, nibbling his lip. Logan felt a shiver run through his body and intensified his movements forcefully. The builder moaned, surrendering to climax, while Logan reached his own peak.

Logan fell exhausted next to Lucy. She was still panting as she snuggled up in Yakboy's arms and hugged him. He smiled with his lips and pulled some cloths to serve as support. Lucy pulled Logan's coat, covering them.

The silence of the night amplified the feeling of serenity that the couple found themselves in, and under the moonlight, they fell asleep.

Chapter 19: This Is Not a Promise

Through the rooftop window, Logan gazed at the stars twinkling in the night sky, their glimmers seeming to reflect the thoughts and memories intertwining in his mind. His fingers moved gently through Lucy's hair as she dozed on his chest. While his attention was on the distant pinpricks of light, an internal storm raged within him.

Shadows from the past emerged without warning, weighing down his reflections. Internally, he tried not to feel guilty for succumbing to his suppressed desire. Sandrock was still not free, and his responsibility for his father's last wish rested heavily on his shoulders.

His memories were like ghosts from times gone by. From battles in The Peripheries, fighting unimaginable creatures and longing for a swift death, to his sweet childhood in Sandrock, the images were like shards that pierced him. Before he could be with the builder again, he heard the sound of the bomb at the temple exploding, and the vision of Howlett in his arms, gently touching his face one last time.

A lump formed in the Yakboy's throat, and his chest felt heavy. His gaze shifted from the stars to the meticulously stacked pile of leather-bound journals, clearly the only objects in that room that were constantly kept free of sand. Those were his father's records. He would recognize that stitching no matter how much time passed. Since he was a boy, on the trips and hunts he accompanied Howlett on, he'd see his father filling the pages at the end of each night. Some of those records held secrets Logan still didn't know.

Lucy woke from her nap with a serene smile. Silently, she observed the Yakboy lost in thought. Logan's restlessness was evident.

"Hey," Lucy said, smiling, hugging Logan as she stretched. He was brought back from his musings.

"Hey," Logan replied, smiling back, caressing Lucy's hair.

The builder didn't hesitate to continue the greeting with a kiss. The Yakboy reciprocated.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked, adjusting herself and looking into his eyes.

"About everything," he replied vaguely. She continued to gaze at him. Logan let out a sigh. "I didn't come back to Sandrock seeking redemption, but I've been finding myself thinking too much about the past. Things could have been different." He caressed Lucy's face. "I don't know if I deserve to be this happy while I haven't fulfilled what I came here to do."

"So, are you happy?" Lucy teased.

"Do you still have doubts?"

Lucy smiled and got up, putting on the Yakboy's mantle, which he watched without saying a word. She looked around her entire attic, observing her odds and ends. The dusty photographs. The sandy-stained relics, the disassembled figure of Rosy covered in dusty rags, and Howlett's journals. The journals that had saved her from so many tumultuous thoughts.

"You can't change the past. It will continue to hurt, we need to learn to live with it, so we can truly accomplish what we came to do in Sandrock."

"Have you forgiven yourself?"

"No. But I need to give myself another chance, for the people who have forgiven me and need me."

Lucy looked at the journals and picked one up. She flipped through it gently and smiled. Logan watched her, waiting for the conclusion of their conversation. The builder closed the journal and handed it to him.

Logan began to read it, finding solace in the words written by his father. On the worn pages, Howlett mentioned Logan with tenderness and admiration, written proof of Howlett's love for his son. Even when the boy got into trouble or put his friends in danger trying to do what was right, the hunter suggested how the boy was learning and growing, becoming his source of pride. Tears threatened his eyes, but Logan tried to hold them back, feeling his emotions were about to overflow.

Lucy looked at him with understanding, comprehending the feelings consuming him. She sat next to Logan and gazed at the stars, searching for the right words.

"I didn't know him, but I'm sure wherever he is, he's proud that you came back and are doing the right thing." The builder smiled, recalling the times Logan was mentioned in the journals. "Every time I read about you in the journals, I could feel how much he loved you. It was as if I could see him right in front of me, excitedly recounting every tale, every mistake, and every achievement. You are the main reason he fought so hard for this town."

Logan locked eyes with Lucy and couldn't contain the tear that rolled down his cheek. Memories of his father hit him like a bullet, bringing forth a mix of longing, sadness, and gratitude. Lucy's words brought him a comfort he wouldn't find alone.

The builder stood up and fetched a wooden box that was placed among the journals. Upon opening it, Howlett's pistol was revealed. Emotionally moved, Logan took it out of the box and read his father's initials engraved on the handle. The sight brought forth the most vivid memories, as if Howlett himself were there, reminding him of who he truly was.

"You don't need to carry this burden, Logan," Lucy said with a gentle voice. "I think this belongs to you now."

Logan held the gun, feeling its weight in his hands. He smiled, remembering the many moments of happiness he had shared with his father. He looked at Lucy, wondering what his old man would think of the gentle-smiling, determined-looking builder.

"Damn it, he would have loved to meet you," Logan said with a tremulous voice, surprising Lucy. "You two would spend hours at the saloon exchanging information about ruins and getting into trouble with the Civil Corp." He laughed as he tried to imagine the dialogues. Lucy smiled. "And you would have fixed that damn creaking step in the house." Both of them chuckled emotionally. "Thank you. Thank you for giving me a chance and for fighting by my side." Logan stood up, approaching Lucy. "And thank you for finding his pistol." Logan put the gun back in the box. "He would have wanted someone like you to have it. Use it tomorrow, and you won't miss."

Lucy took the gun back, feeling the weight of what it symbolized. Logan looked at her, still with teary eyes, yet they still conveyed the same confidence as when she had agreed to fight alongside him for the town.

"Thank you, Logan. I won't miss."

Logan hugged Lucy, who returned the embrace warmly. They decided to gather their materials and return to the hideout.

Chapter 20: Sandrock Strike Back Again

Lucy adjusted her glasses on her head, a gleam of determination in her eyes. However, a voice within her begged her to give up, and before she knew it, she was overwhelmed by anxiety. The builder desperately tried to control her breathing. Before she realized it, her hands were trembling. She ran to Fang, who was arranging his medical supplies, just before they left for their posts.

"You need to take deep breaths," Fang said as he pressed an acupuncture needle onto Lucy's forehead. "This will calm you down for now. During the battle, remember the breathing and counting techniques." He continued to insert acupuncture needles. "We'll all be there for you."

"It's strange, this feeling. I feel like I'm going to die, but I'm not dying. But I must admit, it's not as bad as usual. I have more good things to occupy my mind now." Lucy blushed a bit, remembering the previous night. Fang looked at her suspiciously. "What's wrong?" Fang remained silent. But the doctor knew she was referring to Logan.

After the final acupuncture session before the battle, Lucy felt slightly relieved. Each Sandrocker was ready to fulfill their command. The builder took one last look at each of them. Controlling her breath, she closed her eyes and began her speech.

"My friends, once again we are here to fight for the fate of the city. As if the drought and sandstorms weren't enough, the Duvos came and managed to strike us. They broke through our defenses and shattered us like nuts. We're still wounded, still feeling pain. But that's why today we'll make them feel our wounds and our pain! Today, they will know that Sandrock belongs to us! For we fight for everyone who has ever had hope in Sandrock. We'll fight for those who have departed, those who sacrificed for this city. But most importantly, we'll fight for ourselves! Sandrockers!"

The war cry echoed throughout the hideout. Lucy felt more motivated than ever, and her inspiration motivated everyone. She had lost, been tortured, made a slave, her pride and dignity stripped away, but once again, the builder would fight for the city she loved so much.

Logan, Lucy, and Haru set out for the Northern Plateau. The sun was still rising on the horizon as the trio galloped through the desert sands in pursuit of their revenge. The goats followed, scaling the plateau, away from the soldiers' gaze.

The bombs needed to be installed on the structural pillars and especially in the weapons area, where the signal fire to Atara's troops would start. The trio's initial intention was to move through the installation points without being noticed. But they had to take down some soldiers who were guarding the points. With the least noise possible, they silenced the soldiers and hid their bodies. Haru found a diary with confusing notes about codes on one of them.

The warehouse where the armament was stored was full of AIs patrolling the area.

"I need to get to the control center," Lucy said,  Haru and Logan looking confused. "These AIs are from the Olympia 6 spaceship. The ruin that's beneath our feet. When the base was built, they used the ship's technology to control the AIs. I can try to change their commands, and we won't need to do anything rash."

"And where do you think that is?" Haru asked.

"Wouldn't it be easier to just shoot those things?" Lucy looked at Logan disapprovingly. "Okay, you're in charge, love." Lucy smiled satisfactorily. Haru smirked, thinking that his friend was completely "tamed."

Lucy signaled for the two to wait and entered the ventilation shaft of the room. She advanced to the center of the room in search of the control center for the AIs. She hadn't been the one to install the control panels, nor was she authorized to get near the warehouse. But she remembered the diagrams very well. She looked to the opposite corner of the entrance and saw a door heavily guarded by two huge robots. Lucy gestured to the guys, who understood the signal. Using one of his bombs, Haru attracted the attention of the AIs, which headed to the location of the small explosion. Lucy exited the ventilation shaft and went straight to the locked door. She took a screwdriver and a lock pick from her waist pouch. The builder quickly unlocked the door, a satisfied smile escaping her lips. However, the moment she entered the room, a robotic hand grabbed her and pulled her into the small room with computers. The AI held her firmly. Lucy cursed at the robot as she struggled to break free. Haru was the first to notice and ran towards the builder.

"Control room!" she shouted, trying to reach for her gun in its holster. Haru followed her command and went into the room. He opened the computer and tried to type something, but nothing he typed was recognized.

Logan appeared, trying to free Lucy, but behind him, more AIs appeared.

"It's asking for a command!" Haru shouted.

"You darned piece of junk!" Lucy shouted as she managed to reach her pistol. She shot at the AI, which released her. "1-1-1."

Haru incredulously typed it, and the machine asked him to proceed. The guy smirked indignantly. He accessed the command that controlled the AIs but realized that he needed an eight-digit code to disable the AIs. Furious, he punched the table. The pain reminded him of the notes the soldier had.

Lucy and Logan began to fight against the warehouse's robots. The builder smashed the AIs' metal casings with her pickhammer, while Logan shot, accurately hitting the robots' vulnerable parts. However, there were too many of them.

Haru entered the code, which was accepted by the system. With a command, all the AIs stopped fighting. Haru left the room and saw Lucy and Logan, both panting, smiling at each other. Despite the number of opponents, they seemed to be having fun.

"Glad you're having a good time. I'll reactivate them." The guy said humorously. "Where are we planting the bombs?"

Lucy pointed to the most precise locations for the explosion and asked each of them to cover a quadrant. Logan winked at the builder and went with Haru to plant the bombs.

"Haru, we need to talk," Logan said as he loaded the explosives.

"Now?" Haru looked at Logan, who seemed to have a gleam in his eye. "Alright, shoot."

"I wanted to wait until after the mission, but I think you need to know." Haru stopped everything he was doing and looked at Logan. "Lucy wants the three of us, you, me, and Andy, to move into the workshop after all of this is over."

Haru thought for a moment. He recalled the happy times he spent with Lucy and Andy in the workshop; the many times he felt loneliness in Howlett's old house. He could imagine with hope the various situations that could arise from now on. With a serene and affectionate expression, he murmured something that Logan couldn't understand.

"Hey, you two!" Lucy shouted as she approached. "Come on, we need to move quickly." The builder looked at Haru, who seemed emotional. Confused, she looked at Logan, who also didn't seem to understand what had hit him.

Haru then hugged her. Lucy, even though she didn't understand, hugged him back.

"Just to let you know, I want my room far away from yours," Haru said, letting go of the girl with a mischievous smile. Lucy understood and enthusiastically agreed. "We're going to be a real family, aren't we?"

"What are you talking about, you silly? We already are," Lucy replied, hugging the guy again. Logan approached and placed his hand on both of their shoulders.

They continued with the plan, finishing planting the bombs and leaving Sandrock Base to activate the chain of explosions. In front of the warehouse, Lefu and a group of soldiers were waiting near the cable car station that descended to the city. Logan and Lucy armed themselves, while Haru took the detonator, waiting for the command.

"What do you think you're doing?!" the commander shouted. "Builder, don't tell me you want to repeat the mistakes of the past."

"I came to fix the mistakes of the past, Lefu. Haru, now!"

The bombs were set off in a chain, causing a massive explosion behind the trio, who exuded satisfaction and confidence. That was the beginning of Sandrock's revenge. The Sandrockers heard the explosion, understanding the signal. A revolt formed on the city streets, guided by the same feeling that had always kept Sandrock alive—the rebellion began.

Chapter 21: The Battle of Commanders

The Northern Plateau Base was engulfed in flames. The leaders looked at the soldiers and Commander Lefu with confidence and determination, nothing could stop them now. Still incredulous, the soldiers and the commander didn't react immediately, giving the trio of rebels time to strike first. Lucy, driven by vengeance, advanced on Lefu, who struggled to defend himself against the builder's blow. She wouldn't let anyone else get hurt because of him. Meanwhile, Logan and Haru faced the soldiers who were starting to appear in droves.

Lucy's pickhammer was even effective at absorbing the impact of projectiles. Lefu grew more furious with every move of defense and attack that the builder delivered. When a soldier attempted to hit Lucy, Logan intervened. He understood, as a matter of honor, that this duel should be solely between Lefu and Lucy.

The Builder was about to deliver her special attack when something, coming from the sky, hit the ground where they stood, destabilizing everyone. It was Pen, who had barely recovered from his battle with Lucy and Logan, returning for a rematch.

The knight observed the scene with an arrogant smile on his face. Lucy stared at him, noticing that her injuries still bothered him, but before she could think of a plan, Lefu pointed his gun and fired. The builder was grazed on the arm. She couldn't afford to let her guard down again. She ignored the arrival of the new combatant and turned her focus back to Lefu.

"I'm back!" Pen exclaimed enthusiastically, staring at Logan. "And this time, I'll give you the same fate I gave your Pa." Logan snorted with anger. But before he could attack, Haru made his move first.

Haru would finally have his chance to avenge Howlett and Grace. Logan had never seen him like this, with a determined look burning with fury.

Haru didn't possess the physical strength to go head-to-head with Pen, but he had his intellect. The young man activated his Bomblee-dees, small happy bombs capable of walking towards the opponent. They moved towards the knight. Pen laughed, mocking the young man, and attempted to kick one of the bombs. Upon impact, the bomb exploded, inflicting great pain on Pen. This created an opening for Logan, who advanced, delivering blows with his dagger and engaging in close combat.

Pen knew he was about to lose again, not just for underestimating his opponents, but also because the wounds from the previous battle had reopened. He had an order to fulfill, and in anger, cursed the day he first set foot in Sandrock.

As the builder fought with the commander, she listened to the soldiers and Pen attacking the duo of outlaws. She needed to finish her battle quickly.

Lefu noticed an opening in Lucy's defense and quickly struck her. The knife cut her skin, but she managed to defend herself before the cut could go deep. Lucy then pushed the commander into the cable car with her pickhammer. She turned to try to help Logan and Haru, but Pen grabbed Lucy by her shirt. Logan and Haru tried to reach her, but the soldiers blocked their way.

"What are you going to do?" Lucy asked, trying to break free.

"I don't want to see your face when I kill these idiots," he said, looking away. Lucy murmured the name of the knight, who then looked at her one last time. "Goodbye, Skinny."

Pen threw her into the cable car where Lefu had been thrown. The knight pulled the lever, and the cable car started descending the plateau. Lucy ran, but a jump could be fatal. She bit her lip and looked towards the knight, who watched her descend the plateau. Lucy heard Lefu murmur something and turned to the commander.

Logan was furious. He tried to attack Pen, who was distracted. The knight began to feel the fatigue and the pains from the battle intensifying.

Meanwhile, Lucy and Lefu fought unarmed. The cabin swayed as they exchanged punches.

"You really would have been a sensation in Duvos," Lefu said, showing a disturbing smile with part of his mask broken.

"Of course, because I would definitely join people like you!" Lucy said ironically. "On the day we had dinner at the Saloon, you told me you wanted to be my friend. It didn't even take twelve hours, and you cold-bloodedly killed Trudy!" Lucy shouted, out of breath. The commander was also trying to catch his breath.

"The mayor was just a side effect of something that was your fault! You just needed to stay quiet in your workshop and do what I told you!" Lucy punched the commander, who couldn't retaliate. "I just wanted to go back to my country, receive my medal, and return to my wife! But you had to blow up that damn Engine!"

"And what would have happened if you had taken the Engine? Would you have destroyed Ethea? Lucien? Atara? All the Free Cities?! You don't have the right to say that I'm guilty!" She punched the commander once more.

"Kill me already!" Lefu shouted with the last of his breath. "If it's revenge you want, then come on, do it! Kill me just like I killed your friend."

Lucy drew Howlett's pistol and aimed it at the commander's head. He had a smug smile on his blood-covered face. Lucy hesitated.

"I want to end you so badly. But if I kill you, I'd just be doing you a favor. You'll go on living knowing you'll never see your wife or your country again. You'll be treated as a prisoner of war and spend the rest of your life in the land you despise."

At this moment, the cable car was hit by an explosion. Pen had aimed at them, and Logan hadn't anticipated the knight's dirty move.

From the plateau, Lucy could be seen holding Lefu's hand as he was about to fall into the canyon. Pen laughed at the scene, giving Haru the opportunity to hit him with one of his explosives. Logan then leaped, grabbing the Glove. But the knight pushed the masked man and aimed his weapon. However, the Glove malfunctioned, and Logan revealed the chip he had torn from it. Before the knight could think of a second plan, Haru threw another bomb, temporarily blinding him. Logan attacked Pen with all his strength, hitting him squarely in the chest. The knight staggered back, feeling nauseous. He looked at Logan and Haru one last time. With an indignant smile on his face, he let out a final laugh, falling from the Northern Plateau towards the canyon. Haru sighed in relief, thought of Grace, and for a moment, he could hear her voice thanking him. He was finally at peace regarding her. Logan felt that his pa had been avenged, but still, his work was far from over.

Lucy was on the brink of falling. She felt the cut inflicted by Lefu bleeding and stinging.

"Come on, Lucy," Lefu said calmly. "I'm already a condemned man."

"I've told you, you'll only die when I allow it!" she said, pulling him. "You'll still pay for everything you've done to the city!"

Lucy screamed, using her last ounce of strength, dragging the commander into the cable car.

What was left of the cable car arrived at Sandrock's station. Lucy was greeted by Fang, Zeke, Cooper, and X. Zeke looked at the state of the commander, realizing he was still alive. He then looked at Lucy and with a gentle look, placed his hand on her shoulder and nodded.

"You've always been better than us, Builder," Lefu said with a grateful tone. "I surrender."

Cooper began his speech, taunting Lefu, who tried to rest after his defeat, but the farmer wouldn't miss the chance to give the Commander a piece of his mind.

Winners of the round: Lucy, Logan, and Haru.

Chapter 22: Yan vs Builders

Notes:

I thank everyone who patiently waited for the fic to return, it was a difficult semester, I lost my kitten, college almost got the best of me and my partner got worse from his depression. Thank you to everyone who read again and welcome to the newcomers.

Fang began to clean Lucy's wounds. The builder ignored the pain as she thought about Logan and Haru, the outcome of their battle against Pen was still unknown to her. X landed on her shoulder as he habitually did. Her expression started to turn into one of deep concern, feeling anxiety taking over her thoughts.

"Is everyone safe on the farm?" asked the builder, trying to focus on the rest of the battle.

Zeke nodded, but even though the farmer had difficulty expressing his thoughts and feelings, Lucy noticed that his face showed a worry she hadn't seen since the last battle. She tried to inspire more confidence to calm her companions, even though she felt like falling apart inside.

Cooper, who had already driven Lefu a little crazier, started to stare fixedly at the direction of the tunnel to Portia, where Elsie and Mi-an had gone to free the builders. With trembling hands, he adjusted his hat, praying in his heart for his daughter's safe return.

"I'll go help them," said Lucy, standing up, ready for the next round.

"Take this with you," said Fang, handing her some hemostatics and medicines. "The builders might be injured." Lucy nodded.

"Please, builder, don't let my lil girl get hurt," pleaded Cooper with a trembling voice. "And teach that scoundrel commissioner a lesson!"

"Leave it to me, Mr. Cooper; we'll rub Yan's face all over the tunnel," Lucy said, taking a whistle from her overalls and blowing it. From afar, Merle came towards the builder, following the sound of the whistle. "Good girl."

"Be careful," said Zeke. "I'll let them know you went to help the girls when they return." Lucy nodded, mounted Merle, and headed towards The Bend.

Crossing the ranch, she could see the Gungam mobile suit at the city entrance, alongside Heidi and Hugo. Qi now managed to use the suit skillfully! He protected the inhabitants from the AI units that had descended from the Northern Plateau to assist the Duvos army in containing the rebellion.
Heidi and her father too, were impressively taking down soldiers. The architect's fists, which once painted delicate pictures, now struck the armor that cracked, giving Hugo an opening to crush the Empire's AIs with his hammer.

Riding along the train tracks with Merle, Lucy could see Justice, Captain, and even Banjo fighting soldiers with the other villagers. The ex-sheriff, in his best form, had brought out the hammer he had taken from the geeglers and was grandly finishing off the soldiers. From the Civil Corps' rooftop, Owen provided cover, hitting distant targets.

The builder's heart was finally aligned with her mind again. Everyone was giving their all for the city and for themselves. That's what the city had taught her since she moved there that summer morning: The city is strong! Sandrock hadn't fallen to nature's hands, so it wouldn't fall to man's hands, and its citizens wouldn't give up. This time, nothing would stop them, not until the last Sandrocker fell!

Lucy crossed the bridge to The Bend and could hear the conflict. Bombs, gunfire, and the AIs violently pushing back the builders who were fighting for their freedom. Daisy and Elsie flew over the area, diving to hit the two larger AIs. Mi-an was battling six soldiers and Yan. They were in danger.

Lucy stood on Merle's back. She gathered all her fury into her arms. It was time to level the playing field. She jumped from the goat, and with her pickhammer in hand and a fearless shout in her voice, she struck the ground near the AIs and soldiers, shaking the ground. The impact echoed through the canyon. The soldiers fell to the ground, and the AIs were destabilized, giving the builders and Elsie a chance to counterattack.

Mi-an managed to land a blow on Yan, who was trying to protect himself with his large shield. The commissioner was furious, and the sight of Lucy coming towards him boiled his blood.

"We've been through this before, newbie!" he shouted impatiently. "Soldiers, this time kill that irritating builder!"

Lucy ran towards Yan, raised the pickhammer with a jump. The impact would break the shield, but the commissioner cowardly drew a pistol and fired. Lucy rolled on the ground, worrying her allies.Mi-an retaliated by throwing her dagger at Yan's hand, causing him to drop the pistol. The soldiers went after her, but Elsie jumped from behind, hitting one of them with the sole of her boot. The builders, having taken down the AIs, went to help the two.

Lucy got up with difficulty. The shot had hit her left shoulder, making it hard to wield the pickhammer. She then drew the dagger from the end of the pickhammer and began to fight with only her right arm. Her goal was to stop Yan, the second target of her vengeance.

The shield was a problem. Each of Lucy's attacks was met with Yan's defense, and her injured shoulder reduced her dexterity.

"I'll cover you!" said Mi-an, coming to Lucy's aid. "We just need to get rid of that shield."

"I have a plan," said Elsie, joining the girls. "Let's make that horrible mustache into a mop!"

"I'm counting on you, girls," replied Lucy.

Elsie ran towards Yan while Mi-an ran to the left of the commissioner and Lucy to the right. The yakgirl jumped onto Yan, hitting his shield hard enough to destabilize him. The commissioner staggered back, momentarily distracted from Lucy and Mi-an.

"Now!" shouted Elsie.

Mi-an took advantage of the opening and threw her dagger at the commissioner's knee, hitting it squarely. He screamed in pain, dropping his shield as he fell. Lucy jumped behind the commissioner and, with the wrench end of her dagger, struck the commissioner's neck, knocking him unconscious.

The builders had also achieved their own victory against the AIs and soldiers. The silence at the end of the battle was broken by Allen Carter.

"Is it over?" he asked, dazed. "It's over!" he shouted happily.

"We're free! Free!" Ever celebrated.

"This one's for you, Red!" said Wang Jr., making a gesture in memory of his fallen friend.

"And now, builder?" asked Slack.

"I can't ask this of you, but the city might still be in danger. I brought some medicines; whoever can come with us, I thank you," she replied.

"We're going!" Ever responded. "The Sandrock Commerce Guild is our guild, and we'll fight for it too!"

Lucy smiled gratefully, and before she could contain herself, she shed a few tears. Her fellow builders, now knowing everything that had happened on the Northern Plateau, gathered and embraced their colleague. Mi-an and Elsie joined them.

"Damn it! Where's that damn commissioner?!" Slack shouted, furious, looking for traces. "He can't have gone far with that knee."

The builders mobilized to search for the commissioner, who had fled into the tunnel. They entered the tunnel in search of him, but something caught their attention. The snakes were hastily exiting the tunnel while a suspicious noise shook the mountain walls. Elsie whispered to one of the snakes, which hissed back to her.

"Better not go in there! The scoundrel has nowhere to escape, and even less from what's scaring these monsters," said Elsie.

They then heard a scream of extreme terror. The commissioner, trying to escape once again, had encountered a Mega Tunnel Worm. The creature, attracted by the commissioner's blood, found its easiest prey. It stared into the terrified eyes of the commissioner, who still tried to escape somehow. He tried to run, but his injured knee prevented sudden movements. The Mega Tunnel Worm re-entered the ground and began to circle the commissioner, moving in circles around the ground, which trembled, destabilizing the man who had not yet accepted his fate. The creature emerged from the ground and, with just one bite, grabbed the commissioner, whose last screams were pleas for his life and curses at the monster that devoured him.

Winners of the round: Mega Tunnel Worm, Builders, Elsie, and Daisy.