Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

‘Where am I?’

Kat groaned as she cracked her eyes open.

Everything around her was dim. Barely lit by soft yellow light, a faint rattling shaking her skull. Her senses were muffled by a headache and the grogginess of sleep. Paper rustled on her lap as she shifted. Everything ached. Did she pass out somewhere again? 

'Justice is gonna chew me out,’ She thought with another tired groan, 'Logan too .' 

Kat had a bad habit of working late at night, and both men were damn tired of finding her passed out in random spots around town. Having to look for an insomniac at 3 a.m. during the cold desert nights… It got annoying. Especially to Logan after he had found her the last time. 

She grimaced slightly as she remembered that argument. She'd worked herself into exhaustion that day and passed out. Right in the middle of some ruins, in the middle of the night, just before a wicked sandstorm was set to hit town. Basically, a worst-case scenario. Worried that she wasn't home yet Logan had gone searching and found her face down and nearly unresponsive. 

Which had really struck a nerve with him…

Kat's eyes popped wide open. Memories flooding back. She had been exploring some ruins before she passed out this time and something had gone wrong. Her eyes were blinded by pain as she tried to recall what had happened. 

She could remember being in terrible pain. Feeling her body go cold. Watching as her hands dissolved into blue light as she felt like she was being unraveled like a ball of human yarn.

‘Did I die?’ The thought shook Kat.

From what little she could recall it had felt like death, but try as she might she couldn’t remember what exactly happened. Or what had caused it. Whatever it was had at least been enough to knock her out.

Just then dazzling sunlight stabbed her eyes forcing them shut. Her senses had come back and she could hear murmurs of conversation almost drowned out by the chugging and rattling of a train. 'Wait… a train?' When she opened her eyes again she found herself staring out a window as the sandstone cliffs around the Highwind Pass flew by. This was the rail line that connected the city of Highwind to Sandrock.

Glancing around she could see she was on the Atara Express. She was in a mostly empty train car, filled only with the quiet murmurs of the only two tourists going to Sandrock. The paper on her lap was the builder's wanted ad that had lured her to Sandrock in the first place. Its words promise reward and adventure to anyone willing to work as a builder knowing the dangers of the Eufaula. It was the kind of gig that Kat had been looking for. The day she’d arrived on the train to Sandrock she couldn’t stop rereading that flyer, buzzing with excitement about the ‘adventure’ aspect.

Everything was a perfect replica of the day she arrived. 

Even the clothes she had on were ones she hadn't worn for years since she arrived in Sandrock. A cactus t-shirt that had been a ridiculous impulse purchase just before she moved to the desert and some khaki shorts that highlighted how ridiculously scrawny her legs were. Even her perfume was the same, which was strange because it was discontinued just a month after she moved.

“Next stop; Sandrock! We're arriving at Sandrock!" The announcement pulled Kat's attention away from her thoughts. A sense of déjà vu hit her and she knew she’d been here before; this was the train she came to town on. No doubt about it.

‘Was it all a dream?’  

Kat couldn't fathom the thought. All the battles she'd fought, the friends she'd had, the achievements she’d made, the Geeglers, Duvos, Logan and the gang, a dream? Was none of it real? Could dreams even be so realistic?

She had heard of near-death experiences where people dreamed up what their lives could have been like. Sure she was achy, and she remembered being in excruciating pain, but she felt okay now. Definitely not on Death's Door. None of it felt like a dream.

The train's brakes screeched as it approached the familiar wooden platform. Kat couldn't shake the strange feeling in her chest as she grabbed her bags and headed towards the door. The desert air was as welcoming as she remembered. Sunshine beat down on the rocky terrain around the town from a cloudless blue sky. The air shimmered with the summer heat and the silence of the desert was only broken by the soft churr of distant bugs on the wind and the bustle of the train’s scant passengers. The sense of déjà vu grew stronger as her eyes wandered across the familiar form of the small town she once called home. Everything was exactly the way it was.

It was almost like she had restarted her time in Sandrock.

"Hey there!" A friendly voice pulled Kat out of her thoughts, greeting her with a familiar sight. Mi-an stood exactly where she had three years ago. Long black hair with warm honey-brown eyes, a teal green shirt under her overalls, and carrying the same sign with Kat's name on it. The builder from Tallsky. Kat's first and best friend in Sandrock who'd been right alongside her whenever anything went down in town.

'I can't just dream up a person I never met, right?'

"I'm Mi-an, the other new builder! I arrived just a week before you. It's nice to finally meet you, Kathrine." The Tallsky builder smiled as she shook Kat's hand. 

Kat smiled back, Mi-an's enthusiasm was infectious. She had never really understood how the goggle-wearing builder had so much energy in the morning given the fact she never drank more than a single cup of coffee every day. Either way, it was incredibly endearing. 

So much so that it had always bothered Kat when the rest of the commerce guild took advantage of the Tallsky builder. Half of their friendship was initially sparked by Kat's need to protect this ray of sunshine turned human. They'd been close-knit ever since. If she could make at least one friend from her previous life- or was it 'previous timeline?' Either way, she was glad it would be Mi-an.

"Of course! I look forward to working with you and, please, my friends call me Kat." 

Though near impossible, Mi-an's smile brightened further at the offer of friendship. Finally letting go of Kat's hand she waved for her to follow as she turned towards the town. An extra spring in her step. "Come on, follow me! I'm supposed to take you to meet the Commissioner."

Kat was barely able to keep her smile from dropping. In the previous timeline, it had been almost a year since she'd worked under Yan. The hatred that had stewed for years working under his blasé attitude and narcissistic behavior bubbled to the surface. She longed for her past- or was it future- any life or time without Yan, really. He was insufferable but had an unfortunate amount of power over her job.

If he was here maybe she really had died and gone to hell.

Thankfully, Mi-an was already sprinting far enough ahead that she didn't catch the look of disgust on Kat’s face.

This was going to be a struggle. If things repeated themselves the way they did before, she had to tell Mi-an. They'd gone through so much together; danger, disasters, celebrations, even the abuse from the Commissioner. Kat couldn't leave her in the dark about it.

Plus, if anyone could help her figure out what was going on it would be Mi-an. She was extremely reliable as a builder and damn good at keeping secrets as a friend. Even if she was too enthusiastic of a detective.

Following the other builder off the train station platform. Kat spotted 'President' Yan and the retiring builder, Mason, waiting by the commerce building. Yan, rocking on his heels and smoothing the front of his coat in a somehow self-important manner, greeted the two younger builders with a look midway between a smirk and a sneer. His villainy emphasized by a bushy mustache and bowler hat.

"Well, well, well, nice to finally meet ya, newbie! I'm Yan, your new boss, and President of this here Commerce Guild. But don't let that intimidate you. We're all going to be working here to improve Sandrock after all!" Yan turned his crooked grin on Kat and gestured to the older builder. "This is Mason. The retiring builder you, Kat, are replacing!"

Grunting in reply to Yan's sharp elbowing, Mason met Kat's eyes. "That workshop across the tracks is the one you'll be taking… May you bring telesis to the land." The look in the old redhead's eyes was loud and clear; good luck, you poor, poor soul.

Kat did her best to plaster on a thin smile as the retiree shuffled off towards the saloon. Just as bitter as she remembered.

"Well… he was never one for socializing anyways." Yan turned back to the new builders. "All right, I want to see some proof of your skills. Round up some materials and make a pick hammer. I want you to report back by noon with the tools. Oh, and build a recycler, too. You'll be needing that. Now scoot, commissions don't do themselves!"

Yan waved Kat and Mi-an off, turning on his heel and striding quickly towards the Commerce Guild.  Kat let out a long sigh. Letting go of the pretend smile she turned to look balefully at the small shack that stood where her dream house should have been. 

It had been a mansion; every machine a builder could desire and a lovely home that Kat readily shared with friends and family. The designs for the garden alone took her months. Now? Her little slice of paradise in the desert had evaporated like a mirage. Of all the things to resent losing, the house she'd built with her own blood, sweat, and tears was the biggest hit.

Yet another memory to lament.

'Well,' Kat thought, ' I've made Sandrock her home once before, I can do it again.'

"Hah, well… why don't we go take a little look around? I'm sure it might be nicer than it looks. I can at least help you get settled…" Mi-an wrung her hands nervously as she saw the disappointment clear on Kat's face.

The Highwind builder felt a spark of guilt. Mi-an didn't deserve any ire. Heck, she'd even offered a solution that'd kill two birds with one stone. They could chat while they worked.

"Yeah, that'd be nice, I need some time to talk to you anyway."

"So you're telling me that you've come from the future?"

Mi-an was clearly struggling to make sense of what she'd been told, massaging her temples. They both sat on the shack floor, having given up on trying to clean anything while talking. It had taken the better part of three hours to explain everything Kat knew. Even then it still sounded convoluted. How else do you explain a mass double conspiracy engineered by a hostile foreign nation being thwarted by an alliance spy, a monster-whisperer, two small-town lawmen, and the local bandit gang?

Talking through it had given Kat a better perspective on the situation, though. She figured she had somehow gone back to when she had first moved to Sandrock. Something had happened in the northern Space Center Ruins that'd sent her back, and she retained her memory for pretty much everything that had happened before that. It was still hard to believe it wasn't a dream.

Mi-an looked up at Kat.

"Lizard people are gonna destroy the bridge?"

"Yep. They're called Geeglers by the way."

"There are Duvos spies in the town?"

"Yep. The church."

"And the 'bad guys' are actually good?"

"Yep. Logan and Haru aren’t really bandits."

"We fought off an invasion?"

"Well, we mostly built stuff. I did fight them in the ruins though."

"Are you crazy?"

"Jury is still out on that one…"

Mi-an closed her eyes again and leaned her head back. She looked ready to give up.

Kat grabbed her hand. "Look, if you don't believe me, just watch. What I said will happen, should happen, right?" She pleaded. "As soon as I register my workshop, Rocky is gonna try to beat up Yan over the lift commission, then a sandstorm is going to ruin Mason's retirement party. Just don't call me crazy until then, please?"

Mi-an's eyes opened again and she gave Kat a wry smile. "Alright, We'll have to see."

Propping herself back up, Mi-an's expression changed from concern to somewhere between curious and excited. "I gotta admit, though it's hard to believe, it's kind of exciting. This is like an adventure straight out of a book. Like, what even happened with you going back in time? What's the blue light? And you were friends with Logan? Ooo, wait" Mi-an's smile turned impish- "You talked about him a lot, let me guess, you like him?"

"No!" Kat blushed hard, completely spoiling her denial. 

She did have- or had in the previous timeline- a massive, albeit mostly secret, crush on the bandit-turned-hero. Having joined his gang and fought alongside him to save Sandrock from a Duvos invasion… they’d spent a lot of time together. Even more so afterward as she rebuilt the town. She learned how goofy, kind, and passionate he was. Plus he was there for her when she was overwhelmed by everything that’d happened. One of the few she didn’t push away.

It also didn't help that he was classically handsome; striking white hair, sky blue eyes, a chiseled jawline highlighted by well-kept scruff, and a rumbling voice to match. She had it bad for that man.

Mi-an had figured it out before too. Ever the detective.

"Just promise me; if we're wrong, you need to write a book." Mi-an laughed, before looking around the dusty little workshop. "We gotta get your shop registered first, though. You still have to make your pick hammer to take to Yan."

Kat slumped back and groaned. She really didn't want to deal with the nitwit Commissioner… or deal with the fact she had to start over. That was almost as bad. "Eh screw it and screw Yan. He's gonna complain no matter what."

"How about we work together then? They can't fire both new builders, right?" Mi-an gave Kat a sly look. "If he is as bad as you say, a little collusion might go a long way for this ‘dying town.’"

A matching mischievous grin overtook Kat's face. This was the best friend she remembered. Even if she was wrong about time repeating itself she knew she'd at least get along with Mi-an. That was a big comfort to her.

It was the two of them against the odds again.

Chapter Text

Kat felt like she was a celebrity. 

She and Mi-an were on their way to the town hall to register her workshop and had been stopped several times on their way up Main Street. It wasn't every day that a new person moved into town. Thus everyone was eager to meet the new builder who’d just moved in across the tracks.

There was Owen, the tall broad-shouldered owner of the Blue Moon Saloon. With sparkling blue eyes that contrasted with his sun-tanned skin and streaks of gray in his dark hair. He waved the builders down, introduced himself, and gave the builders some extra snacks with a wink. Still as generous as Kat remembered.

Next, they met Grandma Vivi at her tailor shop. A kindly old black woman with a twinkle in her eyes and a few curls of her white hair hanging loose on her forehead. When she spotted them she hurried over, stuffing the tape measure she was using in the pocket of her apron. She fretted over the two builders like a mother hen. Giving Kat a warm welcome and making sure she knew the nights would get cold in the desert, and even sending her along with a brand-new scarf.

Kat hugged her new scarf close. Grandma Vivi was always a calming presence. She's the town's oldest matriarch, as well as one of the more reasonable residents in Sandrock. The Highwind builder had never had the chance to meet her grandparents. They’d both died before she was born, so she never really knew what they were like. On top of that, moving to Sandrock was the first time Kat had lived alone. So Grandma Vivi had always made her home open to the young girl, always letting her know she was a part of the Sandrock family. It was one of the few things that had kept her going through even the toughest times when she’d thought about quitting building.

Finally, as the two builders reached Martle's Square a tall figure riding a horse was waving at them from across the square. His dreadlocks were slightly frayed by the heat and a bright smile lit up his mocha features, laugh lines and crow's feet highlighted his eyes as the only indicators of his age. "You must be the other new builder! Well! Justice is my name, and Justice is my game. I'm the Sheriff 'round these parts, head of the local Civil Corp!" He leaned down to shake her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Sheriff! I'm Kat. Just got here this morning. We were just about to register my shop."

“It’s a pleasure to meet ya too, Kat!” Justice smiled down at her warmly. “You have no idea jus’ how desperate we were gettin’ dealing with Yan and Ol’ Mason. And, desperation for builders aside, it’s certainly nice to see more fresh faces joinin’ us out here in the desert. Been too long with people movin’ out not in.”

“Well, we’re hoping to change that then!” Kat beamed at him with confidence only a person who knows the future could have.

The Sheriff chuckled. "I won't hold you up then! I’ve gotta get back to my patrols. I'm looking forward to whatever y'all get to building 'round here. If you ever need my help you can head to the Civil Corp office just down the road there, by the tracks." Justice waved as he turned his horse towards Main Street, trotting slowly down the direction the builders just came from.

Kat couldn't help but smile. Having to reintroduce herself felt more nostalgic than she’d expected. It was comforting to know everyone was pretty much the same.

It also soothed her anxiety about seeing Minister Matilda again.

She'd been debating how to act around the church-folk. The Minister was the acting mayor while the real one, Mayor Trudy, was out on a research trip in the desert. Matilda had been kind enough during the time Kat knew her but it turned out that she was one of the spies trying to destroy Sandrock. Out of all of the troubles she’d expected to have starting her building business in a dying town, the interference of a hostile foreign government wasn’t one she was prepared for.

Saying she was 'Worried' was a sore understatement. 

Mi-an offered to join her after Kat told her about how nervous she was to face the church group again. She would act as a mediator so that Kat didn't step on any toes… or get herself killed. Which might have been more likely given the situation. With her around Kat found it easier to stop and chat with people. Plus, all the warm welcomes she got were comforting. 

She felt at peace.

Until her thoughts were interrupted at the steps of City Hall.

"Halt! Who goes there?!" 

Kat had forgotten about how she met the insufferable 'Church Enforcer.' Right up to the moment he’d landed in her personal space with his ridiculous spiky gelled hair and gaudy armor. None other than Pen himself.

She instinctively punched him.

It was strong enough to stun him but unfortunately not enough to knock him out. He loomed back into Kat’s personal bubble. A vicious grin spread across his face. "Hahaha! I've never met someone with such skinny arms who could throw such a mean punch!" He peered closer at her, eyes narrowing. "You know it's rude to attack someone out of nowhere like that, right?"

"Hey now, man, you scared her first!" Justice, whose attention was drawn back by the commotion, called from his side of Martle's Square. "I've been tellin' ya to stop scaring folks!"

"I don't see how that's relevant, my good man, I’m just doing my job." Pen feigned innocence.

Kat was shaking, lost in her past. At one point she'd considered this oaf her friend.

Hell, she had dated him.

She'd even found his self-important idiocy endearing, thinking that he was just another meathead. He was dishonest and a narcissist, she knew that, but the fact she'd dismissed him as harmless and loved him when in reality he was a murderer and absolute sociopath had ruined her trust in everyone. She didn't even trust herself.

Not when she made decisions like that.

Mi-an wrapped an arm around Kat's shoulders. She tried to steer her around Pen toward city hall as the man was distracted arguing with the Sheriff. Glancing at them, irritated, Pen stepped back in their way.

"Listen, the desert is unforgiving! It eats skinny arms like you for breakfast." Pen paused, leering at both builders. "I, as the mighty protector of Sandrock, shall offer my services… with combat lessons!"

Pen grinned at the cowering women. The smile never reached his eyes as he looked Kat up and down. He was clearly ignoring their discomfort. Amused by how weak they were. Mi-an started mumbling some excuses when Justice forced his way in between the builders and the church enforcer.

"Back off." The Sheriff's hard tone made Pen flinch. "You're really scaring them, man."

The enforcer quickly hid his reaction and stepped back. Pulling himself back up to his usual bravado. "Alright, alright… don't come to me when they're halfway down a geegler's gullet. I was just trying to help." Pen turned with a flick of his cape and sauntered off.

Shaking his head, Justice turned to the two women. "I'm sorry ‘bout that. He ain't- he ain’t normally that insufferable." Glancing at Kat he realized she was pale and shaking. "Come on, let's get you inside. You were ‘bout to register your workshop right?"

Justice herded the two builders into the town hall, babbling assurances to them along the way. As they made their way inside Matilda looked up at them in surprise. It was quite the scene; two builders clinging to each other as though their lives depended on it, one nearly in hysterics, with the Sheriff ushering them along.

"My goodness, what happened?"  The Minister hurried around her desk. 

"Pen's bullying folks again." Justice didn't take his eyes off Kat’s face, she looked like she'd pass out any moment. "This is the new builder, she uh- well she didn't like him much."

Kat was just desperately trying to keep her cool. 

She had a peaceful childhood back in Highwind. Hell, there hadn't even been any schoolyard drama in her life. Even in those troublesome teenage and adolescent years. Just peace and building. So when she arrived in Sandrock she was none the wiser.

As the newcomer Kat had desperately tried to befriend everyone. The folks at the church had been some of the first to be so openly welcoming to her. Matilda was benevolent and kind, Pen had taught her how to fight, and Miguel, for how often she argued with him, was a good moral guide. She had looked up to them. They were pillars of the community, often the reason things had got done, and she’d even felt comfortable enough to share some of her personal woes with them.

In hindsight, Kat had realized just how much they were using her. Both her skills and reputation had been an invaluable, although unintentional, champion to their cause. Every bit of kindness and overture of friendship like the bell to Pavlov's dogs.

Their betrayal had cut deep.

But it was a weakness she also couldn’t afford to show. ‘Act brave, cry later.’ She told herself.

Summoning what strength she had Kat put on a wavering smile and looked up at Matilda. "I'm sorry. I've had… bad experiences with people like that in my- uh- in the past. It’s… not pleasant." Straightening out her shaky legs she extended a hand to Matilda. "My name is Kathrine, though my friends call me Kat."

"Well! It's certainly a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Kat, I'm sorry about Pen. He's a church enforcer and takes his job… relatively seriously. I'll make sure to have a talk with him, can't have him chasing off our new builders just yet, hm?" Matilda shook Kat’s hand, warmth radiating from her kind smile.

Kat’s stomach twisted. She wanted to curl up and cry. The Minister’s presence wasn’t much more assuring, despite her ‘kindly old lady’ facade she knew how to manipulate a crowd. Kat had seen it in action before. Her thoughts spiraled a little, thinking about all the ways the Minister could turn her friends against her.

Mi-an squeezed Kat's arm reassuringly. Grounding her in reality. Taking deep breaths the Highwind builder straightened her shoulders and stepped towards the desk. Justice and Mi-an followed every little movement anxiously.

"Thank you, Minister, it's appreciated. I do need to register my workshop." Kat squeezed Mi-an’s hand back.

“Of course! Of course. We’ll get it registered and you’ll be a bonafide Sandrocker, hm?” Matilda picked up one of the pens from the desk. “I just need to see your license and a name for your workshop.”

“Right.” Kat pulled out the folded paper from her waist bag. “And the name is going to be BuilderBox Workshop.”

Matilda let out a light laugh. “Well, that certainly rolls off the tongue. Won’t be too hard to remember!”

Shuffling papers into order the Minister scrawled the name on the paper and stamped it with a decisive thud. "Oh! And on behalf of the Church of Light; Welcome to Sandrock, Kat. I'm certain you'll do great things."

Kat, Mi-an, and Justice all sat at the bar in the Blue Moon. The Sheriff had insisted on buying the builders lunch as yet another apology for Pen's behavior. Kat was reluctant at first but she was still far too shaky to do anything on her own.

Free food did a lot to soothe the tension though. If she just ignored the whole ‘reset’ thing, it felt like any other day when she’d hang out with friends.

"So, I meant to ask earlier but what did you mean when you said you'd had bad experiences with 'people like Pen'?" Justice spoke around a mouthful of food.

His question hit the lighter atmosphere like a train. Mi-an and Kat froze. Owen, who was just coming from the kitchen with fresh drinks, tutted disapprovingly at the Sheriff's table manners. 

"It's rude to pry, Justice." He admonished the Sheriff, seeing how uncomfortable Kat was. 

Justice held his hands up. "I jus' want to make sure that she's alright.” He turned back to the builder. “You had a pretty bad reaction to him. People don’t usually act like that around someone they’d just met."

"Who’d she meet? Is that the new builder?" 

All three diners jumped as a pale blond materialized from behind them, mirth sparkling in her blue eyes at their reaction. They hadn't heard the door open. Grace, the Blue Moon waitress, had snuck up on them. An amazing feat too, considering she wore a bright red top and had a noticeable air of confidence. Owen shook his head at her, it was a bad day for manners apparently.

"Grace! It ain't nice to sneak up on customers." 

"Sorry." Grace was definitely not sorry. "Just curious is all."

The blond reached over to shake Kat's hand. "We haven't had the chance to meet yet. I'm Grace, waitress at the saloon and student chef. It's nice to finally have more help arrive."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Kat." The Highwind builder withered a little under Grace's appraising stare. She knew the waitress was actually an undercover Alliance Central Intelligence spy. While she was someone Kat could trust she couldn't help but be nervous around the agent. Grace was generally friendly but always had an air of caution and calculation.

The blond narrowed her eyes at Kat before quickly rearranging her features in a friendly expression. "So, who is it we're talking about? Must have been pretty scary considering you're clearly still anxious."

"She nearly fainted when Pen jumped in front of them." The Sheriff butted in around another mouthful of food.

Kat glared at Justice. "Announce it to the world, why don't ya." She grumbled.

Grace tilted her head curiously. Glancing between the two of them. "I will admit he is pretty annoying, he’s always going on about himself. But I dunno what you’re seeing, he's generally absorbed in his own muscles."

"I just know from experience that people like that are bad news." Kat tried to shrug nonchalantly. She wasn't going to outright tell Grace about her 'time travel.' At least not until she had definitive proof for herself that that is what happened and that it wasn’t just a crazy dream.

Unfortunately for Kat, her explanation only seemed to make Grace suspicious, her eyes briefly narrowing as she picked up on the builder’s avoidance.

Fortunately, but also unfortunately because of who it was, Yan burst through the saloon doors before Grace could say anything.

"Newbies!" He rushed over and threw his arms over Mi-an and Kat's shoulders. Making them both uncomfortable since he was sweating nervously. "Listen, I need a favor from you-"

"Get back here you lazy mopstick!" Rocky’s voice boomed as he burst through the same door, which was now hanging onto its hinges for its dear door-life.

The Eufaula Salvage boss, who was intimidatingly large with a tank top showing off his considerably bulky arms, grabbed Yan by the scruff of his neck dragging him away from the two builders. Kat winced as his nails scraped her arm, desperately trying to cling to her and Mi-an to escape the large man's wrath. "First it was the turtle. Then I learn there ain't any turtle! My boys don’t got a lift and I'm losing money! I’m tired of waiting! This beat down has been a long time coming, pal, courtesy of company policy." Rocky raised his fist and everyone at the bar tensed, waiting for the inevitable violence.

"Wait- wait- waiiit! Rocky ol' buddy, ol' pal, I was just about to put these to lovely builders to work on your new lifts!" Yan thrashed, trying to break free. "They'll do it! They'll have it done in a jiffy too! Right, newbies?!"

Kat and Mi-an exchanged bemused glances.

"Well, that is what we're here for!" Mi-an said cheerily. "Our first big job too! What do you think, Kat?"

"As curious as I am about what this 'company policy' is like. I suppose we should." Kat shrugged. Rocky was a good ally to have, anger issues aside. Most of his anger came from his protective spirit over his wife and toddler. He cooled off significantly after Yan’s arrest in the previous timeline and he eventually turned into the town’s friendliest family man. Plus- “The scrapyard is an invaluable resource for all of us. It’ll be an important partnership for us as builders.” Kat added.

Rocky looked at the two women with a relieved smile. Which looked a little weird as he still had Yan by the throat. “Thank goodness someone recognizes that. I was beginning to think nothin’d get done around here!”

"See, pal? I'm a good manager, the commission just got thrown through a loop when Mason decided to retire." Yan chuckled nervously, his voice strained by the crushing pressure on his windpipe.

Yan’s simpering wiped the smile from Rocky’s face, "You ain't my pal." 

With that Rocky let go of Yan. The Commissioner crumpled to the floor like a sack of sad, whiny, potatoes. Turning his attention to the two builders, the salvage yard boss pulled out some papers.

"Sorry for dragging you two into this. But me 'n my boys need lifts to help with reaching the mines down in the ruins below the salvage yard. It’ll be how we haul up any good scrap we find. I've already got the diagrams from Qi and everything, we just need them built and installed." Handing the two younger builders the diagrams Rocky reached into his tool belt and produced two tickets as well. "Here. I can also give ya a free one-week pass for the salvage yard. You'd normally have to pay for a weekly pass but since I need you guys to install the lifts I'm willing to waive the fee for this week. Anything that’d get it done faster."

Kat slung an arm over Mi-an's shoulder and gave the big guy a winning smile. Their first mission on the quest to figure out what the heck was going on in this town had just begun. 

"You can count on us, Rocky."

Chapter Text

It was a few days after they built the salvage yard’s lifts that a powerful Sandstorm hit.

'Right on cue, too' Kat thought to herself. She was sitting at her scrappy little desk that she'd salvaged from Rocky's scrap yard, the crude chair digging into her thighs. There wasn’t much in the way of furniture in her house so the desk doubled as a dining table and the chair Arvio, the general store owner, had given her doubled as a guest chair. 

So far it's been a long, mildly uncomfortable, morning.

Which, unfortunately, started with a brief and unpleasant visit from Pen, who'd tried to give her Sandgear 'courtesy of the Church.' 

Kat had bought some gear from Grandma Vivi just the day before. So she declined the gear under the pretext that someone could need it more. In reality, she just wanted an excuse to shut the door on Pen, cutting his peacocking about fighting dangerous monsters during the sandstorm short. 'He can deal with that raging overgrown yakmel himself' Kat thought viciously.

She did have to admit that interaction was quite funny because he adamantly refused to wear any protective gear himself, meaning his eyes were streaming with tears despite his nonchalant overly proud demeanor. Only Pen could think he's stronger than a literal force of nature. Kat shook her head.

Other than that she had battened down the hatches at her workshop before the storm hit and had warned Mi-an to do the same. That meant she would have free time during the storm itself. She wouldn't have to run around trying to keep things from flying off. 

There were benefits to traveling back in time.

The only task left that morning consisted of running around her tiny shack and desperately shoving rags into all the cracks that leaked in copious amounts of sand and dust. She had pretty well plugged all of the worst holes and had settled down as the wind continued to shake the entire house. Such a storm had been petrifying the first time around but Kat knew now that the shack wouldn't collapse on her. It wasn't a comfortable house but it sure was stubbornly sturdy.

Banging on the front door startled Kat out of her thoughts.

It was definitely a person slamming on the door, frantically at that. As she approached the door Kat could hear a voice vaguely drowned out by the wind. Mi-an's voice specifically.

Opening the door brought in a terrified Mi-an alongside a deluge of sand.

"OkaysoIwilladmitIthoughtyouweremostlyjokingatfirstbutyouarescarilygoodatpredictingthefutureso-" Mi-an spoke so fast that she couldn't understand her.

"Woah, woah! Slow down Mi-an, deep breaths." Kat grabbed the other builder's hands. "Try to calm yourself- here let me get you some water."

She turned to her small kitchenette as Mi-an shakily removed her sandgear. “It’s insane out there! I know you said this sandstorm would be a doozy, but I'm pretty sure I heard a building getting torn apart as I walked over here!" Mi-an continued a little breathlessly.

"That was probably Owen's stage. Poor thing probably got torn apart… again. He’s a nice fellow, tries to pay directly so that Yan can't cheat us as much." Kat poured two glasses of water. She chuckled as she turned and saw Mian shuffling her hair wildly sending sand cascading down creating some mini dunes where she stood.

“The fact that you know so much is both disturbing and useful.” Mi-an finished dusting herself off before plopping down at the small rickety table.

“Well, I may have experience.” Kat paused peering over at the other builder. “Wait, you said you didn’t believe me?”

“Er- not exactly,” Mi-an replied, “I just thought it was weird at first. Then I wanted to know more about you. Then it was like you were predicting the future. You’ve gotta admit, if we haven’t been gathering evidence, time travel would be really hard to believe.”

“Hah, believe me, I’ve been looking for every reason it might all be in my head.”

“So what’s next then? Geegler attack? Bandit kidnapping? I feel like I should have taken notes." Mi-an sighed.

"Well, other than rebuilding the stage for Mason's retirement party… There's the train hijacking."

"Are you planning on being there?"

“I’m honestly not sure yet. I’d have to set my alarm a few hours earlier.” Kat reached over to her desk yanking a calendar planner and pencil towards her. “So if we get the stage rebuilt in about four days, Mason’s party is the next day, and after that-” Kat circled a day nearly a week away from the current date, writing ‘Train Heist’ on it- “Logan’s train heist will happen almost a week from now. I’ll set my alarm and see if I can get in contact with him… or at least see him.” Kat chewed on her pencil.

Mi-an watched Kat thinking, a Cheshire smile spreading across her face. Her soft giggle startled the other builder out of her thoughts. She’d been mercilessly teasing Kat about her crush recently. As a big fan of crappy romance novels, she loved the idea of watching one play out in person.

“Ahem,” Kat cleared her throat, “I don’t think you need to do much for this one. Other than working together on the stage and fixing the train, there’s not much either of us can do, really. Early days and all that.”

“Hm, the stage is two parts, right? Foundation and backdrop. Which would you wanna do?” Mi-an’s knowing smile didn't leave, even as she let the subject change.

“Ah- the foundation I think?”

“Should we draw up diagrams?”

“Heidi has some already, we’ll get them tomorrow morning when we meet by the wrecked stage.” Kat turned to the Tallsky builder, curious. “You’ve been ragging me about my crush, how about you? Anyone caught your eye?”

“Hm, good question. Is it just me or is Sandrock full of hot men?” Mi-an tapped her lips in thought. 

“Yeah. Pretty sure I had some passing crushes on three different guys when I first came here.”

“Owen and Justice have some charm to them… Director Qi is adorable…” Mi-an listed off her fingers.

“Hah! Don't let Qi hear you say that.”

Mi-an grinned at her. “He’s the only person I think is more workaholic than I am.”

“It’s still hard to believe you had- er- have no hobbies outside of builder work.” Kat flopped on her bed, kicking her feet.

“Well, what you mentioned about gardening does sound interesting.” Mi-an leaned back, sighing. “It’s just difficult to put down the hammer, you know?”

“Yeah, I get that. I remember spending my first few weeks running my feet off.” Kat patted the other builder’s hand, “You’ve gotta take time to yourself, even if it's just ten minutes to visit with friends. Elsie’s also good at dragging us around to do things too, though she can be a bit much.”

“We should make sandstorm sleepovers a thing, can’t work much on days like this anyways.” Mi-an giggled. “And yeah, I’ll take time for myself. Helping out at the moisture farm and gardening sounds like my kinda thing; still productive but restful.”

“Good. As long as you're looking out for yourself. If Yan ever bothers you come to me, I’ll give him a talking to.”

“It’s nice to have someone look out for me. I should have said this sooner, but you’ve really made the past few days easier to bear. Yan’s been on my case from day one but hasn’t been as unbearable recently.” Mi-an leaned back against the bed. “It’s nice to not have him breathing down our necks.”

Kat raised a brow at her friend. “You’re getting sappy on me.” She teased, sitting up and looking at the other builder in the eyes. “I just want to do right by everyone this time around, I got a second chance… might as well use it. Y’know?” She admitted.

 Mi-an raised her water glass with a warm smile. “Cheers to that!"

Kat grinned and bumped the glass with her knuckle.

"Cheers!"

Kat’s eyes opened blearily, her blaring alarm waking her. Glancing over she could see the time, 5 AM. ‘ Why on Earth?’ She slapped it off the nightstand. Sweet silence.

‘The train robbery.’

Her eyes snapped open. Sunlight was already flooding through the window. Scrambling out of bed she tripped over her alarm clock on the floor. 7 AM. ‘Shit.’ Quickly throwing on clothing. She hobbled to the door, flinging it open.

Outside she could see the train stopped at the station and Justice herding a small crowd of passengers away from the station. Kat’s heart dropped. She’d missed everything. Even after planning a week ahead and going to bed earlier the night before, Kat had missed everything. Lost her chance to change the course of history. Cursing herself, she straightened out her clothes and stepped outside.

Trotting over to the crowd she could see the stress lines forming on Justice’s forehead. 

“-none of y’all saw him take anything?” The sheriff pinched the bridge of his nose. It was already shaping up to be a long day for the poor guy. “Nobody got robbed?”

“Excuse me, Captain, sir?” A familiar blond clad in a purple sweater piped up. “Ernest, Atara Times. Do you have time for an interview?” 

“What? No. Plus I’m the Sheriff ‘round here. Captain’s the cat. I’ve got way too much to do for the investigation now anyways.” Justice sighed turning back to the group. “Alright, y’all are free to go. If any of y’all think of anything at all that could help catch Logan, head on over to the Civil Corp, double time!”

The small crowd dispersed, Ernest walking off with a slightly sour look on his face.

“Justice! Wait up.” Kat called out to the Sheriff.

“Oh, Kat. Hey.” Justice turned towards her, a troubled look on his face. “You’ve heard about Logan, right?”

“...Yeah, local bandit, causing problems. Blew up a building cause his pa was sick… something or other.” Kat winced at the incredulous look on the Sheriff’s face. She wasn’t hiding her knowledge on the topic well.

“You a bounty hunter or somethin’? How do ya know all that?” Justice asked.

“Er- something like that… Current events and all that. Plus, I live here too. Safety’s important...”

Justice stared at her hard for a moment. Then let out a hearty laugh, clapping Kat on the back. “Looks like we got a hero in the making!” He shook her shoulder. “Tell ya what; get yourself some combat training first, Kat, and I’ll let ya help. Don’t be afraid to ask Unsuur an’ me for training. We could definitely use more hands in the Civil Corps…” Justice rubbed his chin, thinking. “Oh and before I forget. Logan robbed- er- hijacked the train this mornin’. So far Jensen and the passengers say he didn’t steal anything. Real head scratcher that one. Why would he stop the train and not take anything?”

“Huh.” Kat did her best to feign ignorance. She already knew. “Good question.”

“Well, I’d better get back to it. Lots of paperwork to do. You stay safe builder! Don’t forget that combat training.” Justice clapped her shoulder again before walking back up Main Street.

Suddenly, in his absence, Kat got the feeling she was being watched.

Grace stood on the porch of the Blue Moon, holding a broom but clearly not sweeping. Noticing she’d been spotted the blond waved at Kat before slipping back inside the saloon. Turning around towards the Commerce Guild she immediately came face to face with her second watcher. Clad in purple and carrying a notepad.

Ernest, the writer from Atara.

“Oop, sorry. Didn’t mean to sneak up on you.” He spoke before she could say anything. “I couldn't help but notice you’re familiar with the Sheriff and seem to know about the bandit ‘Logan,’ do you have time for an interview?”

Kat sighed internally. Ernest was a decent fellow but his job as a reporter meant he was naturally nosy. He had a knack for ‘noticing’ when he really was just eavesdropping. She remembered how he had pestered her an Logan after the Northern Ruins fight. “I’ve got a few minutes but I also have to get back to work, you can tag along as I pick up commissions, but that’s it.” She said firmly. A few answers would get him off her back at least.

Ernest brightened. “I’ll take any time you’re willing to give.” He stepped out of her path. “Please, lead the way.”

"Nosy," Kat grumbled to herself bushing past him towards the Commerce Guild. "And before you ask, no, I don't know much about the train robbery this morning."

“Hmm, alright. Let me start with this; Do you personally know Logan?” Ernest turned his attention towards his notepad as Kat held the door for him. “How long have you lived here?”

Kat snorted. Easy. “First off, no. Secondly, I've only been here a few weeks, just a few days short of a month.” She could list those off easily, they were at least technically true.

“Alright,” Ernest noted her answers as she browsed the commission board. “Tell me what he looks like. The posters around here do nothing! I mean, I get that he wears a bandana now, but he lived here didn't he? They couldn’t have found a picture of his face? Wait, have you seen his face?”

That got Kat thinking about the first time Logan had shown her his full face. It was a touching moment; he’d trusted her enough that he felt he could remove his mask, a wall he put up out of grief and regret.

‘I can’t face the world until I know my Pa is at peace.’  

“He’s certainly something,” Kat murmured softly to herself. Staring at the Guild's Commission Board, lost in the memory.

“What.”

“What.” Kat was startled out of her thoughts. “Oh, right. No, I’ve never laid eyes on him. Why would I know what he looks like?” She tried to casually cover for herself. She had not meant to say that out loud.

“Hmm,” Ernest narrowed his eyes at the builder, “What was it you said before that? I heard you mumble something.”

“Nothing. Just talking to myself about commissions.” She plucked a paper off the board and waved it in his face.

“Alright, fine.” He sighed, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. “Next question; What do you know about his accomplice?”

“That would be, Haru. His oldest friend… so I’m told.” Kat folded the commission stuffing it into a pocket on her toolbelt. She turned back to the reporter. Time to cut this short. “Is that all?”

Ernest sighed again, looking over his notes. “I suppose that's all I can ask for now, seeing as you don’t have more time. I get the feeling this isn’t everything you know but I’ll stop by your workshop if I think of anyth-”

As if summoned like a demon out of hell, Yan shoved himself between Kat and Ernest. Chest puffed out. Irritated by the sight of one of his underlings not working.

“Excuse me, sir. But I certainly hope you aren't wasting our dear builder’s time! We run a very tight ship here at the Sandrock Commerce Guild, veerrry tight! Or are you here for a discount? We don’t give discounts! Fill out a commission form and leave the rest to us. You’ll pay full price no matter the sob story, alright bub?”

Kat took the opportunity to escape.

She felt a little guilty leaving the reporter with a ranting Yan but she needed to get away from his interview.  Kat was a terrible liar. Having spent years building relations with the townsfolk in Sandrock in her previous timeline took its toll on her ability to lie. The people here had a usually blunt and honest attitude, with a few notable exceptions. Hell, she’d only ever successfully kept one secret in her time here, the one about her crush, and that was because he was a close friend. So, other than her best friend Mi-an, she didn’t tell anyone.

  It hasn’t even been a month and all this lying was already getting tiring.

Chapter Text

Alliance Central Intelligence HQ had given clear orders to Grace; Keep an eye out for Duvos spy activity in Sandrock and investigate the bandit Logan’s connection to them. Sandrock was more important to the Alliance of Free Cities then most people realized. Losing the town would mean losing the connection between Atara and Highwind, which meant it was basically the heart of the Alliance. She even had some suspects.

Namely Kat, that new builder that just arrived this month.

She clearly had to have some kind of attachment to Logan’s gang, Grace had found hard evidence of that.

The spy had snuck into the builder’s workshop while she was out ruin-diving and had found some pretty damning stuff. Including a planner that clearly marked out the date and time that Logan and Haru had hijacked the train. It even had the words; ‘Meet up?’ Scrawled right next to it. Plus, from the way the builder had acted that morning, she knew more than she let on about who the bandits were. Her conversation with Justice that morning was suspicious too.

This morning, however, Owen had asked her to look after the saloon. 

Part of her undercover identity was that she worked as a waitress at the Blue Moon. Paying off tuition for Atara University. Which meant she actually had to work when Owen asked. 

Stepping out of her apartment Grace was stopped by the sound of hushed voices in the common area. One she recognized as the builder. The other sounded like a distressed man, that Ataran writer who’d just moved in, presumably. She crept down the stairs, peering around the corner down the hallway, two figures were standing in the lounge area in the apartment foyer.

“-I swear to the Light if you publish that I will have your head, Ernest,” Kat growled, holding the reporter in a headlock and giving him a vicious noogie that would have made Pen jealous.

“Ow, ow, ow! Okay! I'll rewrite it! Lemme go!” The writer thrashed, unable to break the builder’s iron grip.

Grace stepped out of the stairwell, clearing her throat. Kat let go of Ernest and both stared at her sheepishly, like children who were caught fighting. The builder even hid her hands behind her back. Grace raised a brow. “Am I interrupting?”

“Nope. I was just leaving!” Kat replied hastily. Turning on her heel a little too quickly. 

Grace narrowed her eyes. ‘I did interrupt something then.’ The builder paused at the door, looked back at Ernest and made an ‘ I got my eye on you’ gesture. Ernest, for his part, nodded sulkily and scurried back into his apartment. Slamming the door.

It was one thing to investigate a pretty obvious suspect. It was an entirely different kind of luck to have a lead dropped practically at her doorstep. Grace was beginning to wonder if this was some kind of misdirection tactic. But Kat had acted suspiciously since they'd met… She had no reason to not investigate, even if it was just out of pure curiosity.

Stepping up to Ernest’s door she knocked lightly. The door opened a crack and his untrusting green eyes peered at her.

“Hey, I just wanted to check on ya,” She said, “Is the builder giving you trouble?”

Ernest opened the door wider for a moment, glancing around behind Grace before moving to usher her in. “Sort of. I could use your opinion.” Moving over to his desk he picked up a paper from one of the stacks. “I’d rather thought Kat and I were getting along. She’d even built me some new furniture when I moved in and encouraged me to write! But she took issue with this article. She says it's 'oversharing' and 'I don’t have the right.' Then she grabbed me and… ah, well, you saw the noogie.” Ernest handed Grace the paper.

From a glance, it looked like a draft for a newspaper article. With the title Ne’er-do-well Nabs Nada hastily scratched out. Other than the description of the events of the train robbery Ernest had included some quotes. One from Justice, one from a fellow passenger, and one from the builder.

'‘He’s certainly something.’ -Kat, Sandrock Builder. It appears, dear readers, that Sandrock’s mysterious bandit has a fanbase, even in town.'

That made Grace’s eyebrows rise incredulously. “Seriously.”

“Yeah, I interviewed her a few days ago,” Ernest shrugged, “She didn’t have much more useful information than the Sheriff did. She’s also a newcomer. However, my reporter instincts say there’s more to the story between her and Logan. The way she answered those questions, no doubt about it; she’s at least had a run-in with him.” He took back the paper, scribbling on it. “But that's just a hunch.”

“So she was mad because you were about to publish that she has a crush on someone she supposedly never met… based on a hunch .” Grace put her hands on her hips. She apparently wasn’t the only one picking up on Kat’s suspicious behavior. But surely Ernest wasn’t so dense he couldn't see how this would offend the builder. 

“...Yes.” Apparently he was.

“Ernest, even if it’s true, outing that to the whole town, let alone in a newspaper article for the Atara Times …” She sighed, “She has good reason to be mad at you. At minimum that’s defamation. You could make her lose her job.”

“Ah, I hadn’t thought about that…” He scuffed his feet, shamefacedly. Ernest tilted his head slightly as a thought struck him. “Do you think she would be mad if I wrote a novel instead? Names changed of course.” He rubbed his chin. “I was originally thinking of an adaptation of Logan’s story anyways. What if she’s like a femme fatale? Or would that be offensive too? Should I write her as a hero?”

Grace just sighed. He wasn’t listening anymore, lost in the kind of fantasy headspace that only a writer knows. She clapped, startling Ernest out of his thoughts. “How would you feel about investigating together? I got the same suspicions about her.”

He just watched her for a moment, confused. “That wouldn’t hurt… you do get a lot more info at the saloon than I do. But why would you help me though? I thought you were a waitress. Do you write too?”

“I am a waitress,” Grace nodded, “But I am also a university student and just a generally nosy person. I have to live here for a while, so I might as well know everything about the town and its inhabitants, no? Plus gossip is a valuable resource at the Saloon.”

“Hmm. Well alright, I won’t turn down the opportunity, but wouldn't it be better to leave ‘investigating’ to the Civil Corp?”

“Well, let me put it like this, Ernest; how much have you learned so far about Logan from the townsfolk?” Grace’s question put a sour look on the reporter’s face.

“Not much. Everyone here just clams up. Kat and the Sheriff are the only ones that gave me info, and most of what Justice gave me were the public records I nagged him about,” He replied, then tilted his head curiously. “You’ll really help me? I probably won't be of much use, I’ll be working on the novel.”

“Look, I’ll do most of the leg work. I just need you to befriend Kat.” Grace tapped her chin, thinking through her plan. The builder didn’t trust her but she could use the reporter as a proxy.

“You do realize that she threatened to behead me, right?” Ernest looked affronted. “How on Earth do I befriend her?”

“Well, you mentioned you were getting along before the argument about the article. Just rewrite it and apologize. Simple.” Grace shrugged. “More importantly; she’s willing to talk to you. Kat’s been avoiding direct conversations with me, she knows I have a knack for interrogating people. Especially after that kitchen explosion…” The waitress shook her head. “She’s definitely hiding something.” She poked Ernest’s chest. “So, if we’re going to make any headway in this investigation. You need to befriend her.”

“Fine. I suppose I should start rewriting the article then.”

“You do that. I’ll check in with you when I have more info, I’ve got to get to work.”

Grace got the full story on Logan from Owen rather quickly. The saloon owner was extremely reluctant when she’d interrogated him, though. He, and apparently a lot of the other townsfolk, actually felt guilty about what’d happened. Logan was one of their own and they felt betrayed.

It started when Logan’s pa, Howlett, was found ill from an old-world virus he’d picked up in some ruins. The church pastor, Miguel, had quarantined him in the church. Logan had evidently gone mad, claiming that there was no way his pa could be so careless and prowling around the church looking for a way to get him out. Eventually, he and his old friend, Haru, formulated a plan to bomb the church to break Howlett out. However, the plan went awry resulting in the collapse of the chapel and Howlett’s death.

Since then Logan and Haru have been on the run and laying low… until now.

Later that same day Grace spotted Ernest and the builder in the saloon around lunchtime. Kat still looked mildly annoyed but the two of them were at least talking. The writer had offered to pay for lunch and, apparently, free food was enough to lighten the builder’s soured mood.

Grace’s theory so far was that Kat was planted in Sandrock so Logan’s gang would have an insider in town. The job advertisements were sent out to all the Free Cities so it wouldn’t have been hard to find someone to take the contract. Considering how much Sandrock treasured its builders as they were practically the town’s only lifelines… Grace had to admit it was a clever plan on Logan’s part. He could not only know about the town’s plans but had an ear practically in the heart of Sandrock’s business. The Commerce Guild would have as much info going through it as a place like the Saloon would. Possibly more since the townsfolk went to the guild for almost everything. From construction jobs to raw resources and even food and ingredients, most requests went through the guild.

She kept an eye on Kat and Ernest as they sat to eat but nothing interesting happened other than the noticeable dispersal of the builder’s stormy mood.

The day seemed to stretch on. Grace was relegated to bar duties for the rest of the afternoon after she’d accidentally started another stove fire. 

She felt genuinely guilty about those mishaps. Owen was trying his best to teach her to cook but Grace was a little too busy with her other occupation. She was never really a good student either. So, it was waitressing and dish cleaning for the evening. She could only hope that Ernest got some info from the builder.

When Grace followed up with Ernest the next day the reporter had something exciting to… well… report.

"She did see his face!" He was giddily bouncing around his apartment, occasionally stopping to note a thought on the notebook on his desk. "They'd had a run-in near the Shonash Bridge! She said she thought he was a ghost at first. Oh, he is clever for having a giant goat as a mount. That's how he escapes! Goats are notorious for climbing sheer cliff faces. Oh, this is a juicy story…"

Grace couldn't get a word in. The reporter did have plenty of interesting info though. She now knew to look for goat tracks and that Logan had a mount capable of traversing steep terrain. She’d need to get her hands on climbing gear, some weapons, and an excuse to leave town for a bit. Prior to the lead with the builder Grace had been surveying the land while out ‘gathering ingredients for cooking.’ She did notice an unusual amount of activity near the Badlands, disturbances on the cliffside that would likely match the coming and going of a goat-riding bandit. So even if the builder didn’t yield any more leads, Grace still stood a good chance of finding their hideout.

“Wait, wait. You’re going to have to explain. They’d met?” Grace tried to steer Ernest back on track. “But she’s not working with him or something?”

“No, no. She said that’s why she didn’t report it. Being the new person in town, she was scared that’s what people would’ve thought. Makes sense why she was so apprehensive... anyways-” He waved a hand, “She apparently startled him as much as he scared her. It was just a passing moment, she didn’t even have time to scream before he ran away.” Ernest paused his exuberant pacing a gleam in his eye. “She also gave me permission to write about her in my novel! Er- well- as long as I don't make it obvious that it's her and if I let her read it first. But I’d say that’s a win for me! I’m glad you encouraged me to talk to her.”

So, Grace couldn’t trust the builder’s words at face value. She’s a liar. That was also useful information. 

“By the way, did you learn anything about Logan himself?”

“Oh right.” Grace shook off her thought and pulled a folder of papers out from her backpack. “Here. This is what I’d learned about him. Most of this info I got from Owen and Mort. A few public reports too.”

Ernest grabbed the folder eagerly, flipping the pages with a grin. “This is wonderful, thank you! We’ve got to work together more often, this partnership worked out so much better than the interviews I was doing.”

Grace laughed. “While I appreciate that your reporter skills are direct and honest, you sometimes have to use a little bit of subterfuge to learn what people don't want you to know.”

Ernest didn’t respond, already absorbed in the contents of the papers he’d been handed. Shaking her head Grace made her exit. It wasn’t likely that she’d get much more information within the town. Secretly, she hoped that Logan’s case wasn’t related to the Duvos spy. From what she’d seen the whole town actually still cared deeply for the two bandits, even after everything they’d done. If they weren’t Duvos then she could bring them back to the town for the sake of those who knew them. After all the care they’d shown her…Well, Grace was never good with emotions. So that would be the least she could do for Sandrock.

Either way, it was time to talk with the man himself.

Chapter Text

Logan sat next to a woman he’d never seen before. A mop of brown hair framed her freckled face and her wide smile lit up her hazel eyes. Her fair skin was tanned, a badge earned from all the hours she'd worked in the desert. She threw her head back and laughed at something he said. The sound sent warmth through him. He reached out, catching a stray lock of hair and tucking it behind her ear, marveling at how soft it was. She leaned against him with a contented hum. For some reason, she was so familiar to him. Those hazel eyes met his again and she opened her mouth to speak-

Logan sat up groggily. Some strange sense disturbing his slumber. The allure of sleep clouded his mind and mixed with his confusion over the dream he was having. 

Ever since the temple incident he'd been having nightmares; running through town not recognizing anyone's face, reliving losing his pa, and one particularly bad nightmare where the whole town was set ablaze, bodies scattered about.

Plus, that was just the rare occasion that he had dreams. Most days Logan worked himself to exhaustion just to avoid them.

That made this dream all the more confusing, the woman was someone he'd never met, yet she was somehow achingly familiar to him. The peace he'd felt… It left a hollow space in his chest. Neither he nor Haru have had any semblance of peace in the last few seasons. 

'Protect Sandrock… Duvos…' His pa's last words had stolen any sleep the two could get.

The thought that his beloved little desert town had been infiltrated by foreign hostiles had torn his world apart. Not only that, he was sure it had something to do with his pa’s death. 

Logan blamed himself for his irrationality, of course, that had played a major role in the tragedy. He’d just wanted to free his pa from quarantine and take him to a better doctor. But now all he had left was memories, a bounty, and a looming threat. 

But it didn’t take long for him to connect at least a few dots. His pa was never one to take unnecessary risks. There was no way he would’ve just gotten sick from ruin diving, he was more cautious than that. After hearing his last words… Duvos must have something to do with it. For his pa to mention them and saving Sandrock with his dying breath-

A tiny 'ahem' cut through the fog in Logan’s head.

As the sleep cleared from his eyes, he could see the familiar cavern hideout they called home. Except this time a blond woman he didn't recognize stood at the foot of the raised sleeping platform that marked the bandits' bed area. He squinted for a second. Was that the thing that woke him up? 'Am I still dreaming?'  

She raised a brow and chuckled lightly at Logan’s clear befuddlement. “You guys certainly sleep well, I was wondering if I’d be here all night.”

Logan scrambled for the weapons on his nightstand- which were missing. The woman held up his belt, with his knife and gun still strapped to it. “Looking for these?”

“Who the Hell are you? Give those back!” Logan barked.

“Whazzat?” Logan’s shout broke through Haru’s rock-like slumber. “Whozzat?” The sleepy chemist mumbled, barely awake enough to register the threat.

Logan silently cursed himself. 

They’d gotten too complacent, comfortable in the thought that no one in Sandrock could find their hideout. Now, that comfort put them in danger. Logan watched the woman tensely. Ready to fight tooth and nail.

“Why don't we have a civil talk first, Logan?” The woman tilted her head. “I’ve got a few questions to ask you and I’d rather not get into a fight. I have to go back to work in the morning.”

“Give that back,” Logan snarled again.

“I’d rather have the upper hand until I know you guys are good.”

“Then I won’t talk.”

“Look, we may share a mutual interest. I have a Duvos problem and apparently so do you.”

That caught their attention. 

“You know about that?” Haru finally spoke up, well awake now.

“More than you think. Also, you guys left your plans in plain sight.” She gestured across the cavern to the board where they’d pinned up their notes.

Logan huffed in irritation, finally taking the time to pull on a shirt. Keeping a wary eye on the unwelcome guest. “Well, we thought this cavern was well hidden.”

“Ah, well. You’re not wrong; It is well hidden.” The woman laughed. “I’m just above average when it comes to tracking people down. You’re still good to stay here, by the way. I won’t rat you out just yet.” She crossed her heart. “So? Willing to talk or not?” She asked as she swung Logan’s belt in her hand lazily.

"We already are." Logan was starting to lose his patience with her.

“I suppose I should’ve started with introductions.” She pulled a badge from her pocket flipping it open to reveal an ACI, Alliance Central Intelligence, seal. “I’m Grace, an agent from the ACI. I’ve been sent here because we’ve intercepted Duvos spy activity in Sandrock.”

Both bandits blinked at her. Haru hopped up and padded over to her, taking a closer look at the badge she was presenting. Logan was still processing the info. 

It’d been just under a week since the train hijacking.

They’d gone through with that plan to get the Alliance’s attention but he almost couldn’t believe their luck. There was already an Alliance agent in town? And she was investigating the Duvos presence?

The relief he felt almost outweighed his caution of her.

“If ya are Alliance, why don’t y’all drive out the spies then?” Logan asked. “The Alliance has the manpower for it, that’s why Haru n’ me went through all this trouble.”

“Well, we can’t exactly arrest someone when we don’t know who it is.” Grace shrugged. “Plus, up until now, our suspicions were on you .”

Logan’s brow furrowed in anger. “Like hell, I would work for those bastards.” He growled, offended at the implication. “I ain’t betraying my Pa.”

“Yeah, like I said. Your plans made clear that wasn’t the case.” The blond nodded. “I think you need to start with what happened at the Temple; I’ve only got one side of the story.”

“So, from the sounds of it, your Pa knew who the spy was.”

Logan only nodded. Lost in the memory of a catastrophic explosion. They wouldn’t be in this mess if he’d stopped to think of a measured approach, if he’d at least tried something, anything, else. 

A hand on his shoulder drew him out of his spiraling thoughts. 

Looking up he saw the sadness and understanding in Haru’s eyes. His best friend always seemed to be able to read his mind. The chemist glanced back at Grace.

“Then we need to find who this spy is too. Do you at least have any leads?” Haru asked.

“Unfortunately, we’ve only got vague notions that a spy named ‘Tiger’ is executing a plan in Sandrock. We’ve kept our ear to the ground but there’s been radio silence for a while.” Grace shook her head. “Other than you and that builder of yours I had no other leads.”

“Builder o’ mine?” Logan looked up at her, confused.

“Yeah… the new builder in town, took over Mason’s old workshop? Wait- She isn’t working with you?” Grace’s voice rose incredulously. “I thought that was a clever plan. Having a builder who could spy on the town for you…” She clasped her hands in front of her face. “Your wanted posters are pretty but I didn’t think they were that great…” The blond snorted a laugh.

“The hell you talkin’ about?” 

“Well, either she has a massive crush on you just because people think your poster makes you look hot or…” Grace trailed off, her expression turning serious. “Huh… maybe we do have a lead after all…”

She paused, thinking to herself. Both bandits sat silently in confusion for a moment. ‘She has a crush on me ‘cause of what now? That's the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.’ Logan wasn’t unfamiliar with the misguided infatuation of strangers. He’d had his fair share of tourists being uncomfortably flirty when he was in town, mostly attracted to the fact he was strong. Though he never put up with any of it. He preferred to focus on training and hunting. 

“I don’t think either of us have met or even seen her.” Haru answered for them. Logan nodded in agreement.

“She’s definitely a suspicious one, then. She seems to know a lot about you two…” Grace tapped her chin in thought. “On top of that, the day her train arrived in Sandrock there was a town-wide blackout. It was only for a minute or two, but the electrical disturbance was even detected in Vega 5. If she is the Duvos spy she’s not great at hiding it at all. That’s one heck of an entrance to make. I have my doubts though.”

“Why have doubts? Sounds like enough to me.” Logan huffed. “I say arrest her and get this whole thing over with.”

“That's the thing, Logan. It isn’t concrete enough and we don’t know if she’s the only one. She just arrived and we’ve been intercepting messages from the Duvos spy for way longer than that.” Grace caught Logan's eye. “Plus, she’s a terrible liar. That's why I thought she was working for you guys.”

“Still a better lead than nothing. What d’ya need us to do?”

“Right now? Just keep training and keep an eye out on the outskirts of town.” 

Logan groaned. At this point, he was feeling pent up enough that he wanted to tear apart the whole desert to find the spy. There was only so long that he could stand staying in this cave. Even the patrols they’d go on were short and generally hidden. They couldn’t stay out long when the Civil Corp were patrolling. He just needed something to do, he hated to admit it but the training he’d been doing hadn’t been enough to stretch his legs, he needed sunshine on his back again. 

‘Was this what it was like during the age of darkness? How did people ever survive living underground?’ Logan thought to himself.

“Look there isn’t much you two can do without raising an alarm in town,” Grace said pointedly. “You’ve lasted this long out here, you can stand a little longer.”

“Maybe you can find him some books or toys when you go back to town.” Haru spoke up, mirth in his eyes. “It’s like living with a giant kid out here.”

“Hey!” The bigger man turned an offended glare at his friend. “Like you don’t make a racket when you’re testing your bombs!”

“I don’t pace circles around you while you train. Some of us have delicate work to do.”

“Alright! That's enough bickering you two.” Grace cut off Logan’s retort. “I’ll see what I can get for you guys. I’ve gotta get back now anyways. Lay low for a while, wait until I contact you.”

Chapter Text

Kat was having a bad day.

One among many in a bad week.

It was mostly thanks to the strange mutant Lizard folk known only as 'the Geeglers.' Kat had been expecting it for obvious reasons but that didn’t make it any more tolerable. Between them terrorizing Burgess, the oasis water manager, and trashing Martle’s Oasis, the town’s only source of water, the Highwind builder was beginning to really resent the ‘semi-intelligent’ lizards. 

This morning was no exception either.

On this day in her previous timeline, Matilda had shown up at Kat’s door telling her to go learn desert farming from the local horticulturalist Zeke. When she had arrived at the Moisture Farm a pack of Geeglers was there tearing everything apart. After which, the vital majority of the work fell on Kat. She was, by providence apparently, always present whenever something major went down in Sandrock.

So she’d set her alarm and got ready before Matilda arrived. Even preparing the day before by telling Sheriff Justice that patrols around the Moisture Farm should be upped because it was ‘isolated and easily accessible from the Shonash bridge.’ It had taken some convincing but Justice promised he would check in with Zeke this morning. 

Kat strapped her dagger to her hip and opened the front door. Matilda stood on the other side, surprise crossing her face, her hand frozen just before she knocked.

“Oh! Kat!” The Minister put her hand over her heart. “Having an early mornin’ huh?”

“Morning Minister,” Kat kept her voice carefully neutral, “I was just about to head out to the Moisture Farm. Heard I could pick up gardening supplies there.”

“Ah, what a coincidence! I was just about to tell you; I talked with Zeke and we agreed it would be beneficial to introduce you to desert farming.” Matilda smiled sweetly at Kat. “Gardening is a little different out here…Ah, well, Zeke will be able to tell you more.” She waved a hand. “I must say, you’ve got impeccable timing!” Her eyes narrowed.

“Mysterious ways and all that.” Kat tried to feign nonchalance. She was stressed enough today, she didn’t need to deal with Matilda. “I really should be going.”

“Well, you have fun learnin’ then.” The minister stood aside, watching the builder brush past with a gleam in her eye. Her tone was sickeningly sweet. The warm smile on her face never reached her eyes.

Racing away, Kat tried to shake off the goosebumps she got. She was always getting chills or feeling queasy every time she encountered Matilda these days. Always hearing the double edge in her words. Getting the feeling that the Minister knew more than she let on. The builder even had a horrible feeling that she already knew about the Geegler's plans this morning and was just trying to feed her to them. Why else would an enemy of Sandrock want Kat to learn farming, or anything beneficial to the town?

It left a sinking feeling in Kat’s stomach.

As she crested the ridge near the farm her sinking feeling only got worse. Smoke was already rising from the glass-domed building. Distantly she could see Justice engaged with a group of Geeglers outside the entrance to the Moisture Farm. The door to the farm itself was already hanging off of its hinges and smoke billowed out from inside.

A Geegler broke off from the pack to try and flank Justice.

Breaking into a full sprint Kat yanked her dagger free from its sheath slamming into the side of the Geegler, jamming the blade into its gut. It collapsed without another sound. Justice launched another Geegler over the cliffside with a swing of his oversized battle hammer. Glancing over his shoulder the Sheriff nodded his thanks at Kat.

“I’ve got the ones out here! There’s more inside, you gotta help Zeke!” He grunted as he blocked another Geegler’s blade.

Without any argument Kat sprinted towards the door, leaping through the smoke. 

Inside several smaller Geeglers ran amok waving torches and lighting crops on fire. They tore at anything they could reach and, most concerningly, there were two larger ones bashing away at the Hydrogel in the center of the farm. 

Kat’s heart leapt into her mouth. 

That machine was the only reliable source of water for the crops as well as the only temperature regulation in the building. Without it, the farm would die. Sandrock would be without a stable food source. It almost happened in her past life, when she was new. It’d taken her nearly two weeks to build the replacement, struggling to cobble together enough machines to churn out the resources. The whole town almost starved.

One of the smaller Geeglers noticed the builder. He charged, swinging his torch at her with an angry hiss. 

Catching it with her blade, Kat let out her own hiss as embers from the flame bit the skin of her hand. Slamming the heel of her boot into its leg she brought her dagger around slicing the beast’s throat. It crumpled with a gargled scream as its legs gave out. The noise attracting the attention of the rest of the lizard mutants.

Brandishing her knife at them she snarled a wordless challenge.

The two nearest to her charged, aiming to bash her with their torches as well. Dodging the first she slammed her fist against its scaly jaw. As it staggered back the second one landed a blow against Kat’s shoulder, she screamed in rage as the flame seared through her shirt, branding her shoulder. Stumbling forward onto her knees she turned to face her attacker. Painfully aware she was outnumbered and outmatched.

That’s when she heard one of the Geeglers screech behind her.

A green blur sailed over her head as a Geegler was launched with astonishing speed through the glass ceiling of the farm. A hulking figure had emerged from the smoke, a silent snarl written on his weathered features. Dragging another unconscious Geegler behind him. 

It was Zeke, the horticulturalist and resident giant of Sandrock.

With lightning-quick hands, he launched one Geegler after another through the glass ceiling. A feat which made Kat eternally thankful for the man’s generally friendly, if aloof, nature. She stood as he tore away her attackers, sending them after their brethren. With a quick dusting of his hands, he turned towards the builder. Peering down at her from under his wide-brim straw hat.

“Are you alright?” He nodded towards her. His voice was laced with genuine concern as the builder stood, holding her wounded shoulder.

“About as well as can be, all things considered-” Kat’s voice cut off in a hiss of pain as she moved. “Just a flesh wound…” Her attempt at an assuring smile came out as more of a grimace. 

She glanced around the smoldering farm taking in all the destruction, already her mind was calculating what she’d need to do for repairs. The fires would need to be put out first. Kat’s eyes landed on the fire extinguisher by the entrance she started towards it. Hefting it as well as she could with one arm.

Large hands stopped her gently, taking the extinguisher from her hands. Zeke put a gentle oversized palm on her head. “I appreciate the thought, little one, but you’re hurt. You should visit Doctor Fang first, I’m sure we’ll still be needing help later anyway.”

Kat opened her mouth to argue when they both heard a shuffling noise just outside the door, tensing for another fight. 

Instead of another Geegler, Justice appeared through the thick smoke that still clouded the entrance, with Unsuur, the deputy-in-training, not far behind. Both ready for combat. When the Sheriff saw that Kat and Zeke were the only ones inside the Moisture Farm he set the hammer down and leaned on it, exhausted. Unsuur brushed past him, taking the extinguisher from Zeke and rushing to douse the fires.

“Damn! You were right Kat.” The sheriff wheezed out after catching a breath. “I didn’t think the Geeglers were organized enough for an attack like this.”

With the adrenaline draining out of her system, Kat could only grunt numbly.

The pain in her shoulder was becoming more prominent with each passing second. But her mind fixated on one problem; whether or not they’d managed to save the Hydrogel. It needed to be alright, it was not only Sandrock’s only food source but would be proof that Kat could change the future. It would mean that her knowledge was of use, even if she didn’t share it with anyone but Mi-an.

“Ah, that’s the Hydrogel.” Zeke watched the builder with concern. “You’re really not going to listen to me about that shoulder, are you?”

Turning to the horticulturalist Kat opened her mouth again to speak. I’m a builder damn it, I’m supposed to help.

But before any of her words could get out the machine groaned as the front panel ripped free. Landing in a smoldering heap. The machinery inside looked untouched, save for the parts that were torn free by the falling panel.

Kat stood frozen staring at the mess, her heart sinking.

She wasn’t sure if it was caused by the unmitigated pain of an open burn wound but she now felt extremely guilty about not doing more to prevent the attack. It nearly took her spilling the beans about the time reset just to convince Justice to patrol closer to the farm this morning. Evidently, that wasn’t enough to stop the Geeglers. The Hydrogel was still damaged.

What was the point in knowing the future if she couldn’t change it in her favor?

Would anyone even believe her?

“Hey, Kat,” Justice spoke gently, cutting through Kat’s pain-hazed thoughts. He put a hand on her good shoulder, smiling sympathetically. “We’ll get everything handled here and round up you n’ Mi-an when we figure out what needs rebuilding. Something tells me this isn't the last we’ve seen of these light-damned lizard folk either. So go get patched up in the meantime. You did good.”

Kat nodded numbly. She wasn’t in a state to argue, she was ready to just fall back into bed. Strange, considering it was only nine in the morning. Turning to leave she stumbled away from Justice and Zeke, barely just aware of them exchanging concerned glances.

Stepping out of the broken door her feet shuffled through the sand until it turned to cobbled pavement. Stumbling towards High Noon Square where the clinic was. She didn’t stop until she heard the familiar rustle of feathers and felt a gentle breeze over her head. 

“Whoa! That’s gotta hurt.” A familiar corvid voice pierced the air, flapping his wings as he examined the builder. It was X, the pet raven of the local doctor, Fang. A rather smart bird with a penchant for shiny things and talking, though he did have a bit of an attitude. 

“Hey X. Yeah, I got whacked by a Geegler… do you know if Fang is in?”

“Of course dear!” The raven sang in a feminine voice. He flew the short distance towards the clinic. Perching on top of the door to watch as Kat walked towards it. 

“Come on in!” He cooed, hopping down onto her good shoulder as she made her way in.

As soon as she reached the main room the raven took flight and announced her presence. Settling on a railing at the top of a staircase to Kat’s left and screaming at the top of his little lungs.

“The new builder! Squawk! New test subject! Fang!” 

Kat stifled a tired laugh at that. 

Doctor Fang often worked with experimental medicines. A lot of old-world medicines were lost to time, especially after the Calamity, So Sandrock’s only doctor had to rely on the herbs native to the Eufaula desert. Some of his experiments even proved to be more effective than the scant medicine they’d import from bigger cities like Atara or Highwind. 

So Kat had chosen to be one of his test subjects. 

She smiled fondly, remembering those early days. The clinical trials had always been somewhere between helpful to mildly annoying to downright hilarious. Fang was always careful. The worst his experiments did was knock her out or make her stomach betray her. One particularly memorable time she’d turned blue. 

That had caused quite the hoot at the Saloon.

As Kat was lost in thought the door at the top of the staircase, leading to the doctor’s residence, opened. 

Doctor Fang entered the room eyeing the builder warily. She gestured to her lame shoulder the best she could, too tired for words. He hurried down the stairs and ushered the builder to sit on one of the cots. Looking closer at the burn before rushing to his medicine cabinet.

“Sit still. Ow! That stings!” X hopped around in the bed next to Kat, babbling his usual birdy bedside manners. The only one in the room with enough energy to speak.

The doctor returned to the bedside with a tray full of medical supplies alongside a mortar with a pungent blob of mashed herbs. He gestured to her shoulder without a word. She lifted her shirt to expose the wound. Having been a frequent patient in her past life, Kat was familiar with Fang’s non-verbal way of communicating. Thinking back it was astonishing just how much had changed in her previous time-line. Not just the town and its greenery. But the people too. 

Both Zeke and Fang had been her friends. Or they were at least comfortable in her presence. Whatever the case, Kat knew them pretty well and was happy to watch them flourish.

Zeke had come out of his shell, able to share his plant knowledge with everyone. Especially after their success with replanting a forest in the Eufaula Outback and reviving his Ma’s tree. It was hard not to notice how much more the Horticulturalist smiled. It was always subtle but it meant he was genuinely happy. 

Doctor Fang often struggled to talk. When Kat had befriended him X had asked her to teach Fang to speak and, after a little bit, the doctor eventually agreed with the raven. While not a therapist, the builder did her best to help him socialize. She at least wanted to give him a safe space to try... and try he did. Eventually, he was able to hold conversations on his own, without Kat or X to help.

It hit Kat just how much was lost in the few years that had been reset. 

Not just how they pulled the town out of poverty but the experiences they’d had that helped everyone grow. Every moment that had changed their lives. The times- good and bad- that made them grow as people.

All the hardships they’d faced together, the celebrations they’d had… she couldn’t even share it for fear of rejection, or worse, death. She knew them but they didn’t know her. It was like being on the other side of a one-way window.

Strangely enough, it was a sense of isolation that Kat wasn’t unfamiliar with.

For the longest while in the previous timeline, she’d been known as the builder who was friendly with the Church of Light. A strange irony considering the anti-tech ideals of the church directly conflicted with Kat’s livelihood as a builder who used relic tech. Plus, she dated Pen. That fact alone had been enough for the whole town to be wary of her after the invasion… and after Pen was found to be a murderer and war criminal. 

She wasn’t really rejected. Kat was hailed as a hero after she’d been crucial in freeing the town from the invasion force. A title that was only further cemented by her work with the ‘Greenifying the Desert’ team. Turning Sandrock’s Oasis back into the Jewel of the Eufaula. 

Everyone was simply weary of upsetting her. They all knew what she went through.

Her isolation had come from her building walls around herself. A habit she picked up after being so deeply betrayed. Built from her own self-hatred and mistrust. An annoying voice in her brain telling her that she couldn’t trust her own choices. 

Between the stress of fighting for her life and coping with the aftermath, she eventually realized she was pushing her friends away.

“Done.” A gentle tap on her shoulder drew Kat out of her thoughts. Doctor Fang had finished bandaging her shoulder.

“Rest it for a little while, Darling.” X cooed flying off to his usual perch.

The builder smiled and thanked the doctor. As she paid for the treatment he handed her some extra medicine and bandages before quickly disappearing back up the stairs without another word. Reminding her that everything was the same as it was back then, she was the only one that wasn’t. She’d changed so much that things might never be the same. 

As she stepped outside, the clinic door shut behind her and she leaned back against the building’s wall. She tilted her head up, feeling the sun on her face as the remnant scent of acrid smoke still permeated the air. Her chest felt hollow with loneliness.

Kat was the only one to know how the future looked, but for some reason, she felt like she was left behind.

Chapter Text

Just as he’d promised, Sheriff Justice rounded up Mi-an and Kat that afternoon. 

A full assessment of the Moisture Farm and the Hydrogel had been done by the time Kat got back to the Moisture Farm and they were ready to put the builders to work. Aside from repairing the holes in the glass ceiling and replanting the lost crops, there was less work repairing the farm than they’d originally thought. As for the Hydrogel-

“We’re lucky,” Justice grinned, “It’s not as badly damaged as you worried about, Kat. The panel door and its attachments need to be replaced but the main machine is fine! Just needs a little tune-up.”

Lucky indeed. While they hadn’t prevented the attack it wasn’t a total disaster. 

It was a little bit of a thrill for Kat. Despite her earlier misgivings, she had managed to change the course of fate. Even if just by a hair.

On the other hand, there was still the Geegler threat. 

It’s one thing to deal with a human threat but mutant lizards that are on average twice your size? Kat’s encounters with them weren’t exactly pleasant in the previous timeline either. They had intelligence but were, at this point in time, brutes. The other mutants- the moles and the bandirat princess Lumi- were much nicer in comparison.

Kat started a little when she realized she hadn’t been paying attention.

“-This kind of direct attack calls for action, Sheriff.” Minister Matilda sighed. “I’m not fond of the thought, but it’s high time you and the Civil Corp scrounge up a plan to drive them off.”

“That’ll be where the builders and I come in, Minister.” Heidi, the local architect, chimed in. She rifled through the bursting folders she had with her pulling out the designs for a suspended tram cart. “Justice had me examine the bridge after the Geeglers were also spotted taking pieces from its structural supports. Unfortunately, I had to declare it unstable and send out emergency telegrams to Atara to halt all trains that would cross that bridge. That also means we can’t walk across it.”

“And the Geeglers reside in Gecko Station, right across it.” Justice cut in.

“Right.” Heidi shot a look at the Sheriff for interrupting. “Thus Justice had me retrieve these diagrams from Qi’s archives. There's an old suspended trolly system that spans the canyon and connects right to the top of Gecko Station. They’ll need the builders to fix the trolley’s motors inside of the station, but these manual trams should get them across first.”

Justice nodded. “Plus, being on top of Gecko Station means we can get the drop on them.”

“Wait, we’ll be dropping in with you into Gecko Station? Should we do some combat training first?” Mi-an picked at her fingers nervously. “Is that safe?”

Justice frowned. “Well, we’d just be on the roof with the two of ya. Once we get the trams working we’ll gather up a posse to clear out the Geeglers. We don’t know how many are down there so it’s better if we have strength and numbers on our side.”

“If we do train, that’ll be two more pairs of hands for the posse, Justice.” Kat hooked an arm over Mi-an’s shoulders. “Plus, we’re builders, part of what we do is fight monsters in ruins.”

“I’ve only ever fought rocket roosters and bumble ants though…” Mi-an mumbled.

“And rocket roosters are firework-wielding chickens, Mi-an. You’re stronger than you think you are.” Kat patted her shoulder.

“Hmmm…” Justice rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment. “We could teach ya to shoot. I’ve noticed you’re not bad with your daggers, but maybe it wouldn’t hurt to have a ranged option.”

Mi-an’s eyes widened. “L- like shoot a gun; shoot?”

“Yes, guns shoot.” Unsuur agreed. “That's what guns do.”

“Not helping,” Justice shook his head at his fellow officer. “But yeah, it’s a good idea for us to take a couple of days to train y’all. Whether or not you’ll be joining us. I’d feel better going into this knowing y’all’re capable.”

“It seems like y’all have this covered.” The Minister interrupted. “I’ll announce it at the next town meeting as well. This emergency meeting is adjourned. The sooner we get those Geeglers gone and get the bridge fixed, the sooner things can get back to normal.”

With that Matilda, Heidi, and Unsuur left. The Sheriff stayed behind for a second, addressing the builders.

“Meet us at the arena at Eight o’clock sharp tomorrow. We’ll get an early morning in and see how well y’all do.”

Kat's shoulders were sore. 

Fang’s medicine did wonders, healing her burn practically overnight, though it definitely scarred. But now they felt like they were set ablaze again. This time by training.

They’d spent all morning practicing melee in the High Noon arena and neither Justice nor Unsuur held back. Which hurt, even with the practice weapons. Finally, once the Sheriff deemed that ‘enough time’ had passed he had them meet at the shooting range behind the Civil Corp office. 

Unfortunately for the new trainees, Justice had pretty high standards for shooting. So they'd be there a few hours.

“Alright, do either of you know even the basics of gun safety?” Justice looked between the two builders.

Kat raised her hand and Mi-an shook her head sheepishly.

“Oookay then.” Justice scratched his chin. “Kat, I gotta admit that’s a bit of a surprise. I thought Highwind didn’t approve of civilians using guns?”

The Highwind builder shrugged. She, of course, hadn’t learned to shoot in Highwind. In the previous timeline, Justice had given her on-the-fly lessons when they were both forced to face down the Geeglers in Gecko Station alone.

They had followed along with roughly the same plans that they had hatched up during the meeting yesterday. The bridge was unstable, so they crossed using the suspended tram cars. Only, predictably, the decades-old suspension line had snapped under the weight of the tram that the Sheriff and Kat were in. Luckily for them, the cable had whipped around wildly before coming fully loose whipping their tram car at the exposed wall of Gecko Station rather than dumping them directly down into the Shonash canyon. But they were basically thrown into the heart of the Geegler’s home, hence why Justice gave her a gun. 

The Sheriff had given her some extra pointers on gun safety back then, but not much else.

Logan was the one who actually taught Kat how to shoot. Being a professional monster hunter he’d always insisted that shooting was as important for survival as any other type of fighting. After they had driven off the Duvos invasion he was also especially adamant about more people training to fight. 

Justice waited fruitlessly for Kat to elaborate. With a sigh, he realized she wasn’t going to. “Alright then, I’ll just go over the basics anyways. For Mi-an’s sake.” 

He pulled his pistol out of its holster. Framing his stance and pointing it down the range. “First things first, there are three basic rules to gun safety. One; never, and I mean never, point the gun at anythin’ you don’t intend to shoot. Two; keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire. That's an absolute. Three; treat all guns as loaded, even if they’re not.”

Unsuur pulled a lever next to the range table. Gears began humming as the targets down range whirred to life. Firing off five shots Justice nailed four of the targets, knocking them down with a clang.

“The guns we use have pretty strong recoil. You want to hold the gun with a firm two-handed grip and have a solid stance.” Justice holstered his gun and turned to the builders. “This may seem contrary to what we were working on with hand-to-hand combat but when shooting your accuracy is better the less you move around. Stand still, aim, and fire. It’s easier to hit targets that way. It also means you should save your shots until you know you can aim and shoot.”

Justice reached under the table, pulling out two training pistols. Handing one to each builder he had them stand side by side facing down range. “Alright, let’s see how y’all do. Start with your stances. Remember; keep your finger off the trigger.”

Kat took a slow breath. Firm stance, remember your shoulders- no, don’t lock your legs like that. A quiet memory guided Kat with a familiar voice. Taking her stance, she held the pistol aloft in a ready grip.

“Nice stance.” Unsuur apparated next to Kat causing her to jump. “Oop, didn’t mean to startle you. Sorry.”

She lowered her pistol and glanced over, the deputy-in-training was observing them diligently as Justice fussed over Mi-an’s poor stance. Kat surmised that he was not only here to help, but was told by Justice to ‘watch and learn.’ Unsuur was always one to take his superior’s orders seriously. Even metaphors and figures of speech.

“Are you good at shooting?” Kat asked.

“About as good as I can be. I’m not as good as Justice, though.” Unsuur glanced at her. A thought crossed his face. “Oh, I suppose we never really got properly introduced, huh?”

“I suppose we didn’t.” Kat didn’t like admitting she had forgotten someone. But with all her latest troubles she hadn’t been reaching out to all the people she had considered friends in the previous life. Unsuur was one of them.

Sandrock is a small town, so she considered almost everyone here her friend. Some people she was closer to than others, of course. But now it was kind of obvious that she wasn’t trying as hard to be everyone’s friend. Whether that was because she kept forgetting that no one else remembered the previous timeline or because of the time she’d spent withdrawn… 

It’d been too long since Kat had been that happy-go-lucky girl who moved to Sandrock in search of adventure.

“Well, my name is Unsuur. Age: Going on thirty. Occupation: Civil Corp Deputy in training. Born in autumn.” He listed things off like he was taking a survey.

Kat’s lip twitched with a repressed laugh. While Justice was the Sheriff and leader of the only two Civil Corp members in town, aside from Captain the Cat of course, Kat always considered Unsuur the more serious one. Between his rather blunt nature and startling moments of wisdom, he was quite the character. Even though everyone considered him weird, his honest nature was what won Kat over. He wasn’t one to lie- or at least he was terrible at it- and that was something she admired about him.

Unsuur had even admitted to having a crush on her- or at least she assumed that’s what it was… He’d written some ‘secret admirer’ letters but instead of asking her out romantically, he had simply asked her to be one of his best friends. It was a whole thing. She wasn’t sure he understood what a crush was. But he was a good friend, he knew how to find the fun in everyday mundanity. 

Plus, he was an interesting philosopher.

“It’s nice to meet you, Unsuur. I’m sure we’ll be working together plenty.”

The deputy in training gave her a rare smile. Though it was not much more than a small uptick on the corners of his lips, she knew it was his version of a warm grin.

“Alright, Kat- I didn’t get to see your stance” Justice had finished adjusting every error in Mi-an’s stance and was watching Kat impatiently.

“Right.” She resumed the stance she had earlier.

“Not bad. You’ve definitely had some training.” Justice nodded appreciatively as he examined her posture. Satisfied that he didn’t have to correct her, he waved for her to relax. “We can move on to shootin’. Don't try to focus solely on the target or your gun, get a full sight picture. Alright, we’ll start with you, Mi-an, take a shot.”

Mi-an pulled the trigger and squeaked as the recoil shook her arms. The gun almost flew from her hands despite her firm grip. She stumbled back and Justice put a hand out to steady her.

“Careful! You need to not be scared of your own gun. It’s good to respect it but you’ll just hurt yourself if ya keep doing that .” The Sheriff admonished Mi-an gently as he put her back into position. Mi-an blushed furiously in embarrassment. 

“Alright, you’ll need more practice. Holster it for now.” Justice patted her shoulder before turning to the other builder. “Your turn, Kat.”

Kat readied herself once more. Holding the gun aloft, Logan’s voice sprung to her head again. Remember yer breathin’. Don’t stress yourself when shootin’ there’ll be plenty o’ that in an actual fight.

She shot and the clang of the target drew her out of her trance. Bullseye.

“Great shot, pardner!” Justice clapped a hand on her shoulder, grinning. “You’re gonna have to tell me how ya learned to shoot sometime.”

“It’s a long story… I might tell you eventually.” Kat holstered the gun, a matching genuine smile on her face.

The time reset had affected her strength. She wasn’t as fit as she was in her previous life. Which was jarring. Not being able to lift the things she used to be able to heft easily had really thrown her off. So, it was nice to know that it was only physical ability that was affected. She still retained some trained skills.

“I suppose it makes sense, though. You did say you were an aspiring bounty hunter, right?” Justice tilted his head at her, scratching his chin.

“What!? Why haven't I heard of this?” Mi-an exclaimed.

“‘Cause it’s more of a passing interest.” Kat tried to shrug it off, shooting Mi-an an ‘ I’ll tell you later’ look. She hadn’t had the chance to tell Mi-an about the whole fiasco after the train robbery. Everything was happening fast and she’d kind of forgot that Justice came to the conclusion that she was interested in bounty hunting.

That man made wild assumptions sometimes.

“You sure ya only came here for building, Kat?” Justice laughed. “We could always use more Civil Corp members.”

“I’m under contract, Justice. Can’t leave the workshop behind.” Kat shook her head, an easy grin on her face. “But I’ll consider it if building doesn't work out.

She knew she’d eventually get caught up in all of the Civil Corp’s business anyway. With everything repeating itself? It’s inevitable. 

“Nice to know you’re multi-talented,” the Sheriff shook his head. “Let’s see if you can do that again. You could also probably help us get Mi-an up to snuff as well.”

“Maybe Kat can do the shooting and I’ll just stick to daggers…” Mi-an looked at her gun with distaste.

“Well, you gotta account for the times where ya don’t got any back-up.” Justice turned to her. “I get not liking guns, but with the monsters and bandits we got out here… It’s for the best. Trust me.”

Kat laughed at Mi-an’s pout. She nudged her fellow builder’s arm with her elbow, giving her a reassuring smile. “He’s not wrong. It’s a good idea to learn now rather than later.”

Mi-an huffed. 

“Doesn't mean I have to like it.”

Justice had them practice shooting for the rest of the afternoon. By the end of their training session, Mi-an was actually hitting the target more than she was missing and Kat managed three more bullseye shots. They ended off with a little shooting competition between the four of them. Justice won by just one more point than Kat, who took second, and Unsuur was a decent shooter, unfortunately leaving Mi-an firmly in last place.

Exhausted and hungry for dinner, Kat suggested they head to the Blue Moon. She still had a fair bit of money left from the lift commission she and Mi-an did for Rocky and the Salvage Yard. Seemed only fair to treat the Civil Corp after they’d spent all day training the two builders.

“-she’s got a natural talent!” Justice was catching Owen up on the competition. “Mi-an’s not too bad either. She’s at least no longer scared of the gun!”

The Tallsky builder smacked his shoulder. All of them were jovial after a few rounds of drinks.

“So, where’d Kat learn before this then? Have you ever trained before?” Grace had wandered over mid-conversation, listening to Justice praise her shooting. 

Kat had realized that the waitress-spy was probably suspicious of her now. Guns were rarer in Highwind. So the blond had been not-so-subtly interrogating the builder for the past ten minutes.

Thankfully, a tipsy Justice unknowingly saved the night. “She’s training to be a bounty hunter apparently! Got a knack for it too!” He grabbed and shook the builder’s shoulder.

She sent silent thanks to the powers that be that the Sheriff had a habit of exaggerating and drawing conclusions. It was a convenient lie if nothing else, and it would line up with whatever Grace could dig up about Kat’s family. “Yeah, sort of… While I was in Builder school I also did some training with the Highwind Civil Corp, my Mom was a Corpswoman. Gun training was rare but she insisted on teaching me while I studied for my license. Highwind may be bigger than Sandrock but that doesn’t mean the ruins are any safer.”

Grace nodded with an understanding look. Building is a dangerous job- even with the Civil Corps branches established in each city-state- accidents and tragedies happen often. Everyone knew that. 

“Bounty hunting though?” Grace tilted her head curiously.

“A craving for adventure I suppose.” Kat scratched the back of her neck. She’d never bounty hunted a day in her life. Never would either.

In fact, the last bounty hunter she met; Bronco the Kid, had really made her averse to it. He was downright insane. Though in a more annoying way rather than dangerous. 

Plus this was a half-truth, her mother did train her.

“Ah, I see.” Amusement curled in Grace’s voice. “Hoping to catch the big bad bandit then? I hear he’s got a pretty hefty bounty.” 

Kat shook her head vehemently before she’d even finished speaking.

“I- I think I’ll hold off on that idea, I still got my butt handed to me in the sparring ring.” Kat stuttered. “Plus, isn’t he a powerful fighter? I don’t think I’m quite on that level yet.”

“He is, yeah,” Justice spoke up, suddenly sobered by the change in topic. “I once asked him if he wanted to be Deputy… he and his pa were some of the best fighters in Sandrock. Kept all the monsters an’ mutants away. Never seen any better fighters than those two.” He took a sip of his drink with a grimace. “He declined, of course, said he preferred to be a ‘free agent.’ Never understood the mercenary mindset, only fightin’ for the highest bidder. Ain’t right.”

“That’s probably why the Geeglers are making their move now too.” Owen chimed in, idly wiping an already clean glass. “They pretty much stayed away when Howlett was alive. He always kept the lizardfolk in check.”

Silence fell over the group as the two older men remembered their lost friends somberly.

“Bah, forget it.” Justice shook himself out of his mood. “We’re supposed to be celebrating. With the two of ya, builders, we’ll drive off the Geeglers ourselves!”

“Cheers, sir.” Unsuur raised his glass and Justice mimicked the gesture.

The Sheriff turned to the two builders, “How long do y’all need to make the trams? We can train y’all more when ya ain't workin’.”

“A week maybe?” Kat tilted her head, thinking. “I talked with Heidi and we agreed it would be best to replace the suspension cables, too. So, it’ll take longer.”

“Is that safe? Won’t the Geeglers notice that?” Owen asked.

“Well, they haven’t been spotted on top of Gecko Station where the tram engines are. It should be safe enough.” She thought over the plans. “We’ll be replacing them from our side and running them through using the old cable. It’ll be simple.”

It was the perfect plan; fix the trams and prevent the disaster from the previous timeline while training up to kick some Geegler butt in the meantime.

What could go wrong?

Chapter Text

Everyone stood together on the tram platform. Mi-an was putting the finishing touches on her cart as Justice deliberated how to split up their teams. They had a lot of equipment going with them so they could fix the tram engines on the other side.

“We should go across with just us first. That way Unsuur and I can make sure the Station stays clear while y’all work. You an’ Mi-an can look at the engines and come back to grab whatever you need.” Justice leaned against his war hammer as he watched Kat shuffle through her diagrams.

“Sounds like a plan, sir.” Unsuur nodded. “Will Captain be coming with us?”

The fluffy tuxedo cat blinked up at them from the Deputy-in-training’s arms. “Mrrr.”

“If he wants to come along I suppose.”

Kat smirked. Not only did both men treat the cat as a valuable member of their forces but in her own experience the little guy was a very capable fighter. When she and Justice went through Gecko Station in the prior timeline, Captain had saved their lives by doing as all cats do; pressing buttons at random. Which resulted in a large exhaust fan turning on and sweeping away most of the Geegler’s army.

If nothing else, that cat was good luck. He earned Deputy for a reason.

“He’s our bravest fighter too.” Kat leaned over to scratch under Captain’s chin.

The cat purred. Snuggling deeper into Unsuur’s arms with a happy sigh.

“I think we have just about everything covered!” Mi-an called from her spot above them. Wriggling her way down from the tram’s roof.

“How’s the suspension line looking?”

“Sturdy as ever!” The Tallsky builder chirped. “Looking at that old cable, I’m glad you suggested we replace it, Kat.”

The Sheriff glanced at the rusted cables they’d shoved to the other side of the station. It’d taken a whole team of eight just to move those. They had to go around town recruiting the strongest people just to move them. “Can’t be too cautious, Heidi did say that the left one would have snapped on the way across…” He murmured.

Kat nodded. That had made them all tense when the purple-haired architect appraised the cables. “Minimizing Accident Potential, that’s what they always taught us in builder school.”

“Handy, that.” 

“It saves lives, Justice.”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t argue that.” The Sheriff turned to examine the trams with a critical eye. “So, we’re ready then?”

“Right!” Mi-an chirped.

“Okay, We’ll split up. Unsuur, go with Mi-an. I’ll go with Kat.”

“Yessir!”

Mi-an and Unsuur loaded onto the right tram. Before long the loud creak of the manual crank punctuated their departure. Justice turned to Kat.

“Got your weapons?”

“Daggers and gun.” Kat nodded.

Stepping onto their own tram, Justice took hold of the manual crank and the cart shuddered as it left the station. Once in the open air above the canyon, a slight breeze swung them gently. Kat stepped over to the far side of the tram, looking at the view over the canyon. It was a breathtaking sight; the yawning cliffs, larger than any man-made structure, carved through the ground like a giant’s sandcastle.

As they passed the midpoint of the canyon Kat watched how the sunlight danced along the cliff faces. Clear lines between light and shadow in the gaping void. Then she heard it; distant shouting.

“Shit, Kat look!” Justice shouted.

Running to the front of the tram she could see that Unsuur and Mi-an had made it to Gecko Station. 

Unfortunately, they’d also made it into the arms of a small army of Geeglers as well. They were fending the mutant lizardfolk off pretty well but that wasn’t why they were shouting. Around the end of the cable line holding up Justice and Kat’s tram was a team of Geeglers armed with a massive crude saw. 

They felt the whole suspension line shudder as the saw’s teeth caught in the cable.

“Shit, shit, shit!” Kat stumbled back from the front of the cart. “Justice go faster!”

“This is about as fast as I can!” He shouted back desperately.

He was using both hands to turn the crank, both of them aware of how precarious their situation now was. The tram shuddered and swayed harder as the Geegler’s sawing loosened the cable.

Kat hurried to Justice’s side putting both hands on the crank adding her strength to his.

On the other side, Unsuur and Mi-an hacked desperately at the horde that surrounded them. Trying to get close enough to the Geeglers on the saw. Gunshots rang out as Mi-an drew her gun to aim at the sawing Geeglers. One went down and the other milled in confusion as their sawing stopped.

“Mi-an! Look out!” Kat screamed hopelessly, her voice swallowed by the distance between them.

A Geegler snuck up behind the Tallsky builder as her attention was on the saw, slamming the pommel of its weapon against her skull. She fell limp. Unsuur turned and struck down the Geegler that’d hit her. He held his own for only a few more seconds before he was also overwhelmed by the horde. 

“No!” Kat lost track of the two as Geeglers dragged their unconscious bodies out of sight.

Their tram shuddered violently again as the Geeglers continued sawing. “Almost!” Justice grunted out from between clenched teeth.

The cable gave way as their tram was mere meters away from the station. Spilling them into the canyon.

“JUMP!” Justice grabbed Kat’s hand and lept over the cart rail towards the cliff as the tram slipped backward into empty space.

They slammed against the rough concrete exterior of the station. Justice grunted in pain as his left hand caught a narrow ledge, their full weight wrenching his shoulder. Dangling precariously over the cliffside.

The tram cart below them hit the rocks at the bottom with a resounding crunch.

“K- Kat, look for a hole in the station,” Justice grit out, his body shaking with effort. “Or maybe a ledge. I- I can't hold on long.”

It was hard to not let the dizzying height of the drop below them take over. “Down there! There’s a hole with a rock ledge. Can you swing us right?”

Justice risked a glance down. The ledge she was talking about was less than a meter to their right but was a little over two stories down. “I’ve got us, swing your legs. It’s going to be a hard drop.”

Kicking her legs slightly Kat started swaying them both Justice matched her pace, swinging his arm. The Sheriff silently counted time before finally letting go of the ledge. Kat’s stomach rose in her chest as they fell through the air for what felt like an eternity. She felt a jolt as her legs connected with the rock ledge pushing forward and trying to tuck her shoulders in to soften the impact. Justice’s body slammed into hers, throwing them both through the hole and into the station. 

Kat heard an awful crunch and a brief scream of pain from Justice.

His left leg had caught against the rocky edge of the opening, twisting it and snapping his lower leg.

They both lay there a moment, gasping in pain. 

Pushing herself up, Kat glanced over to where Justice lay. His leg stuck out at an awkward angle. He made no move to get up.

“Shit, Justice your leg is broken.”

“Y’ think?” He growled out between gritted teeth.

Stumbling over to him the builder rummaged through her waist packs pulling out what medical supplies she had. It was more than most would carry, but in the face of their situation felt like nowhere near enough. They’d need a splint too.

Glancing around her eyes fell on some smashed crates lining the far wall. ‘That’ll have to do.’

“Just stay there, I’ll set it.” Kat winced at her own word choice. There was no way he could move.

“Not planning on going anywhere.” The Sheriff grunted.

Throwing dusty and broken planks aside she eventually found two pieces that were just long enough. She flattened the jagged edges with a quick pass of her dagger and hauled her find back over to Justice. Kneeling beside him she examined his leg, she’d need to align the bone.

“Here bite this.” She handed him a rag from her toolbelt. 

Already it would be difficult for her to straighten the leg. The fact that she was working alone would make it harder, and unfortunately more painful. “Hold your leg, we need to straighten it.”

Putting the rag in his mouth, Justice placed both hands on his broken leg, just above the knee. Holding it steady. Grabbing the lower part of his leg Kat began pulling it straight. She could feel the bone slowly move back into place, a muffled scream of pain ripping through the man.

Working as quickly as she could, she set the wood planks to the sides of his leg. Running a piece of torn cloth around his leg and a second around the splint. She unbuckled her belt and glanced around for some cloth or something she could use to cinch the splint in place.

“Here,” Justice’s voice was strained and laced with weak humor as he shifted to remove one of the two belts he wore. “I always knew a second belt would be useful on our uniforms.”

He handed Kat the belt and she secured the splint.

“Do you think you’ll be able to move?” Kat rummaged through her emergency kit, pulling out painkillers. 

Justice grunted affirmatively, gulping the pills with a quick swig from his canteen. “Kat,” He looked at the builder seriously, “You’ve got to go ahead, I’ll only slow you down, and those bastards have Mi-an and Unsuur.”

“I’m not leaving you behind!” The builder looked at Justice in alarm, it sounded like he was sure he was done for.

The Sheriff waved her off. “I’m in no state to be doing any proper fightin’ but I’ll follow you as quickly as I can. I’ve still got my gun. So, I ain’t totally defenseless.” His lips pressed into a hard line. “We gotta prioritize gettin’ to the others. The longer we wait the greater chance they'll be-” Justice looked away, shaking his head. “I’ll be fine, save them.”

Kat didn’t have time to answer when two Geeglers burst into the room. 

Bang!

Justice reacted first and one Geegler went down. The second lept to the side, hissing a challenge. Rushing forward Kat sliced at the beast with her dagger, gashing its arm. It swung at her clumsily before-

Bang!

A second shot from Justice’s gun sent the Geegler to the floor. 

The builder glanced back at the Sheriff, exchanging a nod. “Be safe, Justice.”

She hesitated a moment longer before stepping out the door, briefly stopping to ensure there weren't any nearby Geeglers. The corridor was clear. If memory served her correctly she’d have to go deeper into the heart of the station to find the Geegler’s meeting spot. It was the only exit last time, and now that they had captured Unsuur and Mi-an, it was where they most likely were taken.

A right, through a door, another right, down some stairs. 

Having cleared these ruins previously meant that she knew them well. Her mental map guided her past familiar corridors. This time, however, she and Justice had landed on a lower level. She recognized this floor as the one she frequented for iron ore. Aside from the occasional straggler, there weren’t many Geeglers roaming the halls.

‘They probably all gathered together.’ Kat realized. They caught Unsuur and Mi-an and were probably gathering for their invasion plan on Sandrock.

She could hear the hissing throughout the station. A foreboding sound as she hurried onward.

Though she had to double back twice, it wasn't long before she found herself in the main atrium. Crude train tracks attached to the main rails of the station and an ominous-looking modified train sat near the center of the room. She saw her initial assumption was correct, the whole Geegler army was massed in the room. Nearly twice the numbers they’d had in the previous timeline.

She was now in the heart of the lizard folk’s home.

Standing just behind the corner that led to the stairwell, Kat could see the mass of Geeglers listening to their leader give a speech.

From what she remembered from the last timeline, the Geeglers had built a war train to invade Sandrock with the intention of using the town as a platform for ‘global domination.’

This time however they were gathered around a big campfire in the center of the room. With Mi-an and Unsuur tied up, unconscious, next to it. Kat’s heart leapt into her throat at the sight. The only reassurance she had was that she could see they were still breathing, just barely shaking awake.

“Geeglers! For too long we have slithered underfoot! Abandoned! Forgotten! Now these humans invade our home! They lie and conspire, even against their own! They are not fit to rule!” Upon a scrap throne near the train sat the Geegler leader. A massive purple mutant lizard. “We will do as our Holy Book demands, we will take the surface! One city at a time! And rule as they could not!”

Kat shook her head sadly. 

Another thing she had learned was that the Geeglers at this point in time were misguided. Their ‘Holy Book’ was just a torn-up old-world employee handbook. 

If anything its words just spoke to the greedy nature of corporations in the Age of Corruption. The depressing nature of a world so overwhelmed with tech and dishonesty. It was a little hard for Kat to comprehend how anyone could be as evil as they were back then.

So, it was easily understandable why the Geeglers had misinterpreted the text.

The Geegler army hissed with approval with their leader’s words. Whipped into a frenzy.

The builder watched, nerve-wracked, as Unsuur and Mi-an were stuck in the middle of them. Last time she and Justice only had to fight the Geegler leader because the rest of the army had been blown away by the massive fans in the back of the room. Kat could see the button from where she stood, but that wasn’t an option, not while her friends were in the line of fire. She didn’t have Justice to help her fight either.

She needed a plan…

“Our conquest starts with these intruders!” The Geegler president roared, lifting his massive blade to point it at them. Giving Kat no time to think.

“Wait!” Kat stepped out from her hiding spot. She needed to stall. At this point, words were her last ridiculously desperate hope. “You can’t!”

The builder’s sudden appearance shocked the Geeglers. The leader seemed to consider her words a moment, at least out of surprise or confusion. “And why not, tiny human?”

Kat chewed her lip. She knew the Geeglers were smart, not quite human smart, plus a weird sense of logic, but intelligent enough to communicate. She remembered something from when she'd met the Geegler President- no, when she met Larry, the reformed Geegler President, a second time. He was one of the Geeglers smart enough to negotiate with. Perhaps he would listen.

It was a long shot, but-

"What about your agreement with Howlett?" She asked. Invoking a name well known among man and monsters alike.

"Don't you dare speak his name!" The President hissed.

"Why? So you can go back on your word to him?! Did his friendship mean that little to you?" Kat challenged. She knew how much Larry had respected the old monster hunter, he'd told her as much himself. Howlett's death had affected the Geegler Leader badly.

"He’s gone! He was the only one who talked to us, who cared. When he died none of the other man-creatures bothered to ask us what we wanted or what we needed. While everyone else benefited from the peace agreement we were left forgotten!" The president sounded angry. Hurt by betrayal, and hurt that he’d lost a friend. "Without Howlett, there is no contract."

"Then what about the peace he tried to build? He believed Geeglers could live alongside humans! He saw the good in you!" The builder tried to reason with him. "I’m sure if you just asked nicely the people of Sandrock would be willing to help. We don’t have to fight!"

The Geegler President fell silent, his fellows quieting with him.

"He saw in us what we didn’t see in ourselves..." The sadness in the President's deep raspy voice was clear. His face hardened again, hiding all traces of his emotions. "Howlett was the only one to treat us as equals. I’m sorry tiny human, but I will not sit by when our Holy Book demands we live as rulers of the surface… especially after the wounds we've received from you humans." The large Geegler’s pale yellow eyes regarded Kat with cautious respect. "But in his honor, I can perhaps let you live. You and your friends. If you respect us the same way he did, there’s hope yet."

He raised a meaty paw with a hiss. Two Geeglers standing near Mi-an and Unsuur grabbed their arms, hauling the tied-up prisoners beside the President's throne. Kat felt herself finally relax. They were at least out of immediate danger. Maybe this could be solved peacefully.

Then all hell broke loose.

As soon as Mi-an and Unsuur were next to the train the exhaust fans on the far side of the room roared to life. Scattering Geeglers like bowling pins. Most were sucked away into the unknown depths of the station's ventilation system. Others fled in confusion and terror. The army dissolving in a matter of seconds. 

Eventually, the din died down as the fans sputtered to a stop, their ancient motors falling apart.

The Geegler President looked on in shock. His face twisted with rage. He raised his sword over his head aiming for the two hapless hostages, a snarl on his lips.

Kat sprinted for them. Even though there was likely no way she could stop the half-ton Geegler from squishing her friends. Instinct took over. Everything seemed to move in slow motion like a nightmare where she struggled to move.

A familiar yowl pierced the air as a furry black and white blur descended from above like a feline angel from the heavens.

Landing square on the Geegler President's face, Captain the cat sank his claws in and screeched as he went berserk on the lizard mutant. The President dropped his cleaver and stumbled backward with a roar of pain. Unsuur, now fully awake, did his best to wiggle both himself and Mi-an away from danger. Earning them a few precious inches.

"Kat!" The builder's head whipped around to see Justice leaning against the button console. "Get them out of there!"

With the threat of the army gone and the President distracted Kat ran towards Mi-an and Unsuur. Sliding to a stop beside them she drew her dagger and started to saw through the ropes. Snapping through them as quickly as she could.

Before she could free them the Geegler President pulled Captain off his face. He threw the cat at the Sheriff. Both hit the ground with a heavy thud.

"You!" The massive Geegler growled. Turning and grabbing the small builder by the waist with one large hand. "You tricked me! I will make an example out of you!"

Writhing in his painful grip, Kat heard another roar. This time the roar of an engine stirring to life. With a massive leap, the Geegler President landed on the roof of the armored train. It lurched forward, the engine chugging loudly as it picked up speed.

"Kat!" The anguished cries of her friends echoed behind them as the train disappeared from sight.

Her hair whipped in the wind as the locomotive sped onward, the walls of the station tunnel roaring with the near-deafening sound of the engine. As the train crashed through the barriers at the station exit the cacophony of sound lessened. Kat could hear the giddy laugh rumbling through the Geegler President. She also knew that laughter wouldn’t last long.

The bridge would collapse under the weight of the armored train.

It’s why they’d halted all trains from Atara and why they had put together the suspended tram carts. 

The Geeglers had been stealing parts of the supports for the Shonash Bridge for a while now. They also, unfortunately, had no common sense as their plan was to ride their scrap metal train contraption over said weakened bridge.

“Larry! You’ve got to listen to me!” The builder shouted desperately at the massive Geegler. “The bridge will collapse! We can’t stay on the train, we’ll fall in the canyon!”

Hearing his own name seemed to give the Geegler pause. With a slow blink at Kat, he processed the idea of cause and effect. “And why would you warn me of this puny human? Trying to lie for your own skin again?” He snarled.

Kat watched nervously as the doomed bridge loomed closer. “No, that thing will collapse! Your employees have been taking parts off the supports. Somewhere deep down you know I’m right. Please, I’m trying to save you, too!”

Larry blinked at her again. Glancing behind him he saw how close they were to the bridge. Turning back to Kat his reptilian eyes met hers for a long moment, a flash of recognition appearing in them. A look of acceptance crossed his face before he hefted the builder up.

“Whatever happens… this is farewell, tiny human. You did your best.”

Before she could protest he threw Kat off the train just as the armored train crossed the threshold of the bridge.

As she flew through the air she heard the bone-chilling sound of rending metal. Followed by a deep scream of fear. 

Kat had a moment of sudden calm to reflect on her failures. 

Her plan to replace the cable almost got Mi-an, Unsuur, and Justice killed and she failed to talk things out with Larry. In that moment her knowledge of the future felt like a curse disguised as a blessing. The bridge was gone again, history was repeating itself. 

Then she hit the sand and everything went dark.

Chapter Text

Logan let out an irritated huff. This was the third time this week that he’d knocked the head off his training dummy.

It was all well and good that he was training. But without access to the commerce guild or a decent builder he had to make and repair these dummies himself. Which would be fine… if it didn’t require sewing. He hated sewing. His Pa had taught him how to because everyone should know how to mend their equipment. 

But every time he pricked his finger his temper flared. 

He was never one for patience. Howlett was always admonishing him for it despite the fact that he acted the same on occasion. ‘Patience is a valuable skill for a monster hunter, son!’ He would say. ‘Gotta know when to wait and when to strike.’

Ever since he died Logan couldn’t help but turn over every word his Pa had said. Maybe if he’d listened better…

Logan shook his head. ‘Don’t dwell too much on the bad things.’ That was another lesson his pa had taught him. He’d already spent too much time moping over the past few seasons. Better to focus on the mission, on getting stronger-

He swore as he pricked his finger yet again.

Sticking the injured appendage in his mouth he glared at the stupid button eyes of the dummy.

Maybe he should just make the dummies out of wood instead of straw and padding. It would spare his fingers and their diminishing supply of cloth. They’d need what few rags they got anyway. Their clothes were getting worn and neither Logan nor Haru were talented at repairs.

Grimacing at the thought of the raggedy clothes, he missed being in town.

Granny Vivi always used to fix up their clothes. Insisted on giving a discount every time even though she and his Pa would get into an argument about that. Howlett never won of course, but he’d always at least have to try. Vivi had always doted on the two of them, practically adopting them when Logan’s ma had left.

‘You’re always welcome here, you two. Family looks out for their own.’

Logan smiled fondly at the memory. 

He’d been thinking more and more about the folks in town. With each passing day, he understood why people said distance makes the heart grow fonder. It was like everything he did or anything he looked at reminded him of someone back home. His family.

“Why’re you smiling at a decapitated dummy?” Grace’s voice cut through Logan’s thoughts.

He looked up and frowned at the blond. She’d materialized out of nowhere, the skill of a trained spy no doubt, which was kind of terrifying. Logan didn’t like that she could catch him unaware, ally or not. Stealth just felt like too underhanded of a tactic to him. Too wily, not enough honesty.

Also probably wasn’t great to be caught smiling down at the decapitated head in his lap. Not by the newest member of the gang. Logan wanted to at least look professional.

He stood with a grunt, tossing the dummy aside. “What’re you here for, Grace? Got news?”

“Yep, a little bad news and a little good news about the spy, plus some interesting updates on Sandrock.” Grace set her things down on the old rickety table, organizing her thoughts.

Logan glanced at the bag, intrigued. It was definitely new. “Haru! Get in here! Grace is here!” He called out to his best friend. Better three heads than one. Plus, Haru was always the ideas guy.

“News?” The chemist poked his head in from the offshoot cavern that housed his laboratory.

“Yeah, the bridge is out and the Ge- ah, I should probably start with the news about the spy first. It explains why she helped us out…”

“You mean the builder?” Haru puffed out as he reached them.

The blond nodded. “Yeah. I picked apart every avenue I could, she’s definitely not the spy-”

Logan’s head snapped up, an incredulous look on his face. Being back on square one was not the news he wanted to hear. Wasn’t the builder suspicious as hell? Why isn’t she the spy? Why couldn’t all this spy junk be simpler?

Grace held up a finger, shushing him before he could interrupt. “Let me finish-” She began digging through her pack. “I got some info back from HQ on her. First, she is a full Highwind native. Second, she’s the daughter of a Civil Corps member known as Mama Maria.”

“Maria?” The big man recognized the name, he tried to recall where he’d heard of her. “I think my Pa mentioned her once. A… fellow hunter I think?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised. If he’d been anywhere near Highwind the last thirty years he probably worked with her. Maria’s a pretty famous Civil Corps member there. Worked as their own kind of monster hunter specialist. Retired years ago though.” Grace pulled out the files she’d received, handing them to the two. “Kat’s her only child.”

“And?”

Grace gave him a look. “Aaaand it is unlikely she’s the spy because of that. Both of their lives are practically public record- It’s kinda a part of being a Civil Corps member… and fame.”

“Wait, what about the power surge?” Haru cut in, his brow furrowed as he read the reports.

“Coincidence apparently." She shrugged. "We’re still thinking that event is connected somehow. The timing was just… very weird.”

Logan sighed to himself. Feeling that familiar level of frustration and impatience rising again. They were back to square one. No leads, no progress. Perhaps it was a little bit selfish wanting the one outsider in town to be the one causing their problems. He didn’t like the idea that anyone he knew could betray Sandrock. Already he’d felt a bit hopeless when they’d learned it was Duvos, the largest empire in the world, the slow progress of this investigation was really just the cherry on top of a crap sundae.

“Hey.” Grace put a hand on the big man’s shoulder as if reading his thoughts. “We did manage to catch one lead. I brought it over fresh off the press, too.”

She flipped through her papers as both bandits looked back up at her curiously.

“We just intercepted another telegram from the spy here in Sandrock.” She pulled a slip of paper out of the stack, passing it to Logan.

‘The Water Tower is ready. The water in town has been successfully hidden.’

"Th' water?" Logan tilted his head. Rereading the paper again, as though he could decipher a new meaning. It seemed plain as day though. "They're trying to dry up Martle's Oasis?"

"That's the thing, we're not exactly sure." Grace took the note back. "It'd make sense they want to take out Sandrock. That would sever the connection between Atara and Highwind. Plus leave the rest of the Eufaula open to attack. However, it seems just too… simple for Duvos. We think they may be after resources in the desert. Especially considering all of the relic-rich ruins around Sandrock."

Logan felt a snarl creep up his face. Like hell he’d let them hurt his town.

“What are we waiting for, then?” He turned to grab his weapons from where they hung on the chair behind him. He was ready to saddle up Rambo and race into town.

“Woah. Slow down.” Grace grabbed his arm to stop him. “You can’t just yet, unfortunately. Civil Corps are still on triple patrols, they’ve even got Pen, Cooper, and Hugo helping out. Even Zeke’s being vigilant. You’ll get caught for sure.”

Logan glanced back at her in confusion. “It’s been more than a month since the train… they still riled ‘bout that?”

Grace shook her head. “No, it’s because of the Geeglers.”

Haru and Logan exchanged a look. The lizard folks?  

“That’s the second bit of news you had, isn’t it?” Haru asked. “What did they do? There’s supposed to be a peace treaty in place, isn’t there?”

Grace looked at him, surprised. “That part I dunno about. But they attacked the town multiple times.”

“What?!?” Logan’s mind went to instant rage again. “They broke the agreement?!!”

He was about ready to run out of the cave yet again. To confront the Geeglers, confront Larry the Geegler President, about going back on their word. As if dealing with Duvos spies wasn’t enough…

“Relax! Justice and the Civil Corp already dealt with it.” Grace tightened her grip on his arm in an effort to keep him from storming out.

Logan looked at her with silent questions in his stormy eyes.

“Sit down, let me tell you what happened.” Grace dragged him over to their small dining table with a surprising amount of strength. Plopping the bigger man down in one of the chairs.

“Basically,” She started, “The Geeglers have been harassing the town. They trashed the Oasis, lit the Moisture Farm on fire, and stole parts from the Shonash Canyon Bridge. Justice decided to use the cable cars on top of Gecko Station to get the drop on them. The Geeglers were building a secret war train… then the big purple one ended up getting himself- and the train- dropped into the canyon. They apparently didn’t realize that the bridge would be unstable…” Grace tapped her chin, trying to recall anything she missed. “Oh! That’s also part of why Kat isn’t Duvos too. She helped out the Civil Corp and, according to Justice, is an amateur bounty hunter. Apparently, she takes after her mother.”

The two men exchanged glances again. A builder bounty hunter? That was new.

“Should we be worried about her coming after us?” Haru over to Grace. It would certainly throw a wrench in their plans if a bounty hunter was after them.

“Nah, like I said; amateur.” Grace shook her head. “She’s getting better at fighting, mainly shooting, but she wouldn’t be much more of a threat than the Civil Corp.” The blond tilted her head. “Though I would like to know how she predicted you guy’s train heist plan. That’s still a mystery. I'll keep an eye on her because she's fascinating if nothing else…”

“Larry got himself dropped down the Shonash?” Logan interrupted, still processing all the new information.

“I’m sorry, who?”

“Larry, the big purple geegler, the President they call ‘im,” Logan recalled what his Pa told him about the lizard folk’s leader. “Is he really gone?”

“Ah,” Grace nodded, “Yeah, we haven’t seen hide nor scale of any Geelgers since he took the plunge.”

Logan shook his head sadly. He and his Pa had many run-ins with the lizard folks around Sandrock. They were… admittedly quite smart for mutants, but still more than a little dumb and a lot aggressive. He still remembered how proud his Pa was to make peace with them. ‘Diplomacy. That’s the key to a better future, Logan.’  

He’d have to check in with the Geeglers now that there was a power vacuum. Larry was the one willing to make peace. So Logan would have to make sure that the big geegler’s successor was the same. Try to mediate like his Pa did.

“What about the water tower?” Haru’s voice cut through Logan’s thoughts. “Can’t you check on it?”

“Uh, sort of.” Grace scratched the back of her neck sheepishly. “As far as I’ve seen there doesn’t seem to be anything unusual… but I can’t look closely because… well…”

“‘Well’ what?” Logan frowned at her hesitance.

“I can’t exactly go anywhere around that side of town without Justice breathing down my neck.” She admitted ashamedly. “I pissed him off one too many times by diving the Breach without permission. Now he won’t let me on that side of town without a Civil Corp escort…”

“Seriously?” Haru’s voice was tinged with laughter.

“Seriously.” Grace nodded with a frustrated sigh, completely missing his laughter. “I can’t exactly tell him ‘Hey, I’m a highly trained spy from the Alliance, no need to worry about me ruin diving!’ That would compromise my mission. He thinks a fry cook isn’t qualified for hazardous ruins.”

Logan let out a barely contained bark of a laugh, quickly covering his mouth to mime coughing. Grace turned an icy glare on him, also sparing a cutting glance at Haru who wasn’t hiding his smirk. This was the first time either of them had seen the spy so flustered.

“Look. We’ll check it out as soon as we can, but we have to wait for the buzz to die down a bit.” The blond woman huffed, pushing down her indignation. "It might still take a few months. Maybe once the bridge is rebuilt."

“Oh.” Haru’s voice softened. “We’ll… we’ll have to look for supplies again.” His smile faded. He glanced over at Logan whose good humor also died down. “We only have a few days' worth.”

“Yeah.” The bigger man turned his head away. 

Most of their supplies, since they’ve been on the run, were ill-gotten. They’ve had to unfortunately live up to the bandit name a few times just to get by. Which was distasteful in the extreme.

Grace seemed to pick up on what they’d meant. Triumph melted away her previous sour mood. “Hang on now, I do have something for you guys. It’s only food and water for now, but I can also see about getting any supplies you guys might need.” She rummaged around in her pack, pulling out two to-go boxes. “Owen usually lets me take home some of the extra food I’ve cooked. These are still warm, too. I got this insulated pack from the builders to help transport fresh to-go orders to nearby villages.” 

The two bandits exchanged brightened looks. They wouldn’t have to rob anyone and they could have some food from back home. The thought alone was elating. Eagerly accepting the containers they settled in to eat. The smell of eggs and spices set off some stomach rumbling.

Grace watched with amusement as she continued to pull out supplies from the pack. Canned and preserved foods, a bag of rice, a few pastries, and even a little collection of spices. Enough to get them through several days. “This is all I can sneak out to you guys, unfortunately. Between the threat to the Moisture Farm and the expected increase in water prices, everyone’s been keeping a close eye on all the food stocks in town. I can’t take much more without raising suspicion.”

“This is more than enough, Grace. We can’t thank you enough.” Logan thanked her warmly, trying to emphasize their gratitude. She was a literal saving grace. “This’ll hold us over-”

“Blech.” Haru’s barely muffled gag cut him off.

Glancing over with a frown he could see the chemist pulling a face, a half bite taken out of a forkful of omelet. He was desperately trying to keep the food in his mouth, but his watering eyes spoke volumes about what he was really feeling.

Whatever was in that omelet was apparently malevolent.

“Ah, oops.” Grace grimaced at Haru’s reaction. “I suppose I should have warned you, I’m not a great chef according to… pretty much everyone in town. Maybe I should have had Owen cook the to-go orders.”

Logan looked down curiously at his own food. It was a similar-looking omelet. Which didn’t look outwardly displeasing. Picking up his fork he decided to try a bite at least. Determined to show his gratitude…

It was indeed terrible.

He tried to speak between bouts of coughing out whatever abstract horror had gotten in his mouth. “Grace, you know ‘sand omelet’ is just a joke name, right? You-” He spat out a mouthful of earthy tasting grit. “-you ain’t supposed to put actual sand in ‘em.”

“Why’th it th’o spicy…” Haru’s words came out strangled.

“It’s not sand, I probably overcooked that one, and Haru’s is probably the one I made with the new Duvos Pepper spice mix Owen made… I guess I put a little too much in, Sorry.” Grace looked back and forth between the two bandits. Her expression was a mix of amusement and embarrassment.

His gratitude decidedly dampened Logan set down his fork still picking grains out from his teeth. He could relate to not being a great cook. When out on the trail he normally just charred everything over the campfire. Vegetables, meat, big bugs on occasion, it all tasted the same when roasted to a crisp. Same way his Pa did it too. Food was food after all.

This, however, was beyond the burnt food levels of bad cooking.

“Man, you could use this stuff to smoke out the spy. They’d probably run back to Duvos after a taste o’ this.”

Grace crossed her arms, her face now beet red. “Look, I haven’t had much time to learn how to cook, okay?”

Logan plopped a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Hey, it happens to the best of us. Maybe just leave some supplies with us and we’ll do the cooking.”

“I second that.” Haru rasped out hoarsely. “Between your cooking and Logan’s pacing, you two’ll kill me ‘fore Duvos ever gets the chance.”

Spy and bandit alike shared offended looks.

Chapter Text

Kat turned the heart-knot bracelet in her hands nervously. Sitting on a ledge of the Northern Plateau overlooking the town. The distant canyons and rock formations reflecting the early morning sunlight. She was ready to bare her heart. Strangely enough, it felt more like marching onto a battlefield.

More than a year of keeping to herself. A year of loneliness. Sure, she'd won the praise of everyone in town. Sure, people revered the ground she walked upon.

But her heart was shattered.

She'd thrown herself into her work, turning the desert into a forest, building livelihoods for the people of Sandrock, and even turning scraps into lofty flying machines. But her achievements felt hollow. The one person in town she had tricked herself into loving turned out to be a murderous sociopath.

It didn't help that people walked on eggshells around her after Pen's arrest. No one dared approach her without some kind of job to do. Like she would snap if they tried to be friendly with her again.

It’s not like it was a wrong assessment. She pushed them away.

But here she sat, another heart knot in her hands.

Kat realized a while ago that she'd given her heart out again- much to Mi-an's delight- to a man Kat had shared many battles with. She shook her head, cursing her wayward heart for wandering to yet another fighting man when she'd sworn she'd look for someone more settled. For stability.

Even as she admonished herself her heart whispered its counters to every argument her mind had. Reminding her of all the times he stuck by her side loyally. Every glimpse of a fatherly spirit she'd seen as he looked after his adopted son. How deeply he cared about everything and everyone. He was different. 

She wasn't a settling girl, she knew. Adventure called her. It was why she moved here despite everyone telling her the desert would eat her alive. 

But her heart wanted roots. 

She needed someone who’d keep up with her, but with whom she could have a family to call her own. The kind of life that she’d first prepared to have when she first settled into town.

The kind that he'd shown her after he'd come back to Sandrock.

"Hey," Logan's familiar horned hat peaked above the ledge behind Kat. She hastily shoved the bracelet in her pocket. "Enjoying the view?"

He hopped up the rock to join her on the ledge. His height and long legs made the action more graceful than the mad scramble Kat had done earlier. The soft clicks of his gear broke the muffled morning silence as he sat down next to her. Watching the sunrise light up the landscape.

Kat felt a familiar sense of peace wash over her. An ease that only ever appeared in Logan’s presence, encouraged by his own air of calm and confidence. "Sunrise always makes being up early worth it. It’s peaceful."

A low rumbling chuckle escaped him. “Trying to excuse why yer up at such odd hours again?”

“No, it's just a good routine.” Kat hummed. She wasn’t about to bring up the fact she was only awake at sunrise because she never slept. He already knew. They’d already had quite a few arguments about that and he’d only just let up on giving her a curfew after the last incident.

“Hmmm… yer havin’ trouble sleeping again.” He said it as a statement, not a question.

Kat flinched and looked down at her lap.

They’d both shared their issues with sleeping, he had his nightmares and she had her insomnia. Unlike him, though, she couldn’t really blame trauma. Sure, the past couple of years had far too many close encounters with death. For some reason, aside from a few sticking points, she was able to let all that roll off her shoulders. They’d won the battle after all.

But her mind kept her up. Its constant chatter slowly driving her to insanity.

A large warm hand on her back pulled her from her thoughts. Clear blue eyes pierced hers with a look of understanding and warmth.

“You ready to head into the ruins?” She chose to deflect. Plenty of time to work on her issues later. Kat had bigger problems to worry about.

Logan’s eyes lingered on hers a bit longer as he tried to read her thoughts before he turned and nodded. “‘Bout as ready as I’ll ever be. These ruins’ve been cleared by the Council Guards once before. So there’ll be nothing we can’t handle in there… if anything at all.”

Director Qi, the sole researcher in Sandrock’s Research Center, had requested that Kat examine and bring back a few machines that he’d seen in one of the farthest wings of the Space Center ruins. She’d decided to ask Logan along to have a chance to spend time with him. Also, to figure out how to confess her feelings for him… though maybe she’d invite him over to the Saloon or something afterward. The ruins didn’t seem like the most romantic location.

Logan offered her a hand up. “C’mon, Sunrise is pretty but time’s a wastin’.” 

Taking his hand he hauled her to her feet. Picking their way down the rocky slope they made their way to the ruins entrance. The elevator inside made its way down the floors at a snail's pace. Logan hummed along as elevator music crackled out of the speakers above them. A quiet comradery settling over them.

“So, we’re exploring a new wing, huh?” Logan kicked a rock as they stepped off the elevator.

“Well… not necessarily new. The Director poked around there before, but he said this is the kind of salvage job best handled by the delicate touch of a builder.” Kat huffed out a laugh as she pried open the door to the new area. “If you ask me, that’s just code for ‘he can’t be bothered to do heavy lifting.’ And you already know how he is about sending the Civil Corps.”

"Is that why I'm here?" He turned to her, a smirk on his lips. "Y’ needed a pack yakmel to carry stuff?"

Kat puffed her cheeks out with a sheepish laugh. “Ha, no, not really. I just wanted-” She physically balked when she realized what she was about to say out loud. Having to bite her tongue to keep the truth from spilling out. The silence stretched on between them as they ambled down the hall towards another set of doors. At least until curiosity got the better of Logan.

"Wanted what?" Logan held open the second door to the main atrium of the new wing, watching Kat with a curious look.

“Er- Uhhm-” The builder’s own eyes wandered the various machines around the room as her brain searched for an excuse. A lie to delay the inevitable-

But what would be the point? Honesty was the best policy, right?

“This really isn’t how I wanted to do this…” Kat fidgeted with the heart knot in her pocket before pulling it out and holding it in front of her. She couldn’t meet his eyes, filled with a new kind of anxiety. “I- I’ve been thinking about this for a while- its-” She let out a frustrated sigh. She’d really over-thought all this and now she was stuck in an awkward confession.

“I like you.” She finished simply.

After several beats of unbearable silence, Kat risked a glance up. Her heart sank. She didn’t know what reaction she was hoping for. But his usual apathy towards all things romantic would have hurt less than this. His face was a mix of emotions; regret, pain, and-

Guilt.

“I- I’m sorry Kat. I don’t- I can’t-” He stumbled over his words. She could see his panic as he tried to formulate them in the least painful way possible. Unfortunately, there was just no way to make this gentle. Especially for someone as honest as Logan. “I can’t accept this.”

Kat nodded silently, blinking back tears and stuffing the knot back into her pocket. She wasn’t going to cry here, no sense in making him feel more guilty. “It- it’s okay. Let’s just- uh- I’m gonna go look at the machines.” She turned away to hide her watery eyes.

Logan nodded, doing his best to snap back into work mode despite the guilt still written on his face. “Right, I- I’ll do a sweep of the perimeter. Make sure there’s no rogue AIs or monsters.” 

He turned away, taking quick strides to put distance between them. Kat stared at the floor as his footsteps faded. Finally lifting her gaze she glanced around at the machines surrounding her. At least she had work to distract herself.

Hefting her pickhammer she made her way to the central machine. It towered above the rest and was the only one still glowing with energy. Dull curiosity prickled in Kat’s mind. It was always interesting to see how power sources still worked in these old-world machines. Even after nearly four hundred years buried underground. As she approached the console at the center of the machine the hair on her arms stood on end, crackling with static electricity. The air around her hummed with energy.

Curious now, she walked around the machine. It was quite large, though clearly built to be mobile. She could see it had a completely smooth surface apart from the console. The surface of it had veins of geometric light running throughout the metal. With a closer look, she could see little rivulets of glowing liquid running through the veins like neon blood. A light tap of her finger upon the unblemished surface yielded no results either. She couldn’t even begin to guess the material used to create it. 

She set down her pickhammer, this was something they should take back to town intact.

Returning to the console she examined the buttons. They were flush to the surface and blank. No indication of their purpose. In the center of the buttons was a large smooth surface with the glowing projection of a handprint. She matched her hand to it, laying it gently on the console. An electric tingle tickled her fingertips.

Pain ripped through her hand, drawing a scream from her throat.

Her hand was stuck to the machine like it was glued in place. Unable to rip it away Kat screamed louder again, fear mixing with pain.. Electricity crackled down the machine reaching where her hand touched it. It shot up her arm rippling across her body. With a final crack, her whole body was launched across the room, slamming against the side of a metal crate and sliding to the floor. Her body twitching in agony.

Trying to push herself up she could see the blue energy of the machine now radiating from her hand, the edges of her fingers dissolving into light. The machine across the room was now making a distant shrill noise. As Kat collapsed against the ground again she could hear the thumping of boots coming towards her.

“Kat!” Logan appeared in front of her. His face was filled with panic as he scooped her limp body into his arms. “What happened?”

He examined her hand, his panic worsening as the crackling energy worked its way up her forearm. “No, no, no!” Fear and grief warred in his eyes. “Shit!” 

The only noise she could get out was a pained whimper.

“Hang in there, Kat.” He tried to comfort her as he lifted her limp body into his arms. “I’ll get you out of here, don’t worry.”

Why did it hurt so much?

Kat’s world was narrowing down until all she could see was his face. She felt him clutch her closer. A distant comfort. Pain blinded what was left of her sight, her mind sinking farther and farther away from conscious thought. Her eyes closed.

“Kat? Hey, stay with me! You can’t go, please!” Logan’s panicked voice was the last thing to pierce through her consciousness. 

“Kat!”

Kat woke with a gasp. The familiar surroundings of Doctor Fang’s clinic came into view. Her eyes watered with the memory of pain. Trying to sit up she grunted in real pain.

Ow.

“Woah, hey!” Justice’s voice rang out from somewhere to her right. “Yo, Doc! She’s awake.”

The builder let out another groan, giving up on trying to sit up. Her head throbbed. With intense effort, she slowly creaked her head to the side. Trying to see where Justice was. A shadow appeared in her vision blocking her view as the Doctor loomed over her.

“Hold… still.” He ordered, rearranging the pillow under her head. "Try… not to move. Slightly concussed. Bad bruises."

"How long…?" Kat managed to get out. Stopping because her throat tore with dryness.

"You've been out just shy of a day." Justice’s voice called out. Kat tried to turn her head again, getting caught by the doctor's gentle hand. Fang turned a cutting glare towards where Justice was. "Sorry, doc."

"Both need… rest… have medicine." He propped her head up gently, holding a small cup of liquid to her lips.

Kat couldn't help but make a face at the bitter taste. When she finished the medicine Doctor Fang exchanged the little container for a cup of water. After a couple of sips soothed her parched throat Kat could feel her pain dull until she felt almost nothing.

"Wow," She rasped out, "that's some strong stuff."

Fang nodded. "New… Recipe. You helped."

Her eyes widened a little as it struck her what he meant. "That's the stuff from Wednesday?!" 

The Wednesday before Gecko Station she'd gone to one of Fang’s medical trials. The potion he'd given her then had just made her whole face numb.

Apparently, he'd refined it.

The doctor nodded again, putting the glasses away. "Numbness… no pain. Good for… treatment. You can… sit up. Slowly. Try to… stay awake for a little while."

He fixed the back of her hospital bed into a sitting position, guiding her slowly as she adjusted to a sitting position. Glancing around she now had a clearer view of the clinic. Justice was sitting on a bed a couple of meters to her right. His left leg was in a proper cast, propped up on several pillows. He waved when Kat looked over.

“Little birdie’s awake?” X the raven cooed from atop the cabinet to Kat’s left. He drifted down, landing on Kat’s head preening her tangled hair. Letting out agitated little birdy huffs as he made his worry known. "Morning sweetie!"

"X! Not on… patients!" Fang exclaimed. He reached up letting the raven hop off Kat's head onto his hand. 

Kat let out a weakened laugh. X was a smart bird, capable of speech and everything, but he was still a bird. He was worried about his favorite shiny and snack giver.

As the raven settled on his shoulder the doctor turned apologetically to Kat. “Sorry…”

“It’s alright,” the builder smiled at him. “It’s nice to know he cares.”

“Need to… ask a few questions…” He grabbed a small clipboard from her bedside, picking up the pen to write. “What… do you remember?”

“I remember Gecko Station… I remember hitting the ground. My head is a little fuzzy. I don’t remember anything about getting back to town.”

Fang made a note on the board. “Little to no memory loss?” He prompted.

“Well, I seem to remember everything that happened…” And more. “So, yeah.”

“You… will be alright, then. No permanent… damage. Just rest.”

With a nod, the doctor returned the clipboard to its place and moved to his desk on the other side of the room dividers, the only signs of his presence being the occasional shuffle of paper or clattering of containers. Leaving the patients to rest. After a few moments of somewhat comfortable silence, the Sheriff spoke up.

“Soooo, Kat? You mind if I ask a few million questions?” He fiddled with his hands, eyes betraying a killer curiosity.

“Uh- I suppose?” Kat would’ve tilted her head curiously but a twinge of pain stopped her. “What about?”

“Well first; how did’ya get off that train? Second; how the heck did’ya know all that stuff about Howlett and the Geeglers? Third; you were hollerin’ in your sleep last night, were you havin’ a nightmare?” Justice asked rapid-fire.

Oh boy, another interview. Though it was more like an interrogation this time considering he is the Sheriff. She really should have been more prepared for questions by now… unfortunately she wasn't. Kat was silent for a moment, thinking up answers. 

“Well, first; the Geegler leader threw me off the train. Saved my life but bumped my head pretty badly.”

Justice nodded. “We honestly thought we lost you when we saw the bridge. Whole thing’s gone.” A shadow crossed his face as he thought back to that moment. “I was just ‘bout ready to climb down that cliff, leg be damned. But Unsuur spotted you lyin’ in the dunes nearby. Wasn’t able to relax ‘till we found you still had a heartbeat.”

Kat grimaced. “This stiff neck is saying it’d rather be dead.”

The Sheriff let out a short laugh. “Well, I, for one, am glad you’re alright. Even the doc was a little freaked that something might’a broken. Er- well, as freaked out as he can be anyways.”

Another moment of silence passed between them before Justice spoke up again.

“So, what about the other things?”

“Hm?” Kat startled out of her thoughts. “Oh, right.”

More silence passed as they stared at each other.

“Kat?” Worry crossed Justice’s face.

“Sorry, sorry. I’m just trying to think about how to answer.” Kat admitted. “It’s a bit- a bit difficult to explain…”

It took several moments for the builder to think up fitting lies. ‘Difficult to explain’ was an understatement. She couldn’t tell him about why she knew about Howlett’s peace treaty. That would expose all the time-travel shenanigans. Also, she was absolutely not going to mention that she had a nightmare about getting rejected and then dying. Let alone that the rejection was by a man who was currently a wanted criminal.

Kat’s heart twinged.

On the plus side, Justice was a little too easy to lie to. She honestly felt bad about it. The man’s deductive reasoning really needed work, he was too trusting for his own good. Though, lying to him now felt worse knowing she’d nearly gotten them all killed in Gecko Station. Part of her wondered if it was really right for her to push them away from all this too. It affected them all as well, didn’t it?

“So, uh-” She did have a half-truth she could rely on. It’d make her feel less guilty anyway. “You know how you assumed that I was a wannabe bounty hunter?”

“Yeah?” He looked at her curiously.

“Well, that was to cover for the fact that my mom is a Civil Corp member. Uh- she- she was famous. Her name’s Mama Maria. I knew about that monster-hunting stuff with Howlett because she taught me about him. Said he was a good example of working with monsters rather than only ever fighting them.” Kat glanced over at Justice, trying to gauge his reaction.

Justice looked confused. “Okay, I think I’ve heard about your ma. But I ain’t from Highwind so I can’t say for sure.”

Kat breathed a sigh of relief. “People in Highwind were kind of disappointed I didn’t turn out like her. She made sure to train me, at least a little. But she was proud I became a builder instead. Didn’t know if people here would think the same. Folks like their heroic dynasties and all that.”

“Eh, out here you’d be more of a hero just for being a builder. We kinda need y’all.” Justice assured her. “Lotta stuff makes sense now though. With your mom bein’ Civil Corp.” He paused and chuckled to himself. “I was honestly excited to be workin’ with an up-and-comin’ bounty hunter though. Ya think your heroic bloodline will ever awaken?” He threw a teasing grin at the builder.

“I fell off a train. I think ‘bounty hunting’ is out of the question. Especially once my mom finds out.” Kat said dryly. “I’ll probably be put in heroic time-out instead.”

Justice let out a loud enough snort to make Fang stick his head around the divider and glare at them.

Chapter Text

Sweat cascaded down Kat's brows like a gross river as she set a new furnace down.

After several days resting and healing up under doctor's orders she had finally been cleared for work. Yan, her boss, had decided that her injuries were her fault and that her absence was unacceptable. Taking especially long to shout her ears off about how many backed-up commissions they had.

Though it was more of how many backed-up commissions he had because he never did a second of actual work.

He embezzled money from every workshop in his jurisdiction, hers included. So occasionally asking him to spar and beating his cowardly butt had been effective in keeping him away from her earnings. Unfortunately, it did nothing for his incorrigible attitude.

The Highwind builder had also advised Mi-an to do the same but she wasn't sure the girl had the gumption for it at first. She'd never seen the Tallsky builder raise her voice before. Let alone argue.

Mi-an found her own way to be intimidating though. 

She still wasn't willing to step all the way up to throwing hands or even threatening him, no surprise there, but wearing her daggers prominently on her belt every morning she went to pick up a commission had at least stopped his incessant bullying in its tracks. Although Mi-an said she was still sure that he was embezzling her gols and points. It was at least an improvement not having him breathe down her neck. 

The Highwind builder made a mental note to have a ‘talk’ with Yan about Mi-an’s missing money.

Now, though, Kat was rearranging the machines in her yard.

She'd have to mass produce all sorts of metals, bolts, beams, and the like as the Commerce Guild and Heidi, the sole owner and worker of the town’s only architecture firm and construction company, geared up to rebuild the Shonash Canyon Bridge. A vital, time-sensitive, project as their little desert town was now cut off from its imported water supply. Kat hefted one of the ends of a processor, scooting it closer to her assembly station.

"Hey, Skinny arms!" An unwelcome voice caused Kat to drop the machine she was lugging.

Pen.

Her light mood was instantly killed. 

She turned to him warily. He watched her with unbearably icy eyes, his seemingly Cheshire smile never warming them. His proud visage ever the same. The man she once loved, someone who once claimed to love her, standing lifetimes apart… 

And also just a few feet away from her. 

Despite the autumnal desert heat, a familiar wave of cold jail cell air brushed Kat’s shoulders. That same look on his face as he purred triumphantly about her little visit. Gloating that she’d come back to him the day after he’d dared to lay hands on her. 

Amused as she stood meekly before him, even though she’d won the fight.

‘Love is a shackle, Kat. We won’t ever see each other again but you’ll never be rid of me.’

Every touch she’d let him have in the past burned against her skin.

"You'll wanna be careful hauling those things! Can't have our precious builders break any more bones." His voice was filled with mockingly sweet concern.

"It was Justice that broke his leg. And I didn't see you anywhere when we were all risking our lives." The builder retorted coldly.

He laughed. Entertained by the way she bristled. “You know Skinny, if I didn't know better I’d say you hated me.”

“Because I do .” She spat. “I told you to leave me alone.” With a sinking feeling, she knew he never would. It took a lot for a man like him to accept a ‘no.’

“Now, now Skinny, I know it's hard to not be jealous of such human perfection. But it really isn’t a good look on you.” Pen brushed off her indignation. “Besides, I'm here to invite you to train with me!”

“What.” Kat stared at him. Trying to figure out how on Earth he thought she would agree to that.

"Well, after the whole Geegler incident, the Town Hall agrees that our builders should be professionally trained!" Pen beamed at her, a savage grin on his face. "Since the Sheriff is currently out of commission, the duty has fallen to me! The mighty Protector of Sandrock."

Kat scowled at him. "What about Unsuur? It would be better for an official Civil Corps member to handle our training. That was the arrangement we had before anyways.”

Pen dismissed the argument with a flippant wave. “Nonsense! I wouldn’t want to speak bad about our dear Corpsmen buuuut… Well, why have them do the job when I can do it sooo much better.”

She was not about to give in when Pen pulled out his trump card.

“Your other builder friend’s already waiting for us.” He purred. 

Kat tensed at the undertone in his voice. If you don’t cooperate she’s going to be the one to suffer, not you. Cold fury seeped through her chest. This bastard was threatening Mi-an.

“Fine.” The Highwind builder seethed. “But on one condition.”

“Very well, ask away Skinny! Whatever do you need?”

“That the Civil Corps is at least present.”

That cracked his facade a little. “You certainly know how to wound, Skinny. Are you implying I would do anything to harm our beloved builders?” Pen’s voice came out with barely restrained frustration.

She narrowed her eyes at him. ‘Absolutely I am.’ She thought. Kat didn’t know why he was trying to get them both alone but she sure as hell wouldn’t allow it.

If the workshop’s front door wasn’t just across the tracks from the Oasis, right in view of Burgess and a small group of tourists, she was sure he would have attacked her there and then. She recognized that look on his face. A chilling void of emotions masking a violent tendency that she’d seen too many times in her life.

“Go find the Civil Corps then, don’t keep me waiting.” His voice was cold and devoid of his usual bravado. Kat had to repress a shiver of fear. She watched as he turned and sauntered back to town.

This was a murderer. 

Someone who didn’t care who they hurt. 

Pen threatening her was one thing, but she was dealing with a man willing to kill people close to her. Just to rub it in her face. Kat shuddered as she remembered the look on his face when he taunted Logan about killing Howlett. The gleam of psychotic glee in his eyes.

As the sight of Pen’s cape disappeared around the corner of Main Street Kat sprinted out of her yard. Taking a hard left and following the train tracks down to the Civil Corp office.

She needed to find Justice.

“That's the third time!” Justice shouted in frustration. “I told you, man! You gotta knock that off!”

The Sheriff was in a heated argument with Pen.

He’d agreed to chaperone the builders’ training session. Since his leg was broken Unsuur was covering for all patrols. So he had quite a surprising amount of free time. Kat had actually found him so bored out of his skull that he was doing paperwork for fun despite his known hatred for it.

Unfortunately, so far things were going poorly.

They’d barely gotten any training done since Pen was being obstinate about not holding back when sparring against the girls. Something Justice was taking issue with. The Enforcer argued that they wouldn’t be encouraged to get stronger if he held back. The Sheriff argued back that they couldn’t get stronger if he ended up putting the girls in a hospital bed.

It was a bit hypocritical of Justice considering he and Unsuur didn’t really hold back much when they’d sparred before Gecko Station, but Kat knew it was born out of concern. When she’d gone to get him the Sheriff had actually expressed his worries about the fact that the Church Enforcer was acting so aggressively towards them. He especially expressed frustration with the fact he couldn’t do much to intervene while his leg healed.

“It was orders from Matilda. While I appreciate her keeping us afloat while Trudy is out in the desert, she’s quite… controlling. I made my feelings clear on this but since Unsuur’s the only official Corpsmember who can do patrols until my leg’s outta this damn cast… Pen’s the only one who can train y’all.” Justice had told her. “Don’t worry though, I’ve got a few folks- not Pen - helping out with patrols. We’re keeping an eye on your workshop, too. Lotta folks worry ‘bout you, especially since you're just outside of town. If anything gets too dangerous, or if anyone bothers you, just shout.”

Sandrock was always a tight-knit community. It was one of those habits that came from living in a small town. Kat found it comforting to know almost everyone was on her side.

But that also made things more complicated.

As her previous encounters proved, her knowledge of the future didn’t mean she could totally rewrite history. Intervening so far had ranged between beneficial, like partially saving the Hydrogel, and near catastrophic, like Gecko Station. So there was no way to predictably change the outcomes of each event.

Kat would have to worry about who got hurt whenever she messed with the course of major events. 

If she’d gotten her friends hurt or worse, killed, it would be solely her fault as the one who knew the future. It hurt to sit back knowing the struggles and hardships that everyone would face. But did she even have the right to take that experience away from them?

On top of that, the murderers were standing among them in Sandrock. 

If the situation became untenable there was no telling how many people Pen would kill before they had the chance to stop him. There was almost no way to warn the town without tripping their alarms either. The church had their butts in the only seats of power. Matilda ran city hall and Miguel handled the imported water. They already had a vice grip on the town.

It gave Kat a stress headache.

“Look, we’ll just call this training off for a little while,” Justice growled in frustration. Cutting off Pen's latest ridiculous argument. “The builders are decent fighters anyways, that's my final say as Sheriff here.”

Pen snorted with derision. “Fine then, tell that to Matilda. Tell it to her when they're eaten by a Tunnel Worm or gunned down by Logan.” He spat.

Before the Sheriff could retort Pen lept out of the sparring ring and sauntered away towards the path up the hill. Justice let out a frustrated sigh. All the tension was carving new wrinkles in his forehead.

“That man, I swear… It’s like he’s itchin’ to cause trouble… as if we don’t have enough…” He muttered to himself angrily.

“He hasn’t always been like this, has he?” Mi-an asked tentatively.

Looking over at her, Justice shook his head. “No, he was annoying but he wasn’t this irritating. It’s like…” The Sheriff trailed off when he realized something.

“Like what?” Kat prompted.

“Well… I hate to say it, but he only started actin’ like this since he saw you the first day you were here Kat.” Justice glanced at her, a worried gleam in his eyes. “I’m worried he might become a bit obsessive. He ain’t the halfway type of guy.”

The Highwind builder stiffened at that. 

She knew exactly the type of guy he was. When his attention was on someone he could bully or hurt… he didn’t lose interest easily. It was one of the signs Kat had constantly cursed herself for missing in the previous timeline. Pen constantly abused and gaslit Burgess. She was a bystander for some of it, which was something she still felt incredibly guilty for.

The Enforcer never really had friends or lovers.

Just play things.

Mi-an slung an arm around Kat, the Highwind builder’s worries mirrored on her friend’s face.

“Hey now,” Justice put a hand on her shoulder. “We ain’t gonna let anythin’ happen to you. Alright?”

“We could technically still train if Kat and I sparred… You could watch and give us pointers, Justice.” Mi-an suggested. “I might not want him to teach us. But learning to defend ourselves is starting to look extremely necessary.”

The Sheriff nodded then looked at Kat. “What do you think, Kat?”

Kat let out a shuddering breath, regaining her composure. “I think it’s a good idea…but I just want to get back to my workshop for today. I need to start preparing for the bridge repairs anyways.”

“Oh, right!” Mi-an jolted, remembering that the build would start in the morning. “Let me walk back with you. Maybe we can see about working together… or I could rent some space from you, I don’t think my workshop is big enough for such a build anyways.”

The Highwind builder looked up at her with a thankful look. “We can work together. Forget rent. The whole town has their eyes on this project so Yan can’t argue with us on that.”

“I’ll walk with y’all too.” Justice’s crutch clacked against the cobbles as he moved.

“Justice, we should be the ones walking you back to the Civil Corps, your leg’s still healing…” Kat frowned at the Sheriff in concern.

“It’s just a broken leg, I ain’t crippled. Even if I was, well, the Sheriff before me never let that stop him, I won't let it stop me."

“Uh- Even if the leg doesn't stop you, Fang might.” Mi-an pointed out. Kat had told her about the spectacle that happened when the doctor caught Justice hobbling around the clinic the first day after Gecko Station. It was fascinating to watch a man be cowed by an ornery bird.

“I’m sure he’d understand given the circumstances.” Justice shook his head, his lips pressed in a determined line. “Even if he doesn’t, I ain’t leaving when someone’s made threats to a friend of mine.”

Chapter Text

The builders had quite the busy week.

With Mi-an working at Kat’s workshop on the bridge pieces and the townsfolk occasionally keeping them company Kat had little time to think about… anything really. A relief considering she was stressed about many things like that weird blue machine or the fact that Pen was being… scary.

It also meant she had no time to think about how she was rejected before the whole time reset.

As if she didn’t have enough on her plate her mind would often betray her by replaying the events, the look on Logan’s face, and reminding her that that was the last thing to happen before she ‘died.’ It got to her a little. As much as she tried to ignore it in favor of worrying about them all getting killed, it still really hurt.

It was why, between the bridge and the battle at Gecko Station, she was grateful for how invasive people in Sandrock were. 

For the past few days while Kat and Mi-an worked on the bridge, they got a visitor almost every other hour. Owen and Mrs. Mabel would drop by with food. Burgess would bring them barrels of water and give them surveys. Arvio stopped by to offer them a free chair despite the fact that they were both builders who could just make their own chairs. Justice limped over pretty often to chat much to Doctor Fang’s disapproval. Fang himself had dropped off some teas that helped with sleep and energy. 

Even the newly deputized Captain the Cat stopped by once to drop a Sandfish nearly the same size as himself into Kat’s lap while she worked.

On top of that Owen and the Church even decided to organize a combination Dance Competition Food-Drive in order to keep morale up and to help spread rations around to those who weren’t fortunate enough to keep up with the rising cost of food and water. In exchange for donations people would be entered into a dance competition. The day itself was less a competition and more of an excuse to party. 

In the previous timeline, this Food Drive happened after the Moisture Farm incident when supplies were scarce because the farm itself was dying. 

Admittedly, Kat had completely forgotten about this festival but was happy to see it happen again. She wasn’t much for dancing but it was a town favorite and a start of a new tradition in Sandrock. A good thing rising out of the bad as well as another distraction from her troubles.

Particularly one trouble that was fond of following her around town.

A few folks had ‘noticed’ Pen’s behavior towards the builders.

The Highwind builder was sure it was actually Justice spilling the beans. He’d vented to Owen who, ever the town champion of good, recruited a small army of townsfolk to watch after them. Meaning half the town now knew and were chaperoning them.

Kat was left with very little time for herself.

“What’cha thinkin’ about bestie?” Mi-an’s voice broke through Kat’s thoughts.

They were working side-by-side as they had been the past few days. Alternating between working the forges and using the construction platform to put together the different supports that would be set for the bridge. Kat was assigned to work on the Trusses and Mi-an was working on the base supports. All while cranking out the basic materials needed by Heidi’s construction team.

"Stuff…" Kat replied vaguely.

"Time travel stuff or romance stuff?" Mi-an's voice curled with amusement.

Kat winced. Both were constantly on her mind, as much of a misfortune as that was, she just didn’t want to acknowledge it.

It must have shown on her face because Mi-an gave her fellow builder a concerned look. “Oh. It’s bad, huh?”

“Uh…,” Kat mumbled, “I sort of remembered more about what happened. Before the reset…”

That got Mi-an’s attention. “You mean you know why you were sent back in time now!?” The Tallsky builder nearly bounced with excitement until she saw the troubled look on Kat’s face. “It’s something really bad isn’t it?”

“Y- yeah, it was… well… I’m pretty sure I died.”

Mi-an’s face fell, she stepped closer and hugged Kat. “I’m so sorry, I- that must be hard…”

“What’s worse is I don’t exactly know what happened. I touched a machine, it zapped me, I died. Without knowing what the hell that thing is I won’t have any answers about what's going to happen.” Having started speaking Kat found herself unable to stop. Unloading her worries. “I don’t know what to do anymore. I can’t change anything… I almost- We all got hurt in Gecko Station- We nearly died…” 

The Tallsky builder squeezed Kat in a tighter hug. “Kat, that wasn’t your fault.”

“I know, I just-” Kat squeezed her back, trembling. “It’s like for the first time in my life- I’m actually scared of dying… Like after so many times charging into the unknown… I- I’m just so weak.”

That was the crux of the matter. 

Suddenly, somewhere along the way, death had become a real threat. She’d faced off against the Duvos army, killer robots, and a sociopathic murderous ex, but after experiencing what could only be described as the closest thing to death and knowing that it happened in the future… 

Her whole world wasn’t safe anymore.

“Kat… I think you really need to talk to someone, Doctor Fang, or Justice, or heck… talk to me. Even if it’s not about that machine or all this time-travel-Duvos-spy stuff, you’re stressing about being alone when you're not.” Mi-an spoke gently, worry lacing her voice.

The Highwind builder looked up at her fellow in mild surprise.

“Hah, and I thought I’d be the one giving the words of wisdom. Being from the future and all…” Kat tried to sniff back her welling tears. Being told she needed help felt both vindicating but incredibly… sad. She was supposed to be a picture of strength and prowess. It was the image of herself she’d built during and after the Duvos incident. Having someone acknowledge her weakness was so disarming.

“I know, I’m trying to be more like you.” Mi-an smiled gently at her. “Let us- let me help you. Alright? You trusted me for a reason.”

Kat smiled weakly back. Mi-an is her best friend, in the last life and in this one. They were always together throughout their time in Sandrock, building, fighting, and celebrating. Through struggle and strife. Kat was there to support Mi-an when she was overworked and bullied to the brink of quitting and Mi-an was there to support Kat when she’d been injured in battle and had her heart irreparably broken…

It was a bond forged in fire.

Sure this Mi-an remembered none of that, but after Gecko Station and with all the stress placed on both of them what they had now wasn’t far off. 

“Can I admit something?” Kat’s voice rasped quietly.

Mi-an leaned closer, her head cocked.

“He rejected me.” Tears welled in Kat’s eyes. It felt like she was originally repressing all the distress she had. Tears flowed as she let out a short hysterical laugh. “I- I don’t even know why I keep thinking about that. I’ve been stressed about dying, getting someone killed- I- I should be worried about everything else…”

The Tallsky builder’s eyes widened in surprise. She patted Kat’s shoulder in sympathy. “It's like the straw that broke the camel’s back. I get it, that must hurt… I- uh, sorry about all the teasing.” Mi-an apologized, shame reddening her cheeks.

Kat shook her head. “Ah, It’s- it’s fine. If anything it’s a good distraction from certain death. At least I didn’t have to live through anything too awkward…”

“Wait, what?” 

“O- Oh, right. Uh, I was exploring some ruins with L- uh, him, and I confessed before I touched that machine and got sent back.” Kat stumbled through her explanation. “It was like less than ten minutes…”

“It happened right before that?! Geez, talk about bad luck.” Mi-an froze, glancing back at Kat. “Er- sorry…”

Kat laughed, a genuine non-hysterical laugh this time. 

“No, It’s okay. It kinda feels like one of Ernest’s novels, just comically bad…”

Mi-an laughed too. “I suppose that's one way to look at it.” Turning her head she looked over the work they’d done so far. “How, ‘bout we take a break? We’ve made good progress today, we could go for some drinks at the Blue Moon. Try to de-stress a little.”

The Highwind builder nodded, wiping her face. “That sounds good, let me go wash up a little first.”

“That’s a good idea, I’ll run back to my workshop and clean up a little too.” Mi-an laughed, waving the sweat-drenched collar of her shirt.

“Meet you there!”

Kat didn’t make it far outside her door when she spotted Pen watching her. He was leaning against the oasis fence on the other side of the tracks plainly watching her front door. The look on his face was trained and carefully neutral.

“We need to talk, Skinny.” He called to the builder.

She watched him wearily, making no move past her yard’s gate. One thing she could appreciate about the location of her house were the clear lines of sight from the Oasis and Train Station to her front door. It was just far enough from the train tracks and Main Street to be private, but it was also public enough to deter the less savory kinds of interactions. Something that had saved her many times from overly interested tourists.

Now it would work in her favor as a thin dusty line of defense against potential murderers.

“Look-” Pen spread his hands, “We’re in public, surely you can at least trust me to not do anything to tarnish my reputation where people can see.”

“What do you want, Pen?” Kat still refused to get closer to the man.

“To just talk. Look you’ve made clear you have some kind of ire with me. Yet for the life of me, I can’t seem to think what has you in such a twist!” Pen narrowed his eyes. “I don’t normally let such superfluous feelings get to me, but you’re an exception for some reason, Skinny.”

The church enforcer stalked forward his eyes fixing Kat to her spot. They lacked any emotion that would indicate a modicum of humanity. Standing a mere inches from her he leaned over her, his face barely a hair away from her own.

“Ever since I first saw you I feel like I should’ve somehow known you. Anytime you see me you run the other way. It makes me feel like you know what I’m talking about.” Pen’s breath made Kat flinch. “Tell me; where ever could we have met, hm?”

Kat tried to muster what courage she could, Light help her if she was about to die today. The ghost of bruises from a past long left behind ached. “I’ve seen men like you before,” Her voice wavered, “You’re a monster plain and simple. Whatever happens, I won’t let you hurt Sandrock.”

A wicked grin split the protector’s face. The cold predatory look made Kat stumble back in fear. “You’re certainly entertaining, Builder.” Pen’s voice was feather soft, dropping his usual act. His tone more terrifying than his usual booming bravado. “I’d like to keep you.”

“Kat!” 

Mi-an’s nervous voice warbled from over Pen’s shoulder. When the church enforcer turned Kat could see her and the ranch family’s daughter, Elsie, standing several meters behind the man. Mi-an’s face was written with fear while Elsie puffed up standing slightly between the Tallsky builder and the enforcer.

Pen watched them a moment before backing away from Kat. “See you around, Skinny.” His usual voice returned in full force, like a switch. As he walked away back towards town the two girls edged around him before breaking into a sprint towards Kat. 

“Kat! Are you okay-?” "Did that big palooka hurt ya-?” "What did he want-?” Mi-an and Elsie spoke over each other, worriedly looking the Highwind builder over for any signs of injury.

She let out a quiet breath of relief. “Yeah, yeah… I’m okay guys, I’m alright. He didn’t touch me.”

Elsie ran a shaking hand through her hair, readjusting her cap and losing what composure she’d feigned in front of Pen. “I knew that guy was no good! He’s come into town and acted like he owned the place ever since, ‘Protector of Sandrock’ my foot! He ain’t the protector of nothin’ out here. I oughta-”

“Elsie!” Kat put a hand on the redhead’s shoulder. She was fond of the younger girl, like a rowdy little sister, but she was often as full of hot air as her pa; the infamous Cooper. As fun as it was to see, Kat wasn’t in the mood for a filibuster right now. “I’m alright, I just wanna get out of here.”

The redhead deflated a little, more out of relief than disappointment. “Well, y’all jus' got here an' now he's muckin' it up and tryin' ta drive y’all away. I don't wanna lose my only friends in this dusty backwoods town…”

“C’mon.” Mi-an wrapped a shaky arm around Kat’s shoulders. “To the Blue Moon. You need some company tonight.”

Kat let herself be guided towards the doors of the Saloon. It was a Saturday evening meaning the place would be packed for Owen’s weekly story night, even this early in the evening, as people would come in just to try to get good seats. As the fear-fueled adrenaline left Kat’s veins, she felt her energy drain with it. Though the thought of forcing herself to socialize felt unbearable in her current state, the thought of going back to her quiet, lonely workshop was even less desirable.

Once inside they spotted Unsuur and Justice seated at the bar chatting with Owen, the Corpsmen waved them over when they saw the girls.

“Hey Else, wanna join the Corps Crew for the evening?” Justice sat up, shifting around until his casted leg thunked against the bar.

Owen cast a skeptical look at his old friend. “Corps Crew? Really?”

“What? We need a team name.” The Sheriff responded defensively.

"Couldn't have picked something a little cooler?" The barkeep needled. "That's no better than calling it the 'Crew Crew.'"

“I thought it was cool, sir,” Unsuur spoke without looking at his superior, his focus entirely on making a small stack of pebbles on the bar.

Justice looked back and forth between the deputy-in-training and the saloon owner, miffed that his idea had been shot down by his best friend.

The three girls took up the remaining seats at the bar. Scooting closer to join the two officers. “Wouldn’t that technically be lying though? Kat and I aren't in the Civil Corps.” Mi-an piped up.

“Oh, yeah. We shouldn’t lie.” A furrow appeared on Unsuur’s brow.

“I kinda wish we could have y’all on the Corps, even just part-time.” Justice mused, returning his attention to the builders. “We could use y'alls building expertise and ya've come so far with your fighting too.” 

“We kind of need them to build, Justice. They basically have the biggest job in town.” Owen poured some water for the new arrivals. “Anything I can get y’all by the way?”

“Something strong and sweet, please. Emphasis on strong.” Kat sighed heavily as she plopped down into one of the chairs.

Owen raised a brow at that but turned to make her drink.

“I’d say congrats but it sounds like you’re drownin’ something not celebrating.” Justice tipped his drink at Kat.

Elsie shot up from her seat, slamming her hands on the counter and startling everyone. “It’s ‘cause of Pen! You gotta do something about him, Justice!” She blurted. “That meathead’s a menace!”

That caught their attention and broke the mood, Owen froze midway through pouring, Justice’s eyes snapped wide open, and Unsuur accidentally toppled his pebbles finally looking up. Concern all over their faces. The Sheriff hadn’t exactly been quiet around the other two when it came to the Church Enforcer’s actions towards the builders. They’d never seen Pen act like that before and after being betrayed by someone they’d all trusted before, they were more cautious towards such a dangerous change in personality.

“What’d he do now?” Justice’s voice was strained with worry.

“It’s fine.” Kat put a hand on Elsie’s shoulder, forcing the girl to sit. “He didn’t touch me, he just came by to jeer at me again.”

“I- uh, dunno if this is the right time to say this Kat, but I’ve seen him staring at your workshop all hours of the day.” Owen set the drink he’d poured in front of Kat. Worry lined the tone of his words.

“What?!” Justice looked at the barkeep in alarm. “Why didn’t ya tell me?”

“I was going to, just before they came in.” Owen held his hands up defensively. "Anyways, Kat, I can't imagine it feels good staying in that workshop by yourself. I've got a room up in the hotel I haven't rented out for a few days. You could stay here for a little while, free of charge, 'till he learns to back off."

"Oh I couldn't impose, Owen. It wouldn’t be right.”

“No, it’s-”

“We could have a sleepover! She’d want ‘ta be in her own home, so we’ll just stay with her!” Elsie popped out of her chair again.

“Elsie, my workshop is tiny.”

“I’ll sleep on the floor!”

“Or you could stay at the saloon. Really. It’s no trouble.”

“Guys, please. I’d rather not-”

Justice cleared his throat to get the girls’ attention. Their bickering died out as they all turned to the Sheriff. “Look Kat, I know it ain’t an ideal situation, and I’m gonna have a talk with both Pen and the rest of the church about his behavior, but I’d recommend not bein’ alone until we get this solved. Have someone sleep over or take up Owen’s offer, please.” He looked her in the eyes. The builder could see the lines of stress in his face and concern in his eyes. “I’m not just sayin’ this as the Sheriff or as Civil Corps but as yer friend.”

“I- alright, I’ll get something figured out…” Kat focused on her drink, taking a big gulp.

The Sheriff nodded a little tension easing from his shoulders. Owen looked at him, his head tilted curiously.

“It’s kind of strange, isn’t it? He’s always been annoying but it’s like something switched when Kat moved here. Like he’s got a whole different personality now.” The barkeep kept his voice low so no one in the crowd could hear.

“It’s been a bad few years for such things apparently.” Justice muttered darkly.

Elsie puffed indignantly at him, catching his meaning. “Logan hasn’t been around since the train thingy. He ain’t like that! Logan is nothing like Pen! I'd never believe he's a bad guy!”

“Elsie, we had witnesses… I saw him myself. He was the one waving the gun.” The Sheriff shook his head at the girl. “Look. I get it, we’re all hopin’ he comes back to his senses. But sometimes people change for the worse.” He knocked back the rest of his drink.

The redhead deflated at his admonishment. She still looked fit to argue but the low mood of everyone else at the bar stopped her. Owen set down more drinks in front of them, a whisky for Mi-an, a cold beer for Justice, and a glass of sandberry juice for Elsie.

“I’m old enough to drink.” The ranch hand scowled at the barkeep.

“No, you aren’t. Especially not when your pa’s in here too.” Owen nodded towards the table where Cooper was chattering Hugo and Mabel’s ears off.

The redhead turned her scowl back to her drink before noticing that Mi-an was sipping whisky. She did a double-take. Justice was also watching the Tallsky builder, a brow raised. 

Kat smiled to herself, happy to be distracted from her problems by a fond memory.

Mi-an’s food and drink preferences had been a long-standing topic between them. The Highwind builder preferred the sweetest drinks, no alcoholic taste, the Tallsky builder on the other hand liked the taste of straight liquors. Same thing with spicy and sour foods. It always puts them at odds for parties.

“Never figured you’d like liquor, Mi-an.” Justice's statement sounded more like a question.

“Yeah, most people don’t expect it.” Mi-an chuckled. “I kinda started because I thought it would make people take me more seriously, but then I figured out I like my drinks dry.”

“It’s why I never let her pick when she stays over.” Kat shook her head, shooting her friend a mirthful glance. Mi-an stuck her tongue out.

“You just don’t know good flavor.”

“I prefer to not drink something that tastes like you could sanitize a table with it.” Kat shot back.

“Well if we’re gonna be having sleepovers, I’m going to change that.” Mi-an blew a raspberry at her.

“If you’re planning on sleeping over at my place, we’re drinking what I want. That or go sleep in your own house!”

“Oo-” Elsie grabbed Kat’s arm and shook it. “Does that mean you'll let us stay over?! I can finally get away from m’ pa for a night!”

“Elsie, I never said-” Kat sighed.

“Pleeeeease?” The ranch hand gave her the biggest puppy eyes she could. “Pretty pleeease!”

Kat sighed again. She felt that Owen and Justice were right, staying at her remote workshop by herself wasn't safe. 

Even if it meant she got less alone time having guests over, at least for tonight, was her best option. Though she wished she had a little more space than her old shack provided. A guest room at least.

“Alright, fine. Girls’ night. But just this once.”

Elsie leapt out of her chair with a whoop.

Chapter Text

Kat sighed as she listened to the other two girls snoring.

She always had issues with insomnia. It’s why she was never fond of sleepovers, she was always worried she’d accidentally wake everybody up. Her perpetual lack of sleep was always worsened by the anxiety. 

Something extra was keeping her up tonight, though.

After Elsie had gone to bed and slept like the dead, Mi-an pulled Kat to the other side of the room to drunkenly whisper to her. ‘If Logan was with you when that machine thingy went off, maybe he does remember something.’

It was a possibility the Highwind builder hadn’t considered.

If she was being honest, she also slightly hoped that it wasn’t the case.

But as much as that gnawed at the back of her mind, she also could see what Mi-an was saying. He might know more about the thing that killed her. Kat wasn’t sure why she hadn’t considered it either. From what she remembered, that machine was affecting its surroundings. It did something to her so maybe if he was in close enough proximity…

‘I’m being a fool.’ The sudden thought caused Kat to jolt.

She was surrounded by friends.

All concerned for her safety, all in danger themselves, and she wasn’t simply asking for help.

Even though the invasion hadn’t happened yet, even though she had avoided Pen, even though she had originally made plans to change things, even though she hadn't even encountered that machine yet. She was still treating this life like it was the last one where she’d been betrayed and left behind like a wounded animal. Pushing her friends away.

Failed relationships, stalkers, spies, and time machines be damned. This is her home, her life.

Standing up as silently as she could, Kat crept across the room and sat at her table desk. Rustling a few papers she pulled out several blank sheets and her calendar. A small envelope caught her eye. Its familiar pink wax seal standing out against the manila-colored paper.

Nia’s latest letter.

Back in Highwind, Nia had been her closest friend. They’d grown up together and had a pretty tight bond before Kat moved. After taking the job in Sandrock, Kat just kind of drifted apart from Nia. Even after she had moved to Sandrock to work as a botanist their friendship wasn't the same. Kat hadn't really let anyone back into her life after Pen's betrayal. They did still have a pretty close bond held together by Mi-an’s insistence and the fact they were working as a team to grow a forest out of a desert. If she were here…

Another thought struck Kat. 

Letters.

Flipping open her calendar she began noting important dates. Finishing the trusses, Qi’s robot and the Paradise Lost adventure, the bridge’s opening ceremony, Burgess’s survey, Catori’s doomed Sandsledding venture, the water tower. She’d need a little time set aside to make sure her letters could go out, time to talk and plan with Mi-an, and to make some preparations and gear.

If she could make it to the day of the water tower explosion, Kat would have another chance to talk to Logan. Do what she’d meant to the day of the train hijacking.

She scribbled furiously. Planning out day after day. Writing out letter after letter. One to Mi-an, one to Nia, one to Justice, one to Grace, one to Elsie, and a message for her mother back in Highwind. Every outcome needed a plan. If Logan knew something and believed her, good, go with plan A. If she fails to make contact, plan B. If she got caught or killed by Pen, plan C.

Kat paused for a moment. ‘Grace has probably already made contact with Logan. Why don’t I talk to her? Can I trust her?’ If Logan had known something about the time reset, why didn’t he tell her? Why was Kat even questioning this?

With a muted sigh, she knew why.

It was selfish. Simply for the sake of her own piece of mind. She wanted to be the one to talk to Logan directly. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Grace, she just trusted him more.

Plus, if she was going to spill the beans on the whole Duvos operation… Well, Logan should be the first to know. A lot of it is related to his Pa’s death. 

She didn't set her pencil down until nearly three in the morning.

"Hey!” Elsie shook Kat awake. “Were you workin’ all night?!? You guys are hopeless! How’er you supposed to build a bridge if ya don’t get proper sleep?!”

Kat blinked blearily up at the ranch hand. The side of her head ached where it laid flat against the hardwood of the table, her eyes scratchy with sleep crust. Looking around she remembered filing away all her plans and letters before promptly passing out in the chair.

Right. The plans.

She’d need to talk to Mi-an alone sometime today. 

With any luck, she can set her machinations into motion. It all hinged on help from the Tallsky builder. She needed to know where the letters were, when and where to send them, and what she should do to protect herself.

Though Kat wasn’t fond of the idea of bringing her best friend into the line of fire with her, this wasn’t something she couldn’t do alone. In the previous life, she had the help of nearly half the town. She needed to build that network again.

“Hellooooo?” Elsie snapped her fingers in front of Kat’s face. “Earth to Kat! Anyone home?”

The builder jolted. She’d been staring into the abyss for at least the last minute. “Huh? What is it?”

“I said we should go to the Game Center! Y’all clearly need a day off from all this work stuff.” The redhead planted her hands on her hips. “I swear, if it weren’t for me, y’all’d’ve worked yourselves to death!”

“Elsieeeee,” Mi-an groaned, rubbing her temples. Woken by the redhead’s noise, she sat up from her sleeping bag and clung to the side of Kat's bed looking like she was half dead. “Can you pipe down a little, we’re literally right next to you. You don’t need to shout.”

“I ain’t shouting!” She said, scarcely quieter than a shout.

‘Oh, she’s hungover.’ Kat realized. "Lemme- I'll get you some meds, Mi-an.” She stumbled out of her chair. If she were being honest, she probably needed some painkillers herself. Even though her own hangover wasn’t as bad, sleeping in a chair hadn’t been her best decision. Her aching neck told her that.

Elsie made a face. “Now I’m kinda glad Owen didn’t let me drink, doesn't seem as fun when you get all sick in the mornin’.”

“Well, it’s more fun when you’ve got proper self-control.” Mi-an scrubbed at her eyes. “But yes, don’t drink… or whatever. It’s most often not worth it.” The Tallsky builder let out a jaw-cracking yawn.

“So? Are we gonna head out?” Elsie bounced impatiently on her heels.

Kat nearly fumbled the glass she was holding, still too groggy to be doing much. “Elsie, we’re probably going to chill for the morning then get back to work. You know, as everyone does, how important this bridge is.”

The redhead pouted. “Awwww, You guys are always busy! When’s the bridge going to be done!?”

“Just a little while.” Kat tried to reassure her. “Look we can all hang out together again once we’re done. I’ve almost got the trusses done and Heidi’s construction team has made decent progress with the supports…” They hadn’t unfortunately, but with Qi cooking up his Team Robot scheme it wasn’t too much of a lie.

“Fiiine. Imma go to the Game Center m’self then. Y’all know where to find me when ya wanna hang out.” Elsie barely finished speaking before she was out the door.

Kat shook her head in amusement. That girl ran around as much as Mi-an. The only difference being that Mi-an runs around for work while Elsie was always running around chasing after every thought that crossed her mind and any critters that crossed her path. She had eventually grown out of it. Training to be a monster hunter did wonders for turning her energy into productivity. 

But she still managed to run circles around the rest of them from time to time.

"So, did you get some thinking done while we slept?" Mi-an turned her still bleary eyes to Kat. "Thought about what I said?"

"Yeah, I actually need to talk to you about all that."

The Tallsky builder lifted her head curiously. Then immediately gave up when the weak dawn sunlight touched her eyes. "I could probably use those meds first."

Kat nodded with a chuckle. "And a big glass of water too. I've got some pickle juice in the fridge too if you want that."

Mi-an wrinkled her nose. "Like just a jar of pickle juice, no pickles? Why?"

"It's good for the hotter days, helps rehydrate me after sweating so much… also happens to be a 'hangover cure.'" Kat passed Mi-an the painkillers and a glass of water. "I asked Fang about that once. He said it's because of the salt or something."

"Mmm," Mi-an drained her cup in nearly one gulp. "Do- oh, what did you need to talk about? Can we talk over breakfast at the Moon? I need something greasy…"

"Ah well, it's better to talk to you here in private first since you know, secret stuff…" Kat rubbed her hands together nervously. "But I'll buy you breakfast after."

"I'm going to hold you to that." 

The Highwind builder scooted her desk chair around so she could face Mi-an. Sitting down with a heavy sigh. She leaned over and pulled her notes from last night back out. "Right, so, I stayed up last night, writing all these out. I probably need to reread them so they aren't illegible, cause I was kinda tipsy… But-" She flipped open her calendar. "I made some plans. We need to go over the important days and what I need you to do if things go… wrong… on my end."

Mi-an glanced up from the notes at Kat, noticing the serious look settling on her face. "Light… You really think something might happen to you?"

Kat sighed. “Unfortunately, it is a possibility… Just because I know the future, doesn't mean that I’m immortal.”

The Tallsky builder swallowed hard, her mood decidedly dampening. “Just please promise me you won’t do anything too risky.”

“Everything is risky, Mi-an… This is effectively a war front.” Kat shook her head sadly. “Part of all this is I need your help. Hell, right now I’m asking you to risk your life. If anything I should be asking you to stay safe.”

Kat clasped Mi-an’s hands in her own.

“Look, I will do what I can. But the important thing is keeping us all safe. If that means risking my life, that's what I’m going to do.”

Mi-an squeezed her hands back. By the Light, it’s way too early in the morning to be talking about death…” The Tallsky builder looked up, resolute in helping her friend. “What do you need me to do then? We’re in this together.”

With a deep breath, Kat let go and picked up her stack of letters.

 “I’ve mapped out the different events that are going to happen over the next few weeks.” She tapped the notes in her calendar. “If you’re right about Logan knowing something about the time reset... I should have one more chance to talk to him if I go to the water tower the morning it gets blown up.”

“Are you going to be okay seeing him?” Mi-an tilted her head in concern.

Kat puffed out a hollow laugh. “Well, aside from possible awkward reunion conversations I think he’d understand that we’ve got more important things to talk about.”

“Right.”

“So, in case something goes wrong I’ve got all these letters. I wrote down who they go to and the information they contain.” The Highwind builder pulled out the letter to Mi-an. “This one’s for you. I- I only want you to open it if I’m killed or captured.”

Mi-an took the letter tentatively. “Captured? You really think Pen would do that?”

“You’ve seen how he’s been behaving lately. I’d wager he’s more likely to kill me, so I’m categorizing ‘capture’ in that same vein.” Kat sank in her chair a little. She’d be lying if the thought didn’t scare her, knowing what kind of things the man had done before… It wouldn’t be a pleasant death. “The most important thing is that you gather everyone together before Duvos gets the chance to invade.”

The Tallsky builder furrowed her brows. Looking at the names on the letters. “Don’t assume we wouldn't mount a rescue operation. Everyone here would.”

“Yeah, I know.” Kat smiled at her. “I’m just over-preparing for any possibility. Assuming I’m able to meet Logan, things should go relatively smoothly.”

“Okay, so… seem solid but…” Mi-an flipped through the schedule Kat gave her. “We’re going to have to add in several hours of training and arming you to the teeth.”

“Ah, we can’t be too conspicuous, you know…”

Mi-an looked up at Kat. “Well, we could use what happened in Gecko Station as an excuse for it. Pen got Matilda to agree to that whole training thing. With the whole town putting pressure on City Hall it wouldn’t be too hard for us to convince everyone that we want to be prepared for any situation like that. Just… without Pen’s presence. I’m pretty sure Justice has already told half the town.”

Kat blinked at her before breaking out in a grin. “This is why I need to run all my plans by you. You’ve got a fresh perspective.”

“Then give me those papers and let’s get this over with so I can get my breakfast.” Mi-an held her hand out with a matching grin.

Chapter Text

Pen watched as the builder ran around her workshop.

He could see the shop from across the Oasis at Burgess’s little water shop. A lucky break since they were both a part of the Church he could hang around there frequently with the excuse that he was making sure things ‘ran smoothly.’ He could watch the builder and her other builder friend running around without raising suspicion.

He'd already been reprimanded once because his behavior was ‘drawing too much attention.’

A flash of warm green clothing and tanned skin caught his eye.

The builder from Highwind was crossing the tracks, running into town on one of her countless errands. Kat was her name if he remembered correctly. The other one was… eh, he didn’t care enough to remember. He only bothered to remember the important one.

Something familiar about the builder from Highwind had prickled at the back of his mind since he first spotted her in front of the town hall. Like he knew her already. He'd even had weird dreams connected to her. Flashes of devastating battles and the bitter sense of failure rolled through his mind like fading memories.

It frustrated him to no end.

She was significantly more plain than any girl he’d taken interest in before. With a skinny frame, a freckled face, and no eye-pleasing curves. Hardly anything interesting about her. Certainly nothing that would have caught the attention of a man like him… except maybe her arms. He couldn’t figure out why his mind fixated on that. 

But his instincts were always sharp. 

When they told him to watch someone, he listened. Her aversion to his presence only served to further spur his interest. Telling him there was something important about her.

It didn't take long to be proven right either.

The Sheriff was so proud, sharing how she handled herself training for Gecko Station. That she was good with a gun, that she was raised by a Civil Corps member, that she was knowledgeable about Sandrock’s history, so on and so forth. It almost made the Church Enforcer thankful for Justice’s constantly running mouth.

She'd already made a name for herself.

Between stopping the Geegler attack on the Moisture Farm and taking on their army in Gecko Station she was being praised as a hero. Going above and beyond not only as a builder but as a fighter. They said she was brave and lucky. 

They didn’t see what Pen could.

Every move she made was calculated. Despite her weak visage, she used knowledge to her advantage. Her tactical acumen was sharper than any sword.

At times it was almost like she could predict the future.

He noticed how much care she and the other builder put into crafting weapons. How much combat training they were doing under the guise of stress from Gecko Station. Their diligence in increasing Sandrock’s defenses. As though she could sense how close her enemies were.

Pen couldn’t help but notice all the friends she was making as well.

Already she had the Civil Corp in her pocket, and just a day after their last encounter she began befriending everyone in town but him. Like she was taunting him with her presence... Or lack thereof. She avoided the Church like the plague. Only talking with Burgess and Dan-bi when they hung around the Oasis. 

The farmer, the ranchers, the ranchers’ daughter, the Saloon owner, the town doctor, that insufferable Ataran reporter, the tailor… every new bond Pen watched her forge put bitter contempt in his mouth. 

He wasn’t dumb, he knew she was avoiding him. 

No one avoided him.

The itch in the back of his mind told him she was his. Like a trophy constantly out of his clutches. It was a level of irritation he hadn’t felt since his training days when the old fogies in command wouldn’t let him onto the battlefield because he ‘wasn’t ready.’

The fact that she wouldn’t talk to him- that she wouldn’t ever be in the same room- irked him.

A small, smarter, portion of his mind told him it was entirely possible that she knew he was a Duvos operative. Or that she was at the very least suspicious of it. What she said before… ‘ I won’t let you hurt Sandrock.’ At the very least meant she knew he didn’t really have the town’s best interests at heart.

As he ascended the stairs back towards the Church, done watching the builders run around like headless rocket roosters, he grinned viciously to himself. 

Pen could still recall the last time someone said those exact words to him. When they’d nearly been caught by Sandrock’s older monster hunter. Such bravery. He especially loved remembering the look of bitterness and despair in those blue eyes.

Kat had that same spitfire in her. 

It was hidden behind a facade of cowardice and she definitely didn't have the same fighting skills. But it was there and Pen couldn't wait for the day he would squeeze it out of her. There was no feeling quite like breaking such resilient spirits.

Maybe he would have to convince Matilda to let him bring that builder along when they left this Light-forsaken desert.

A token of his victory.

It likely wouldn’t be hard either. Matilda was wary of Kat at first but that quickly changed after they all saw the robot that she’d built for the man at the Research Center. The Minister had said that they should try to convert the builder to their side, but the Enforcer was sure she’d be easily swayed to the side of ‘non-voluntary relocation.' After all, Duvos was only interested in how these people could be exploited.

He couldn’t wait to see how despair looked in her eyes.

Logan sat astride Rambo, his faithful giant goat. The open desert surrounded them. His muscles were stretched and tired, satisfied with the day of adventure he'd had.

He wasn't alone on his ride back to Sandrock this time though. 

A small woman sat in the saddle in front of him. The scent of raspberries hung around her petite frame. Alluring warmth radiated from her body as the cold winter air nipped at them both.

His builder.

The yakboy shook his head trying to banish the thought. He had no right to think like that, or about how the delicate lines of her back pressed against his chest… or the way her butt was seated against his hips in the saddle…

He would have to admit he hadn't had the purest of intentions when he'd offered her a ride back to town.

It was an excuse to hold her close.

To feel her body against his. 

Despite Logan’s usual disinterest in romance, he was just a regular old red-blooded Sandrock man. He wasn't completely above taking the chance to hold a pretty woman. It was probably the closest he'd get to her anyways.

He shook his head again with a huff.

"Something wrong?"

Her voice startled Logan out of his thoughts. When he looked down her head was tilted to the side so she could look at him, a hint of a bemused smile on her lips. Hazel eyes shining like pools of honey waiting to drown an unsuspecting bumble ant.

Only she could make a poet out of a man like him. 

"It's nothin', jus' my thoughts," Logan replied. He had to bite his tongue to avoid adding 'darling' to the end of his sentence.

She wouldn’t want him.

Hell, after everything that's happened to her, he wouldn't be surprised if she swore off relationships entirely. Logan was a witness to her whole world shattering. He’d been too caught up in his own grief and rage to notice at the time… But he’d seen the anguish on her face. It only made sense later when Justice had told him what’d happened.

His heart ached for her. 

She had monsters following her and for once he didn't know how to save her.

"Alright then." She hummed quietly, accepting his vague answer. The sound of her voice vibrating against his chest pleasantly.

He'd seen how she reacted every time a man flirted with her. The utter disdain in her eyes. Logan was one of the few lucky enough to still be trusted by her, to be a part of her life. The one thing he feared the most was seeing those baleful eyes turned on him, the sting of rejection, or worse, to see the pain in those eyes again. To be the same kind of monster that'd hurt her in the first place. To ever be comparable to…

No. 

She needed someone better.

Someone who wouldn’t become a monster.

With a sigh she leaned her head back, basking in the warmth of the winter sun. Her back pressed fully against his chest. Logan's breath stuttered-

His eyes snapped open.

The dark corners of the hideout coming into view. He was dreaming again. About that woman. The edges of his dream faded as he stepped out of bed as quietly as he could.

Rummaging in his things he looked for his journal.

He wasn't as good of an artist as his Pa but he'd been practicing when he could force himself to sit still. The trick Howlett had taught him was to draw when you could see the beast, or when its image was still fresh in your mind. That way you could best capture how it looks.

Was it rude to call the woman a beast?

Logan paused. 

Yes, but she'd been haunting his dreams. 

He didn't consider himself a smart man, clever maybe, but smart was Haru’s thing. Complex problem-solving wasn't really his forte. So it was better to look at it from a position he understood best; monster hunting.

His pencil touched the paper. He took his time sketching her face, trying to capture every little detail he remembered from his dream. A heart-shaped face, short loosely curled hair pulled back in a small bun, and round eyes that darted around curiously.

As his drawing took shape a shuffle of feet made him glance around. 

Haru had woken up.

"Can't sleep?" The chemist mumbled, rubbing his eyes as he approached.

The hunter sighed. "No.” Haru looked at him with concern and Logan hastily added. “It's different this time."

Haru tilted his head, glancing at the drawing. "So… not a nightmare?" He sounded relieved. The amount of sleep Logan had lost previously due to his night terrors had really concerned his friend.

"Yeah. It's… I honestly don't know how to explain this…" Logan looked back down at his journal. The frustratingly familiar face of the mysterious woman smiling up at him.

"Who's she?"

"I-" Logan tried to recall what he knew from the dream, but other than her face he couldn't remember why he'd been so agitated or what her name was. "-don't know…"

His best friend raised a brow, waiting for him to elaborate.

"I've been having dreams about bein' back in Sandrock." The hunter admitted. "Everyone's there, Duvos is gone and…" he tapped the sketch, "she's there pretty often too. But I don't know who she even is ."

"Maybe she's a tourist we've seen before?" Haru suggested. "She kinda does look familiar…"

"Hmmm…" Logan continued drawing, declining to answer. He doubted that explanation, she felt more familiar than a tourist.

"Oookay… So why're you fixated on her?"

The hunter's head snapped up at that. "I'm not fixated."

Haru watched him with patient but skeptical eyes. Ever able to read his friend. "You're up at what has to be roughly two in the morning drawing a stranger. You’ve been having dreams. There’s something you’re fixated on even if it isn’t her."

Logan huffed but didn't argue. Haru wasn't wrong. He was always more perceptive…

"Are there any other details of the dream you can remember?" The chemist asked.

"Well… You're there, Grace too… and I think I also had a kid? A son, I think." Logan admitted.

“Maybe you’re hopeful about getting back to Sandrock, you told me you’ve been thinking about them lately..." Haru tapped his chin. "Or maybe you just want to settle down, thinking about whether or not we’ll have a life after… all this.” He gestured vaguely. “Wouldn’t surprise me. Ever since Grace showed up, you’ve been getting more and more... agitated."

“I’m ‘agitated’ because this all is taking too damn long. Slow ain’t the pace I like.” Logan grumbled accidentally breaking the tip of his pencil. “Dammnit.”

“You’re not going to argue the part about settling down? I thought you didn’t like the idea of romance.”

“What can I say? Maybe I changed my mind.” The hunter sighed, tossing the journal and pencil onto the desk. He looked up at his best friend, his brother, curiously. “Have you thought about what you’d do? If we live, I mean?”

The two of them had no misgivings about the threat looming over their lives, but it was undeniable that since Grace’s arrival, things weren’t looking as bleak as it was before. 

Logan knew if he himself was thinking about the future, his friend likely already had it planned out. Haru was always three steps ahead, even when they’d first met and he’d lived in a small backwater village with no school his whole life. He’d absorbed every book he got his hands on. Even made his own lucrative business while living with Logan and Howlett. A natural talent for learning. 

One that Logan felt incredibly guilty about wasting away in a dank cave like this one.

"I actually kinda have, yeah," Haru admitted. “I’ve been thinking I’d try to get into a University… You and Howlett always talked about me getting an education. I just kinda thought I’d be nice to honor that dream.” The chemist rubbed the back of his neck. “Y’know, if we live.”

The hunter stood, pulling Haru into a hug. 

“We’ll make it back, Brother. Come hell or high water. Then I’m gonna throw your ass on that train to the nearest school.”

Haru laughed. “I know. I know. I’d do the same for you…” He patted the bigger man’s shoulder before pulling away. “Did’ja say a kid by the way?”

“I did.” Logan scratched his chin. He tried to remember more of the dreams he’d had but all he could recall was the vague notion of a mischievous child. “I dunno, I guess it seems like somethin' I'd do.”

"What, being a dad? Was it with the woman or…?"

"It was a dream, Haru. I honestly don't remember… I don't think so?" The hunter closed the journal, pushing it to the corner of the desk. Maybe if he had another dream he could draw his 'son's' face too.

It felt weird dreaming up a life he never lived-

"Oh good, you're up."

Grace's voice made both men jump like startled Thorny Jumpers.

"Grace!” Logan snapped. “Can you not sneak up on us for once!" 

She was walking towards them from the direction of the secret entrance. How she managed to open it and make her way down the steep tunnel would likely forever baffle the two bandits.  No doubt with her lording it over them as ‘super secret spy skills.’

"Sorry, sorry." The blond held her hands up apologetically. "I figured you guys would want to know that it's go-time."

"You mean to investigate the Water Tower?" Haru leaned forward curiously.

"Yeah, things are finally winding down a bit… er, mostly. But yes, we have an opportunity now."

"What'd'ya mean 'mostly?' Is it safe or not?" Logan interjected.

"Well… It's a bit of gossip in town… Pen’s been acting strange and- uh- stalking the new builder." The spy shook her head. "It's weird. I've been keeping an eye on that, as have most of the town..." She waved her hand. "But we've got more important things to worry about right now. The Civil Corps isn't patrolling as much." Grace tilted her head. "Er- I guess it was just Unsuur patrolling, Justice has been out of commission because of a broken leg... I mean that the extra 'volunteer' patrols have lessened.”

"So you want us to check it out?" Haru asked.

"It's a good opportunity." Grace nodded. “They just celebrated the bridge opening so everyone's relaxed and sleeping in after a late party."

"I'll go.” Logan stepped towards his equipment stash. “You stay here Haru, no sense in risking us both if we're just scouting."

The chemist opened his mouth to argue when Grace cut him off. "One person is less noticeable than two. He's right about not risking both of you."

Haru shut his mouth with a sigh. "Alright, be safe then. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t."

"You know I will."

It didn't take long for Logan to throw on his equipment and saddle up Rambo. Especially with Grace harrying him. He was out of the hideout and halfway to town less than thirty minutes later. Though he did have to slow a little to navigate Rambo through the darker shadows of the unlit early morning.

He paused as Sandrock came into view. 

Painted with the pre-dawn haze and silent save for the gentle symphony of crickets. The sight was breathtaking. Even more so now out of all the times he made a journey like this. If he didn't know better it would almost feel like returning home. Logan turned his gaze towards the Water Tower on the far side of the Oasis. 

With any luck, he wouldn’t disrupt the peace.

Chapter Text

It’s now or never.

Kat sighed as she splashed cold water on her face.

Geared up, plans in place, every possible talk had. It was very early morning right now and the lack of sleep was showing on her face. Instead of risking sleeping through her alarm Kat had stayed up through the night.

It was the morning that the water tower would be attacked.

Mi-an had set up a little ‘encouragement’ party under the guise of pre-opening celebrations for the builder’s work on Catori’s Sandsledding attraction. The Tallsky builder had hugged Kat tight. Both of them knew what would happen and how unpredictable their interference would be. In a way, this celebration was also a last hurrah.

Now, her sword and shield strapped to her back and her pistol on her hip, she was ready to face whatever was going to happen.

Stepping out into the darkness of the early morning, Kat followed down the tracks down towards the far end of Martle’s Oasis. Leaping over where the low Oasis fence met the taller water tower fence she snuck through the bushes towards the space underneath the deck of Burgess’s water store. She’d be able to see somewhat clearly around the fence and, hopefully, intercept Logan before Pen catches him.

If memory served her correctly the bandit would arrive somewhere around dawn.

She was in for a long few hours of waiting…

And more waiting…

The town was bathed in pink pre-dawn light when Kat finally heard a noise. The slow thumping of boots.

He’s here.

Logan approached the water tower cautiously, staying as low as his lumbering form could be.

This was it. Hopefully, he’d find evidence of the spy. Or at the very least foil whatever plan they had for the water tower.

Stepping towards the stairs of the deck he would have to climb to access the fenced-off area around the tower. He was barely a few steps from the shadows of the fence when a hand shot out from underneath the deck. It latched onto his collar and dragged him sideways.

He let out a stifled yelp.

As soon as she saw him step clear of the fence Kat grabbed his collar and yanked with all her might. Trying to drag him into the safety of the shadows under the deck before anyone saw him. He let out a strangled squawk which threw Kat off for a second.

She’d seen this man hurt, surprised, and in all forms of combat, but she’d never heard him make a sound like that.

He recovered first taking advantage of her momentary hesitation and using their momentum against her. Wrapping a larger hand around her shoulder and throwing her to the ground. Pinning her hips with his knees and pressing a forearm across her throat. His significantly heavier weight making escape impossible.

“Wait!” She managed to croak out.

Logan stared at the body underneath him in utter shock.

The woman.

Familiar hazel eyes stared up at him with trepidation and… hope? 

He steeled himself with caution. No matter what his heart said, Grace warned him to be wary of anyone who may be around the water tower. That telegram was sent by the spy after all. He needed to figure out what the hell was going on.

“Who’re you?” His voice came out gruff as he tried to keep as quiet as possible. “Why’re you here?”

Kat’s heart sank as she saw his expression harden, his surprise melting into anger and contempt.

She saw a brief flash of recognition in his eyes but his words told her he didn’t know who she was. Not really anyways. Now he was regarding her as a potential enemy.

His arm pressed harder against her throat.

“Wait, wait!” She choked out in a harsh whisper. “I’m Kat, t- the new builder. Please… you have to listen to me.”

Logan felt immensely guilty as he saw the fear in her eyes.

This was the builder Grace was talking about? She’s so… small.

He tried to push down his feelings. Right now, she was a potential enemy of Sandrock. It didn’t matter how small and unassuming she was… or how often she appeared in his dreams. He had to-

“I know what happened to Howlett.” She gasped out.

WHAT.

The bandit stared down at Kat with wide eyes. 

His expression was almost unreadable but she could see pain and anger still burning in his eyes. It was a desperate gamble.

She needed to get him to listen.

Seeing the mistrust on his face hurt more than she ever could have imagined. She had to remind herself that he knew nothing. This Logan wasn’t the one she made a pact of trust with, the one who’d let her cry on his shoulder, or the one who fought viciously to protect her. 

Tears welled in her eyes.

Even so, she needed to earn his trust again.

The war in his eyes lingered. She had to say something. Anything that would win him over, or at least buy her time to explain. Whatever the case, she had to figure out what to do and fast. It wouldn’t be long before people woke up. They’d be found.

Heavy footsteps shook the planks above them causing them both to tense.

Pen.

There was no one else it could be.

Logan moved his hand to cover the builder’s mouth. Pressing a finger to his lips in a shushing motion his eyes burning with a warning glare. Kat’s breathing turned shallow, struggling to contain her panic.

Several strained moments passed as the Enforcer patrolled around the water tower. The deck thumped as he moved around above them. The rush of blood roared in Kat’s ears, fear settling deep in her chest. Pen’s footsteps paused directly above them and for one horrible moment, she thought he could hear her heartbeat.

“Hellooooo. Is anyone there?” The Enforcer's voice rang out softly.

The builder felt Logan shift on top of her, his eyes fixed on the opening to the street. She grabbed his wrist and when he looked down at her she shook her head. Praying to the Light that he could understand the message in her eyes.

The footsteps above them continued on. Thudding down the wooden steps and stomping onto the cobbles. Headed in the direction of the stairs leading to the church.

Kat let out a silent sigh of relief. Her body shuddered slightly with repressed fear.

Blue eyes watched her through narrowed lids. The mask barring her from knowing his thoughts. He still hadn’t removed his hand from her mouth. She was a little lost on what to do. Getting him to trust her was clearly going to be harder than she thought. It was either tell him everything now or somehow convince him to meet her later. How she would manage either when he wouldn’t let her speak, she wasn’t sure.

The bandit made a decision for her.

With one swift movement, he stood, hauling her over his shoulder and sprinting from cover. She barely stopped herself from squeaking in surprise.

“Hey!” She heard Pen’s voice.

Panic spiked in her again, what’s going on?  

A familiar crackle of charging energy echoed in the distance, the relic weapon Pen carried.

BOOM!

The ground shook, fire rained around them.

Kat’s lungs constricted. Unable to contain her panic anymore. She would have screamed if her throat hadn’t closed over. Logan dodged the debris that fell around them and whipped out his gun, firing off a few warning shots at the Enforcer. “Damn, DAMN!” She heard his voice distantly. The Water Tower creaked as the ruined supports gave way dumping the whole structure straight down, crushing the fence. More shots fired from the bandit’s gun as he leapt away from the burning structure.

Despite the commotion around her, the builder couldn’t even bring herself to lift her head. Her ears were deafened by the memory of monstrous laughter, her body ached with the memory of large hands on her. Squeezing her bones until they cracked as she was dragged away towards an ominous line of soldiers. The nightmares of the Northern Ruins flashed before her eyes.

Kat’s world descended into darkness and panic. Fear ruled her world.

“Hey!”

As Logan left the safety of the space underneath the deck he turned to see Pen lingering on the stairs to the church. The Enforcer lifted his hands and crackling energy gathered in his palms. A relic weapon! The hunter leapt out of the way.

The bolt of energy missed, passing a few feet above his head. His skin prickled from the heat of it. It blasted through the supports of the water tower behind him sending shrapnel flying.

“Damn, DAMN!” The hunter grunted out as he dodged the scraps of burning metal raining around them. How powerful could one weapon be if it burned metal?!  

Whipping out his gun Logan fired at the Enforcer, forcing him to stumble. Unbalanced, Pen’s feet tangled against the steps. A loud metallic groan caused Logan to look up. With the supports blown and partially melted the water tower was going to fall.

With one massive leap, he pulled himself and the builder out of the way just in time for the water tank to crash against the fence, splintering into burning shards of wood and metal. With barely any water in the tower, there wasn’t anything to quell the flames. The heat nipped at everything around them.

He heard commotion as more people arrived on scene. Pen made no move to use the relic again as Justice had finally stumbled out of his home. Shock and horror on the Sheriff’s face.

“Logan!?” Justice shouted in disbelief. His eyes widened when he saw who the bandit was carrying. “KAT!” 

The Sheriff stumbled off his porch, the cast on his broken leg caught awkwardly against the cobbles of the street causing the man to tumble forward, face first, onto the street. Logan felt another spark of guilt seeing his old friend’s panic and pain. Yet another sin for the bandit to bear.

“Kat!” Logan heard another voice behind him. It was Unsuur, the other corpsman, running towards them.

Turning his gun Logan shot wide, aiming to miss but close enough to stop the Corpsman’s rush. Forcing him to leap away. More shouts echoed from down the street and Pen was rushing towards him too. 

It was time to get back to Rambo.

Breaking into a sprint he dodged past Unsuur’s desperate lunge, the limp weight of the builder on his shoulder nearly causing the bandit to stumble. With a swift kick, he sent the officer onto his back. Leaving a large dusty boot print square on his stomach. Turning on his heel and sprinting towards the train tracks Logan let out a piercing whistle.

'Aaahhp!'

Hoofbeats clattered to a stop as his trusty goat skidded to a stop in front of him. He threw the builder over the saddle and leapt on. Spurring the large goat down the tracks. Risking a glance over his shoulder he could see that Pen and Unsuur were pursuing on foot. The Enforcer was surprisingly fast, gaining on them despite Rambo’s speed.

The blast of a train horn pulled his eyes ahead of him.

It was barreling down the tracks at them.

With a sharp knee, he guided Rambo to the right just in the nick of time. The locomotive blasted past him. He heard distant shouts of surprise as the two men pursuing the bandit leapt to the other side of the tracks, blocked off by the train as it screeched to a halt. 

Taking advantage of their predicament, Logan spurred Rambo on faster. Putting enough distance between them until he was sure they couldn't see him.

With a click of his tongue, he directed the goat towards the path along the cliffside. They'd eventually go nearly vertical down the cliff to where the hideout was. But he'd have to secure the builder first.

He looked down at her with a slight frown.

She hadn't moved or fought since he picked her up… and with a hand on her back he could feel that she was barely breathing either. Every muscle in her body was tense. He could practically feel her erratic heartbeat under his palm.

"Ya still with me, builder?" Logan shook her gently.

No response.

Concern bloomed in his chest. Sure, he didn't trust her but that didn't mean he wanted to hurt her. Hitching her closer in the saddle he turned Rambo towards the secret path to the hideout, making sure to keep a firm grip on the builder as the goat ambled onto the treacherous terrain.

Instead of leaving Rambo at the entrance of the ruin as he usually did, Logan dismounted to open the secret back door to the hideout. He didn’t want to risk carrying the builder down on his own. The track was too steep.

As the surefooted giant goat picked his way down the stacked ruins in the tunnel the best he could do was make sure that she wasn’t jostled from the saddle. 

A task that was made more difficult because of how stiff her body was.

Once in the main chamber of the hideout, he led Rambo over to the pen where they kept the goats. Merle, Haru’s goat, blinked at them with curiosity. Lifting the builder off the saddle he patted Rambo’s side.

“I’ll get the saddle off later, ‘Bo. Gotta take care of her first.” Logan gestured as best he could with his arms full.

The goat sneezed in displeasure but obediently took his place in the pen.

Logan made his way towards their bedding area. Looking down at the builder he realized she wasn’t unconscious like he’d thought. Her eyes were open but they were glazed over. Each shallow breath wheezed out of her chest. It’s like she wasn’t really seeing what was around her. ‘ Is she sick or something?’ Logan wondered to himself.

“Haru! Get in here and bring the medkit!” The hunter hollered.

He heard the distant hurried shuffle of feet as he sat the builder gently on the edge of his bed. Logan looked over her for any possible wounds. Maybe he hadn't noticed her get hit by any of the debris from the water tower…

But as he looked he couldn’t see any visible wounds. No bruises either.

“Who’s-?” Haru appeared next to them. He glanced at the woman’s face and his eyes widened as he sucked in a surprised breath. “Is that-? That’s her.”

“She’s apparently the new builder Grace was talking about.” Logan nodded. “Gimme that.” He pulled the medkit out of the chemist’s hands. “I can’t figure out what's wrong with her. She ain’t injured, I don’t think…”

Haru stepped closer, looking at her. “Logan… I think she's just panicked. I’ve- I read about this before.” He sat next to the builder, lightly rubbing her back to try and comfort her. “A… panic attack or something. It can make a person shut down completely.”

“How do we fix it?” The hunter fidgets nervously with the medkit. 

He was starting to realize he really hadn’t thought this plan through. Despite his reputation as a bandit, kidnapping a builder had not been on his agenda. But between recognizing her from his dreams and what she said… 

‘I know what happened to Howlett.’  

His body acted before his mind could, picking her up and fleeing the scene.

“Hey!” Haru snapped. “Are you even listening?!”

Logan jumped. “Ah… what?”

The chemist pinched the bridge of his nose. “I said there’s not much we can do but try to calm her down. Though it’s no wonder why she’s terrified… What in Peach’s name possessed you to kidnap someone!” The usually calm chemist exploded with anger.

“I-”

“And don’t start with that dream shit. You could have asked Grace about her!” Haru seethed. “This is why I usually have to come along, man! You’re reckless!”

“She jumped me first!” Logan noticed the builder flinch at their raised voices. He paused to wrangle his emotions, lowering his voice. “She said-” His voice cracked a little. “She said she knows what happened to my Pa.”

That wiped the anger off of Haru’s face. 

He glanced at the near-catatonic builder. With a sigh, he picked up a blanket from the bed and wrapped it around her shoulders. She finally moved, instinctively curling into the blanket.

"Hey, can you hear me?" The chemist spoke softly, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

A soft wheeze was the only noise that escaped her as she turned clouded hazel eyes towards him.

"Easy, we're not going to hurt you. We just want to talk." He comforted her.

Her eyes fell slightly before she looked up and met Logan's eyes. "He's going to kill me…" Her voice filled with despair.

The look of sheer hopelessness and terror in her eyes cracked something in Logan's chest. Like all she could see was her own death. He knew this whole bandit thing was terrifying to normal folks but this…

Uncertainty about whether or not she was an enemy be damned. Despite every ounce of logic in him saying she could be a threat, his heart longed to scoop her up and hug her until she felt safe again. To do anything to wipe away that look in her eyes.

Logan had never wanted to scare someone like this. 

He never would again.

"L- look, I ain't gonna hurt ya. I didn't mean to scare ya that bad." The hunter tried to pour as much warmth and honesty into his voice as he could. To prove to her he wasn't like that.

"N- no." The builder's voice choked out in a sob. Her eyes looked past him clouded with fearful tears. "P- Pen.” Her body shook as she broke down hysterically. “I don't- I don’t want to die!" She wailed.

The hunter stood awkwardly as Haru pulled the builder into a hug, comforting her with soft-spoken words as she cried. 

Pen.

He had a relic weapon. Seeing the explosion must have been what scared her. 

It was a hollow relief to Logan, knowing she wasn't scared of him but rather the Enforcer. That didn't stop him from wanting to banish those fears. The look of terror on her face still prickled at his heart and every instinct told him he should comfort her. To show her she was protected from evil.

A habit he'd picked up being a monster hunter, he supposed.

After a few minutes, the builder quieted down. Falling into an exhausted sleep. One that, judging by the look of the bags under her eyes, she wouldn't wake from for a while.

Haru stood letting the builder stretch out on the bed as she dozed.

"C'mon, I think you need to tell me what happened." The chemist strode off towards the old rickety dining table which was now the unofficially designated meeting table.

"Wait- what about her?"

"Let her rest. There's no way she's in any state to talk. Not anytime soon anyways."

Logan glanced back at the woman still wrapped in the blanket like a frightened child.

Reluctantly, he followed his friend. For once he appreciated the lack of privacy in the open cavern. He could keep an eye on her from afar.

"Right," Haru sat on the edge of the table, "Start from the beginning. What the hell happened out there?"

"LOGAN!"

Grace's wrath-filled shout startled both men out of their conversation.

The hunter barely had a chance to turn and see the woman stalking towards him before stars exploded across his vision from her stinging slap. 

He actually would have taken the time to marvel at her strength if it didn’t hurt so much. She had a mean right arm. Logan hadn't been slapped like that since he was twenty and was emphatically rejected by an attractive tourist.

"Hey!" Haru leapt out of his chair, ready to protect his friend.

"Blowing up the water tower was one thing but kidnapping Kat?!?" The spy growled. "Do you even know how long it took Matilda and Justice to convince the whole town to not march into the desert with pitchforks and torches?! You better have a damn good explanation for what you did before I drag your sorry ass straight to the Alliance Council myself!" She jammed a finger right under Logan's nose forcing him to flinch back. "Explain." She hissed.

Haru wedged himself between the seething woman and his best friend. Pushing the two apart before she threw hands at the bigger man again. "It wasn't Logan that blew up the tower, it was Pen."

The blond paused, turning her burning gaze to the chemist. “Alright. If I believe that, what's his excuse with-” Grace glanced around. “Wait. Where is she?”

Logan pointed at the bundle of blankets on his bed rising and falling ever so slightly as the builder slept. “She’s there. Seemed too frightened to talk.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “As for th’ reason; she found me first. Said she knows what happened to my Pa.”

Grace’s eyes snapped back to the bandit’s face. “What did she say, exactly?”

“Uh- just that. Only said she knows what happened… Pen kinda interrupted us.”

“Alright, alright...” Grace scrubbed a hand over her face before pausing. “How did Pen blow up the tower?”

“He had a relic weapon.”

The spy looked back and forth between the two men. Her earlier anger drained from her with a sigh. “I never would have guessed. I knew there was no way he could normally be as strong as he is, but I thought it was drugs, not a relic weapon… He must be really good at hiding it.” Looking back at Logan her eyes fixed on the reddening mark on his face. “Sorry.”

The larger man touched his cheek, wincing from the sting. “S'all right. I kinda deserved it.”

“What do you think we should do, Grace?” Haru stepped out from between the two, satisfied that no more violence would occur.

“Well, we need to learn what she knows first.” The blond glanced back over to where the builder was. “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t curious about what she knows about your father, Logan.” The blond’s eyes narrowed. “You said she came to you at the Water Tower?”

“Gave me a fright, too.” The bandit admitted with a sheepish shrug. “She was waiting for me.”

“Hmmm…” Grace hummed to herself. 

“Pen shot at them both… You think she might be a defector?” Haru tilted his head curiously.

The other two looked at him.

“It would make sense.” The blond spy thought for a second. “We’ll interrogate her, but since she’s already here I want you two to keep an eye on her for a few days. The town is far too dangerous for her now and we need to know if we can trust her.”

“We barely have more than a week's supply between the two of us, Grace,” Logan interjected. “You said yourself there’s a limit to how much you can bring out to us.”

“You worked as a hunter before, didn't you? Make use of that or steal some supplies.” Grace shook her head. “Figure out something for now. I’ll see what I can do on my end but we all have to lay low either way. We can’t risk her being found and silenced.”

The spy met the bandit’s eye.

“She stays here.”

Chapter Text

To say Mi-an was panicking would be an understatement.

She and Kat had not planned for this.

They'd thought out plans for death, injury, and possible capture or invasion by Duvos. But Kat getting kidnapped by Logan ?!? It really gave the Tallsky builder a lot of misgivings about the bandit.

Did this count as capture? Kat had given a letter to open. 'I only want you to open it if I am killed or captured.' This has to count… right?

Mi-an was digging through the plans and letters she and Kat had made together.

Of all the times to be dealing with the disorganized mess that was Kat's workshop… 

They’d recently remodeled. From the front door, there was now a common area, complete with a dining table and a kitchen with plenty of windows for sunlight. The doors to the two new bedrooms were to the left, one for Kat, closer to the front door, and one for guests, as well as a few smaller quality-of-life improvements to the shack such as structural reinforcements and an attached full bathroom that wasn’t the old outhouse in the corner of the yard. 

It was honestly a miracle that the Highwind builder lived without indoor plumbing for a couple of months…

But the remodel meant that all of the important stuff had been hastily moved and reorganized. Finding a single letter among the stacks of commission papers, notes, and other letters, was like looking for a needle in a stack of needles. Dang near impossible.

Oh, wait. There it is. 

She pulled the envelope from its hiding spot triumphantly.

The Tallsky builder froze, The letter felt like a lead weight in her hands. It struck her just how serious this whole situation was. She hadn't been this anxious since she took her licensing test- Wait, no. This was a whole other level of stress. 

Her friend’s life hung in the balance.

A knock on the door caused Mi-an to jump, dropping the letter from trembling fingers. “Mi-an! I know you’re in there!” Elsie’s voice came through the door. “I need your help!”

With a groan the builder picked up the letter she dropped, placing it back on the desk before leaving Kat’s bedroom and striding over to answer the door.

“Elsie, I’m a little busy right now…” Mi-an sighed.

The ranch hand pushed past her and closed the door behind her. “I know, I know. You’re worried about Kat too, right?”

“She was just kidnapped by a bandit, Elsie.” The Tallsky builder stressed. “Everyone's more than a little worried about her.”

“That’s why I need your help, Mi-an! I wanna break into Logan’s old house, there’s gotta be some explanation for what he’s doin’!”  Elsie grabbed her hand. “The Logan I know would never do somethin’ like this… there’s gotta be something more we don’t know! Or maybe we can find a clue to his hideout!”

She tried to drag the builder along out the door.

“Elsie, wait!” Mi-an pulled her arm back. “We can’t just go barging around town-”

“We have to though!” Elsie turned on her heel, her eyes glimmering with frustrated tears. “I can’t believe that he’d just change like this. When we were younger he was the goodie-two-shoes! There’s gotta be a reason… he wouldn’t hurt Kat. Right?” Her voice cracked with her question. 

Ah. Logan and Elsie lived their whole lives in Sandrock. Elsie saw him as family. It must be turning her whole world upside down thinking that someone that close to her had hurt one of her friends.

“Look, Elsie. You’re not wrong.” Mi-an squeezed her hand. “Kat and I suspected something, too. We’ve been looking into it… but there isn’t much to look at in his house anyways.”

Curious eyes turned towards her, the storm of tears dissipating almost instantly.

“What’d'ya mean by that?” The ranch hand tilted her head, a look of confusion on her face.

“I- er-” Mi-an realized she just admitted to doing a crime. “Look, We maaay have broken into his house before. Don’t tell anyone.”

It was a little out of character but Mi-an couldn’t help her curiosity when Kat had first told her about all the time travel stuff. She lives right next to his house. How could she not pop in for a look around? It was so easy to just remove the door knob from the front door and walk right in. 

There really wasn’t much evidence there, though. 

“By the Light, Mi-an! I didn’t know you had it in ya!” Elsie laughed loudly, clapping an arm over the builder’s shoulders. “I shoulda come to ya sooner… uh- did you really not find anything?” The redhead pulled back, her amusement instantly melting to disappointment.

“I didn’t.” Mi-an shook her head. “At least not anything that doesn't prove what we already know.”

Elsie slumped.

“But-!” The Tallsky builder hurried to add. “Kat was onto something before… all this. There is something more to what’s going on. It’s why she was there when Logan was at the Water Tower.”

“Well don’t keep me hanging! What did she say?” The redhead gained back her enthusiasm, bouncing with anticipation. Boy did she have a lot of energy.

Wait. 

How was Mi-an supposed to explain all this? She hadn’t read Kat’s letter yet. Should she tell the truth? How did Kat do it?

Improvise.

“I- well- uh…” You can do this Mi-an, you’ve got this. “She didn’t tell me much about her latest lead.” Good, pleading ignorance always works… let’s add a little truth. “We think it has something to do with his father.”

“Well duh.” Elsie rolled her eyes with a huff. “Everyone in town knows he went on the run because Howlett died in the Church explosion.” Her expression turned somber. “He’s gotta be hurtin’, he loved his Pa.”

“That’s the thing, Elsie. We think Howlett told him something before he died.”

The redhead’s eyes snapped to Mi-an’s. A look of realization dawning in her eyes.

“You think he had unfinished business? That's why Logan’s doin’ all this?” A rare look of calculation crossed Elsie’s face. “Why would he be attackin’ Sandrock though? Both of ‘em loved this town…”

“I dunno, Else. Presumably, only Howlett and Logan knew that.”

Elsie leapt up suddenly, clapping her hands together and startling the builder. 

“I know! His Pa had written some books- journals- and I think they’re still in the library at City Hall! Maybe those have some answers.” With that the redhead was back out the door running off towards Main Street, not even pausing long enough to close the door behind her properly. 

Wow, Elsie was easily distracted. Mi-an shook her head, shutting the door. It was a bit of a relief for her though she couldn’t help but feel a little bit of worry. That girl had a knack for getting into trouble. Kat had said she was integral to the plans to defeat Duvos but Mi-an just couldn’t see it. Elsie was just too… immature.

Picking up the letter from where she left it the Tallsky builder settled in to read, her leg shaking with anticipation.

‘If you’re reading this, Mi-an, I am probably dead.’

Well, that’s not a comforting start. Thanks, Kat.

‘At the very least, I’m not there to help you with our plans to stop Duvos. If that’s the case you already know I want you to send out the letters we wrote together. The most important one to send first is the one to my friend Nia and my Mom back in Highwind.’

Okay, that made sense. They’d gone over their plans before, the letters contained info about the Duvos plots, both the water siphoning and the excavation in the Northern Ruins. Mi-an just had to go around and talk to them.

‘After that, you’ll want to talk to Grace. Give her the letter I wrote for her and tell her what I told you about the Duvos spies. Don’t be afraid to tell her that it was me who told you. She’s generally suspicious of everything and everyone. She’ll warm up to you though.’

Right. Grace was an Alliance spy. It was kind of baffling to know that the debate team champion and menace of the kitchen at the Blue Moon was a spy. But weirder things have happened. Mi-an could only hope she didn’t get in trouble.

‘You’re my closest friend in this life and I wouldn’t have it any other way, Mi-an. Whatever course you take when I’m gone please be safe. More than anything I want you to make it out alive.’

‘Good luck,’

‘Kat.’

Mi-an let out a shaky breath.

Though she knew it was more of a precaution, she hated that it was written as a death letter. 

Kat was like the sister Mi-an never had. Heck, she’d even fit right in considering everyone in her whole family were builders. It hurt to think about her being gone. Even if it was entirely theoretical and she was just 'kidnapped' not dead.

Sure, Kat had never talked bad about Logan. Told her about how good, how heroic, of a person he was. But right now… he really seemed like the bandit everyone had warned Mi-an about.

She just wanted Kat back home and safe.

With another sigh, she sorted through the rest of the letters on the table. Looking for the one addressed to Nia. She’d need to pay Jensen an expedite fee to get it onto a train by tonight. 

Stepping out the door she scanned her surroundings, thinking.

The first thing she needed to do was send the letter, then look for Grace.

That seemed like a simple enough start to her plans. After that, she’d be a little swamped with the work to rebuild the Water Tower. Yan had charged her with completing the whole thing by herself. ‘The way I see it newbie, you now have two workshops to use. You should be able to produce twice as much. We’ll see how great of a builder you really are.’ He had sneered at her.

If the town didn’t need her so desperately right now she would’ve quit right then and there.

Mi-an grumbled to herself as she crossed the tracks, her boots thumping onto the rattling station stairs. Maybe she could bring that up with City Hall. Unfortunately, she didn’t trust Matilda to actually do anything, she was one of the Duvos agents after all.

“Howdy, Miss Mi-an! How can I help you?” Jensen’s warm voice rang from across the platform.

“Hi Jensen! I was wondering if I could get this letter onto the late train to Highwind.” Mi-an smiled up at the train conductor. “I need it to go out by tonight.”

“Ah, is that a letter to Miss Kat’s family?” A somber look crossed the older man’s face.

“Yeah, it- it is.” The builder’s smile faltered. 

It was barely noon yet and everyone had already heard about what had happened that morning. There was a near mutiny when the Civil Corp broke the news to everyone gathered around the ruined Water Tower. Miguel, the local pastor, only further whipped them into a frenzy by ranting about the incompetence of their Sheriff and the absent Mayor Trudy. Pushing for Matilda to use town funds to hire a bounty hunter. Between Justice and Matilda it took the better part of two hours to finally calm everyone down.

After that, the mood around town felt too much like a funeral.

“I’ll make sure it gets to Highwind posthaste.” Jensen nodded solemnly. He stopped her when she reached for her wallet. “No, need for that. The station will handle the fees. You do what you need to.”

“Thank you, Jensen.” Mi-an smiled at him before making her way off the platform.

Time to hit the Saloon.

It wasn’t likely that anyone would be in there today. Everyone had hidden away in their houses after the explosion. No one was in the mood to chat or eat considering they’d been stabbed in the back by someone they still considered one of their own.

She hoped the Blue Moon was still open. Otherwise, she’d have to track down Grace on her own. Mi-an wouldn’t even know where to start looking, the blond was rather elusive when she wasn’t at the Saloon.

Thankfully the door opened.

Inside was empty though.

“Hello?” Mi-an called out as she approached the counter. It was eerie seeing the usually bustling bar empty.

“Mi-an?” Owen poked his head out from the kitchen. “Everything alright?”

“Oh, hey Owen. Yeah, I’m looking for Grace.”

The Saloon owner sucked in a breath through his teeth. “Oh, I gave her the day off today. Didn’t figure many folks would be comin’ in…”

The builder groaned. “Do you at least know where she is?”

“Well, she lives in the apartments… Though she doesn't spend much time there.” Owen tilted his head. “What do you need her for? I can let her know you’re lookin’ for her if I see her.”

“Ah, well. It’s about a thing…” Think up a better reason, Mi-an, c’mon. “She- uh- had a commission for her University project. I just wanted to talk about some things with her before I end up too busy with the Water Tower…”

That’s a better excuse.

“Alright, I’ll let her know if I see her.” Owen nodded.

Mi-an turned to leave- “Wait-” The Saloon owner called out.

The builder turned back, a questioning look in her eyes as the big man moved to stand closer.

“Are- are ya doin’ okay?”

“What do you mean?” She tilted her head, confused.

“Well, You and Kat were really close… I just wanted to make sure you’re alright, since y’know… what happened.”

“I appreciate the concern but I wasn’t the one kidnapped.” Mi-an reminded him heavily.

“It’s just- It can’t feel good losing someone like that.” Owen rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “If you need someone to talk to-”

“Don’t talk about her like she’s dead.” She snapped.

Seeing the man flinch she felt bad. He was trying to be kind and here she was getting snippy with him. At the very least she could be polite back.

“Sorry, sorry.” Mi-an shook her head. “Yeah, it’s been a rather stressful morning… It doesn't help that President Yan gave me the whole dang Water Tower commission when all I want to do is help Justice and Unsuur look for Kat.” She let a little of her frustration spill out.

“Whoa, wait. The whole tower? Can he even do that?” Owen balked at the thought of how much work was loaded on the one builder. “That commission is an emergency for the town too, it should be split up among all the builders around Sandrock.”

“I know. I wanted to dispute it but he wouldn’t hear me out…” Mi-an whined, her usual energy draining from her whole body. “I don’t even have the time to talk to anyone about it.”

The Saloon owner plopped a massive hand down on the builder’s shoulder. “Let me handle that, Darlin’. You’ve been through enough, I’ll make sure you get a team to work with.”

She gave him a beaming smile. “I’d owe you my life, Owen.”

“It’s no problem, you go find Grace- and don’t be afraid to ask me, or anyone in town, for help! Ya hear?”

—

Mi-an unfortunately did not find Grace.

She searched high and low all afternoon. Checking each apartment. Asking around town. Even scaling the cliff above the entrance to the Breach and scanning the whole town and beyond. But the blond was nowhere to be found.

The Tallsky builder couldn’t help but watch the sunset with a sinking feeling.

She’d failed to find Grace and thus failed to get Kat help. 

It felt like she’d let down her friend.

The Civil Corp had been out all day searching and when they came back that evening it was clear they hadn’t found them. The Sheriff had a dark look on his face and Unsuur looked distressed. There would be little chance of finding either the builder or bandit as the trail got colder with each passing day.

Tomorrow would be the first day that Mi-an would have to figure things out without guidance. The first day in months she wasn’t backed by Kat’s seemingly endless knowledge or confidence. It was more daunting than when she’d first moved to Sandrock.

As the sun sank below the horizon Mi-an could only cling to the hope that Logan was as good of a person as Kat thought he was.

—

Chapter Text

Kat woke slowly from a surprisingly restful sleep. The world around her was shockingly cozy and warm. With a sigh she snuggled deeper into the covers, marveling at how soft the bed was and how safe she finally felt. Finally, peace.

Wait.

Her eyes snapped open, tense as a coiled snake. 

The last thing she could remember was the explosion at the Water Tower. Her mind was fuzzy with fear and panic after that. She couldn’t even remember where or when she fell asleep. 

She also didn’t have the weapons she so clearly remembered strapping to herself.

Blinking, she lowered the covers from her face and didn’t recognize where she was. Outside of the comfort of the bed, the air was cold and dusty. Hazy afternoon sunlight lit the cave around her in a soft orange light. Her whole body tensed again as she glanced around- wait- she did recognize this place. 

It was Logan’s old hideout.

‘I was kidnapped.’ Kat realized with dismay.

“Ah. You’re awake, builder.” The builder heard a familiar soft voice from nearby.

Her eyes focused a little and she could see a slightly built man with bluish-black hair and a dark mask covering the lower half of his face sitting to her right. She relaxed as she recognized him. It was Haru.

He looked up and waved, gesturing for someone, presumably Logan, to come over.

“We’ve got a few questions to ask you.” The chemist looked back down at the builder.

Sitting up in the bed Kat saw Logan striding towards them, a rope in his hands. Really? They were definitely taking this whole kidnapping thing seriously. The Highwind builder didn’t know if she should feel touched or slightly annoyed.

“Is that really necessary? I may be a good shot, but I don’t have my pistol and you both are twice my size.”

The bandits seemed a little taken aback by her lack of fear.

“Alright. But if ya start actin’ up I ain’t afraid of tying you up, missy.” Logan’s voice was unusually gruff.

'He’s using his bandit voice.' Kat had to bite the inside of her cheek in an effort to not laugh. 

Haru had told her that he had always had a flair for the dramatic as a kid and that it lent well to their whole ‘bandit shtick’ while they were on the run. She’d only seen it once herself. When they’d first recruited her into the gang to help investigate the Duvos spy in the previous timeline.

Being on the receiving end of his act was kind of cute considering she knew what a friendly goofball the big hunter really was.

“Take me out to dinner first.” She scoffed under her breath. 

Glancing back up at him she opened her mouth to speak when she realized they’d heard her. Neither bandit could meet her eyes. Logan looked mortified, crimson was spread across the bits of his nose and cheeks that peaked out from under his mask. Haru, on the other hand, was stifling a laugh. 

Kat cleared her throat, trying to ignore the awkwardness she created. Logan moved next to her, plopping the rope down on the nightstand between the two beds. He avoided eye contact for a few seconds longer as he fought to get his embarrassment in check.

When he finally met her eyes again she could see curiosity burning in sky blue.

"I think we need to have a talk, builder." He tilted his head.

"Yeah," Kat spoke hesitantly.

It was easy to banter with them. To pretend that this was like any other time when she’d known them. That her life had not been reset and that they were her friends.

But she was a stranger in their eyes.

Somehow she doubted that they'd be as easy to convince about the whole time reset thing as Mi-an was.

“This might sound crazy… but I’m from the future.” She started nervously. “I know you won’t believe me but you already know Sandrock’s in danger. It’s worse than you think.”

When the builder looked back up she saw the two bandits exchange skeptical glances.

“Well,” Haru took a seat back on the stool next to the bed. “Why don’t you start with what you know about Duvos.”

He spoke gently, like he was talking with a child… or a crazy person.

Kat sighed.

“You don’t believe me.”

“Whether or not we believe you is up to us, Builder. Just tell us what you know.” Logan’s voice rumbled with impatience.

“Is Grace here, at least?” The builder met his eyes again. “It’d save us the trouble of having to explain this a second time…”

The bandit tensed, his eyes briefly flickered to a wooden dressing screen sitting inconspicuously in the corner. Kat glanced over to it as well. ‘I should have guessed.’ “You want to hear from the horse’s mouth, Grace?”

A hand appeared from behind the screen, sweeping it to the side to reveal the blond spy. She cut a glare at Logan. “You know you shouldn’t look at something that's hidden, right?” Her gaze turned towards the Highwind builder. “As for you, I suppose I should have expected you to know I was working with them. Is that why you avoid me?”

Kat winced, a little guilty. “Well, not exactly. You being an ACI agent is a little intimidating but I mainly didn’t want to get thrown in the loony bin if I couldn’t prove the time travel thing…”

Grace raised a brow at that. “You really believe that you came from the future.”

“Well, yeah. How else would I have known to find Logan at the Water Tower?” The builder spoke matter of factly.

“You could be the spy,” Logan replied.

That made Kat balk.

“I hadn’t thought of that…” She really wished she had. “Uh- I don’t know if it’ll help much but Mi-an can vouch for me. I told her everything from the start.”

“Hm… Why don’t you tell me what you know about the Duvos spy in Sandrock then?” Grace regarded her calculatingly. “I’ll fact-check it, then maybe I’ll believe you.”

The Highwind builder nodded. If anything, she could at least trust Grace to investigate thoroughly. With any luck, she could at least help them deal with the spy problem.

“I know Logan and Haru only went rogue because Howlett warned them about Duvos in Sandrock.” Both bandits looked at her in surprise. “Right now you guys probably believe that their plan is to drive people out of Sandrock by slowly draining Martle’s Oasis. You’re not entirely wrong either.” She paused, gathering her thoughts. “But it’s a scapegoat plot- a cover- for their real operations in the Northern Ruins.”

“There’s more than one of them? Is Pen one?” Logan interrupted curiously.

Kat glanced back up at him. “Yeah, uh- Pen is one of the worst ones actually… It’s him, Matilda, and Miguel-” She tilted her head, thinking. “Though, Miguel doesn’t know about Matilda… he’s not innocent but he is being manipulated by Duvos. There's also Yan, though that's because they needed a builder for the piping under the Oasis. He doesn't know much, they just pay him a lot.”

“That’s nearly the entire Church plus the Commerce Guild...” Haru looked horrified.

“And Matilda’s running City Hall…” Grace rubbed her head in concern. “If you’re right they’ve got full control of Sandrock.”

“And an entire army in the Northern Ruins,” Kat added.

All three looked at her in surprise.

“An army?”

“Yeah, They had- er, I guess it’s have now- a whole airship ready to invade Sandrock if their spies get found.” Kat glanced back at Grace.

“A whole damn invasion…” Logan rubbed a hand over his face. “Shit.”

Kat nodded. “I- I should have come to you sooner, Grace. But these people aren’t afraid of hurting civilians, they are full-on ready to go to war over those ruins.”

“What’s even in there?” The blond looked at her.

“Mainly? Starship engines.” Kat replied. “Though there’s more to those ruins than just the Olympia space tech. That’s where the machine that sent me back in time is.”

“Hmm…” Grace looked skeptical. “I’ll look into it then.” The spy’s eye softened momentarily. “Either way, don’t apologize for coming forward with this info. Considering how aggressive Pen has been around you, I’m not surprised you were terrified. Though I’ll admit I thought he was trying to-'' She noticed Kat flinch and cleared her throat. “Ah, maybe best to not dwell on that … Do you know where I can find any concrete proof of what you’re talking about?”

“Well, other than the Northern Ruins there’s the Water thieving operation right underneath the Oasis… we could access it from the locked door in the Water Storage room underneath the Temple, which would require some key schematics that Yan has stowed in his house somewhere. There’s also a secret trapdoor underneath Burgess’s water shop that leads directly to the relic they’re using to steal the water.” Kat met the spy’s eyes again, hopeful. “That would be a good place to start.”

“Alright. But there is no we. I’m investigating this on my own.” She shook her head. “You’re going to be staying here with Logan and Haru for now. We will figure out what to do after I get some solid evidence.”

“I’m- you- you’re holding me captive?!” Kat looked between all three of them, dismayed.

“Think of it as a ‘non-voluntary’ vacation, builder.” Logan shrugged a slight glint of amusement in his eyes. “I heard through the grapevine that you an’ yer friend ain’t great at taking breaks.”

“This is serious, Logan.” She snapped at the bigger man. “Keeping me here just puts you two in danger.”

Grace placed a gentle hand on the builder’s shoulder. “That's a risk we’re willing to take, Kat. Think of it as insurance. If you’re lying, we still have you here to talk, if you’re not lying, your life is in danger. Either way, I’m not taking that risk.”

Kat deflated a little. It did make sense, she just wasn’t happy about it. Especially knowing that both Mi-an and Justice were probably freaking out back home. 

“Fine.”

—

Grace, Haru, and Logan stood around the hideout’s meeting table. Just far enough to be out of earshot from the builder who’d decided to catch up on more sleep. Soft snores punctuated the tense quiet air.

"So," Grace started, "Aside from the time travel nonsense… Yan’s working with the Duvos spies, and those spies are the church… and there's a Duvos base in the Northern Ruins? What do you guys make of it?"

"I'm inclined to trust her," Logan spoke immediately.

The spy looked at him, a brow raised.

"The- uh- the time travel nonsense might not be nonsense." Logan felt a little sheepish with what he was about to admit. He picked up his journal off the table, flipping to the page where he'd drawn the builder's face.

Grace’s eyes widened a little with surprise before hardening with suspicion. "Have you been going near town?"

"No. I've never met or seen her before. But I've been having dreams about her." The bandit shook his head. “They’re detailed dreams too. Like memories. So, unless Duvos has some weird dream-based brain ray machine… she might not be lying.”

“There’s also that power surge that happened when she arrived,” Haru interjected. “You said the epicenter was Sandrock. Could be those machines she was talking about in the Northern Ruins.”

“Hm,” Grace hummed uncertainly to herself. “It is too much to be a coincidence… How about this? I’ll check out the Water Storage like she suggested. You two build rapport with her, get her to talk. I don’t think I could rightly call myself an Intelligence Agent if we didn’t investigate that too.”

Both bandits nodded.

“Hey Grace,” Haru piped up, “What did you mean when you were talking about Pen? You thought he was trying to- what?”

The blond flinched at that. “Well- He was…” She cleared her throat. “Justice was really worried that he might try to- uh- force himself on her. It skeeves me out just thinking about it… Even with the fact that she knows about him being a Duvos agent, he’s unusually obsessed with her.” Grace ran a hand through her hair, looking intensely uncomfortable. “Practically everyone in town was worried about that situation, but Matilda wouldn’t do much more than verbally reprimand him. Justice was incredibly frustrated because he couldn’t arrest Pen since he hadn't committed any crimes yet .” She shook her head with a sigh. “It’s been a little bit of a shit show in town lately…”

Logan shook his head sadly. Sandrock really had gone to hell since he’d been gone. He felt a little guilty that he wasn't there to stop it.

A thought struck him. Oh. “I forgot to ask what happened to my Pa.”

It was the first time in a long time that he was entirely focused on the mission and the safety of Sandrock without thinking about Howlett’s death. Whether because he was distracted by the builder or the situation at hand, he was finally focused on the here and now. Not the mistakes of his past.

That thought was somehow disconcerting and comforting at the same time.

“Well, include that in the list of things to ask her about.” Grace gave him a look of understanding, as though she could sense what he was thinking. “Try to see if you can get more information about the ‘from the future’ thing too. If she isn’t lying… well, I would certainly be interested in learning what the future is going to be like.”

Logan nodded, then glanced over at their dwindling supplies. “I… suppose I should probably head out to rustle up some grub for us. We’ve got about four days' supply now that we’re three.”

“Oh! I can help with that. I won’t be able to bring you guys some more supplies anytime soon. But-” Grace continued, pulling a small map out from the pocket of her apron. “If you guys need supplies, or something to do so you don’t go crazy, I’ve made a map of some wagon routes and some monster sightings from the nearby villages.”

She tapped a circled area far west from Sandrock. “I’ve also heard there’s a particularly nasty monster here. The village folk are having trouble finding someone to take it down and it’s claimed one of the local watering holes.” She looked up meaningfully at Logan. “A little might go a long way to repair your reputation, even if we haven’t cleared your name yet.”

The hunter brightened at the thought of finally getting out of the hideout for once.

He was glad to have a chance at some sense of normalcy. Monster hunting wasn’t something he’d ever give up, bandit or not. Plus, with any luck, he could also find one of the many wild yakmel herds that traveled the desert. They could do with some fresh meat.

“Thanks, Grace. This means a lot.”

With a nod, Grace turned to leave.

“You guys take care of yourselves, we’re in the homestretch now.” She called over her shoulder before disappearing around the corner.

Logan snatched up the map from the table. It was evening now but he wasn’t sure he’d be able to sleep with how excited he was. He was more than ready to jump back into the field.

Haru snorted a soft laugh at his friend’s energy, clapping a hand against his shoulder. “While I’m glad to see you excited for a hunt again man, we probably need to figure out a sleeping arrangement for ya.”

The bigger man glanced up. Oh, right. The builder was sleeping in his bed.

“I’m pretty sure we’ve got some wood n’ blankets, we can whip up a sleepin’ area for her tomorrow.” He scratched his head. “Could probably rope her into helpin’ out too. Since she’s a builder.”

“Yeah,” The chemist nodded, “I meant for tonight though. You can’t exactly share the bed.”

Logan gave the man a long-suffering look. They both knew about his preference for super soft beds. With his own occupied, he only had a blanket and the floor to make do with.

“Thank you for reminding me.” He retorted dryly.

—

Chapter Text

Mi-an stumbled out of bed confused.

She wasn’t in her house.

As she blinked the sleep from her eyes, the alarm clock blaring annoyingly on the nightstand, she realized she was in the guest room at Kat’s workshop. The Builderbox Workshop. She had chosen to stay there so it would be easier to start work on the new Water Tower.

Shaking her head to clear the last of her sleepy fog, she sighed.

An all too familiar invisible weight seemed to materialize on her shoulders. The weight of expectations and stress. She knew those too well.

“Coffee.” Mi-an announced to the empty room.

Now wasn’t the time to get mopey. She’d been studying hard and had been building for five-odd years now. She spent most of her career in the protective wings of her family. The whole reason she’d moved to Sandrock was to help the town and be the best builder she could.

To be her own builder.

As she set the small kettle on the stove she hummed to herself. A small ditty that'd been stuck in her head since she heard it on an old record player at her parent's workshop. It was a self-calming technique that her mother taught her.

She likely wouldn’t be relaxing anytime soon. Especially once she set her eyes upon the diagrams for the Water Tower. So, she could at least enjoy one quiet moment with a cup of coffee before all the chaos found her.

Unfortunately, she knew she wouldn’t really relax if she didn’t have something to focus on. 

It was why gardening suited her as a hobby. She had a way to be productive without overworking herself. Now, though, she’d probably just have to head out and grab the diagrams and look over them while having her coffee. As much as she wanted to retreat to the Moisture Farm and spend all day planting with Zeke…

 Well, a builder’s work waited for no one.

Mi-an turned the stove off and trudged to the front door. With her luck, and Yan as her boss, she’d probably have to run all the way over to her own workshop to pick up the diagrams. Even though she explicitly told the cursed commissioner that she’d be staying at the Builderbox Workshop.

Outside the door, however, she was greeted by a surprising sight.

A few people were gathered around the mailbox at the gate to the Workshop’s yard. Two of the builders that lived outside of town, Slack and Wang Jr., were standing near the workshop’s fence gate. They were deep in conversation with two of Rocky’s crew as well, Venti and Fei.

"Heya!" Venti shouted enthusiastically, nearly stumbling right into the fence in her haste to greet Mi-an.

"Mornin', Jack!" Slack called out. "Slack and the boys are here to help, we got your back."

"You- wha-?" Mi-an was struggling to comprehend what was going on. "Help?"

“Yeah! We overheard Boss talkin’ with Owen n’ he said that old mopstick of a boss you got is overworkin’ ya an’ didn’t let anyone help ya on the Water Tower.” Venti spoke a mile a minute. “We figured you could use an extra hand, or eight.” She grabbed Mi-an’s hand and shook it vigorously.

“The Commiss- er- President Yan sent us.” Wang Jr. interjected. “The Minister came in early this morning to get a team assigned to the Water Tower build. He didn’t look too happy about it…”

The Tallsky builder stood, open mouth shocked for a few moments longer. She knew Owen had said he would help her get a team, but having them arrive the next day? The man worked fast apparently.

“Yan approved this?” Mi-an still couldn’t get over that part. The fraudster ‘Commissioner’ hated her with a passion. It was surprising to think that he’d let this slide.

“Well, he didn’t have much choice, he would’ve been smacked.” Slack nodded. “The fact he tried to leave us out was just wack.”

A grin spread across Mi-an’s face.

The weight of the morning lifted from her shoulders.

“So, where do we start?” She clapped her hands together, looking expectantly around the group.

They all stared blankly at her.

“O- okay,” That dampened the Tallsky builder’s enthusiasm a little. It looked like she'd be taking the lead in this project. A little intimidating, but nothing she wasn’t prepared to handle. “Do we at least have the diagrams?”

“Oh! Right here!” Wang Jr. pulled the diagrams out of his toolbelt.

Grabbing them from him she looked over them. The Main Tank, the Water Main, the Pumping Station, the Frame, and the Water Filter. They could divide up the labor…

“I’ll need some time to look over these and come up with a plan.” Mi-an looked up at the team, her team, and smiled. “Would you guys like some coffee?”

—

It didn’t take long to devise a plan that put everyone to work. In fact, they’d all had some extra time to finish their cups of coffee before they started. Mi-an and Slack worked on building and welding the structures, Wang Jr. was sorting the materials based on which part they’d be used for, Venti handled supplying the machines and furnaces, and Fei handled the scrap recyclers.

By noon they already had half of the piping for the Water Main done and the frame for the Main Tank built.

The sun was beating down on them and Mi-an could tell their work was starting to slow. Even Venti’s admirably boundless energy was waning. Finishing the last weld she was working on she turned and stepped up to the rail of the build lift.

“Alright, everybody!” Mi-an called out. “Let’s break for Lunch! Meet back here at one!”

She pulled her goggles off as she descended the ladder of the platform. Wincing at the way her sweat-soaked shirt collar stuck to her chest. Even though the air was now much cooler as late winter settled in, they'd still be sweating like crazy at least for the next few days. Even away from the intense heat of the furnaces the labor they were doing kept them uncomfortably warm.

It was worth it though.

Mi-an looked around the yard with a satisfied grin.

If they could keep up with this pace they’d have the Water Tower complete in less than a week. Maybe even less than five days.

A little pride sparked in her chest.

She never considered herself a leader. Even when she’d left home and moved to Sandrock, she had only listened to Yan’s instructions or blindly followed Kat’s footsteps. Now she had proof, however little, that she could lead a team. That she could do something herself.

Compared to the stress she was feeling just last night, the power of control was kind of addicting. She could see why people wanted to be Commissioners now. If they could just get Yan out of-

‘Baby steps, Mi-an.’ The Tallsky builder shook her head. ‘It’s only been half a day.’

For now, it was Lunchtime. Everyone else had already headed out, the two salvagers returned to the salvage yard and the other two builders headed to the Blue Moon. Too tired to make her own lunch, Mi-an decided to follow suit with her fellow builders.

Patting her waist she realized she’d left her wallet in the house.

Crossing the yard she heard a thunk from inside the house. Concern froze her to the spot. She’d left the door unlocked, did someone sneak in while they weren’t looking? Or maybe one of the crew forgot something like she did…

Mi-an glanced over her shoulder. Unsuur was following his usual patrol route and was surveying next to Hugo’s smithy shop. If she needed help she could just shout.

Stepping into the house she could hear shuffling coming from Kat’s room.

For one elating moment, she thought that maybe Kat had gotten back. That she’d escaped from the bandit, or that he had let her go, and she’d made it home. Hurrying excitedly to the door she flung it open. Only to be greeted by the second unexpected sight of the day.

Grace digging through the papers on Kat’s desk.

Both women froze. Staring at each other like cornered cats. After a split second Grace straightened, hiding her hands behind her back and giving one of her best customer service smiles to the builder.

“Uh-” Mi-an started dumbly.

“Ahem, I was just looking around for… um-” Grace looked around for a second. “A… Commission! I was looking for a commission that got lost. Yan told me that Kat probably had it. The door was unlocked and you guys seemed a bit busy…”

The Tallsky builder would have probably believed her if she didn’t know that the blond was an Alliance agent. Several commissions had to be transferred when Kat got kidnapped. Mi-an just hadn't gotten around to organizing those papers and returning them to the Guild since the commission for the Water Tower took precedence.

But she knew what Grace was really here for.

“You’re looking for evidence about Kat’s time travel and the Duvos stuff, right?” Mi-an tilted her head. “Where were you yesterday? I was looking all over for you- Oooh, wait, you were probably at the hideout. Is Kat alright?”

The blond stared at the builder like she grew a second head, her nonchalance throwing the spy off a little.

“Wait. You know?” She questioned.

“W- well yeah. Kat and I are best friends.” Mi-an replied with a shrug. “I didn’t believe her at first either, but she predicted things like the sandstorm ruining Mason’s retirement party and Logan robbing the train weeks before those things happened.”

Grace stared at the Tallsky builder harder. “Are you sure?”

“Well assuming you’re working with Logan now, and he doesn't know anything about Kat…” The builder trailed off, a troubled look on her face. “But yeah- er, yes. She predicted a lot of stuff with scary accuracy, even the thing with the Geeglers. I’m sure.”

“Oookay…” The spy was definitely thrown off by the Tallsky builder’s calm. “Where’s the ‘evidence’ you were talking about?”

“Well, I have a letter to give you. I’d also be happy to let you look over the other letters too, since you’re a spy and are probably better at detective-ing than me.” Mi-an shuffled past the blond, pulling the letters out of the nook where they were well hidden. “Oh, I already sent the letter to Nia, though.”

“Nia?”

“Oh, She’s Kat’s old childhood friend from Highwind.” The builder tilted her head at Grace. “Though I don’t exactly know how a botanist is supposed to help us fight Duvos…”

Grace gave her a look. “How many people did Kat tell exactly?”

“Well, assuming they’ve already gotten the letter in Highwind… It’s just Me, Nia, and Kat’s mom. Oh, you and the gang too presumably.”

The spy sighed, grabbing the letters from Mi-an’s hands and shuffling through them. Her brows rose as she read each name on the letters. Stopping with the one with her own name on it.

“Okay, Mine, Justice’s, her mom and friend, and yours I understand… why did she write one to Elsie ?” Grace didn’t exactly have a high opinion of the young prankster.

“Eh. I had the same thoughts.”

With a shrug, the spy sat on the edge of the bed and opened her letter. Her expression carefully neutral the entire time. Mi-an shuffled nervously. That letter contained pretty much all the same stuff that Kat had explained to the Tallsky builder about the situation they were all in. But if Grace didn’t believe them, she wasn’t sure how she would ever gain the blond’s trust.

Grace sighed, setting down the letter. “It’s all the same stuff she told us.”

Mi-an perked up at that. “You mean she is still with Logan, you’ve seen her?! Is she okay?!” Her voice rose with a little excitement.

“Yeah, yeah. Logan and Haru are looking after her for me.” The spy ran a hand over her face. “And it looks like I need to keep an eye on you too.”

The Tallsky builder tilted her head. “You guys are keeping her prisoner? You think she’s suspicious? You think we’re suspicious?!” She couldn’t keep the worry out of her voice.

The blond had the grace to look a little guilty at making Mi-an worry. “You’ve got to look at it from my perspective, Mi-an. I can’t just go around trusting anyone who says they're from the ‘future.’ Kat’s in good hands though, those guys won’t let anything happen to her.”

“Well, I’ll find some way to prove her right,” Mi-an replied, relieved that her friend was okay. “What do you need me to do?”

“Hm, other than rebuild the Water Tower you mean?” Grace thought for a moment. “Has Kat told you about the secret room underneath the Oasis?”

“Uh- yeah… I haven't seen it though. It’s dangerous.” The Tallsky builder tilted her head. “She did tell me about the secret entrance underneath the deck of the Water Shop though. Said It would be easier to go through there, rather than risk the guarded entrance underneath the Temple.”

“You think you’d be able to meet me there?” The blond tilted her head, eyes glittering with a calculating look.

A bright grin lit Mi-an’s face. “You need an investigation buddy?”

Grace let out a chuckle at the builder’s enthusiasm. “It helps to have help. Plus, you did pretty good when you broke into Logan’s house.”

“O- oh, you heard about that?” Mi-an turned a little bashful.

The spy snorted. “No, I saw you.” She tilted her head. “I tend to be out and about a lot.”

“You were gonna break in too, weren't you?” The builder smiled at her slyly.

“Maybe.”

“So what should we do now?” Mi-an looked at Grace with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

“Well, I have to read through all these first. You should probably eat lunch and be ready to get back to work with your team…” The blond tilted her head. “I’ll bring over food from time to time so we can work on this…” She tapped the edge of the envelope against her chin in thought. “How long will the Water Tower take?”

“With how fast we’re working currently? A week.” The Tallsky builder puffed up proudly.

“Great, we can plan on investigating once you’re done with that. Getting it built is kind of an emergency priority.” Grace shook her head. “I also need some time to figure out how to interrupt Miguel’s plan to hire a bounty hunter…”

Mi-an looked up in surprise. “They’re actually going through with that?!”

“Unfortunately, yes.” Grace nodded. “It’s easy enough to deal with Justice and Unsuur, I don’t know if we could handle a wildcard in the mix.”

The builder worried her lip between her teeth.

If they got a bounty hunter and that bounty hunter then found the Bandits while Kat was with them… Well, bounty hunters weren’t known for their ability to bring people back alive. In fact, they most often did the opposite.

The blond placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“We’ll figure something out, don’t worry about that for now. I just want you to do what you do best for now, builder." She smiled.

—

Chapter Text

Logan woke with a soft grunt.

Something hit him. Then a gentle weight pressed against his chest. After a second he heard a squeak of surprise and the shuffling of blankets.

Glaring up through barely parted eyelids he saw a face peek over the edge of the bed above him. Already thoroughly grumpy from the discomfort of sleeping on the floor and being woken up suddenly he grunted again. She at least had the decency to look apologetic.

"Sorry." The builder whispered. "Didn't mean to step on you- I didn't know you were there…"

The hunter nearly grunted again but chose instead to speak instead of trying to communicate like an irritated caveman.  "What're ya up fer?"

"I need the bathroom…" She trailed off nervously.

Ah, yes. The problems of looking after a living person. He felt far too tired for it, he didn't even know what time it was.

"Th' bathroom up near th' lab. Ask Haru if he's still awake."

Then Logan promptly rolled over and fell back asleep.

—

He woke a little later, bright morning light filtering through the open cavern.

As Logan’s brain began to work two thoughts drifted into his consciousness like a train; The builder had woken up during the night and he didn't watch her. She's supposed to be their prisoner. What's to stop her from leaving while he slept? Also, why didn't Haru wake Logan? They had agreed to take turns keeping watch during the night so that the builder didn’t run away. Did something happen?

He sat bolt upright from his spot on the floor.

Both beds were empty. So both Haru and the builder were awake. The hunter groaned as he hefted himself to his feet, looking around blearily. His body was making its protests about sleeping on the floor known when a soft giggle from across the cavern drew his attention.

The builder stood in the goat pen with Rambo and Merle, playing with them.

It shocked him to see how gentle the beasts were with the small woman. Rambo was relatively smart and less aggressive, he knew, but Merle was a hot head and generally only amicable to Haru. Getting the white goat to even tolerate Logan’s presence had taken plenty of treats and training.

He felt something melt in his chest at the sight.

His Pa always taught him to look at how people treated critters. Animals were excellent judges of character. If someone was good and kind the animals would be the same to them. 

Or at least domestic animals would, monsters not so much… That was a distinction that Howlett had made very clear after Logan had mistaken a Rockenyaroll for a puppy when he was really little.

He watched the builder play with them a few seconds longer before remembering that the goats were the only way up and down the cliffside. 

That was probably why Haru didn’t wake him last night. Without the goats, the builder couldn’t leave the hideout. So they probably didn’t want her to be too comfortable with them if the bandits intended to keep her there. 

The hunter sighed as he crossed the cavern, loathing to break up such a peaceful moment.

“What’re you doin’, builder?” Her head whipped around at Logan’s voice.

“Oh, Logan! I was just playing with the goats.” She smiled before looking at her feet. “I hope that’s okay…”

“As long as you’re not hurting them and they ain’t hurting you, it’s fine. But I don’t want you gettin’ too cozy with our mounts either.” The hunter leaned over, looping a large hand around her upper arm. 

He felt surprised again at how small she was. Logan was used to being on the taller side compared to everyone else, but he was also fairly certain she was shorter than average. Their height difference felt a little comedic. The hunter shook his head. Focus .

The builder didn’t protest as he pulled her away.

But someone else did.

“AAAPP!!”

A short loud bleat was the only warning he got before a pair of horns and a gray-furred head slammed square against his chest, throwing him onto his back in the hay-strewn dirt. He lay winded for a moment when it clicked in his head what had just happened. Rambo , his trusty steed.

Looking up from where he lay he could see the big gray ram standing between him and the builder. The goat let out a soft snort in challenge. A betrayal made all the more surprising since he hadn’t rebelled like this since Logan first started training him.

“Traitor.”

“ Aap !” Rambo stamped his hoof.

The builder moved forward hesitantly, patting Rambo’s head. “It’s okay boy, your dad just wants to talk with me.” She murmured assuringly to the goat.

Logan let out a sigh as he heaved himself to his feet. “Don’t pet him after that, you’ll only encourage him.”

“Aw. He wouldn’t. Would you, Rambo?” She spoke in a teasing baby voice, scratching the spot behind the goat’s horn that he absolutely loved.  

It had taken Logan months to learn that. How did-?

“How did ya know his favorite spot?” He blurted.

The builder froze. She stopped petting Rambo, which earned Logan another glare from the goat. Her eyes were glued to her feet again.

“You taught me.” Her voice was so quiet the hunter nearly didn’t hear what she’d said.

“I-?” Right, she was talking about being from the future. If she lived in Sandrock they’d probably known each other. “We should probably talk… about that.”

His words only seemed to make her more nervous.

“Uh- y- yeah.” She mumbled, not meeting his eyes. “Uhmm… I- b- breakfast is ready by the way. We can talk while you eat.” The builder pointed towards the still smoldering cooking fire near the unofficial-meeting-dining table.

Oh, right.

Logan’s stomach grumbled, reminding him that he did just wake up.

“Alright. Breakfast it is.”

The builder hurried away from him, Her anxious energy following her. Rambo turned his big intelligent eyes back towards Logan. 'Be careful with her, or I won’t forgive you.' He could practically hear the words in the goat’s look. 

“Yeah, yeah. Yer new friend ain’t going anywhere, don’t get yer britches in a twist.” He muttered back before following.

As he approached she puttered nervously around the table. Grabbing a plate and serving himself from the hanging cast iron pot he kept an eye on her. From what he could tell his presence made her uncomfortable.

Maybe she was still resentful about being kidnapped? She didn’t seem quite as scared as she should be if that was the case. If anything every time she looked at him he could see sadness in her eyes. A look that was reminiscent of some kind of grief or heartache.

“So, builder-”

“Kat.”

He glanced up at her interruption. “What?”

“My name is Kat.” Logan could see hurt in her eyes. She glanced away, trying to hide it.

“Right. Sorry, Kat.” He set his plate down on the table and gestured for her to sit next to him. “So, uh-” Light , how was he supposed to start making friends with her? He already offended her apparently. Grace seriously overestimated his social skills.

"Did ya find the bathroom okay last night?" What kinda question is that?!  

He had never had a filter on his mouth before- at least not one more intensive than making sure he never swore when his Pa was in earshot. Now, though, he wished he had more thoughts between his words and his brain.

Logan was startled out of cursing himself by a snort of laughter. 

When he looked up Kat had a hand over her mouth, unsuccessfully stifling her giggles. She met his eyes and managed to school her face into a neutral look. Though she didn't manage to kill the slight smile. “Sorry, the look on your face… It’s funny.” She smothered another laugh.

The hunter relaxed. At least he seemed to manage to break some of the tension.

Kat cleared her throat. "I- uh, I already knew where it was… I just didn't mean to wake you." She looked down in slight embarrassment. "I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. Didn't really need the bathroom…"

He looked at her sideways. “So what were you doing?”

“Eh, just had a look around. Chatted with Haru a little before he went to bed and helped with breakfast when he woke up.” She shrugged. “Started playing with the goats while waiting for you to get up. I usually just do work when I can’t sleep but I don’t exactly have my tools with me.”

“Huh. Well, I can show you where we keep some of our tools. We could use a builder’s hand around the hideout.” Logan shoveled a spoonful of porridge in his mouth.

She smiled gratefully at him and his heart fluttered slightly at the warm look.

No, Logan. Focus. He swallowed. Trying to think about how to steer the conversation towards the right topic. “So… Were we good friends in this future of yours?”

Kat looked away again, her smile fading a little.

“I’d say we were, yeah.” She spoke quietly. 

He tilted his head, waiting for her to elaborate.

"Well, you did kinda owe me after you got me thrown off a cliff." She snorted. "Even a hero needs a builder’s help apparently."

"I'm gonna need you to explain more of that, darlin'." 

The tips of her ears burned a little red. "I was helping Justice and Unsuur look for you… uh- Ged told us how to lure out your goat but Lumi warned you about the plan. You told me yourself that you had Rambo to bring me here."

Logan opened his mouth to protest coming up with such a hair-brained idea then promptly shut it. "Yeah… that does sound like something I'd do. He's a smart goat, I'm sure you weren't in any danger."

“My bruised ribs would’ve disagreed with you.” She looked at him, amused.

The hunter let out a low chuckle. “Ya got me there… Lumi an’ the Moles helped? You knew ‘em?”

“Yeah… uh. Long story.” She shook her head. “Let’s just say that getting caught up in mutant rodent political conflicts was an interesting adventure on its own.”

“You’ll have to tell me that story sometime… How’d you help us? Did ya know something back then too?” Logan tilted his head at her.

“Ah, No. The main thing was I helped you with smoking out the spy.” Kat looked at her hands, lost in memory. “It wasn’t much. I went with Grace to the secret base under the Oasis and we basically just learned the exact same stuff that I told you guys about. After we drove out Duvos- well, I am a builder.” She smiled sheepishly. “People needed stuff rebuilt.”

He nodded thoughtfully as he ate another mouthful. 

The fact that she knew about the mole people and Lumi was another coincidence they couldn’t ignore. She also seemed pretty confident they could defeat Duvos. That there was a future beyond this mess…

"So you really believe you're from the future…" Logan mused aloud thoughtlessly.

The heartbroken look returned to her eyes a little. A pleasant warmth that was building between them died out and he felt horrible for saying it out loud. She looked so unsure of herself.

“S- sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. It’s clearly hard on ya.” His hand found hers on the table, rubbing his thumb in gentle circles against the back of her hand.

“I'll be alright,” she murmured more to herself rather than him, her eyes fixed on their linked hands sadly. “You guys are at least giving me the benefit of the doubt. That’s all I can ask for.”

They sat in silence, breakfast all but forgotten.

It wasn’t hard for him to understand why she would be sad. She’d effectively lost everyone she knew. That was a kind of grief he was all too familiar with right now.

Ah, maybe he should get some of the more… difficult questions out of the way right now.

He took a deep breath. “One thing I do want to know, Kat… You said you knew what happened to my Pa.” The hunter squeezed her hand lightly. “I- I’d like to know what you meant.”

Hazel eyes snapped up to meet his.

“That’s-” She cut herself off, a troubled look on her face. “Just… promise me you won’t do anything rash.”

“I promise.”

She let out another soft, shuddering breath. “You aren’t responsible for your Pa’s death… He- he discovered what Duvos was doing in the Northern Ruins. Pen attacked him, injected him with that virus… then when you tried to free him from the temple he used the relic weapon to worsen the explosion-”

Blood roared in Logan’s ears, he didn’t hear the rest of what she said. He could scarcely believe what he did hear. Pen killed Howlett. Rage constricted his chest, turning his breath ragged. He didn’t even realize he’d jumped to his feet until he felt Kat’s weight on his arm. She clung to him with both hands, a desperate look on her face.

“You can’t… please- he’ll just kill you too! I- I can’t lose you…” 

Reality hit him like a bucket of freezing water.

His anger had to wait. Revenge had to wait. Sandrock was in danger and acting irrationally would only make things worse. Just like it had at the Temple.

He sat heavily, running his hands over his face. “I’m gonna kill them all.” His own voice sounded hollow and distant. Torn by unshed tears.

A small warm hand rubbed his shoulder gently.

"You don’t have to face them alone, Logan. We’ll be there with you." Kat’s voice soothed him.

Logan glanced up and was met with a look of understanding, sadness, and warmth. A connection he'd only had with Haru over the past few seasons after they'd both lost everything. The kind of look that spoke of a bond that was forged through shared experience.

He pulled her into a hug.

Yet again every instinct in him told him she was someone to have by his side. He and Haru had been so isolated after they'd effectively lost everything they had in the span of a night. Not knowing who would be on their side… the threat of a spy making them tense around even those they grew up with.

Just being able to trust someone… It was a feeling Logan had so desperately missed. One among many things he’d lost that night.

He missed having a family.

Missed feeling safe.

“Is everything alright?” Haru’s concerned voice echoed around the chamber, startling the two. “I heard a shout…”

The chemist made his way down the rocky ramp. He glanced between the builder and the hunter, his eyes lingering on the latter as he sheepishly let Kat out of the hug. Haru’s face showed a mix of concern and amusement.

‘Do I need to ask?’ His eyes asked Logan.

‘Drop it, it’s not like that.’ The hunter shook his head ever so slightly.

“Grab a chair, Haru. You need to hear this.”

—

The goats were making it hard to have a serious talk.

Rambo especially.

They’d managed to catch Haru up to what they’d discussed so far with Kat giving more details about Howlett’s death and Pen’s involvement. Even asking for a pencil and paper to draw the monster hunter symbol that Logan’s Pa had left in the Northern Ruins. But as the discussion got more serious the builder was startled by a surprisingly stealthy large gray goat nibbling the hair on the back of her head.

Her squeal had been equal parts startling and amusing.

“Rambo! Back to the pen! Back!” No amount of Logan commanding seemed to move the stubborn beast. Though the hunter could see the conflict of interest in Rambo’s eyes. Years of training fought with the strong instinctual obstinance that came with being a goat.

“AAAAAaaap!” The goat stamped his hoof as his master shoved at him fruitlessly.

“I don’t think I’ve seen them take to someone this quickly…” Haru mused, pushing Merle, who seemed to be following Rambo’s example of disobedience, away from chewing on his apron. “They haven’t acted like this since we got ‘em.”

“They didn’t act like this before either…” Kat rubbed her neck sheepishly. “Mostly anyways, Rambo would visit my workshop from time to time when he was free roaming. I had to keep locks on all my storage.”

“Hm, is that so?” The chemist glanced sideways at her before shooting a curious glance at Logan.

The builder didn’t notice Haru’s look. “Sorry… I didn’t mean to cause trouble. I shouldn't have played with them…”

“Yer fine, builder.” Logan shook his head, giving Rambo another shove in a futile attempt to push the goat back towards their pen. “They’re just excited to meet someone new.”

Rambo headbutted the hunter again, much gentler than earlier but still defiantly. Merle wandered away from Haru and back towards the builder, nuzzling her face. Kat tried to back away from the white goat but ended up cornered by Rambo.

“Alright, enough you two,” Kat grumbled as she pushed the goat’s head. “Go back.” She commanded sternly.

Merle listened immediately, trotting back towards the pen. Rambo hesitated longer, his tail wagging as he stared at the builder. With a sigh, she started walking towards the pen waving for the goat to follow. Which Rambo happily did.

Both men stared in surprise at Kat. 

The goats misbehaving wasn’t unusual, but them listening to a stranger was weird.

“Maybe they remember her like you do,” Haru muttered to Logan. “That or she’s worked with goats before…”

“Maybe…” Logan echoed as he watched Rambo prance around Kat excitedly.

“Do you like her?” The chemist’s question made the hunter jump.

“What?!” Logan’s surprised shout drew the builder’s attention. He waved her off and she shrugged, turning her attention back to the gray goat harassing her. Lowering his voice, Logan turned a hard look at Haru. “What do you mean?”

“You know as well as I do that Rambo only bothers people you like. For him to go nuts like this you like like her.”

“He does not.” Logan tried to ignore that last bit.

Haru looked at him, a skeptical brow raised. The memories of several ruined experiments came to mind. A fair few of them were wrecked by a curious goat harassing the chemist in a similar manner.

"Okay, maybe he does and maybe I do. So what?" The hunter challenged defensively. 

Sure she was pretty, and sure he liked her, but he also remembered why they were all there. They had more important matters to think about. Like worrying about whether or not she was a spy-

"It means I'm more inclined to trust her." Haru shook his head, amused by his friend's agitation. "You might be a bit dense but I trust your judgment when it comes to people. You're at least better at it than I am."

“I ain’t-” 

“Either way she knows way too much for it to be a coincidence. You saw her draw your Pa’s hunter symbol.” The chemist cut him off. “We won’t really know until Grace gets back… but I think we can trust Kat.”

Logan considered Haru’s words.

In the hunter’s experience, it was Haru who had the better judgment of people. He very seldom let people into his life and had a rather quiet gut. It was how he became Logan’s best friend and practically an adopted son to Howlett. If the chemist said he trusted her, then he probably thought it through more than Logan ever did. 

Either way, Logan was inclined to agree. If only they could investigate the Northern Ruins… Then they’d have answers.

Before he could reply Kat returned to the two bandits, more than a little winded from Rambo’s antics.

"Did we actually need to get anything done today?" She put her hands on her knees, trying to steady her breathing. “Other than playing with the goats and talking- I mean, I am a builder. I can do some repair work for you guys.”

“Oh. You don’t have to, Kat.” Logan tried to wave her off. “You ain’t exactly here of your own free will.”

“Hey, you promised to show me where the tools are.” Kat crossed her arms. “You aren’t going to let me go home and I refuse to die of boredom in a dingy cave. You owe me that much, Yakboy .”

“We might as well make use of a bad situation…” Haru interjected a little sheepishly. “There's only so long that my patchwork repairs are going to last.” He gestured at an open tear in his pant leg. “It’d help to have an extra pair of hands that aren’t as clumsy as yours, Logan.”

Logan gave him a hard look. The chemist wasn’t wrong but he really didn’t want to make it look like they’d kidnapped a builder for free work. “We’ll repay her when we get back into town.” He insisted firmly.

Kat grinned at him. “You can pay me back by saving Sandrock, all right?”

—

Chapter Text

Logan stood listlessly in the middle of his old house.

The air felt too still, almost stagnant, despite the warm familiarity of being home. Like the ominous stillness that came before a storm. Dread settled in the hunter’s bones.

Something was wrong.

"What are ya just standing there for?" Howlett’s voice startled Logan out of his thoughts.

He turned and there stood his pa. Packing gear for a hunt. An amused twinkle in his eyes.

Not this again. Logan couldn't do this again.

"Something's wrong, Pa." He tried to voice what he felt.

He couldn't. The curse of being trapped in a dream. His legs wouldn't work, his voice wasn't his own.

The foot that he’d broken when the temple exploded started to ache. Bones ground against each other as pain seeped up the limb and the memory of pain and death lingered in the peripherals of his mind. This wasn’t right, he couldn’t lose him again.

Howlett shook his head with a chuckle. "Well, 'course there's a problem. Some Rockenyarolls have been getting at Cooper's herd again. Ain't nothing we can't handle."

"No that's-" Logan's voice constricted again. Frustration and panic consumed him. A phantom hand choked out his words, closing his throat and holding his head still so that he’d have to watch again.

The older hunter chuckled again. Patting his son's shoulder before crossing the room to the gear closet. "It's good to keep on yer toes before a hunt. You've got that down at least." He paused by the window near the front door, turning to look at Logan. "You can stay behind this time if you want. I won't force ya on a hunt with me."

Before Logan could reply Hell tore the house apart with a deafening roar. 

An explosion ripped through the windows, flames engulfing the world around him. He would have screamed as his Pa disappeared from sight but the heat stole the air from his lungs. His skin crackled as the yellow and orange tongues of fire lapped at it.

Logan woke with a gasp, his lung stung with the sudden intake of air.

The sheets of his bed tangled around his sweat-covered body making his skin prickle with the memory of burning. His foot ached again, reminding him of the night he broke it. The night he killed his Pa…

No, the night he was murdered by Pen.

That distinction did little to comfort the hunter. It only twisted his torment into rage. Knowing that the monster who killed Howlett walked free among everyone in Sandrock… that he was still among their friends and family. 

Logan wanted nothing more than to ride into town and kill him. Like any other monster he’d hunted before. He knew it wouldn’t end well but it felt like it would be better than giving Pen another chance to kill the people he cared about.

Part of him ached with guilt.

Guilt for not recognizing the threat in town sooner. Guilt for the pure anger and hatred he felt for another human being despite everything his Pa told him about giving their enemies grace and not wasting thoughts on those who anger him. Guilt for not being able to save everyone. For not being able to save his Pa and for not being able to do more to protect everyone who was still in danger.

The weight of responsibility would’ve brought him to his knees if he weren’t still sitting in his bed.

Shucking off his blankets Logan stumbled out of bed. Haru was already asleep but the hunter didn’t worry about waking him, the chemist slept like the dead. A fact that had been useful when Logan kept waking up from nightmares every night. Otherwise, he’d have felt more guilt keeping his friend awake too.

He limped as his foot complained about weight being put on it.

Looking up he noticed Kat sitting at the table, her head turned to watch the moonlight stream through the canyon side opening in the cavern. A steaming cup was clasped in her hands and the gentle pale light lit the edges of her silhouette with a ghostly halo. The hunter paused in his tracks at the sight. It felt right seeing her there. Like she’d been a part of their lives for a lot longer than just three days, like she was a comforting constant in his life.

As though she sensed someone watching her she glanced around and met Logan’s eyes.

A kind smile lit her face, gentle with understanding like she already knew why he was up. “Can’t sleep either?” She called softly.

Logan shook his head, limping over to the table. He slumped into the chair next to Kat curiously eyeing her drink and the pot she’d made it in. Tea, from what he could guess.

“Tea,” She confirmed, “Fang usually gives me a special blend for sleeping but just making tea is calming. Helps me think.” The builder grabs a second cup from the trey, pouring more tea and hands it to him. “Here."

He took the cup gratefully, warming his now chilled hands.

"Why’re ya up so late?" Logan's voice rumbled low with that peculiar post-sleep haze.

"I… have trouble sleeping." She looked down at her drink. An air of tiredness hung around her, evidenced by the shadows forming under her eyes.

"Nightmares?" The hunter ventured. Is she like me?

Kat shook her head with a sigh. "No. I wish I had some kind of explanation for it but I don't. For nightmares to keep me up, I'd have to be getting sleep in the first place." She played with a lock of hair, twisting it around her finger. "It's more like… I just can't sleep. No matter how hard I try."

“Hm,” Logan took a sip of the tea. He knew that nightmares were generally helped by talking about them, that’s what Haru said anyways. But not knowing why she couldn’t sleep? He wasn’t sure that was something he could help with.

The hunter grimaced as he shifted in his seat, the ache in his foot reminding him it was still there.

“Your foot hurts again?” The builder noticed his look.

“It just flares up from time to time…” Logan winced as he flexed the throbbing appendage. “The cold doesn't help.”

“Here.” Kat shifted and patted her lap.

Logan tilted his head confused.

“I know how to help.”

Curiously he lifted his foot, laying it on her lap. Her hands were firm yet gentle as she massaged soft circles along where the break was. The effect was almost immediate as the throbbing pain dulled away, the entire limb relaxing.

“That's-” The hunter let out a relieved sigh. “That’s good. How’d ya-?”

He glanced up at the builder’s face and saw a sad but patient smile on her face. Oh, right. The future stuff… It made sense, but why did she know how to treat his old wounds? Were they close? If they were, why was she so nervous around him?

“We were closer than just friends, huh?” Logan met her eyes. Kat froze. He continued hesitantly. “It would be the only explanation about why you know so much about me- about Haru and I.”

She closed her eyes briefly, a small flash of pain on her face before she returned her focus to her hands. “One of the gang and all that…” She murmured quietly. “I- I came to you because I was hoping you’d remember me. When that thing sent me back-” The builder paused and dashed her eyes with the back of her hand. “You- you were with me when I… when I died.”

Logan put his foot down. Reaching a hand out to grab hers. “You died?” He asked gently, his heart hammering in his chest.

She nodded silently and a chill burned through Logan’s chest.

Even though he didn’t know her well- at least not in the same way she knew him- the thought of witnessing someone die in front of him again… It was a fear he didn’t know how to deal with. A monster he couldn’t fight.

He took a steadying breath.

There was one thing he could think to do, though.

“Wait here.” He stood and shuffled over to his desk, grabbing his journal.

He did remember her. Only bits and pieces through the dreams he’d been having. But it felt like enough to him.

Enough for them to trust each other.

Flipping the journal open to the page where he’d sketched her face he held the book out to her. “I- I do remember a little, I think.” He admitted. “Dreams mainly. Just bits and pieces that ain’t too coherent. But I know we were close.”

Kat took the journal, wide-eyed.

He sat in the chair again. “I’d like to know more about us… If you’re comfortable with that. I want to know what we had.”

The builder met his eyes again, sadness warred with hope in her eyes, though the forlorn looks she’d given him previously had disappeared. She ran her thumb gently over the rough paper of the journal. Taking a second to gather her thoughts.

“We were more comrades at first, both just fighting for the sake of Sandrock. After a while, we got to know each other more. Especially considering that Andy declared me a part of the gang.” She smiled fondly at the memory.

“Andy?”

“Oh uh…” Kat tilted her head. “Your adopted son. You and Haru found him while on the run… I hope he’s okay.” She worried.

“The mischievous child.” Logan scratched his chin in thought, remembering his dream.

She looked up at him and smiled. “Yeah. Smart kid… gave us no end of trouble.”

“I’ll keep an eye out for him.” The hunter smiled back. “We were like a little family then?”

“Y- yeah.” Kat nodded, a little sadness flitted across her face again. “Honestly I wasn’t really interested at first, I just wanted to be sure Andy was okay. I thought you were a little intimidating and kind of rude, but I eventually realized you were just honest. It was easier to be around you because you never lied. That was something I needed after…”

She trailed off, a dark look taking over her face.

“After what?” Logan took her hand, he wanted to know more.

“I used to be involved with Pen.” Kat admitted quietly, shame and fear in her eyes.

The implications of her words made Logan freeze. She dated Pen.

“I- I thought he loved me…” She shook, curling her lip with a little disgust. “And maybe he did- but it was in the same way a person might like a trophy or a tool. I was just a thing to him… Something to use.” Her voice shrank, quiet, as though mentioning any of this would summon wrath upon her. “I tried to break it off after he betrayed us the first time… He didn’t accept it and when we fought him in the Northern Ruins he trapped me, said I would be going back to Duvos with him. That- that was the first and last time I ever had a nightmare.” 

Hatred burned in Logan’s chest again. Bad enough that Pen was a murderer. What kind of monster laid hands on someone they’re supposed to love?

The broken look in her eyes told him enough. 

Logan wanted to help her. He wasn’t in her shoes, didn't know fully what she went through, but he recognized those feelings. He’d seen them often in the mirror often after his Pa died. 

Loneliness and fear. 

She felt as isolated as he did.

It made him want to be stronger. As much for his own sake as much as hers. So that neither of them would be alone with their problems anymore.

The hunter squeezed her hand gently. 

“I won’t let him anywhere near ya and I sure as hell ain’t gonna let you die.” Hazel eyes met his. He smiled reassuringly. “Remember what you said this morning? We ain’t facing ‘em alone anymore, Kat.”

Her eyes shone with unshed tears. Wordlessly she hugged him. He could feel the dampness of those tears against his chest. Wrapping his arms around her he held her close, glad that he had company for yet another sleepless night.

They stayed like that for a while, Logan running a hand gently over her hair until she began to yawn. Putting an arm under her legs he lifted her up, carefully letting her doze in his arms. As he carried her to her bed he smiled to himself.

He may not know how exactly to help her with everything that haunts her right now, but at least he helped her finally get some sleep.

The rest of their problems could wait until morning.

—

Chapter Text

“Miss Mi-an!”

The Tallsky builder’s head whipped around at the call, nearly flinging the welding mask right off her face. She shut off the welding torch and pulled the errant mask off her head. Glancing over to where the voice was coming from she could see a blond woman standing by the Workshop’s gate.

She had nearly platinum blond hair and what Mi-an could only describe as a stereotypical ‘girly’ outfit. A white top with a blue shoulder cover and a pink skirt with knee-high socks. A cute bunny pouch was strapped to her hip and a pink leopard print suitcase sat next to her feet.

Mi-an actually felt a little envious for a second, it was the kind of outfit the Tallsky builder had only dreamed of wearing since it was extremely unsuited to builder work, plus the blond pulled off the look really well…

The builder shook off the feeling. 

She was already pretty happy with how she looked. If she ever wanted to try the girly look she could probably ask Granny Vivi anyways. Between her and Pablo she had no shortage of people to go to for a makeover. Though it would be nice if Pablo stopped pestering her about her long hair…

“I need to speak to Mi-an.” The blond woman called out again, meeting Mi-an’s eyes.

“That would be me!” The Tallsky builder waved. “I’ll be right down, just give me a second!”

She scrambled down the ladder, shucking her dirty welding gloves off as she went. As she approached the woman let herself through the gate. Stepping primly up to the builder and enthusiastically shaking her hand.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Miss Mi-an! I’m Nia, Kat’s best friend.” She smiled impossibly wide.

Mi-an blinked in surprise. While she had been expecting the Highwinder, she hadn’t expected her so soon. It’d only been a few days since she sent the letter. Express shipping was fast, sure, but the passenger trains traveled slower. The builder figured it would have been at least a week or more before she saw the blond.

She shook Nia’s hand, smiling in return. “Hey! It's nice to meet you. Kat told me about you, said you were one of the ones we should contact in case something happened to her.”

Nia pouted.

“Yeah, I’m actually here to talk about what happened…” She pulled Kat’s letter out of her belt pouch. “She said I’m supposed to help?” Nia lowered her voice, glancing over the builder’s shoulder at the others in the yard.

“Ah- right… Well, Grace won’t be here till around lunch…” Mi-an hummed. “Would you like to come inside to wait? I still have to work till our lunch break.”

The Tallsky builder led the blond towards the house. Pushing open the door she gestured for her to make herself at home. 

“Wow, I knew Sandrock wouldn’t be as luxurious as Highwind, but this? It’s… quaint, I suppose.” Nia sniffed looking around at the scant decor, clearly unimpressed.

Mi-an felt a little offended. 

Sure it was more practical, almost spartan compared to the workshops in Tallsky and probably Highwind, but Kat was quite proud of the improvements they made to her house. The Highwind builder even said that she was proud of it simply because it was something she did outside of Highwind. Mi-an would have thought that any friend of Kat’s would be understanding of the situation in Sandrock.

The blond noticed Mi-an’s look. “Oh! Sorry. I suppose it just takes some getting used to.” She pouted a little. “I was kinda mad when that contract offer took Kat away from Highwind, I just would have liked it if she left for some actually greener pastures. Wanted the best for my girl and all that.”

Her bubbly smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“R- right. I’ll uh- leave you to it.” The Tallsky builder hurriedly shuffled back out the door.

Clearly, the botanist blamed Sandrock for taking her friend away. Which felt unfair to Mi-an. Considering where Kat was now, she could hardly blame the Highwinder. But she shouldn’t take that out on people who had no control over the situation… Her introduction to Kat’s childhood friend felt unfortunately frosty.

‘Deep breaths, Mi-an.’ She shook her head to clear it. ‘You can’t judge someone you just met.’

The builder wasn’t looking forward to lunch.

—

Grace’s eyebrows were nearly touching her hairline as she read Kat’s letter to Nia.

It was wildly different to the letters she’d written to the rest of them. There was the plea for help. Acknowledging their past as childhood friends and their knowledge of one another. But an interesting section was dedicated to a message that she’d had Nia relay to her mother. 

‘Bene sum. Exspecta donec finis.’

“It’s Latin.”

“What?” Mi-an tilted her head at the spy.

“Latin. An ancient dead language, and I mean dead, since it died out before the Age of Corruption… It was occasionally used by academics and archeologists in the old world though. Still is used sometimes now, too.” Grace hummed thoughtfully. “I dunno what it says though.”

“I thought you were an archeology student?” The builder’s brow furrowed.

“That’s just a cover story, Mi-an.”

“Oh.”

Nia cleared her throat. “You could just ask me. Y’know, being Kat’s friend and all…”

Both the builder and the spy looked at her.

“ Do you know what it says?”

“No, but I did talk with her Ma.” The botanist shook her head. “She said that it meant Kat was telling her not to ‘intervene.’ Mrs. Maria is still Civil Corps, even if she’s retired. That woman would fight tooth and nail for her daughter, she even talked about coming down to Sandrock to ‘give the Sheriff a piece of her mind.’” She giggled. "But, yeah. Kat told her Ma to stay in Highwind."

Grace furrowed her brows at Nia. "What I want to know is why Kat thinks you can help and not her Civil Corps mother."

“Because I’m special.” The botanist huffed.

“Then what does the letter mean by ‘ We both know why I left Highwind. You know how to help?’ ” The spy narrowed her eyes at Nia. The letter itself had vague implications but it was clear the botanist knew what it meant.

Nia pouted, a slight anger flashing across the bubbly facade before being completely replaced by pain and regret. She flopped down in one of the dining chairs. Almost like she was sobering up from her high-energy personality.

“Exactly what you think it means.” She sighed. “Kat left Highwind for many reasons. I was one of them.” Nia smoothed her skirt, lost in thought. “I don’t know exactly what she means- we’d need to ask Kat herself- but I do have a good guess.”

Mi-an exchanged a concerned look with Grace.

“I was a bit of a… possessive friend. It hurts to be told that straight up, but well… she wanted to be more than just ‘Nia’s friend’ or ‘Maria’s Daughter’ and she couldn’t do that in Highwind.” The botanist shook her head. “After she left I realized that distance is what we needed from each other. We were what my therapist said was ‘unhealthily codependent.’”

“Seriously?” Grace looked down at the letter again. “Does she just attract people like that?”

The botanist looked up sharply. “What do you mean?”

“She had- er- has- a stalker here too.” The spy ran a frustrated hand over her face.

Nia looked offended. “Okay, first I didn’t stalk her. We were practically raised together, it’s codependency not obsession. Second, you’re kinda not wrong… My therapist mentioned that Kat might want to do therapy too because she sounds like she has that kind of susceptibility to manipulation that does attract people like that. She’s a bit of a people pleaser.” She tapped her chin, looking at the notes and letters on the table. “Though all this definitely shows that she’s learned more than when she left Highwind.”

“Oh, that's great at least.” Grace sighed sarcastically. “So basically you’re just here to help prove her story?”

“No,” Nia snorted, “I completely get why you doubt the time travel stuff, I do too. But we need her back to figure all that out… I’m here because you all need someone who can work a crowd. People skills. ” She leaned towards the other two. “You mentioned that they’ve got the whole church in their pocket? I can counter that.”

“How?” Mi-an looked at her curiously.

“Well, for starters, we can be friends.” Nia smiled at the builder. “More specifically; friends joining together to help a mutual friend in crisis. As the closest people in town to her we could speak on her behalf- All you really need to turn a crowd is Ethos and Pathos.”

“Who and who?” The Tallsky builder tilted her head, confused.

“Authority and Emotion.” Grace nodded thoughtfully, considering her plans. “By being Kat’s closest friends you two could use the relationships, trust, and authority that she’s garnered with everyone on top of using their emotions to sway opinions. Smart.” The spy looked at the botanist with newfound respect.

“I’m a natural empath.” Nia looked a little smug. “It’s worked in my and Kat’s favor a lot .”

“O- kay…” Mi-an didn’t like the idea of manipulating anyone. “Should we at least get the rest of these letters out?” She glanced down at the papers hopefully.

“I want to be sure that the info we have is right first.” Grace shook her head. “I know you don’t like the subterfuge, Mi-an. But we need to take this slow or we’ll alert the spies.”

The builder deflated.

Grace patted her shoulder reassuringly. “I do know one thing we can start on though- other than completing the Water Tower… Matilda and Miguel mentioned that they’re going to have the town meeting to discuss the bounty hunter they intend to hire tomorrow afternoon.” She grinned at the other two women. “We’re gonna wreck that plan.”

—

An air of malcontent ran around Martle’s Square, making Mi-an’s skin prickle.

Just let Nia take the lead… She tried to shake off her nerves. They were there to make sure that none of Town Hall’s funding went towards a bounty hunter. According to Grace, the town itself was split. Many of them have fully lost trust in Logan after he took Kat.

So they likely had a long argument ahead of them.

“Simmer down, y’all! Simmer down!” The Minister called out. “I’m sure y’all know why we’re here.”

The anxious murmurs of the townsfolk died out, leaving just the faint whispering of desert winds.

“We’re all here to address the Logan situation. Previously we gave him the benefit of the doubt because we respected his Pa.” Matilda held a sad hand over her heart. “But now… he’s gone too far. Logan has kidnapped one of our own and directly attacked the town.” She looked around the square, meeting everyone’s eyes. “That is not something we can overlook. Pastor Miguel here wanted to put forward an idea for how we can get this situation resolved.”

The Pastor nodded at the Minister. “Thank you, Matilda.” He turned to the crowd. “As you all know, our Civil Corps has been having… difficulties tracking down and capturing Logan. I propose that we rearrange the city budget and hire a ‘specialist.’ This way our Civil Corps can prioritize their duties and we all can rest assured that someone is working tirelessly to stop Logan’s reign of terror.”

Frantic whispers broke out across the crown.

“He wants to hire a bounty hunter?!”

“They could bring Kat back.”

“He’s not wrong.”

“They’re dangerous though. Violent people…”

Everyone was divided. Some were reasoning that hiring help for the Civil Corps was reasonable, others were worried about the rather nasty reputation that came with hiring such loose cannons. The only thing they seemed to agree on was that Logan needed to go down.

“Alright, everyone!” Matilda’s voice rang out. “I know these decisions need to be agreed upon by the whole town, the reputation of specialists ain’t exactly good. But I think we can all agree that we need help. What do you think, Sheriff?”

Justice jolted at being called out.

Mi-an’s heart sank when she looked at the man. His eyes were sunken and, though his leg was finally out of the cast, he still had a crutch since he slightly re-injured his leg the morning of the Water Tower incident. The Sheriff looked exhausted.

“I ain’t proud to admit it,” He sighed heavily, rubbing at the bags under his eyes. “But this kidnapping has been more than Me an’ Unsuur can handle. We’ve been doing all we can, we’re just spread thin.”

"Sounds like agreement." Miguel lifted his chin smugly.

"Hold on now," Matilda butt in. "We've heard the Sheriff, but we need to hear out the rest of the town."

Strangely enough, despite the impassioned speech she started this meeting with, Mi-an got the feeling the Minister wanted to slow down this bounty hunter plan as much as they did. Her concern was evident on her face, which could be chalked up to good acting, but she wasn’t trying to sway the crowd’s favor. Why would…? 

Oh.

A bounty hunter would jeopardize the Duvos spy’s plans as much as it would Logan. Especially if they went poking around the Sandrock Water Storage, or worse the Northern Ruins… The Duvos activity would be exposed to the whole town. 

The Tallsky builder found it a little weird that they were on the same side as literal hostile foreign agents in regard to small-town politics but she wasn’t about to complain. 

Less fuel for this particular fire at least.

“Why should we wait?!” Cooper’s angry voice rose above the general noise of the disquieted square. “The Civil Corps can’t even find my dang runaway of a daughter! Why in tarnation should we trust them with our lives?!”

Elsie’s missing? Mi-an felt her heart sink.

Looking around the crowd she realized that the redhead was nowhere to be seen. The ranch couple stood close together, Mrs. Mabel’s arm in a sling and her husband holding her close. Somber looks on their faces made their worry plain to everyone.

The ranch hand usually hung around the builders in her spare time, but with Kat gone and the urgent work rebuilding the Water Tower Mi-an had hardly noticed her absence. Evidently, something serious had happened with Elsie and the builder had missed it. Losing yet another friend to the unknown.

Mi-an burned with guilt.

“W- well…” Burgess spoke up nervously, “We still need to deal with the destruction Logan caused here, we can’t really put up a unified front if the town is crippled. If we rearrange the budget now, that’d only slow down rebuilding the Water Tower.”

“Burgess.” Miguel looked down at the man with an admonishing tone. “Are you really valuing the Water Tower over Kat’s safety? Over all our safety?”

“N- no…” The Safety Inspector looked down shamefacedly as the crowd began muttering again.

Looking around the square Mi-an realized that everyone looked stressed and exhausted. The destruction of the Water Tower and the loss of one of their own had taken its toll on them. Most of them ready to accept whatever plans that simply promise to bring them peace.

“Excuse me!” Nia raised her hand, waving to get everyone’s attention. “I’d like to speak if that’s all right.”

The whole crowd turned, almost like a spotlight had been shone on the woman.

“I know I’m not from this town, I can’t even begin to fathom what you all are going through.” The botanist shook her head. “But if there is someone I do know, it’s Kat. We were raised together… She’d want you to worry about the town first. If we want to bring her home we need a home for her to come back to.”

Several people hesitantly nodded.

Owen’s voice rang out, “I mean, I am all for the idea of getting help to save Kat, but we can’t save anyone if we need saving ourselves.”

The volume of agreement rose as people voiced their worries as well, their confidence bolstered by the fact that someone else had spoken first. 

“This plan is an attempt to salvage what little safety we have left, Owen.” The Pastor’s voice rose to silence them before turning his gaze towards the blond woman. “As for you, you’re right about not knowing our situation. Logan is the one who is putting our lives in danger.”

“That may be.” Nia challenged. “But Burgess and Owen are right.” She nodded at the two men. “The town is crippled right now. If we don’t focus on rebuilding now there won’t be a town.”

Miguel’s jaw twitched. “We have enough water rations to get by. I ensured it myself.”

Mi-an’s head snapped up, she read those ration reports as she worked on the Water Tower… He’s lying. “With all due respect, Pastor. I read your reports and those rations would only get us by until the Water Tower is complete.” She spoke up, startling the people closest to her. “Which by my best estimates is a few more days from now. We’ll already be scraping by just to get the Tower completed. It doesn’t account for delays.”

The look on the Pastor’s face darkened.

“Pah! What do you know, Newbie?” Yan scoffed. “If you’re unable to build that Tower on time even with a few cutbacks, then maybe I should have assigned it to someone else.”

Several angry glares were turned on the Commerce Guild ‘President.’ His absence among the builders working on the Water Tower had not gone unnoticed in town. Plus the news had spread that Yan had attempted to load all the work onto Mi-an alone. 

His words only served to unite everyone in Martle’s Square against him.

“I know enough that you broke several Guild codes regarding the distribution of major city projects and the codes regarding emergency builds, President Yan.” Mi-an spat with enough vitriol that several Sandrockers looked at her in surprise. 

“She’s right, we can’t ignore the Water Tower…”

“They seriously want us to dehydrate?!”

“Yan’s at it again…”

“We should be working together!”

Chatter broke out among the different groups. All of them now focused on the danger of losing access to their only water supply.

“Wait-” Justice called out again, shame and concern on his face. “I wasn’t lying when I said the Civil Corps is struggling… We still need to figure out something.”

“We can help you like we were doing after the Geeglers attacked.” Hugo the blacksmith clapped the Sheriff's shoulder, smiling reassuringly at him. “Put up a united front and all that. Logan may be strong, but I’m willing to bet he’s relying on us not fighting back against one of our own. I say we prove him wrong.”

“What about how he hasn't been able to do anything recently, Huh?” Cooper’s petulant voice rang out.

“Cooper!” Mable hissed, smacking him with her good arm. “The man was injured on duty! You sure as heck can’t blame him for how you chased your own daughter off. I’ve got half a mind to volunteer you to do the Sheriff’s patrols for a month.”

“I’d volunteer as well!” Catori interjected. “Logan’s already chased off any customers I mighta had. May as well pay him back for that.”

“Same here.” Owen agreed. “Er- minus the payback. I’m fine with just bringing him to justice.”

The Sheriff looked around at his fellows, eyes misting a little.

“Are you all mad?” Miguel snarled with frustration. “Can’t you see that this is exactly why-”

“Pastor Miguel!” The Minister interrupted him, sharply. “Let the people decide. You’ve made your proposal and they have spoken.” She turned back to the crowd. “So if we’re all in agreement, Town Hall and the Civil Corps can arrange a volunteer program for those who want to help protect the town while our dear builders focus on rebuilding the Water Tower. We can revisit the idea of a ‘specialist’ if we haven’t found Logan by the time it’s done.”

The townsfolk voiced their consent.

“This concludes this emergency fireside then. Remember folks-”

“Conserve water!” The crowd echoed dutifully.

—

Chapter Text

It'd been nearly two weeks since Kat had joined the bandits in the hideout.

After their late-night talk she’d been chattier with them and, eventually , less nervous. Taking to the gang like a sandfish to quicksand… or a builder to a workshop. 

Rather quickly they learned that she liked to get things done almost as immediately as they came up. Puttering around the cave, constantly looking for something to do.

With all the work the builder had done around the hideout, the two bandits felt less like they were on the run and more like they had a proper base of operations. It almost reminded Logan of the old days when his Pa would take him to the outpost for a hunt. They’d spend weeks out there with only the occasional visit from Haru… The nostalgia was both heartwarming and melancholic.

Despite the positive outcome, Logan couldn't help but worry about Kat. 

She’d often stay up incredibly late working on whatever project she'd gotten her hands on, only for the bandits to find her sleeping in a random spot around the cave when they woke. One morning he’d found her curled around the base of a new sparring dummy, another morning he’d found her stowed away on top of the old carousel in the cavern that they’d designated as the ‘guest room.’ It’d become like a slightly stressful game of hide and seek.

This morning he’d found her snuggled up with Rambo.

The goat was lying on his side, his hooves carefully tucked under him while Kat snored away, her face buried in Rambo’s soft belly fur. He was chewing on her shirt when Logan approached. Only stopping to snort his displeasure when the hunter scooped the builder up into his arms.

“She ain’t gonna be happy you put a hole in her shirt y’know.” Logan quietly admonished the goat, earning a disdained bleat in reply.

He let out a gentle chuckle as Rambo stomped off towards the pen where Merle was already eating the goats’ breakfast. It was surprising that the ram let the builder sleep on him even when Haru brought out their morning feed. Rambo rarely missed a meal if he could help it.

Kat snuggled deeper into Logan’s arms distracting him.

Seeing her comfortable in his arms made him grateful that he wore a mask and was alone in the cavern, otherwise the tomato-red blush on his cheeks and ears would be the topic of gossip for weeks. He’d already gotten way too many smug knowing looks from Haru in the past couple of days. Even though Logan had already stressed to the chemist that it wasn’t a full-blown crush, he was just curious because of the weird circumstances surrounding the builder.

It wasn’t like she was interested either…

She shied away from the topic of romance, or any flirting. Something the hunter understood considering what she had confided in him about her past relationship… That bastard. He shook his head, banishing the unwelcome presence from his mind.

Tucking her into her bed he made a mental checklist of everything he needed to do today. 

It was the end of the year, deep winter now. If he intended to go hunting for food they’d have to pack for a trip farther out from Sandrock to find where one of the wild yakmel herds had settled to wait for spring. There was one herd that stayed near Sandrock year round, but given their situation… it would be far too risky to get that close to town.

He needed to dig up that map that Grace had given him.

—

Lunch rolled around rather quickly.

Logan didn’t even notice until the smell of cooking food set off his stomach. Glancing up from his maps he saw Haru stoking the cooking fire, hanging a large cast iron pot on the spit. Meat stew with rice again most likely. With how low they were on rations it was the most filling meal the chemist could make.

Not that the repetitiveness deterred Logan, he wasn’t a picky eater. 

At least not when he was away from town, ordering at the Blue Moon was a different deal. He’d be as picky as he wanted when he was paying for it. But they didn’t have that luxury now, so whatever filled his belly was good enough.

Haru looked up as Logan approached, a grin on his face when he saw his friend’s focus on the pot.

“It isn’t done yet.” The chemist laughed. “Just a few more minutes though, enough time for you to go find Kat.”

Glancing around the hunter realized the builder was probably still in bed in the adjacent cavern. A little weird considering she was usually up and about by now. Though he wouldn’t begrudge the builder getting a proper amount of sleep.

Stepping past the goat pen he entered the smaller cave, the bright colors of the carousel dazzling his eyes for a moment before he glanced to where the builder’s bed was.

The first thing he noticed was her scar.

It took a second for him to register what he was looking at, but that was definitely a burn scar. The lighter pink ripple of skin standing out against the tan color of her shoulders. A wild impulse in the hunter made him want to run his finger over it, to examine it closer. Though a nagging sense restrained him.

“That’s a nasty scar ya got there.” Logan said finally.

Kat shrieked at the sound of his voice. Both of them startled violently.

Logan’s brain finally registered what was wrong; she was shirtless, her dignity only spared by a tight sports bra. The hunter nearly smacked himself in the face with how quickly he covered his eyes, stuttering out hasty apologies. That was the nagging sense in his mind. Why was she shirtless?!

A smack of damp fabric hit his face and it took a moment to realize it was the shirt she had been wearing.

Risking a glance up he saw her perched on her bed, her disgruntled face poking out from the wraps of her blanket.

“W- why-?” He started.

“Your dang goat chewed through my only shirt!” She huffed. “It’s bad enough that I don’t have a clean set! I’m not a tailor, I can’t make a new one!”

“Why don’t you just change-?” 

Oh, wait.

“I didn’t exactly have the chance to pack for this vacation, Logan .” Kat hissed pithily, her eyes narrowed at the bandit.

“A- ah, right…” He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

This was a dilemma. Did they need to raid a caravan for clothes? She was smaller than both bandits so they couldn’t exactly share… He noticed the builder shiver, hunkering down deeper in the blankets.

“Wait here.” Logan turned on his heel.

Striding back into the main cavern he headed straight for their sleeping area. Haru watched him, confusion and concern on his face.

“Did something happen?” The chemist called.

“Yeah, uh- Rambo ate the builder’s shirt.” Logan rifled through his stash of clothes.

He paused to glare at Haru when he began cackling.

“Ha! That sounds like ‘em.” Haru wiped a tear from his eye. “ Peach , you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“This is serious, Haru.” The hunter grumbled. “Do ya got any spare shirts? Yer closer to her size than I am.”

The chemist nodded, stifling another snicker.

Turning back to his own pack of clothes he dumped it out on his bed. He needed something specific… It was getting cold and there was no way he was letting the builder wander around in the cave with just loose-fitting clothes and rags to keep her warm.

Ah.

Logan held up an old cream-colored cloak he’d had stowed away at the bottom of his pack.

It was a sentimental thing. The cloak hadn’t fit him since he was nineteen when Grandma Vivi had first given it to him. But he’d been saving it for this exact reason.

To give to someone who needed to keep warm.

Haru handed him a spare red turtleneck and a pair of loose sweatpants with a frayed drawstring. “That’s the best I have unfortunately.”

“It’ll have to work.”

The hunter took the bundle of clothes. Hurrying back across the cave to where the builder sulked in bed. 

“You know I keep the back window of my workshop unlocked.” Kat nodded thanks as she took the clothes from him.

“What’d ya mean?” Logan turned around to give her privacy.

“Well, If I’m staying here for an extended period of time, I could use a change of clothes or two. My workshop is pretty secluded, so it’d be easy to sneak in and out of the house through that window.”

“So you want me to break into your house?” He tilted his head, listening to her shuffle around.

“Is it really breaking in if you're technically invited by the homeowner?”

“Eh- semantics.” 

He felt a tap on his shoulder and he turned to face her, his heart stuttering at the sight.

The cloak was slightly oversized, covering all the way down to her thighs. She fiddled with the collar of the turtleneck which was tucked right underneath her chin. The pants were hitched up as high as she could get it with the loose cuffs stuffed into her boots. She looked like she was drowning in the clothes.

Once again Logan felt grateful for the mask covering the blush on his face.

“At least these are warmer than what I had.” Kat giggled, noticing his stare. “I uh- don’t suppose you’d need help breaking into my workshop?”

“N- no. You’re staying here.” The hunter shook his head, closing his eyes to try to break his stare. “I’ll head up after lunch… I owe ya a change of clothes thanks to my idiot goat anyways.”

—

It was nearly evening by the time that Logan made it to the boulders behind Kat’s workshop.

The situation around town was rather hair-raising as it seemed like more than half the town were patrolling the city limits. He’d even had to send Rambo back to the hideout when he’d gotten past the entrance to the Valley of Whispers. Forced to sneak on foot to avoid being spotted.

Everyone he’d seen had been armed with some kind of weapon, some even had guns. 

It was unsurprising that Cooper had his shotgun with him, the man loved that gun. But it was surprising that Owen, who was patrolling the fence of the ranch alongside Cooper, had a pistol strapped to his hip. A shocking sight to the hunter who’d known the Saloon Owner to be the gentlest of the giants in Sandrock.

It hurt Logan a little to know that they were doing this because of him. That it was his presence that they feared. But the rational side of him recognized that it was important that they looked after their own safety.

At least it meant they’d be more ready whenever the situation with the Duvos spies boiled over.

Now, though, he was crouched behind the builder’s workshop. Hidden among the boulders while waiting for the last of Rocky’s crew to leave the salvage yard before making his move. 

Logan could see the window that Kat had mentioned and he couldn’t help but feel the creeping sense of concern, seeing how close the unlocked window was to the back fence line. How easily someone could break into the builder’s house and ambush her… It set off every protective instinct that Logan had learned from living in Sandrock.

‘Unless she was only leaving it unlocked so that I could visit…’ The thought nearly made Logan lose his concentration. That was a dangerous thought.

Finally, the air stilled as the last woman left the Salvage Yard and scurried into town, making a beeline for the Saloon.

Standing up the bandit leapt the fence easily. The window looked a little smaller than he’d anticipated when he got up close. Wedging himself through it would definitely be less graceful than he would’ve liked.

Opening it as quietly as he could he pushed his head and shoulders through first. With a little finagling he managed to get both his arms through and shoved against the wall to push the rest of his torso through. A little more wiggling and he’d be inside.

Unfortunately, without his legs underneath him, his face was introduced to the floor as the rest of his body followed him through the window.

Logan lay on the floor for a second, more out of embarrassment rather than injury. Pushing himself to his feet he closed the window behind him, making sure to shut the curtains. At least it was short-lived. No one would know he was here, he needed to find those clothes and get out.

Glancing around he took in his surroundings.

A small kitchen and dining area that doubled as a living room, two women standing at the kitchen counter staring at him, two doors to the right that were probably the bedrooms that Kat had mentioned, an open door that clearly led to the bathroom-

Wait.

He froze, his gaze snapping back to the two women standing in the kitchen with him.

One was a builder, clad with goggles and soot-stained overalls and paused mid-sip from a water cup. The other was a petite blond with a wicked smile on her face. All three of them were still, staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity.

After a moment the blond broke the silence by leaning over to the builder and whispering something that made her snort into the cup, doubling over as the water she had in her mouth came through her nose. The bandit remained frozen, staring at them dumbfounded as the blond covered her giggles with her hand and the builder struggled to recover.

“I thought Kat lived alone.” He said a little dumbly. After sneaking past so many people on high alert it was a little disarming that these two seemed more entertained by his entrance rather than concerned by his presence.

“She did.” The goggled builder said between coughs. “I moved in after she was kidnapped.”

“Oh.”

For once Logan’s fight or flight instincts were confused. He now understood why people used phrases like ‘a yakmel caught in headlights.’ He sure felt like a yakmel now.

The blond cleared her throat. “So, to what do we owe the pleasure of a visit from Mr. Notorious?”

“Uh- clothes.”

Both women looked at him quizzically.

“I- er- Kat needed a change of clothes.” He elaborated.

They glanced at each other before the blond nodded.

“Alright, Mi-an, chat with him a bit. I’ll getcha a bag of Kat’s clothes.” She walked off into one of the rooms before Logan could reply.

That left Logan standing confused with the goggle-wearing builder, Mi-an he presumed, and wondering what he’d just gotten himself into.

“We have pickle juice.”

“...What?” The hunter looked at her.

“I- uh- I mean did you want a drink or something… We’ve got water, uh- yeah. Just mainly water… or pickle juice if you want.”

“Why would I want to drink pickle juice?” Logan furrowed a brow. The builder at least looked as confused as he was.

“I dunno, I’ve never had to play host to a bandit before.” Mi-an admitted sheepishly.

“You don’t have to, it's fine.”

“Oh, okay.”

They stood in awkward silence for a minute until Logan couldn’t stand it anymore.

“Why do y’all have pickle juice? Do you have pickles too or-?”

“Eh, hydration or something, you’d have to ask Kat. It’s her fridge.” She shrugged.

He turned to the builder, now thoroughly perturbed by the weird nervous chill that she had. “Why are ya so calm? You ain’t concerned that a bandit broke in? Or that I kidnapped yer friend?”

The builder just shrugged again. “I already know about your innocence and the Duvos stuff. Plus, Grace told me that Kat was safe with you. I’m just trying to keep the peace.”

“Huh,” That would explain it. “How many of ya did Kat tell, exactly?”

“Just Me and Nia,” She gestured to the room where the blond, Nia, was. “Grace too, though she was with you guys for that.”

“That’s… a lot.”

“Well, Kat did mention it took almost the entire town to defeat the Duvos invasion sooo…”

Logan swallowed hard. That reminder sat like a stone in his stomach. The thought of everyone in town being in danger didn’t sit well with him. 

“Alrighty!” Nia startled both of them, a near-bursting overnight bag in her hands. “I packed everything I think she’ll need while she's out with you guys.”

She shoved the stuffed bag into his hands.

“Uh- thanks.”

“No problem. Just make sure you take care of Kat,” She jammed a finger at his face. “I don’t wanna hear that you’ve caused her too much trouble, alright?”

He nodded hastily, withering slightly under Nia’s unwavering glare. Turning back towards the dastardly window, he prepared to make a quick exit. He’d gotten what he needed so the sooner he was gone the less danger they’d be in… and the sooner he could be away from this awkward situation.

A hand on his arm stopped him.

“W- wait, uhm.” Mi-an hummed nervously. “Do you think you could take Kat to the Grand Mesa tomorrow night? To see the fireworks for the New Year?”

He tilted his head, he’d almost forgotten about the winter celebrations.

“It’s her birthday.” Nia cut in. “We usually celebrate with the Hotpot in Highwind but, being ‘kidnapped,’ the New Year’s fireworks here should do fine. Everyone’s planning on going all out in the hopes that ‘she’ll see it.’”

The bandit balked, she never told them her birthday was coming up…

“Give her this too.” Nia plucked her rabbit pouch from her belt. “Tell her we said Happy Birthday and New Year.”

Before he knew it the two women were shoving him back out the window, sending him on his merry way. Thankful that the sun had finally set so that he could stumble back to the hideout a little dumbly without getting caught.

It’s her birthday.

—

Logan didn’t know why he was so nervous.

The plan was simple. Eat meat stew, watch fireworks, give Kat her friend’s gift, and say happy birthday. There was no reason to be nervous.

Haru was quick to agree to the plan after a quick chat when Logan had gotten back. 

They both felt bad about keeping her away from celebrating with friends and family.

‘Maybe I’m nervous because her birthday is like mine? They’re both close to a holiday… Or maybe ‘cause Haru an’ I haven’t celebrated anything recently?’ Logan hummed discontentedly to himself as Rambo ambled forward underneath him. ‘Or maybe I’m nervous because it’s the first birthday she’s spending with us .’

He shook his head. Logan didn’t want to admit that he wanted to impress her. They didn’t really have the means to anyways…

The builder shifted in the saddle behind him. Peaking her head around his shoulder curiously.

“Where are we going?” Her low voice sounded thunderous in the quiet night air.

“T’ a spot just under th’ Mesa.” The hunter tried to keep his voice low too. “I’ll tell ya why once we’re there.”

Kat hummed contentedly, resting her head against his back.

After a few more minutes of silence, they passed an old decrepit fence gate and finally reached the spot Logan was looking for.

It was relatively flat, hidden by boulders and scrubby plants, free of stray rocket roosters, and with a clear view of Sandrock.

Perfect for a picnic.

“Here.” He dismounted, helping the builder off the goat.

“It’s the Solstice,” Kat murmured quietly, her eyes fixed on the distant bonfire with the silhouettes of people dancing around it.

“Yeah,” Logan glanced over at Haru who was unpacking their food from Merle’s saddlebags. “And your birthday.”

Her head snapped back to him, her eyes wide. “How did…?”

“Yer friends told me.” He admitted. “The ones at the workshop.”

“Mi-an and Nia.” Her eyes softened, her hand patting the bunny pouch he’d passed on to her the previous night.

Logan nodded. “They asked us to take you to see the fireworks. We don’t got much in the way of birthday cake, but we do have meat stew.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I hope that’s alright…”

She smiled brightly at him. “It’s wonderful, thank you.”

“Happy Birthday, Kat.” He smiled back, his heart warming at the happy look on her face.

A couple of stray fireworks caught their attention. Logan scrambled to pull an old blanket from Rambo’s saddlebags, hastily shaking it out so they could sit on it instead of on the dirt. The cascade of fireworks picked up as Haru passed around the bowls of still-warm food.

They watched as a torrent of brilliant colors filled the sky and the silhouettes of the townsfolk partied below. 

The anxiety and fear that had become a staple to their lives began to melt away, replaced by the simple joy of company. Dazzling light shining down on those who celebrated their companions and loved ones, both the present and the missing, as the new year began. 

After spending more than a year away it was strangely soothing to see them celebrate as they always had.

With a happy sigh, Kat leaned her head against his shoulder, her eyes dancing with each firework. Unbidden his arm wrapped around her waist. Glancing over at Haru he could see the chemist grinning, he returned the smile. Both of them taking comfort in celebrating something for the first time since their exile. Even being apart from everyone else Logan felt as close as ever to the town he loved, and to the people he loved.

It felt like he’d finally found a piece of himself that he’d lost.

—

Chapter Text

The machine crackled with energy. Just touching it burned Pen’s fingers.

This was what Tiger was looking for.

Months ago, after a weird burst of energy within the ruins had shut down the power around Sandrock, Matilda had ordered the soldiers to dig through the remaining branches of the Space Center they were in. They were to look for the cause since it was clear that there were more relics in this ruin than they initially thought. Plus, for it to cause a citywide blackout, it must have been something powerful.

There were many pointless rooms to check and countless arbitrary machines with no use. The soldiers almost gave up trying to find the cause of the surge. Commander Lefu and his men had started getting frustrated being forced to dig. They’d thought that the starship engines were the most important thing they’d find down there.

But this.

It was unlike any relic they’d ever seen.

A blue glow emitted from the numerous lines along its unnaturally smooth surface. The heat that radiated from it kept the weaklings away. Several were already nursing burns from getting too close. Its center console was lit with an almost ethereal light. The buttons did nothing but in the center of the console was a picture with words.

That was what caught Pen's attention.

It was a picture of Kat, the builder, her eyes fixed on the machine with her hand flat against the console. Almost like the machine itself had taken a picture of her. The words alongside it read out her name, age, and a date that was a couple of years in the future.

Pen grinned viciously, he loved being right. 

Kat was an important player in the events to come. She’d be the key to victory. The answer to the visions he’d been having.

“Did they finally find it?” Matilda’s voice pulled Pen out of his thoughts.

“See for yourself,” He swept his hand in a flourish at the machine.

The ‘Tiger’ looked unimpressed, tapping the side of the machine with her cane. “Have we figured out what it does?”

“No, Ma’am.” One of the guards spoke up.

“Look at the screen, Tiger.” The enforcer pointed. “Look who’s on it.”

Her green eyes slid over the screen, a light of calculating burning in them as she read the words. She reached out and touched the console. The picture flickered and new words appeared over it.

‘NEW USER DETECTED. PLEASE CONFIRM.’

Matilda tapped it again. 

‘PLEASE WAIT. CALCULATING…’

The machine whirred, the heat radiating off of it making the rest of the guards stand further away. Weary eyes glued to the contraption.

Matilda tapped her nails restlessly against the console. “What do you think it might be?”

“A time machine,” Pen answered without hesitation, ever sure of himself.

When Matilda looked at him skeptically he continued.

“You saw the picture of the builder, and the date in the future.” He gestured at the console. “You’ve seen what she's capable of and how she acts around us. It could only be because she knows something. She’s just a regular Highwinder, the only way she could know something is if this thing sent her back in time. Perhaps in a desperate attempt to stop us.”

“Hm,” The fake Minister looked back at the machine. “A wild assumption. If this thing has a picture of her she probably broke into our operation here… HQ also warned us that an Alliance spy has been dispatched to Sandrock.” She gave the enforcer a sharp look. “That would be more sensible reasoning, Pen.”

“You don’t think the timeframe is suspicious? She arrived the same day that the blackout occurred. There’s no way that she made it from here to the train station so quick.” He insisted.

“That’s no proof that this is a time machine. Let alone that the builder was anything more than an intruder.”

“I’ve been telling you, there’s something special about her,” Pen growled in frustration. “She’s been predicting the future, she predicted that one sandstorm, she predicted the Geegler’s attacks, she predicted our plans, she’s-”

“Pen!” Matilda cut him off with a sharp tone. “Your obsession with this woman is getting out of line-”

She cut herself off when a new picture popped up on the console.

‘SCAN COMPLETE.’

It was a picture of a younger Matilda at a ceremony. The uniforms and quarters of the Duvosian military intelligence recognizable in the background. A smile plastered on her face as a man Pen didn’t recognize pinned a medal to her uniform. Underneath the picture was another date, this time from the past.

‘SAVE POINT LOCATED. INITIATE LOAD?’

‘CONFIRM / DENY.’

Matilda stood dumbfounded, a surprised look on her face. Her hand hovered over the console as she looked longingly at the photo. After a moment's hesitation, she hit confirm. The machine whirred to life again making more noise and flashing red as more text popped up.

‘ERROR; CURRENT USER DETECTED.’

‘REQUIRE INPUT FROM PREVIOUS USER’

A glowing hand popped up. Matilda placed her hand against it but the whole screen flashed red again.

‘ERROR; INCORRECT USER. REQUIRE INPUT FROM PREVIOUS USER.’

‘CANCELING ACTION.’

The picture disappeared along with the red text leaving behind the original picture of the builder. 

Matilda’s mouth thinned into a line. A hungry curiosity burned in her eyes.

“You there!” She barked at a nearby soldier, “Inform Lefu that I want someone studying this machine, we must learn more about it.” The fake minister turned to Pen begrudgingly. “Perhaps you’re right… Whatever the case, we need the builder here.”

The vicious grin returned to his face. “I’m always right.” Smugness oozed out of his words. Now he’d get what he wanted.

“You forget that said builder is currently missing.”

The enforcer’s self-satisfied grin melted into a glare. He’d already been reamed out by Miguel about letting Logan escape that day. Being reminded of his failure hurt.

“That wouldn’t be as much of an issue if you let the Pastor hire that bounty hunter.” He snapped accusingly.

When they had all gathered to vote on the hiring of the bounty hunter, Matilda had told him to stay out of it. During the meeting itself, she intended to find a way to sway the crowd against the idea. Only, she didn’t have to intervene as it was pretty clear that the other unimportant builder and her new blond friend had a similar agenda.

“A bounty hunter would jeopardize our operations. We can’t risk another person finding this place, we can't have another incident like what happened with Howlett. You almost blew our cover then too!” Matilda shot back. “I was looking out for our interests. Something you need to keep in mind more.”

A snarl crept up Pen’s face. All this back-and-forth nonsense… Why did they have to wait in the shadows when they should be conquering? Why couldn’t that coward of a yakboy meet him face-to-face like his father did? Did he really consider himself a proud fighter running away like this? 

“I’ll hunt him down myself.” He growled. “I’ll drag her here myself.”

“You won’t need to.” The fake minister soothed the irritated man, her voice filled with her usual fake sweetness. “She’ll come back to us on her own.”

The enforcer shook his head in frustration. “I don’t know about you, but she seems pretty loyal to these peasants.”

Matilda turned a smile towards Pen. The kind that could be mistaken for a friendly look but one that the enforcer was familiar enough with to recognize as the grin of a predator. A master manipulator at work.

“That’s exactly why she’ll return to us. Both the builder and Logan are loyal to a fault- Loyal to the town.” She leaned on the cane staring intently at the machine’s console. “We simply need to wait and watch.”

“Ugh,” Pen deflated. “First you yell at me for watching her, now you want me to watch her… Which is it, woman?”

The fake minister tutted at the enforcer. “You never change, Pen… What we need is information about her. Who is she closest to, the people she listens to, those that she is willing to talk to… who is her weakness?” 

She turned away from the machine with a clack of her cane. 

“If we want to catch our fly, we need to find out what kind of sugar to use.”

—

The scrapes and bruises on her body compared nothing to the sheer amount of fear in Grace’s chest.

It’d taken her almost a day to travel to get to the top of the plateau. Even using the hidden routes she’d gleaned from Logan’s collected notes about the Eufaula landscape. Between the need to stay hidden and the hostile terrain and living hazards she’d barely managed more than a snail’s pace for the last few hours.

When she reached the top she realized that the plateau was like a giant crater, the edges giving way to cliffs that led down to the top of a ruin. Poking out of the dust like a mechanical lid to a volcano. The climb down closer to the ruins proved to be equally as difficult as the climb up with rocks that threatened to give underneath her every step.

At the end of all that struggle she made the greatest and most terrifying discovery in her career.

Kat was right.

The Northern Ruins were crawling with Duvosians.

Not that she’d have known that at first. It was completely desolate when she got there. By some stroke of luck, or possibly by some divine sixth sense, she’d chosen to stake out the entrance. Sitting in an outcropping of rocks above the massive ruin site.

Eventually a buzz started, almost like a hornet’s nest had been kicked. An army flooded out of the entrance. Hundreds of soldiers lined the clearing, standing guard and coming to attention when Pen and Matilda exited the ruins.

From the way the soldiers saluted them, they were top dogs.

A shiver ran down Grace’s spine.

This was a much bigger operation than the ACI ever thought it would be. It was a whole damn invasion force. A threat that Sandrock was woefully underprepared for.

Whatever was in that ruin, Duvos was ready to go to war over it.

She needed to warn Alliance HQ. They needed an army of their own if they ever hoped to fend off this many soldiers… Hell, she’d feel better just telling anyone about this threat. At least then there’d be a chance that help was on the way.

Pen’s eyes snapped to where Grace was, their eyes meeting. 

Years of training froze her body. The constant drills ringing in her ears that stillness was the key to stealth. Flinching, trying to hide, or even just dropping her gaze would expose her. Having faith in her instinctive ability to blend into her surroundings was the only thing she could rely on now.

Though his eyes were little pinpricks at this distance, it felt like they were boring into her own. Like a battle of wills on who would look away first. Her skin crawled as her fight-or-flight instinct screamed at her to run. A growing dread that surely he knew she was there and would come over. The worst-case scenario considering just how exhausting the climb up the plateau was.

After what felt like an eternity a clatter of rocks behind her nearly made Grace flinch.

A black and white shape waddled past her peripheral vision, rolling forward onto its belly to slide slowly down the rocky slope. A pensky, thank Peach. Grace would’ve sighed in relief if she wasn’t currently locked into a staring contest with the Duvosian down below.

Thankfully his eyes had latched onto the pensky instead, watching as it slid lazily through the sand.

Matilda turned back to him, her head tilted. She asked him a question and Pen turned back to her and shook his head. They both turned away and continued on their way. Presumably to return to town before anyone questioned the Minister’s absence.

Grace took a shaky breath, willing her heart to calm down.

She waited a while longer watching as the soldiers disappeared back into the ruin, removing almost every trace that they were there. The sun began to sink towards the horizon, throwing deep shadows over the rim of the plateau. Darkness gave her a meager comfort as she knew it meant she could finally leave.

Sweat clung to her despite the chilly air stealing what little warmth she had. She wriggled back away from her hiding spot, unsure of how long she’d lay there. Grace was grateful that Owen had granted her two consecutive days off. The man was generous and she was fairly certain that her journey back into town would take until well past midnight.

The most important thing right now was warning the Alliance, as well as Logan and Haru… and Mi-an… and Justice.

Grace huffed. There were so many moving parts to this operation. They needed to get Kat back into town and use her knowledge to start planning on how they’d take down the Duvosian spies… and defend Sandrock from an all-out invasion.

Whatever the case, they were now at war.

—

Chapter Text

Kat swayed in the saddle.

Exhaustion was taking its toll on her motor functions. Loosening the muscles in her body, her head nodding to the rhythm of Rambo’s hooves. Struggling to stay awake.

Only Logan’s arms around her kept her in the saddle. 

She would have been blushing in embarrassment if she wasn't half asleep. He seemed pretty comfortable cuddling up with her. Weird considering the rather animated discussion he’d had with Haru about who she'd ride with when they were saddling the goats. She would have eavesdropped if she wasn't already passing out at that point. 

As she dozed her mind couldn't help but linger on that thought…

Logan has been pretty affectionate with her lately.

It was all kinds of confusing. Especially considering his reaction to her admitting her feelings in the previous timeline. Was something different? He started being nicer to her after he got back from her workshop… Did Nia tell him something, or yell at him? Kat loved that woman like a sister but she packed a bikini in the bag of 'essentials' that she gave Logan, she didn't quite trust her fellow Highwinder to not meddle in her love life. 

…maybe the hunter was just always this handsy? He was always pretty tactile with his friends. Hugs were basically a form of greeting for him.

A gust of wind chilled her face and she snuggled down into the warmth of her cloak, slipping further into unconsciousness.

—

The Highwind builder woke a little while later, confused about when she’d laid down.

She was curled up like a cat in a blanket. Rambo had settled beside her, blocking the cold wind with his body and chewing at a nearby yakthorn bush. The heat and nearby crackling of fire let her know that the bandits had set up a camp while she slept.

Poking her head out of the folds of the cloak she peered around the campsite owlishly.

They’d left the hideout two days after New Year’s. Logan mentioned the need to hunt for food, as well as hunt a monster that Grace had told him about. Kat didn’t mind the change in routine, all three of them were appreciative of the fresh air and bright sunlight.

“Afternoon, Sleepy.” Haru smiled kindly at her from where he sat, poking the campfire with a stick.

Kat grumbled to herself.

She hadn’t meant to sleep that long but being jostled around in a saddle while dozing didn’t exactly make for great quality sleep… Kat really needed to fix her sleeping schedule.

“Saved ya some food by the way, we had some brunch.” The chemist held out a small bowl of soup. “It’s a bit less than usual, we’re running out of supplies. I’ll cook the last of what we got for dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow. Logan’s planning to do some scouting, then hunt in the morning.”

“This is more than enough, thanks. I don’t usually eat breakfast.” The builder accepted the bowl, letting the warmth of it seep into her fingers before digging in.

Haru tilted his head at her, a slight frown tugging at his face. “You don’t? I usually see you nibble on something.”

“Eh, that’s more to stop you two from worrying.” Kat swallowed a mouthful. “I tried skipping once and Logan ended up giving me double helpings to eat.” She smiled wanly at the chemist. “The sentiment is nice and all, but I think my stomach’s just not awake in the mornings.”

He chortled. “Kinda like how you aren’t.”

Kat snorted as she ate another bite. “Sleeping isn’t my strong suit.”

“It ain’t Logan’s either.” Haru nodded. “I’d guess all of us have issues with it really. Though I don’t find myself at the extremes that you two are at.”

She looked up at him, a little embarrassed. “Sorry if I keep you awake…”

The chemist waved his hand dismissively. “You don’t. Heck, it’s been a while since Logan’s night terrors have woken me too. I ‘ sleep like the dead ’ as Howlett used to call it.” He smiled at the builder again. “I’m just glad you two have each other. I know from experience that it’s lonely at night.”

“You sure don’t have trouble sleeping?”

“Nah, I’m just a night owl.” Haru shook his head. “I get distracted and forget to sleep sometimes, but I get a proper amount.”

The builder sighed, she envied the ability to just sleep. It seemed unnatural to her that someone could just lie down and doze instantly. Haru chortled again.

“I’m blessed.” He smirked before tilting his head curiously. “What do you guys talk about that late anyways?”

"The future mainly. He's been asking about how Sandrock fares."

That lit curiosity in Haru’s eyes. Almost as though several ideas popped up in his mind at once. He picked up his canteen, formulating a question. 

"So what happened after the battle? I don't think I've heard you talk much about it."

"Yeah…" Kat set her bowl down. "Well, the town pretty much settled down… Zeke and Trudy finally figured out how to replant the trees, a road to Portia was built, er- Catori built a rather successful theme park."

Haru choked on a swig of water. "Ahem- sorry, a theme park?! All the way out here?."

"Yeah, that's what I thought too. But she managed it pretty well! I got back more than triple my initial investment after a couple of months too." Kat nodded.

"Seems like a risky gamble."

"I… didn't really have anywhere else to spend the money. Burgess and Town Hall put limits on donations because of Mi-an and I. Didn't have any family expenses either, so I felt like a little too much of a dragon just sitting on all those gols." She traced her fingers through the sand idly. "After the road to Portia opened the demand for builder work tripled alongside the pay."

"You didn't have a family?" The chemist froze embarrassment at his own tactless question reddening his cheeks.

Kat smiled sadly at him. "No. Any hopes for… that… seemed to die with me, sadly."

"What about-" Haru’s eyes followed the embers of the fire, his brow furrowed as he thought through his words carefully. "We were at least friends?" His tone was uncertain like he wanted to ask a different question.

The builder chuckled. “Of course. Though Logan and I had to conspire a thousand different ways to get you to accept our help while you were in Atara.”

“Atara-? Oh, school.” Haru realized before rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. “I mean, I intend to go for scholarships… It’s not like I wouldn’t be able to make it work.” He mumbled more to himself. Noticing the smile on her face he cut off her reply with another question. “What about you and Logan?”

That made Kat jump a little. "Er- w- what about us?"

Haru raised a brow at her, amusement in his eyes. “I mean what were you two doing after the invasion?” 

“Oh,” Kat internally sighed in relief. “Well, I already said I still worked as a builder. Didn’t do much else… I was rather reclusive after… everything.” She glanced away, lost in thought for a moment before looking back at the chemist with a small smile. “Logan went right back to monster hunting of course. Said there wasn’t anything else he wanted to do.”

He smiled with a nod. That wasn’t too unpredictable, Logan simply didn’t know any other life.

“So…” Haru tilted his head. “You two hung out a lot?” He prodded.

He knows. Kat felt a spark of panic. It’d been a while since she’d had to hide her feelings for Logan, clearly she wasn’t doing a good enough job. How in Peach’s name was she supposed to explain to him that she’d been rejected?

The chemist was watching her with amusement dancing in his eyes.

“I- I mean yeah. I had to.” Kat tried to hide her panic with a huff. “If you’d been there you’d agree the poor man needed help raising Andy.” 

She looked down at the swirls she’d drawn in the sand, her mock indignance melting into a smile as the memories resurfaced. “He was doing pretty well for the two of them, but he was terrible at asking for help. The first time Andy caught a cold, it took the kid insisting that I visit for him to come over and actually ask .” Looking back up at Haru she saw a matching soft smile on his face. “After that, I just kind of swung around every so often. It was easier for him to ask if I was already there to support him, y’know?”

Haru grinned at her.

“I know what you mean.” He huffed out a laugh. “Howlett used to chew him out for trying to go it alone too often, even though the old man used to do the same. He always said the pack should stick together when it can.” Haru shook his head, eyes lost in distant memory. “Like father like son I suppose. They were both pretty independent people… though I think Howlett was more accepting of help since Gran Vivi insisted on helping him when he was trying to raise Logan on his own.”

They fell into amicable silence, caught up in memories until a cool afternoon breeze knocked over the leftover pieces of wood in the campfire. Haru reached behind him grabbing another log and shoving it into the dying coals. Poking them together to get it burning again.

“I suppose I should have been more specific with my earlier question though.” 

Panic flared in Kat’s chest again as she looked back up at him.

“What do you think- or rather, what did you think about Logan?” Haru schooled his features into a carefully neutral look save for the curiosity burning in his eyes. “Do you like him?”

Crap.

Kat stared at the campfire blankly for a moment. Haru knew how to keep a secret. She could probably trust him… right?

“Yeah… Who didn’t though?” She smiled thinly at Haru. “He was the hero of Sandrock, enigmatic and good-looking. Kinda made him the most eligible bachelor.”

“Did he ever show interest in anyone?” The chemist frowned slightly.

“Not that I’d ever seen.” Kat chewed her lip, a thought struck her and a mischievous light lit her eyes. “Why? You asking if you have a chance with him?” She teased with a smirk.

“Wh- no.” Haru immediately reddened. “I mean- I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t be curious…” He scratched the back of his head, his blush spreading to his ears. “We were practically raised as brothers though, it’d get too weird pretty quick… he’s not my type either-” His words tumbled out in a clumsy defense.

The builder laughed lightheartedly. “Suave budding businessmen more your type?”

The chemist spluttered, thoroughly flustered. “I- I don’t have a crush on Arvio.”

“I never mentioned him.” Kat grinned at him.

His eyes narrowed with cautious respect. “I would have thought future-me would have kept that pretty well secret…”

"You did. It took me a little bit to figure it out.” Kat preened a little, proud that she was right. That was something she never got the chance to ask him about before he left for Atara. She’d sensed a subtle vibe of flirting between the two the few times she saw them together. “You aren’t the only one who can play detective.”

“Touché.” Haru went back to poking at the campfire. “Do you think you would have ever considered it though? Dating Logan?”

Kat’s lips pressed into a thin line. 

It was hard to figure out what was going on between her and the hunter. He rejected her heart knot, that much she was sure of. Between all the troubles she'd had with time travel and romance… She didn’t want to hold out any kind of hope.

Didn’t want to be hurt again.

“Probably not… I don’t think I was ready for a relationship, not sure I ever will be all things considered.” She smiled at him a little sadly.

The chemist nodded, his eyes softening with understanding. After she had told Logan about her past with Pen she'd been more open with the both of them about how that man had hurt her. Hell, talking with them made her realize that she had more hang-ups about that whole situation than she realized. All three of them were painfully aware of the toll it'd taken on her.

“If you ever need to talk… Well, we’re all kinda stuck together for the foreseeable future.”

Kat nodded with sincere gratitude. Both bandits were understanding and kind. Even if romance wasn’t in the cards for her she felt more at home now than she had in years.

“Just being around you guys… being a part of Sandrock, having a place here. That’s enough for me.” She pulled the cloak tighter around her. “I don’t know if it’s selfish, but all I want is to keep that little bit of happiness… at least till the end.”

—

Chapter Text

Logan was getting unusually distracted while scouting.

He wanted to at least get a glimpse of the monster that was supposedly trampling around the nearby watering hole. But more often than not he found himself staring off into nothing while his mind wandered elsewhere. Three times now he had to shake off a fog and rescan the area around him.

A huff escaped his lips at his own absent-mindedness. The hunter was already quite aware of what was distracting him, he just didn’t want to admit it. It felt unbearably embarrassing that a woman was making him fawn like a schoolboy. That kind of thing hadn’t interested him before, why does it now?

The ride out had been fine.

Even with her sitting in the saddle in front of him, and even though Logan had to hold her tight to keep her from falling off, he was fine. Great even! They were on the road; fresh air, warm sunlight, a hunt to look forward to.

But when he realized that her head was at the perfect height for him to rest his chin on while they rode… his mind spiraled out of control a little.

He started noticing the little things about her. 

She smelled like the cactus flower soaps that Haru makes. Her hazel eyes had an almost mossy green hue when they were in shadow. The cloak he'd given her had become a part of her daily outfit… and when they stopped to make camp she curled into the oversized piece of cloth like an armadillo. Her odd snoring occasionally drawing a laugh out of the two bandits.

It was like the more he denied his crush, the more his brain betrayed him.

Logan felt a little guilty too. There was no guarantee that any of them would make it through the Duvos situation unscathed. He felt like it was a bit of a betrayal to their mission, to his Pa’s last wish, that he was so distracted by this.

‘When the battle’s over,’ The hunter reassured himself, shaking off his thoughts. ‘Then I can see if this’d go anywhere.’

Glancing up he scanned the horizon, his body instinctively went still as he sensed something watching him. The air was still, the small hum of little critters had gone quiet. The sure sign of a nearby monster.

He looked around, tense.

There should be some kind of sound or movement. Bigger monsters can’t move quietly.

Where-?

The hunter lept out of the way as the brush behind him exploded, the roaring low of an enraged alpha yakmel tearing through the air. It was triple the size of a usual alpha, and the red gleam in its eyes told Logan it found his existence unacceptable. The beast pawed at the ground with its hoof. 

This monster was looking for a fight.

Briefly, the hunter cursed himself for letting it sneak up on him, he was sorely underprepared for a fight.

It barreled towards Logan, launching away a fallen tree between them like a twig. Sweeping its horns back and forth in deadly arcs. The hunter threw himself to the left, letting the beast rush past him. It skidded past, crashing into the rocks behind him. 

The oversized yakmel turned its head towards him with a slow menace. More annoyed than hurt by the collision with solid stone. It charged again as Logan leapt up onto a boulder, using the extra height to launch himself onto the back of the beast. The beast threw its head around, confused that he was no longer in front of it.

With a snort, it realized he was on its back and began to buck.

With little else to hold on to, Logan grabbed a handful of the beast’s shaggy mane and stabbed his knife into its shoulder. The beast roared again, rearing in pain. It kicked up its back legs flailing Logan around helplessly as he clung on for dear life.

His legs found no purchase on the monster’s back. Swinging around almost uselessly as Logan shifted his weight around in an attempt to stay on. Praying to whatever greater powers that may be watching over him that the beast didn’t realize it could just roll over and squish him.

After nearly a minute of thrashing the yakmel slowed, trying to catch its breath.

Logan took the opportunity to crawl up its back, yanking the knife free and stabbing it into the back of the beast’s skull.

Which only enraged it further. 

Before he could shove the knife in deeper, the beast bucked again, nearly throwing Logan completely. A last-minute grab against its side saving him from reuniting with the ground. His body slamming against the beast’s side.

The hunter found himself staring eye-to-eye with the beast. One of his hands hanging from its horn, the other clinging desperately to its fur. As its gaze met his it let out a low, angry huff. Logan let out a small, sheepish ‘heh.’

Gathering its haunches underneath itself the yakmel launched itself impressively high into the air for a beast of its size. The hunter’s arms shook with the effort of holding on while avoiding the monster’s horn. It landed with a crash, lashing its head around and spinning them in circles as it tried to flay him.

What ensued was an awkward game of keep away as Logan pushed away the yakmel’s horn and dodged its hooves until it finally landed its first blow on the hunter. Gashing his back with a flailing front hoof. He grunted in pain, loosening his hold as the beast bore down on him.

Sensing his grip lighten the beast reared on its hind legs with all its might, launching the hunter off and up into the air above it. 

It stomped its hooves down with a self-satisfied huff.

Time seemed to slow as his body ascended then descended. The shine of the blade still lodged in the monster’s skull caught his eye. Twisting his fall he aimed his foot, bringing the heel down on the butt of the handle as the force of his fall shoved the blade deeper into the beast’s skull.

The monster collapsed with one last weak roar as Logan hit the ground hard, the force shocking his bones.

Laying winded he could already feel the bruises forming. His ankle already protesting that last maneuver, not enjoying his full weight coming down on it. The wound on his back stung as he felt blood ooze from it.

That was a close call.

“H- hey, Mister? A- are you okay…?”

A quiet, sniffling voice startled Logan.

Scrambling into a sitting position he glanced around, his eyes landing on a young blond boy. He’d clearly been crying, his face splotchy red and undried tears and snot running down it, though he visibly brightened when the hunter sat up. The kid looked stunned, impressed, and a little concerned.

“Uh, hey there Kiddo…” A sense of familiarity struck Logan. Was this…? “What are you doin’ here? What’s yer name?”

“I- I saw you beat that thing! That’s so cool! Are you a hunter?” The kid bounced up to the dead monster, looking like a little bumble ant compared to the size of the beast. "It's been tearing things up around here, it ran off a whole posse last week."

"Woah, alright little man." Logan groaned as he pushed himself to his feet. "Don't get too close to it."

"Why? It's dead."

“Because I said so, just- stay back a lil’. It ain’t safe.” Logan limped over to the yakmel’s head, attempting to wrestle the knife free from its skill.

The kid didn’t listen, lingering over the hunter’s shoulder like a curious ghost.

Logan sighed internally. He kinda wished that he’d asked Kat more about that kid. What was his name-? Andy. If he recalled correctly. She didn’t seem to know when the two bandits met the kid, just that he turned up as part of the gang after a little while… and that Logan had found him while on a monster hunt.

“So, you ain’t answered my question yet, son. What’s yer name?”

“Oh, I’m Andy!” The kid gave him a toothy grin.

‘I was right.’ Logan looked at the boy. His eyes were still red-rimmed from crying and he had a nervous fidget in his stance despite his reverence. “Why’re you out here all alone?”

The boy struggled to maintain his smile, tears welling in his maroon eyes. 

Logan stood a little dumbfounded as Andy began blubbering a little. The kid swiped at his face desperately trying to hide his tears from the hunter as his smile crumbled. Even though he wanted to comfort him, Logan wasn’t sure how to do so. Was he lost? How long had this kid been out here on his own? Glancing at Andy’s face another concern struck him- He could see his slightly sunken cheeks.

When was the last time this kid had a decent meal?

“I uh- didn’t mean to upset ya.” He put a hand on the kid’s shoulder, patting it as the kid sobbed incoherently. “Hey, if you want, M’ gang’s set up a camp nearby. We don’t got much but you look like you could use a warm meal.”

Andy looked up at the hunter, sniffling and still pawing at his tear-streaked face. “G- gang? You- you’re like a bandit…?” Childish curiosity brightened his face again, warming Logan’s worried heart.

“Yeah,” He grinned at the kid, “The fiercest monster-hunting bandits this side of the Eufaula. Neither man nor beast can bring us down, and you’re welcome to tag along.”

An awestruck look replaced the dejection on Andy’s face. Logan made a mental note to ask the kid how long he’d been lost and where he got separated from his people. If the kid was from one of the Eufaula caravans, that’d make finding them all the more difficult… and time-sensitive. Those people were constantly moving and would more often than not write off missing members as ‘lost to the desert.’

The kid practically clung to his leg as he stood, the promise of food and the curiosity about bandit life lending strength to his grip.

Logan cleaned the knife on his pant leg before sheathing it again. “Y’know it’s gonna be hard for me to walk if ya cling like that.”

“Don’t leave me.” Worry filled the boy’s voice again.

“I ain’t, I just need t' be able to walk.” He ruffled Andy’s hair. “I might need to lean on ya anyhow, that beast took its fair share of fight outta me.”

Andy let go and watched the hunter’s masked face uncertainly. Logan held out his hand for the kid to hold onto. Hope and adoration replaced the fear in the kid’s eyes.

“C’mon. Let’s get to camp.”

—

Logan lost track of time until they finally spotted the campfire and the goats. They’d cut it a little too close to sundown for his liking. But he was injured and had to stop for a haphazard patch job… Making it back in one piece was enough.

“Logan!” Both Haru and Kat exclaimed at the same time as the hunter stepped into the firelight, their anxiousness about his late return melting with relief.

Startled by the two new people Andy hid behind his legs nervously. Peering at them with wide eyes. Perhaps realizing that he had willingly walked into a bandit camp.

“Who’s that?” Haru tilted his head, trying to get a better look at the kid.

“This is Andy,” Logan patted the boy’s head, trying to assure him they were safe. “Gang, this is Andy. Andy, meet the gang.” He gestured to both of them. “That’s Haru, he’s our group’s smart man and our chemist. And this is Kat, our builder, she does repairs and crafting.”

Haru nodded and Kat smiled encouragingly. The kid’s eyes darted between the two before a gust of wind brought the smell of cooking over to him from the campfire. The hungry look on his face was punctuated by the noisy grumble of his stomach.

With a soft chuckle, the chemist set about fixing a plate for the boy.

"Go on." Logan pushed Andy's shoulder gently.

He settled next to Haru, eagerly accepting the bowl of stew. The hunter watched with a tired smile as the boy began pestering the other two with the questions he’d been hurling at him during their trek back to camp. Between bites of food he switched between recounting Logan’s fight with the wild alpha yakmel and questions about what they did as bandits. Andy’s energy almost made him appreciate being in a ‘gang.’ Even if they weren’t really bandits, the kid’s excitement made it feel a little exciting. It was a good distraction from their troubles.

Logan felt bone-tired as the aches from his bruises seeped into his consciousness. He watched as Haru began portioning out the rest of their dinners, frowning at the meager servings they had left. 

Right, low supplies.

“I’ll skip the eating tonight, that yakmel shook me up a little too much. M’ stomach’s unsettled.” He could practically hear his Pa’s voice in his own words.

Howlett did his damned best to keep himself and Logan afloat, but after the relic rush passed there were as many lean times for the older hunter as there were for the whole town. Some days he’d skip meals with a similar excuse. All while insisting that little Logan needed to eat his fill at every meal, the tiny tot unaware of the food scares that drove folks away from Sandrock.

When Logan figured out what his Pa was doing, he was a teenager. It was one of the few times he fully realized everything his father gave up just to raise him. That was also why he started insisting on helping with hunts the day he turned fifteen.

So that no one else he loved would have to skip a meal again.

The hunter crossed the camp, pulling his bedroll from Rambo’s saddle pack. Haru frowned at him but chose not to argue, he knew Logan’s reasoning. Kat, while still having a look of understanding, looked at him with concentrated concern. Clearly not willing to let it go.

As he settled his sleeping spot near his goat she approached him, a medkit in one hand and a bowl of stew in the other.

“At least let me patch you up.” She pleaded with him softly.

Logan withered under her warm gaze a little. The thought of her touching him made his heart hammer. Not that he was opposed, or that it wasn’t necessary considering he was sure he could feel the wound oozing again, he just really didn't want to make a fool of himself in front of her.

He took a deep breath. May as well lay her worries to rest. "Okay."

Sitting on his bed roll she knelt beside him. She brushed his cape out of the way, her finger tracing along the tear in his shirt. The prickle of goosebumps on his skin followed her touch. She made a noise of concerned surprise.

"Logan! This is really close to your spine!" Kat settled closer to him, setting aside her bowl and ripping open the medkit. "Get your shirt off."

"Wh-" Logan shut his mouth at her stern look. 

The agitation in her eyes brooked no argument. It'd been a while since he'd seen someone this worried about him. He was used to patching himself up, especially in the past few years since he’d insisted on hunting on his own like his pa did. While he was secretly glad she felt some kind of worry for him, he didn’t mean to cause her this much distress. The wound on his back was small since both his leather vest and his cape took the brunt of the impact. It stung pretty bad, sure, but it mostly hurt because it was surrounded by a whole lot of bruising. 

A bit of antiseptic and a gauze pad and he’d be fine.

Kat let out a barely audible sigh of relief when he finally dropped his shirt, revealing the wound. It was a shallow scrape, though it was bleeding a lot, and it was offset to the left side of his lower back.

“It’s just a flesh wound, could use a little salve, but I’ll be fine. Nothin’ I ain’t dealt with before.” Logan assured her gently.

“Spinal injuries are no joke, Logan.” She spread the antiseptic paste against the wound, making the hunter flinch slightly. “Even if it doesn't break skin, you could’ve been paralyzed.”

The worry in her voice and her fingers on his back made him blush slightly, he adjusted the mask to hide it.

“Y’ don’t gotta worry about me.” He rumbled quietly. 

“I do though, I-” She lowered her voice again, Logan almost couldn’t hear her. “ We need you, Logan, need you to come back…”

Blood rushed in Logan’s ears. He was aware of how reckless he tended to be, his pa- well everyone in Sandrock really- scolded him for it often when he was younger. Worrying about him spending too much time on his own. Logan himself was more concerned with being a free agent, able to roam wherever his whims took him.

But her plea struck his heart a little. 

To have a family to come back to, to have a reason to live…

He felt her press the gauze pad against the wound, making sure it held before turning away. The cold night air seeped in to replace where her hands were moments ago. Kat closed the medkit and moved to sit next to him, picking up her bowl. Logan noticed for the first time since they’d sat down that it had two spoons in it. She held it up to him.

“Please,” She looked at him with pleading hazel eyes, “We can at least split it.”

‘We need you.’

Logan swallowed hard. A warm feeling almost unknown and completely indescribable to him beat through his chest. Something that felt stronger than any flight of fancy he'd had in the past. Almost like a longing for every day of the future he’d get to spend with them… with her.

He would have kissed her right there and then but the chafing of the mask he wore against his lips reminded him of where he was. 

Now wasn’t the time for that.

A loud burp saved the blushing hunter from Kat’s attention. Across the campfire, Haru was stifling laughter as Andy patted his stomach. The kid set down his bowl and stretched with a jaw-cracking yawn.

“‘Scuse me.” He mumbled sleepily.

Grateful for the distraction, Logan accepted the bowl Kat offered. Setting it on his knee so they both could reach it. She shot a pleased look at him.

“Sounds like you need some rest, kiddo.” He chuckled, taking a bite of stew.

“Nah,” Andy spoke through another yawn. “I could stay up all night.”

Haru ruffled his hair. “That wouldn’t work for us buddy, we gotta be up and going early. If you don’t wake up on time, you're gonna be eating a cold breakfast.” He chuckled.

“Aw,” The kid grumbled. “I don't like mornin’s. Too early.” 

Logan chuckled.

They had an early start ahead of them indeed. Now that the local monster problem was dealt with he needed to hunt for food, they had four mouths to feed. Plus, they needed to look for Andy’s caravan. It was going to be a busy day. Possibly a busy season. They might not make it back to the hideout until spring depending on how the yakmel herds move.

But watching as Haru tucked Andy in for the night while sharing a bowl of stew with Kat-

The hunter felt right at home.

—

Chapter Text

The start to the morning was unbearably chipper.

More specifically, Mi-an’s new roommate was unbearably chipper. Especially considering it was one in the morning and they were going to investigate a dangerous secret base. She didn't really see the Highwinder's reasoning for being so dang bubbly.

Having met and lived with Nia for more than a week now made Mi-an understand why people used to get a little annoyed at her own cheeriness when they first met her. Though she hoped that she wasn't that overbearing… 

She was also probably a little bit biased right now too considering she'd just been woken up way too early.

It just felt so… extra.

As for why she was up and about at such an unholy hour; Grace had come back from a trip out a couple of days ago. She was urgent- near panicked- as she explained the army she saw in the Northern Ruins. Mi-an felt her fear. It was arguably scarier since she'd never even seen the blond spy flinch, let alone pale and shaking.

Now she wanted to examine the secret base underneath the Oasis.

She wanted Mi-an there as a building expert. Nia overheard and insisted on coming along as… well, Nia. They didn’t really have a need for a botanist on this excursion but the Highwinder didn’t back down. She’d insisted that the more witnesses they had to corroborate their findings the better case they could make.

Neither Grace nor Mi-an really felt like arguing with the botanist.

“You ready to go?”

Grace’s voice broke Mi-an out of her sleepy stupor.

“No, not really.” The builder rubbed her eyes. “But it’s not like I have the luxury of not going.”

Nia scoffed, picking up on the slight jab. “Grace said we can bring Kat back to Sandrock after this. The sooner we can do that, the sooner I can go back to Highwind, and the sooner you guys can bust the baddies.”

“You’re gonna go back to Highwind?” Mi-an tilted her head in confusion.

“Yeah, I’m still in school. If I miss a semester then I won’t graduate which means I won’t be able to move here by next year!” The botanist crossed her arms.

“Oh, so you're planning to go back to Highwind so you could leave Highwind permanently.”

“Yes, but Kat is clearly putting down roots here in Sandrock. I want to do the same.”

“Seems counterproductive to what your therapist said about your codependency.” Grace pointed out, a brow raised at Nia.

The botanist huffed. “It’d make me more worldly. I haven’t lived outside of Highwind, my therapist recommended I at least try that for a year or two as well.”

“Right.” The spy responded flatly, visibly tired from stress. “Anyway… Are we ready to go or not? Dawn isn’t going to wait for us.”

The builder and the botanist nodded.

“Should I wear a mask or something? Do we need disguises?” Mi-an tilted her head.

“Well, the whole point of a secret mission is to not be seen at all. So no.” Grace pulled out her map, setting it on the dining table. “We’re going to split up and take separate routes to the secret entrance underneath Burgess’s water shop.” She traced her finger along the map. “I’ll be taking the step stones across the Oasis. Nia you’re following the train tracks then hopping the fence and going around Martle’s Oasis. Mi-an, you’ve got the longest route, going through Main Street and down the steps by Grandma Vivi’s shop. We’ll all meet underneath the deck. If you're caught just think of an excuse, like you’re on a night walk or something.”

Mi-an chewed her lip and nodded. This was a serious mission, it felt kind of terrifying knowing she won't have anyone to guide her. Sure, it was just a walk through town… but the added stress of a secret mission made the darkened street more terrifying.

"Alright, see you two there." Grace folded her map, stuffing it in her pocket. "Don't die out there."

With that vote of confidence, the blond slipped out the door and into the darkness.

Great.

They're on their own now.

The botanist and the builder stared at each other for a moment. A silent debate about who should leave first passed between them. For the first time since she’d insisted on coming along, Nia’s mask of bravery cracked a little.

“I suppose I’ll head out now…” The botanist’s voice wobbled a little.

She too slipped out the door before Mi-an could reply. Despite their earlier banter, none of them were in the mood for talking now. The tension in the room was apparently enough to stifle even the most energetic of natures.

Mi-an waited a few minutes. Nervous about the possibility of being watched… or caught.

At the very least she could give the other two a chance to ghost off into the night before she left.

Stepping tentatively out the door the cloying darkness surrounded the builder like a shroud. A cold comfort and a nerve-wracking feeling in one. Even the dim light of the moon and the soft orange of the streetlights couldn't seem to banish the bone-chilling shadows.

She hurried down the street. Fear lending speed to her feet. 

Past the Guild. Past the Blue Moon. Past Grandma Vivi's.

As each landmark passed by, Mi-an's shoulders relaxed. The walk felt easier and the feeling of being watched melted away. There really was no one out and about at this hour. Her pace slowed, her heart finally calming-

"Hey, Mi-an." 

Justice's voice rang out, loud as a gunshot in the night despite his quiet tone.

The builder nearly lept out of her skin. Her body nearly collided with the planters in front of Granny Vivi’s shop as she fell onto her butt. The strength in her knees dissipating in her fright.

“Whoa. Sorry, didn’t mean to scare ya.” A warm hand looped around her arm as the Sheriff hauled her to her feet. “Why’re you out so late?”

She stared at him in shock. Her whole body frozen at being caught by her friend.

“Mi-an?” Worry crossed Justice’s face.

“W- what are you doing out?” Mi-an finally managed to stammer out in reply.

The Sheriff gave her a rueful smile. She noticed the bags under his eyes and the general disheveled state of his hair and uniform. Despite all the aid that he’d been given by the townsfolk, Justice looked just as exhausted as he had the last time she saw him… Possibly more.

Mi-an felt a strike of guilt.

She’d been so caught up in everything she was doing to repair the town and investigate the spies with Grace she hadn’t checked in with all their friends. Before Kat got kidnapped she and Mi-an always hung out with the Civil Corps, their little crew often training together and sharing meals at the Blue Moon. Without Kat here their little band got… unofficially disbanded.

The builder suspected that the Sheriff was lonelier than he let on. 

Perhaps he was blaming himself for not being able to save Kat. He’d been withdrawn and almost hopeless since the kidnapping, doing nothing but restlessly following his patrol routes. The crutch he had punctuating his presence with a sharp clack.

For once though, he didn’t have his crutch. Did Fang finally clear him?

“I- I was just going to the Oasis, can’t sleep.” The builder smiled warmly at the man, she didn’t want to just leave things as they were. The Sheriff was her friend. She could at least ask if he was alright… “Wanna join me?”

Justice stared at her for a moment before nodding.

“Yeah, it’d be safer to stick together this late.”

She took his hand, leading the way down the stairs and across the dock. His hesitant footsteps followed behind her clumsily. Mi-an beelined for the stairs down to the shore of the oasis dragging the Sheriff over to the rocks under the tree right next to the water.

“Sit.”

The Sheriff obeyed stiffly, confused by Mi-an’s sudden authority. She sat next to him watching him with concern. He wasn’t just tired, his cheeks were slightly sunken and his eyes couldn’t hold her gaze.

The confident man that Justice was seemed to have been replaced by weariness and depression.

“What’s going on, Justice? Why are you out so late? You don't usually patrol at this hour.” The builder pressed.

His mouth pressed into a hard line. The last vestiges of strength seemed to leave him.

“I can’t sleep… I feel like a failure.” The Sheriff sighed heavily. “Every night I can’t help but think about what I could have done… How stupidly helpless I was. That if I hadn’t insisted on that dumb plan at Gecko Station, if I hadn’t broken my damned leg. Or if I had set patrols earlier, or never stopped the volunteer patrols until we caught Logan…” Justice ran a shaking hand down his face, rubbing at the ghost of tears in his reddening eyes.

Mi-an swallowed hard.

Justice didn’t have the same comforts of knowing what she did about Logan and the future. He didn’t know anything about-

“I’ve also been having nightmares,” He admitted quietly. “Not just about the kidnapping, but like… Duvos. That they invade the town and… I dunno, do the terrifying stuff they do up in their own country.” The Sheriff hung his head a little. “It’s been keeping me up. How am I supposed to protect anyone from shit like that if I can’t protect my friends from one bandit…?”

He’s been having dreams?

Grace had mentioned that Logan talked about having dreams too. Dreams about the future- or past that’s actually the future- whatever it was… That was a new piece of information. Maybe the dreams had nothing to do with who was closest to the machine.

The Tallsky builder herself hadn’t had any of these dreams… Though she never usually had dreams anyways. She slept too soundly for that. 

If proximity to the machine wasn’t the trigger, what was the common denominator? Was it the machine… or Kat? Was it something else entirely?

Kat had mentioned that Justice was in the Northern Ruins when they stopped Duvos. Pen too, which would explain his weird behavior… But then why wouldn’t the other Duvosians like Matilda know about it? Or was she just that good of an actor?

“Sorry for dumping all of this on you, Mi-an.” Justice’s voice brought the builder back to the present and the tired Sheriff sitting across from her. “I- I haven’t even told Owen about those dreams. They’re so…” He waved his hand uncertainly. “...weird. In some of them, I’m fighting right alongside Kat and Logan. And Pen is like… one of the bad guys.” He sighed again. “I guess I just want my friends back or something.”

Huh… so maybe it does have something to do with those ruins. Mi-an would have to talk to Grace about this.

She shook off her hesitation. Save the detective-ing for later.

“Justice, you don’t have to apologize. In fact, never apologize for coming to me for help. Everyone needs someone who’ll listen and I’m more than happy to be that someone.”  The Tallsky builder grabbed his hand, desperately trying to think of every assurance that wouldn't compromise their mission. "Whatever these dreams mean… I don't know. I do know that good things should happen soon. Kat's tough. I doubt they'd hurt her if it was builder work they were after. Maybe she'll be able to break through to Logan, too. If he used to be as good as everyone says… I think she will."

The Sheriff's eyes brightened a little. "Y- yeah, their gear has gotta be wearing out by now. They won't hurt her if she's got value to 'em." He turned to the builder with a thin smile. "Thanks, Mi-an."

It hurt every fiber of Mi-an's being to not tell him the whole truth. She wanted to put his fears fully to rest. To tell him the truth about Logan and the Duvos spies.

The only thing stopping her was Grace’s orders, the spy already begrudged Nia knowing about the mission. She didn't want Justice in the loop until they were ready. The spy said she'd tell the Sheriff herself.

For now, as Justice looked at her with dying hope, she'd have to settle for vague platitudes.

"I suppose we should be headed home. Did ya want an escort back to your place?" Justice pushed himself to his feet, reaching down to help the builder up.

Mi-an looked up at him and shook her head.

"I think I'm going to stay here a little longer… I just want to enjoy the view." She gestured at the Oasis, the moonlight and starlight reflecting perfectly on its still surface.

For a moment Justice looked like he wanted to protest, worried about the builder putting herself in danger. He hesitated glancing at the water then at the newly built Water Tower. The crushing weight of reality killed his words. With a nod he left, disappearing back up the steps they came from.

The Tallsky builder watched the Oasis quietly, listening as the Sheriff’s footsteps faded away in the night.

Once she judged that he was far enough she stood, taking in her surroundings. No one else was around. Perfect.

She darted for the shadows underneath the deck of the water shop.

The other two were waiting impatiently for her, lounging on some suspiciously stacked barrels and bales of hay.

“Took you long enough,” Grace huffed. “What did he want?”

“He’s just lonely,” Mi-an frowned at the spy. “And worried. You sure we can't tell him?”

“Look. If we find what I think we’ll find down here, I’ll go straight to him before we bring Kat back to town.” Grace jumped to her feet, pushing away the hay bales to reveal the corner of a trapdoor. “We’ll need his help revealing all this. Especially considering he’s the one with the authority to arrest people.”

 “You can’t?” Nia tilted her head. “I thought you were an Alliance agent.”

“I am. The higher-ups would just prefer that my identity remains uncompromised.”

“Oh.”

“Are you guys going to help or just sit and watch?” The spy grunted as she pushed another bale.

The builder and the botanist scrambled to help. After a few seconds, they’d managed to move enough of the hay bales and barrels to pry open the trap door. The dark damp gloom looming in an ominous void at their feet.

“Well, after you.” Nia looked back up at the other two.

Wordlessly Grace mounted the ladder, descending into the opaque darkness. Mi-an followed. Her eyes strained to see the spy below her, trying to avoid stepping on her head. She imagined that might annoy Grace.

The absurdity of the thought nearly made the builder giggle.

Her nerves were on high alert, sensing every drop of water and drift of dust around her. She could simultaneously hear everything and nothing over the rush of blood in her ears. The anxiety in her chest was tightening continuously until her feet met the ground.

As she stepped away from the ladder she noticed that the walls around them had shifted from natural stone to metal, the sign of an old world structure. Dim light seeped through the cracks along the wall across from the ladder. The air wasn’t as musty as Mi-an would’ve expected for an old-world ruin.

Which means this place is either well-ventilated or often visited.

Walking forward it seemed like the room at the bottom of the ladder had only stairs and a blue corrugated metal wall. A dead end. Though upon closer inspection the metal wall appeared to be the other side of a hidden door, gears ran along a track at its base that would move nearly the whole thing sideways. Behind it they could faintly hear the hum of machinery. Remarkably quiet, likely old-world, machinery. Plus a distant bubbling noise, like the gurgling of the oversized fish tank that Mi-an once saw in a fancy museum in Atara.

Grace pushed open the door, revealing an atrium with a sandstone ceiling slowly creeping in stalactites down the concrete and metal structure. The walls worn with the years of being buried. Crates and furniture, both old and new, sat strewn about the cavernous room. 

In the center surrounded by a deep chasm was an old-world relic, a strange bubbling tank of water. 

From what Mi-an could see, the tank looked old-world while a mess of piping and the valve leading out of it looked new, likely made within the last ten or twenty years. Plastered on a nearby wall were the schematics of the valve and pipework. It indicated that the pipe network led directly into the base of the Peach statue, set to be able to drain or fill Martle’s Oasis as they pleased.

Shaking off her distracted examination, Mi-an looked for Grace. The spy was in a smaller offshoot room, focusing solely on a pile of ash on the ground. Letters, mostly burned and barely readable. A patchwork of words made of what were definitely spy codes.

“I just looked over the schematics they have, the tank is some old-world water storage I think.” The builder spoke up, startling the spy out of her concentration. “The pipes were made to control the Oasis water level. I think they’re draining it.”

“Sounds about right,” Grace nodded, “These are some letter exchanges between the spies too I’m pretty sure…” She gestured at the ashes. “They wanted to cover their tracks, it seems. Do you have the camera I asked you to bring?”

“Of course.” Mi-an unstrapped the compact device from her belt. 

It felt weirdly meaningful that her camera was about to become a central piece of evidence in this whole debacle. 

That camera was one that Kat had given her. They’d both found bits and pieces of cameras in the ruins, but finding one with a working lens was rare. So when her fellow builder had found enough to make them both working cameras, photography quickly became a treasured hobby of theirs. Especially once they started sharing the photos with Mort. 

Having tea and trading stories with the old gentleman was one of Mi-an’s favorite things to do on the weekend.

Grace snapped a photo of the pieces of burnt letters. Hurrying back to the main chamber she snapped several more, the water tank and valves, the schematics, and a rather condemning book and diagram that were clearly written by Yan.

Looking around, Mi-an realized Nia wasn’t with them.

They’d all wandered separately when Grace had pried open the secret door. But the botanist had never left the room the ladder was in. Why-?

The spy grabbed the builder’s arm, dragging her back towards the secret door.

“Wh-?”

“Shhh!” Grace hissed. “Someone’s coming.”

Running behind the door the spy heaved it closed, leaving barely a crack to peek through. The rhythmic thump of boots got closer, and Mi-an could hear that it was at least two people. They were talking, their voices echoing around the cavernous room. 

Two men. Miguel and Pen.

"This is too extreme." The Pastor hissed. "This whole operation could be compromised."

"Uh-huh." Pen sounded supremely uninterested.

"Pen, This is serious. If Howlett had told Logan anything, our plan is in danger! Now that he has that builder with him… he must be planning something. We can’t go through with this until he’s caught.”

“Oh- puh-lease!” The Enforcer scoffed. “For all we know he just saw a pretty woman. You really think that fool is capable of planning?”

“That’s rich coming from you…” Miguel muttered darkly. “If you’d stopped him at the Water Tower. I wouldn’t need to worry now would I?”

A sneer appeared on Pen’s face, despite the distance and the fact they were hidden the girls could feel the anger radiating off of the Enforcer.

“Oh, poor you! Your plan to force these people out of house and home isn’t going smoothly? Shame. Just a pity. I guess we’ll just have to tell the big guys that we failed!” He leaned in, towering over the older man. “Just do your part old man, and I’ll do mine.”

The soft click of the camera nearly startled Mi-an as Grace took a photo of the two.

“Besides,” Pen continued. “This will draw him out. If Logan sees the town drying up, he won’t hesitate to show his hand… and this time I won’t miss.”

Even the Pastor seemed disturbed by the man’s vicious aura. As the Enforcer turned away and stomped off he turned to the diagrams on the wall, a haunted sigh leaving him. Miguel began to alter some of the notes before turning towards the water tank, walking with a world-weary purpose.

Grace grabbed Mi-an’s arm and jerked her head towards the ladder Nia was already climbing, there was nothing more for them there. 

Not while the pastor was around.

As they ascended the builder somehow felt more anxious than when they’d climbed down. Every creak and groan in the old ladder sends sparks of anxiety up her spine. The fear of getting caught lent to the quiet haste of all three.

Mi-an collapsed in the comforting glow of the moonlight streaming through the planks of the deck, crawling slightly away from the terrifying ladder. She heard the other two moving restlessly as Nia paced and Grace made quick work closing and covering the trap door behind them. The intensity of their silence was palpable.

“Grace, here. You’re gonna want to read this.” Nia puffed out after catching her breath, pulling a folded paper out of her waist pouch. “There was a letter at the bottom of the ladder…”

The spy looked up at the botanist, grabbing the paper out of her hands. “What’s with all the letters…” She grumbled grumpily, her eyes already darting back and forth as she skimmed the words. Her brow rose as she read. “So even Mason was in on it…” Grace passed the letter to Mi-an. “This just keeps on getting better.”

Skimming the letter herself Mi-an couldn’t help but feel anger and contempt for the old retired builder. Every man has his price…?! Regret or not the old man never did the right thing. Never helped the dying town he was supposed to be loyal to. Never sought justice for those who were hurt- for those who were killed- by the Duvosians! Surely he would have known something about Howlett’s death too. What person could turn a blind eye to that?

Pity bled into her heart after a moment, cooling her anger.

Mason must have had one hell of a sad life to do all that. If they’d taken advantage of the old builder’s naivety or vulnerability… No wonder he always looked depressed in Mort’s old photos. She handed the letter back to Grace. 

Mi-an could take comfort in one fact now; They had hard evidence.

These Duvos monsters were going down.

—

Chapter Text

This was it. They were home.

It'd been a long winter, a cold snap ensuring that spring was late this year. The herds of yakmel settled far outside of Sandrock for the winter which had forced the gang to camp in the desert for a while. Once they started migrating again Logan deemed it close enough to spring that they wouldn't be lacking for food.

Hunting had been easy enough, they had plenty of meat throughout winter. They dried whatever they couldn't eat and had packed away plenty of jerky for the ride home. So they were eating better than Logan had initially worried about.

Andy turned out to be excellent at foraging too.

The boy was eager to prove his worth and would drag Kat or Haru off to help him. Often coming back proudly with armfuls of desert vegetables and fruits. He even knew where to find plenty of sandberries and would present them with a beaming smile to Kat, who he learned quite likes the sweet taste of the fruits.

He often gave several handfuls of the berries to Logan with a wink. Making extra sure to tell the hunter they were for the builder. Andy did it so often that Logan couldn't help but wonder if Haru had said something to the kid or if he figured it out on his own.

Logan didn’t mind either way. 

The days where the kid found sandberries became its own little celebration at camp. Kat often dried and candied the berries, making a sweet snack for the whole gang to enjoy. Andy would of course end up eating the lion’s share of the sweets but even the hunter found himself liking them.

Aside from hunting for food, they’d also spent several weeks searching for Andy’s lost caravan. 

They'd even sent Kat with Andy into some of the surrounding villages to ask around. Trying to reunite the kid with his folks. But the trail had already seemed to be cold, no one claimed the boy and they couldn’t find anyone he recognized.

After a while, Andy lost interest in leaving the gang. Instead insisting that they stuck together now since his caravan left him behind. Andy did still cry from time to time but said that he'd rather stay with this family. He was here to stay and never going back.

Quite a few tears were shed that night.

It became Logan’s new normal. Traveling together, eating together, setting up camp together. Even sleeping all together.

On several of the colder mornings, Logan woke in the middle of a dog pile, cuddled up against the goats with the other three snuggled against him. Because he was the warmest of the four he always ended up as the pillow. Andy on one arm, Haru on the other, and Kat on his lap. Usually a haphazard tangle.

It was one of the coziest ways to stay warm during the cold desert nights, that’s for sure.

Logan almost regretted finally returning to the hideout. They all had their own bed spaces now- well almost, they still had to set one up for Andy since he was sharing with Kat for now. But the shelter of the cave would mean they could spread out.

At least they were all still together.

“You going to make me wait all day, Yakboy?”

Ah, right.

Kat stood across from him in their makeshift sparring ring.

He’d sworn to himself that he’d teach both Kat and Andy how to defend themselves. They were both good at evasion and escaping, which worked for Andy since he was just a kid. But Kat needed extra help with her hand-to-hand. She was a rather shy fighter. Which seemed a little like a waste to Logan considering she had the ridiculous super-human body strength that most builders seemed to have.

The builder launched herself across the ring, her speed nearly outmatched the hunter’s thanks to her smaller frame. Their wooden practice daggers clacked together. Matching blow for blow, parry for parry. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy sparring with her, he even let her drag out the fights when he could have easily won. The light in her eyes matched the flames in his own chest.

It felt like a dance.

Or at least the closest thing to a dance that Logan could do. He wasn’t much of a dancer, barely able to do much more than an awkward simple two-step much to his Pa’s chagrin. Logan just felt too awkward for that, it took several drinks just to get him to stand close to the edge of any dance floor let alone step on one. Dancing itself felt like a lesser, ungainly version of sparring.

It just never came naturally to him… though maybe that was because Logan had never found the right partner.

Today’s spar felt like an intense tango. Kat’s whole body staying close to his as she sought a way past his defense. Her blade flickering like a deadly snake’s tongue. Their feet swept across the ring as they swayed back and forth.

Their dance lasted a minute longer when he heard her breath wheezing, the exertion wearing her out.

His blade deflected her’s yet again, flicking it downward away from its intended path toward his stomach. He forced himself closer, voluntarily closing the gap between them as his own practice dagger came to a rest against the pulse of her neck. The delicate skin flinching gently as he pressed it against the artery.

“You need to keep your defense up, darlin’” Logan practically purred in her ear, his voice roughed by self-restraint. “Otherwise you might be swept up by a mean ol’ bandit.”

To his great pleasure a flush spread across her face, his words hitting their intended mark. Being able to pull that kind of reaction from her really stoked his pride. The hunter had always been told his looks and his rugged personality were attractive, but seeing it work on someone he actually liked felt like he’d struck gold.

She remained still, her breath caught in her throat and heat in her eyes. “A victory for you, sure, but it would’ve been a costly one,” Kat whispered back, flicking her gaze down meaningfully. 

Logan spluttered when he looked down to find her blade stopped just an inch from his family jewels. Smug amusement replaced the blush on her face.

Clever and cruel, the most dangerous yet beautiful beast he’d ever faced.

A loud cackle from the side of the sparring ring drew their attention. Andy, watching from the sidelines, was clearly entertained by the fact that the builder finally got one over the hunter. A rare, if minor, victory for the small woman.

"She got ya good!" The boy howled through another fit of giggles. "The look on yer face!"

Kat blushed fiercer than before. "You- uh-" She backed away and glanced apologetically at Logan. Clearly worried that the kid might try to repeat that trick.

The hunter laughed, at least she had the decency to look embarrassed for using such a low blow. "That's a move you only use if yer in real danger, alright son?" He walked over to the kid, ruffling his hair.

"’Specially if they’re strangers. I know, I know." Andy looked up at him with a toothy grin.

Vicious and smart.

Logan couldn’t be prouder of his gang.

Perhaps it was a little bit tactless to relish in the whole ‘bandit’ aspect of their lives, but they’d given Logan an escape from his loneliness. Filling the familial hole left in his and Haru’s lives. If that meant being in a gang, then, by the Light, he’d do anything for his gang.

“LOGAN!”

His head snapped up at the sound of Grace’s furious voice. What’d he do this time?

The blond spy was marching across the cavern towards him dragging poor Haru by his apron. Her intimidating aura radiating around her like a furnace. Andy immediately ducked behind the hunter’s legs.

“Hey, Grace.” Kat waved.

“Where the hell have you all been?” The blond hissed, letting go of the chemist. “I’ve been looking all over for you guys.”

“We were out hunting.” Logan furrowed his brow at her. “Winter made it harder to find food around town. Didn’t you find the note?”

Grace pinched the bridge of her nose. “I did. I just didn’t expect you guys to stay out all winter. You were gone for two months. ”

“W- who’s she?” Andy’s voice trembled as he peeked out from his hiding spot.

The spy’s gaze snapped to the boy, making him duck behind Logan again.

“She’s a part of the gang, Andy. It’s alright.” The hunter frowned, patting his head. If Grace could back off on the aggression a little-

“You have a kid? Logan, we’re at war here, why do you have a kid?” She sighed.

"He was lost, Grace. We were trying to find his caravan and couldn't. I wasn't gonna leave a kid alone in the desert." He squeezed Andy’s shoulder as the boy latched onto his leg. “He’s one of us.”

"Right, right. Whatever." Grace threw her hands up. Now that he got the chance to look at her closer he realized how stressed and tired she was. The spy met his gaze. "Look, I'm going to cut to the chase. We're going to bring Kat back to town and expose the water thieves.”

“Did you check out the Northern Ruins?” Kat interjected hopefully.

“Yes,” The spy nodded, “And yeah before you ask, I do believe you now. There’s an army there. I couldn’t get any closer, though I would have at least liked to see what they were doing down there...”

Logan tensed at that. The army in the Northern Ruins. They’re real… and a real bad sign for Sandrock.

“That’s part of why I want you in town, and why we’re going to take their bait plan.” Grace looked at Kat.

“Bait plan?” The hunter tilted his head, glancing at Haru who moved to stand beside him still looking decidedly disgruntled.

“The water stealing is a misdirection for the excavation in the Northern Ruins. Might also be a ruse to lure out any Alliance spies in Sandrock.” Haru reminded him under his breath before turning back to Grace. “Why the water thieves first? Wouldn’t it be better to call in the Alliance army?”

“I already have.” Grace shook her head. “It, unfortunately, takes them a little longer than you might think to mobilize. Also, HQ wants to see if we can arrest the perpetrators before they launch an invasion. They want to minimize the chances of this turning into an all-out war.”

“So by ‘taking the bait’ you mean that exposing the water theft would give you enough reason to arrest the spies.” Kat nodded. “What about Matilda though? She’s the ‘Tiger’ but the water plot only implicates Pen and Miguel.”

“Well, I’ll talk to Justice, but there should be enough circumstantial evidence to detain the whole church group until the investigation is complete. I’ll call in the Alliance once we’ve done that.” The spy sighed. “Honestly, it’s also our best bet for preventing that invasion too.”

“Alright, so we drop Kat back at her workshop and expose these Duvos bugs?” Warmth spread in Logan’s chest. If they got rid of Duvos, he and Haru could finally settle back in Sandrock and give Andy a proper home… and he could maybe work up the courage to ask Kat on a date.

“No, not quite.” Grace’s disagreement felt like a cold bucket of water on Logan’s excitement. Great more trickery and guile, that was just dandy.  

“We have to catch them by surprise. They’re more than ready to invade at any given moment and I don’t know exactly how close they’ve been in contact. If they catch wind of our plans, we’re more than likely to end up neck-deep in Duvosians.”

The spy pulled out a folded paper from her waist pouch.

“I want to keep you guys out of suspicion too, just in case. So, we're going to have a hostage exchange with the Civil Corps.” She passed the paper to Logan. “This is the plan I have so far, but I need you to write the ransom note. The plan is to use that old cave in the outback so that you and Haru have the means to ‘escape.’”

The hunter raised his brow as he read the note. This was just getting worse. “Grace, I ain’t robbing Sandrock of ten thousand gols! Hell, I’d be surprised if Town Hall had much more than a thousand .”

“That’s what makes the whole ‘bandit’ charade seem real.” Grace tutted at him. “Besides, the water reports are what’s more important.” She tapped the paper. “It’ll give Justice a  credible reason to ‘investigate’ the water thievery.”

Haru read over Logan’s shoulder. “So, exchange Kat for gols and the water usage reports… Then you’re going to have Justice investigate. What about us? Do we just wait until the investigation is over?”

“Yeah, pretty much.” Logan hated this plan.  

“I’ll have Justice and the Alliance clear your names once everything is said and done… but you guys might want to lay low again.” Grace rubbed the back of her neck. “Since more reports of sightings of you two came in from the surrounding villages, Miguel’s been pressuring Mayor Trudy to hire a bounty hunter, again.”

“Trudes is finally back?” Haru perked up. “Matilda’s not the acting mayor anymore?”

“Yep. They’ve got less of a grip on town now. Unfortunately, she’s a little too easy for Miguel and Matilda to push around…” The spy shook her head and sighed. “They’re trying to flush you guys out.” She admitted. “Miguel’s resorted to drying up the Oasis faster and Pen is hell-bent on hunting you down, Logan. It’s why we’re doing the hostage exchange. If they think we’re falling for their plans, the quicker we can take them down.”

“But why do we gotta hand Kat over to the cops?” Andy piped up, startling everyone. “We’re the most feared gang out here! We don’t barter, we demand!”

The hunter felt a little guilty for forgetting that the boy was still there with them. These discussions were no place for a child.

“Ah, why don't you go to your room and play, Andy?” Logan nudged the kid’s shoulder gently.

“No! I wanna help with the plans.” Andy refused to let go of the hunter’s leg, pouting petulantly.

“Andy-”

“No!”

Logan sighed, the kid was stubborn as all get out. Now that he’s determined to be a part of the discussion, he’s not likely to let go. Even though they’d told him many times that their mission as a gang was to be good guys, Andy still loved playing the part of bandit. 

He also hadn’t told him that Kat was technically their prisoner, the hunter wanted to be gentler about explaining everything to him.

“Andy, why don’t you help me make some food for everyone? It’s better to discuss these things with a full belly anyways.” Kat stepped up to them, holding out a hand out to him. “C’mon, I’ll let you have some more of those candied sandberries, too.”

The boy’s eyes widened at her offer, the temptation of sugar winning him over.

He grabbed her hand and started dragging her towards the cooking fire, eager for the promised treat. Kat lagged behind him a little, turning her head to Logan. ‘Keep me in the loop.’ She mouthed silently to him.

The hunter nodded back. Hoping she could see the gratitude in his eyes.

Grace cleared her throat pointedly, staring at Logan with a brow raised.

Right, back to business.

—

They hashed out the plans pretty quickly. Logan would write the note, Grace would deliver it to Town Hall, they’d bring Kat to the Outback cave and make the trade with Justice. They would set the stipulation that only the Civil Corps could arrive but would also make arrangements should Pen or any of the townsfolk become involved. Logan was sure that this whole plan would cause a riot. Sandrock wasn’t the kind of town that took kindly to those who messed with its people.

Andy didn’t take the news well, unfortunately.

He threw a fit harder than they’d seen from him before, refusing to let go of Kat and upset about the gang splitting up. The boy had understandably grown attached to the builder. Separating them stung worse because they knew that he'd already lost his family once.

The hunter didn’t entirely disagree with the kid either. Putting Kat back in town meant she’d be in proximity to Pen without their protection. Hell, the hunter himself was half tempted to sneak into town and stay at the builder’s workshop just so he could be close to her.

Kat again saved the day, calming the boy down and eventually convincing him to go to bed.

Logan watched as she led the upset and now exhausted Andy to the other cavern where they'd made his bed, promising to read him a story as the boy still cried. He didn't miss the change in the builder's mood. While she still smiled around them and comforted Andy, her warmth faded in the wake of the growing anxiety in her eyes. She was worried.

Worried about going back to town, worried about leaving Andy and the others behind.

"You should talk to her." Haru’s voice startled Logan out of his thoughts.

The chemist was watching him with an understanding look in his eyes. Ever able to read his best friend's mood. Both of them were understandably nervous about Kat being put in such proximity to the Duvos spies, Pen especially.

They already lost a loved one, they were weary of losing another.

Despite Grace's assurances that Kat would have people looking after her, Logan couldn't help but have a bad feeling about this whole plan. Like a sick sense of dread that reminded him of everything he's already lost and how much more he has to lose now. That the stakes were much higher than they were just a few months ago when he had no one else but Haru.

Logan just wanted to spirit away his little family back into the desert, finding safety in the sandy vastness from Duvosians and Alliance alike.

He just nodded to Haru after a moment. Setting off for the cavern she shared with Andy. For now, he had to set aside his own worries and comfort her.

However bad he was feeling, Kat likely felt ten times worse.

As he passed the goat pen he spotted her tucking Andy into her bed. The little boy wrapped up warm in the quilts, bunkered down for the night. Kat stood as he drifted off to sleep, murmuring a quiet promise to return and planting a gentle kiss on his forehead. Logan froze in his tracks, his heart squeezing.

I don't want to lose her.

His own thoughts startled him. The ache of possessiveness cramping his chest. Logan really didn't want to lose her, he wanted her right by his side at all times… but that level of jealousy was the exact opposite of what she needed. She was tired of being an object, of being someone else's. What Kat wanted was people she could trust. 

Logan needed to be someone she could trust.

He shook the thoughts away as she looked up at him, a soft sad smile on her lips. With a quick jerk of his head, he beckoned her over, not wanting to wake Andy.

"Hey." Kat's voice was quiet and a little despondent as she approached him. 

"Hey." The hunter mulled over what to say as they both settled on the stack of hay bales they kept near the pen. "How're you holdin' up?"

"Nervous." She admitted in a small voice. "I… I don't want to leave you guys. Andy’s especially upset about it too."

The hunter put a gentle hand on her back and she leaned in, resting her head against his shoulder. His breath shuddered slightly as she settled. Her warmth soaked through his shirt like a welcoming beam of sunlight on a chilly day.

“I can’t say I disagree with him…” Logan sighed, resting his chin against her head and basking in her presence. “You’ll be missed ‘round here.”

“If Grace wants me back in town, then I suppose I’m going back to town.” She sighed. “...Maybe I can sneak you guys some supplies. Leave them at the top of the cliff for you guys or attach it to Rambo’s saddle bags… you did teach me how to whistle for him.”

“The path there goes through Rockenyaroll territory, darlin’. I don’t want you putting yourself in danger for our sakes.” The hunter rumbled. “You don’t have a mount neither. It's too dangerous to make that trek on foot.”

“I miss Doodles.”

“Who?”

“Doodles, my yakmel from the previous timeline.” The smile on her face juxtaposed the sadness in her eyes. “Raised him from a calf since Elsie thought it would be a brilliant idea to give the newcomer a baby yakmel.”

Right. She remembered an entirely different life. Logan couldn’t even begin to imagine everything she lost because of the reset.

“Sounds like somethin’ Else would do, yeah.”

Kat giggled, the light sound reverberating pleasantly against his chest. It was a little selfish but Logan was glad that they did get this chance to know each other. He didn’t know too much about what their relationship was like in that previous timeline. She talked about how they were friends and how often they hung out, their adventures together, but avoided the subject of what they were to each other. Logan couldn’t help but feel a little bit of worry.

Was his future-past self too much of an idiot or a coward to not confess his feelings, or did he do something stupid?

Whatever the case, he could just appreciate being near her. The gentle tickle of her hair under his chin and the warmth of her body next to him. This was nice.

“At least you’ll get the chance to sleep in a nice cozy workshop now, an’ I imagine yer tools miles fancier than the scraps we got in the hideout.” Logan nuzzled her hair, the soft locks tickling the part of his cheek not hidden under the mask.

She leaned into him again, small hands snaking around his waist to hug him and she buried her face against the collar of his cloak.

“It won’t feel the same.” Her voice broke a little. “Too empty.”

“You’ll have Grace with ya, an’ that other builder- what’s her name? Mia?”

“Mi-an,” Kat snorted a laugh, “Though Grace did say my friend Nia is there too.”

“There you go, you have your builder buddies. Won’t be too lonely without us.” Logan rubbed her back comfortingly.

The builder let out another short bark of laughter. “‘Builder Buddies’ sounds like a cheese workshop name. Somehow worse than mine.”

“Really?” The hunter glanced at her surprised. He hadn’t really seen the front of her workshop so he didn’t know what she’d named it. “I’m sure it ain't that bad.”

“Builderbox Workshop.”

“At least it rolls off the tongue. Ain’t that a thing with businesses? You gotta name ‘em something memorable, that's memorable.”

Kat grinned at him. “I’m glad you think so. It was kinda dumb when I came up with it, but it’s sentimental now.”

“Ain’t dumb if it works- wait, how did you come up with that?”

“Well, when I first arrived in Sandrock, the workshop I was given, Mason’s old place, didn’t even really look like a shack or a workshop, let alone a house. So I started calling it my little cardboard box for a while.” She chuffed at the memory. “Cardboard box wasn’t exactly professional so… Builder’s Box it was. It just snowballed from there, especially after Nia reminded me of an old world toyshop we’d seen in some ruins that had a similar name.”

“Quite the tale,” Logan chuckled. “It's cute, too. Have you always wanted to be a builder?"

She looked up at him, amusement in her eyes and a brow raised. "Interrogating me now? Why? Have you always wanted to be a monster hunter?"

The hunter grinned at her. She already knew the answer, that was one of the first things people ever learned about Logan. He never shut up about wanting to be a hunter since he was little. "I've always wanted to be a monster hunter since I was little, but I'm curious 'coz I've heard most people don' actually chase their childhood dreams. My Pa used to say those were the ones who lost their awe with th' world. That too many people do that." The hunter couldn’t help but wonder if he’d ever told her the story of his first ‘hunt.’ “That was actually one of the things he told me when I decided to be a monster hunter.”

"Sounds like you got a story to tell there, Yakboy." Kat poked him playfully. "Care to share? Trade story for story?"

Logan loved those kinds of trades. Especially with her, she was a constant source of curiosity. "Sure thing, darlin'"

He tilted his head, gathering his thoughts. "I can actually remember the day I set my heart on monster hunting. Back when I just turned ten my Pa took me along on a hunt, Grandma Vivi was busy that week and there was a herd of wild yakmel trampling some farmers' fields closer to Portia's side of the Eufaula." Logan scratched the stubble on his chin, remembering seeing the rolling fields of golden yellow wheat and the sudden intense green that lay just across that valley.

 "It was more northwest of Portia I think, but to a desert kid it was the prettiest damn thing I'd ever seen." Present company exempted of course. But he kept that thought to himself. "There was a point while he was scouting that he turned away for a few minutes and I ended up wandering a little. 'Fore I knew it I'm face to face with the biggest ol' alpha yakmel I'd ever seen. Staring eye to eye."

Kat let out a small gasp, hands over her mouth as she listened intently.

"Yeah, my Pa told me later that he damn near jumped outta his skin when he saw me standing in front of that beast." He chuckled a little. "Strangely enough, that yakmel was gentler with me than a butterfly on a flower. I, being a rather dumb kid, was happily playing with that big ol' softie. Pulling its fur, hanging on its horns, hugging it with all my kiddie might. Most yakmel got a quick temper, don't take too kindly to loud and pokey people, and loud and pokey I was that day. It never got angry though… I think it knew I was just a kid.” 

“When I looked into its eyes I saw the same kindness I always saw in my Pa's." He paused as his voice shook a little, the memories of warm smiles and deep laughs flooding over him. "He told me later that some beasts are like that… they're smarter than people think, an' when you look into their eyes you'll see yourself, your true self, ‘cause they got a purity that people don’t anymore, and through that, they can guide your way if you're ever lost.” 

Logan quickly dashed a misty tear from his eye, letting out a small laugh. “‘Course younger me didn’t really care much about all that spiritual nonsense and wisdom stuff. I see it more n’ more now that I’m older, but back then what got me was how cool seein’ it up close was. Helped that my Pa came over and started directing me how to properly handle a yakmel… but since then I had my heart set on monster hunting.”

He tilted his head slightly. “The more I did it the more I found reasons to keep pursuing that dream. Like the beasts were guiding me…” The hunter let out a chuff. “Though I mighta taken that wisdom too literally, I think I’ve spent more time among the wild things than I have people. It’s rusted my manners terribly.”

The builder let out a laugh. “I always found it a little funny when you make an ass of yourself. You’re at least self-aware enough to apologize properly, most people are too proud for that.”

“What about your story then? Did’ja stare into the eyes of a yakmel n’ decide to become a builder?”

Kat snorted. “Peach no, my Ma would’ve had a heart attack if that ever happened. She kinda sheltered me a lot.”

“Is that so?” Logan tilted his head, it would explain a little about how skittish and gentle she always was. Most Sandrockers didn’t have the luxury of being ‘sheltered.’ So the only people like that he’d met were tourists and they were usually either pushy or easily pushed around.

“Yeah, she was in the Civil Corps and she constantly worried about people coming after me and my Pa. Especially since she was instrumental in taking down one of the long-running gangs in Highwind.” The builder nodded.

“Oof, I don’t imagine she’d like me much.”

“Eh, maybe at first… I dunno.” Kat giggled. “She used to talk about your Pa. They both did similar work and she admired his way with monsters, and said learning about them was a hell of a lot better than the culling and fighting they were doing with the Civil Corps in Highwind.”

Logan looked at her in surprise and she smiled back.

“She was a very worldly person. Mama always did her research on people who helped defend the Alliance, lone monster hunters included.” The builder leaned against him again. “I think she’d come around, especially if she knew you were working to fight off Duvos.”

“I’m amazed she ain’t out here hunting me down.”

“I sent her a message through Nia. Told her to wait until the uh- ‘storm’ passes, so to speak.” Kat admitted a little sheepishly. “Otherwise she probably would be here raising hell and dragging Justice around the desert by his ear.”

The hunter let out a surprised snort. That was quite a vivid image.

“She’s actually also the reason I wanted to become a builder.”

“Oh?”

“The Civil Corps and builders work together quite closely right?” Logan nodded and she continued. “Well, my Ma was no different. She worked closely with one of the local workshops and would bring me along and leave me at their shop for long periods of time.” Kat fidgeted with the hem of her cloak. “One day I was really bored. I was wandering around the work yard and one of the apprentice builders noticed I had nothing to do. So she built me a toy. It was just two bolts glued to the side of a cup with marker-drawn eyebrows, but I loved that little cup. I wanted to build Cuppy some friends and… well you can probably guess where that led me.” 

Kat met his eyes again, her smile finally back to its usual warmth.

“I wanted to become a builder because I wanted to make people smile, to help others like how she helped me that day. My Ma was my biggest supporter. She was so proud when I took the Sandrock contract.”

“That’s a fitting back story for ya.” Logan chuckled. “It’s cute. You’re cute.”

Logan felt her tense slightly against his side, her eyes darting away from his with a blush. The warmth in his chest felt almost unbearable now. She was sweet, kind, selfless, pretty, just a generally good and admirable person… He liked her.

Aw, what the hell.

Why shouldn’t he tell her? Haru’s already been on his case for hiding his feelings. Plus, it might be a while before they see each other again. Better to get it out of the way now so he could enjoy the rest of their time together in peace.

“Hey.”

She looked up at him and he nearly lost his last nerve.

“I- uh- know this may not be the best time to be askin’ this kinda thing but… I was wondering if you’d want to…” His tongue felt like it was stuck in his throat. Why did having feelings have to feel so scary? “If you’d like to go on a date- a proper date, when all this is said an’ done.”

Her eyes widened. A strange look of joy mixed with hurt crossed her face. Why did she look hurt?  

Worry sank deep into Logan’s chest. “You don’t have to-”

“No! I mean- It’s okay I’m just… that’s a bit of a surprise.” Kat tried to rearrange the look on her face, smiling again.

But the mixed emotions in her eyes remained.

“It might take a while, Logan.” She looked down. “Even if we get through everything with Duvos, we still have to figure out what's going on with me and that weird machine…”

“I’m willing to wait. If you want to save anything like that for after, I can wait.” The hunter cringed a little at the slight desperation in his voice. More than anything he just wanted to know if he at least had a snowball’s chance in hell.

Kat wrapped her arms around his waist again, burying her face against his chest. 

“Alright, once everything’s done… we’ll try.” Her voice was quiet, muffled by his vest.

Relief spread through his chest like one of Fang’s soothing teas. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, reveling in his newfound freedom to show affection. Logan would fight his hardest to stay alive, to pull them all through whatever hell Duvos intended to throw at them, because now he really had something to look forward to.

She’s willing to try.

—

Chapter Text

Justice was stressed beyond belief.

Hell, he was ready to March down to the graveyard and ask Mort to bury him right alongside old Howlett.

The Sheriff failed him, failed Sandrock, in every way possible. He failed to save the hunter from a tragic fate, failed to be there for someone he considered a good friend after a tragedy, and failed to prevent Howlett's only son from going down the wrong path… Justice had always looked up to the old hunter, he'd even fought alongside the man, so Logan becoming a bandit felt like the worst possible betrayal.

More so with the kidnapping.

The builders had brought a lot of life back into Sandrock. If Logan’s aim was to hurt the town. He succeeded.

It hurt Justice especially since the two builders were like the little sisters he never had. He taught them how to shoot, they teased him for making the cat a Deputy, they'd all get drinks at the Blue Moon and gossip with Owen. Hell, Kat survived Gecko Station with him. He still owed her for saving his leg, which Doctor Fang said he could have lost if it wasn't cleaned and set properly like she did.

As content as he was with his life before they moved in, those two working together made the whole town, and subsequently his life, something special.

With them around he felt like he was worth something as a Sheriff. Like he was actually serving the town he was fighting for. He'd even had an easier time getting along with and training Unsuur to be a Deputy. 

Justice knew that his compatriot felt the same about the girls. Heck, he wouldn't be surprised if the deputy-in-training had a crush on one of them considering how invested he was in their friendship. The day of the kidnapping was the most emotional the Sheriff had ever seen Unsuur.

Neither of the Civil Corpsmen were the same after that if he were being honest.

Despite Mi-an’s reassurances that Logan probably kidnapped Kat because they needed a builder, his mind couldn't help but worry about the worst. She was already stressed out by having a stalker in town. If those two hurt her or…

No.

Justice shook off the thought. He had to hold onto at least one scrap of hope that Logan was still a decent man. Howlett’s memory was owed at least that until they were proven otherwise.

Reports and rumors had started coming in a couple of months ago, just after the new year.

Logan's gang had been spotted skulking around the villages surrounding Sandrock. According to the written statements and Owen’s saloon gossip, not only were the two notorious bandits spotted, but they also had a petite woman and a small boy with them. It was a relief to know that Kat was still with them, it meant she was alive, but where did they get a kid? And why?

On top of that mystery, there were all the weird rumors about what they were doing out there.

Travelers and reports alike said that Logan was apparently continuing his work as a monster hunter. He'd garnered back some faith and reputation among the villages since he took out several problem-causing monsters, like a crazed alpha yakmel that was terrorizing a watering hole. They never even robbed someone while they were out there.

Which was an unusual deviation from the two bandit’s M.O.

It was around that time that Justice was starting to feel that Mi-an was right about Kat talking down Logan. It would also explain why, despite apparently being free to wander in and out of villages with the little boy, she never tried to run from the bandit or get help. The Sheriff even felt some hope that Logan would peacefully return Kat and turn himself in.

But now he's stuck with this.

A note.

A ransom note.

‘Bring 10,000 gols and Miguel’s water reports to the old camping cave in the Eufaula Outback if you want to see your builder again. Only send Justice.

-L’

Fate, or the Light, or whatever deity watched over Justice, really liked punching him in the guts whenever he even had the thought of hoping apparently.

Sure, this could theoretically be the peaceful exchange he'd hoped for, minus Logan turning himself in, but he was pretty sure that there wasn't more than a thousand gols in Sandrock. Let alone ten thousand.

At least not in the form of money they could hand over to the bandit.

They'd need to have an emergency meeting with the whole town and ask for donations. Something that he really didn’t hold out hope on considering they barely scraped together any donations for the Shonash Bridge repairs, which was a vital need for the whole damn town. It ended up being Owen, Heidi, and the two builders who funded Sandrock’s portion of the bridge costs. If Mr. Musa and some of his Ataran investors hadn’t stepped in, Sandrock wouldn’t have lasted long.

Didn’t help that Justice was one of the ones who didn’t donate, it just felt redundant considering his wage was paid by City Hall.

Now though, he'd forgo food for months and live in the Civil Corps office if it meant he'd have enough for the ransom.

Beyond Kat being one of his closest friends, this was someone's life they were negotiating for. This wasn't like whatever stupid game the two bandits were playing at when they hijacked the train… This felt more like the night Howlett died. Except they could all see the coming disaster.

He could only hope Logan had learned from his mistakes.

“What do you need us to do, Sheriff?” Mayor Trudy’s wavering voice brought Justice out of his thoughts.

Right.

Matilda, Miguel, Trudy, Owen, Yan, and Zeke stared back at him.

Owen and Zeke found out about the situation accidentally when the Sheriff went to the Blue Moon to find Miguel tutoring Jasmine. Once they heard about what was going on, they insisted on joining the emergency meeting. Justice didn’t mind either way, the more heads they had to figure it out the better.

“Well, I think we need to sort out the ransom first.” He sighed.

“Are you really planning on negotiating with this cretin?” Miguel huffed. “Your job is to capture him and, barring that, kill him.” 

“Miguel, we’re here to figure out how to bring Kat back home safely.” Matilda chided the Pastor. “I think we can all understand your worries but this is a delicate situation.”

“The Church has enough to cover part of the ransom at least, right?” Zeke glanced at them. “Y’all still get regular donations.”

“Yes, but it’s less than a quarter of the ransom.” The Pastor retorted. “We unfortunately have a tighter budget this year considering how much more water we’ve needed to buy. That’s another thing, why does he want the water reports?”

Justice shrugged. “Maybe he’s noticed the increase in imports from Portia. At this point, the only thing I expect from him is something unusual and violent.”

“But you’ll be able to bring the builder back in one piece, right Sheriff?” Matilda glanced at him before turning a stern look at Miguel. “I’m sure the church can at least scrape together half of the ransom.”

Miguel sighed as Owen cut in. “I can cover a fair amount of the ransom too. I’d need a chance to go through our budgets but I’m sure I can.”

The Sheriff nodded thanks. “Once we get the whole ransom together, and the reports, I’ll head out tomorrow afternoon an’ have Unsuur and Pen tail me, I know which cave they’re talking about. With any luck I can talk him down… don’t hold out hope that I can capture him,” He glanced at Miguel, “M’ main focus is just getting Kat back unharmed.”

“Right,” Trudy rubbed her hands together nervously, “I’ll call everyone together for an emergency town meeting this evening, Matilda, I’m going to need your help. We’ll announce your plan and make sure we have everything prepared for tomorrow. Meeting adjourned.”

They all went their separate ways almost silently.

Warm spring air greeted Justice as he stepped out of City Hall, the usually happy sunlight felt stifling. His feet shuffled for the stairs by the general store. There wasn’t really much reason for him to check the Oasis, he knew the situation would still be the same, but he couldn’t help but be lured towards the clear reflective pool.

Something about Logan asking for the water reports didn’t sit right with him.

The bandit had gone from being seemingly hell-bent on destroying Sandrock to being downright unpredictable. It almost made Director Qi’s theory of sudden onset schizophrenia seem believable. Did Logan finally take notice of how poorly the town’s doing? Will handing over the reports be used to destroy the town, or will the bandit keep up with this weird streak of sudden good-heartedness?

Justice was in a limbo of believing that the man had a good heart and the pessimism of knowing how many things had gone wrong so far.

As his feet hit the wooden boards that made the decks above the Oasis his whole body was dragged sideways. It was an overwhelming strength. He was pulled towards the shadows of the stairs, his back slamming against the stone.

A forearm pressed against his throat as a pair of frosty blue eyes stared him down.

Grace pinned Justice against the wall. Little more than a small grunt of surprise escaped the Sheriff. 

“Shhhh!” The sharp sound hissed between her teeth like an angry Desert Viper.

His mouth snapped shut, his eyes wide.

What the hell? What did she think she was doing?! Attacking a Civil Corps member was highly illegal. Did he piss her off that much? Was she finally fed up with his pestering her about getting too close to the Breach?

Or maybe… she was interested in him?

He thought he would’ve noticed something like that. 

Since when was Grace interested in him? Sure, he admired her. She tended to be a little… intense. Never did anything halfway. Which was something Justice felt really resonated with the Sandrock spirit despite the fact she’d only moved here just over a year ago. But he kept his thoughts to himself since he knew she didn’t appreciate any Saloon patrons flirting with her at work.

Light, he didn’t know if he was ready for a date- or if he was really in the mood for-

“I need you to come with me to Kat’s workshop. We need to talk about the ransom.” Grace let him go, stepping back and watching him wearily.

Oh, so this wasn’t- Well now he just felt silly, He shouldn’t have assumed-

Justice blinked slowly as her words fully registered with him. Hang on a sec-

“How’d you know about the ransom? I jus’ found that this morning.”

Grace glanced around worriedly. “Keep your voice down, I’ll tell you more later. Right here isn’t a good place to discuss this.”

With that, she stepped past him, walking quickly down the deck towards the path across the Oasis. Presumably headed towards the workshop. Giving Justice no choice but to follow.

She does work for Owen, maybe he said something?

The Sheriff shook his head as he picked his way across the stepping stones. It’s unlikely considering he’d gone to the emergency meeting before Grace got to work and he wasn’t one to leak info in the middle of town square. Curiosity burned his chest.

“Just go on through the door.” Grace held open the workshop gate for Justice. “I’ll be in, in a minute.”

With a nod, he made his way across the yard. It was hard to not slow and admire the yard itself, before the kidnapping Mi-an and Kat had taken to planting a full garden in front of the house. All manner of vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, and even a few Coffee Tea trees.

Clearly, Mi-an has been taking good care of the garden despite the circumstances.

Pushing open the door to the house he was surprised to find it unlocked. It would’ve been safer to keep it locked all things considered. Especially considering they were on the edge of town…

He was even more surprised when he saw Mi-an lying face down on the carpet by the dining table.

“Mi-an!” Justice rushed over, kneeling beside her. “Are you okay!?”

The only thing more amazing than the speed at which the builder jumped up and hugged the Sheriff was the strength with which she squeezed the air out of the poor man's lungs. She started babbling near incomprehensibly about it having been ‘two months’ and ‘working non-stop’ and ‘being tired of packing bullets?!’ What in Peach’s name was she talking about?

“Woah, woah, woah. Slow down, Mi-an! I can hardly understand you.” Justice put his hands gently on her shoulders. “What'd'ya mean you've been packing bullets? You preparing for an attack or something?”

The soft clinking of a spoon stirring a cup caught his attention as a tired-looking Nia, Kat’s friend, stepped through the doorway of one of the side rooms carrying a cup of tea. “Oh. Hey, Justice. Grace finally decided to bring you into the loop?”

“The loop?” 

“Yeah, Mi-an’s been unbearably stressed because we weren’t allowed to tell you.”

“Allowed to tell me?” Justice couldn’t be more confused.

“Yes, what I’m about to tell you is imperative that you keep quiet.” Grace’s voice cut off Nia’s reply as she slipped inside, shutting the open door behind her. “It’s a matter of national security.”

Justice’s head snapped up. NATIONAL SECURITY?!

The blond waitress pulled a badge out of her pocket, flipping it open, and handing it to the dumbfounded Sheriff. ACI stood out to him in big bold letters. The badge identifying Grace as an Alliance agent.

Wow, he was really wrong about not being able to be more confused.

“You… what?”

“Here, help me get Mi-an off the floor. We need to talk and I’d prefer to do so sitting at the table.” Grace grabbed one of the builder’s arms, gently tugging her to her feet.

The Sheriff helped her along, standing up himself, and immediately plopped her into one of the chairs. Mi-an looked absolutely exhausted, like she was almost as tired as he was. In fact, all three women looked like they were suffering from varying levels of sleep deprivation.

Sitting down in one of the chairs Justice felt like he was about to get a second helping of surprising bad news.

“What’s goin’ on then? What is the Alliance doin’ in Sandrock?” He decided to start with asking Grace. Out of the three, she looked the most ready to answer.

“You promised you would tell him soon, ya know!” Mi-an burst out, glaring at Grace.

“Hey, don’t be mad at me.” The waitress- no, the spy, threw her hands up in exasperation. “If anything you should be mad at Logan. He’s the one that took two months to come back.” She sighed.

“Whoa, wait. What’s this about Logan? Do you all know about the ransom already?” The Sheriff leaned forward.

“Well, yeah. This might be a bit of a surprise, but Logan isn’t a bad guy. He’s working with me.” Grace rested her chin on her fist, meeting Justice’s eyes. “I’m here because HQ intercepted messages from a Duvos spy in Sandrock. He’s been helping me because we have reason to believe that Howlett was killed by them.”

Justice’s eyes widened. A Duvos spy!? And they killed Howlett?!

“I have several notes here as well as a written confession from the old builder Mason. There’s more evidence in a secret bunker underneath Martle’s Oasis too if you need that.” The blond continued, either oblivious or uncaring of the man's increasing turmoil. “Kat's fine too. She's helping as well.”

“So… the exchange tomorrow is a farce?” Justice asked a little numbly, he needed a nap and a chance to think.

“Oh, you set it for tomorrow? Hm… It'll be cutting it close, but I can work with that.” Grace tapped her chin in thought. “Oh, yes, the whole bandit-hostage-ransom thing is a charade. Kat has some important info and I need her back in town to talk to the Alliance once they arrive.”

“O- kay.”

“I should also give you a heads up that there is a whole Duvos invasion force in the ruins on the Northern Plateau.”

The Sheriff put his head in his hands. 

A pounding headache felt like it was crushing his skull. An enemy army in his town, spies running around doing Peach knows what, the one guy he was certain was a bad guy is actually a good guy… What else had he missed!? Justice couldn’t help but imagine that B3, the Sheriff before him and his mentor, would have been severely disappointed in how many things he’d let go right under his nose.

“What was all that that Mi-an was talkin’ about?” He sighed out.

“We’ve been making preparations to defend Sandrock. She’s been pushing herself with all the weapons and ammo she’s been making. We now have enough to equip the whole town if necessary. I also swiped a few diagrams from Qi’s collection, so we have the means to set up several air cannons that can help with crowd control.” The spy chuffed to herself. “That man’s got quite the arsenal of theoretical defensive weapon designs for Sandrock. I guess we got kind of lucky he’s obsessed with that old-world robot show.”

Justice put his hands down, looking at Grace seriously. “So we’re preparing for an all-out war an’ you didn’t talk to me.”

“HQ didn’t want my cover compromised.” She shrugged apologetically. “We didn’t know who the spy was so I had to treat everyone with suspicion.”

“Who is the spy?”

“We’ve confirmed that not only is there an invasion force, but the head Duvos agents appear to be Pen and Matilda. They also have Miguel on their side too, but I don’t think he knows about Matilda or the invasion. He’s just a part of the water theft plan.”

That was nearly the whole church. They were the people everyone- even Justice himself- trusted to pull the town out of danger! How could- 

“Wait, water theft?”

“Yeah,” Grace nodded, pulling out a paper and pencil and drawing two overlapping circles, “From what I have found so far, there are two Duvos operations in Sandrock.” She tapped one circle, “They’re drying up the Oasis in town to try and drive people away, Miguel and Pen are handling this.” The spy tapped the other circle. “The second one is an excavation in the Northern Ruins, headed by Matilda and Pen. They’ve apparently found a valuable enough relic there to warrant a full-scale operation and a possible invasion.”

With a deep breath, Justice sank back in his chair. At this point he had no choice but to put his faith in the Alliance. Grace specifically. He glanced around at the three women with him, they all looked exhausted… but determined. 

“Alright, just let me know how I can help… I can’t believe the nightmares I’ve been having are comin’ true.” He sighed, rubbing his eyes.

“Nightmares?” Grace exchanged an unreadable look with Mi-an.

“It’s what I was telling you about! That has to have some correlation with the time reset and that relic Kat was talking about.” Mi-an stressed. “I just can’t figure out what the connection is .”

“Okay, woah. What? Time-reset?” Justice glanced at the Tallsky builder.

Grace sighed. “It’s still hard to believe but… we think that there is some kind of relic in the Northern Ruins that can mess with time. Specifically, we believe it may have sent Kat- possibly all of us- back in time. Kat is the one who remembers the most about this ‘reset’ and she’s the reason we know about the spies now. You’re not the only one having dreams about the previous ‘timeline.’”

“So… fighting alongside Logan against Pen and Matilda, that’s not just some weird dream? It actually happened?” The Sheriff paused. It would certainly explain the vividness of those dreams- but damn, time travel?! Just how much more world-ending old-world junk was lying about in the ruins around Sandrock, first the spies and now this?!

Light give him strength.

“We’re not sure yet.” Nia chimed in from her corner of the room. “We all have a lot of questions.”

“Have y’all had any of these dreams?” Justice asked curiously.

“No,” Grace grumbled flatly. “That’s why we’re not sure how this thing works.”

“I have.” Nia huffed.

Mi-an and Grace turned to her incredulously.

“And you hadn’t thought to tell us!?” The Tallsky builder slapped her hands on the table.

“I thought they were day-dreams! Besides, most of them included you and Kat, Mi-an.” The botanist huffed again. “We turned the desert green and all that. A girl can dream, y’know.”

“So, all your dreams are different…” Grace muttered mostly to herself. “Justice dreamed about the battle, Nia dreamed about the future, and Logan dreamed about Kat. What’s the connection…?”

“I’m sorry what-? Logan what now?” The Sheriff turned to the spy.

She waved him off. “All of you guys dreamed about the future. Logan told me he had dreams where he knew Kat. I thought since she was the original person ‘sent back in time’ the dreams would center around her. Apparently not.”

“Great. Cool. Time machines and weird dreams and spies.” Justice rubbed his temples. “What's next? Aliens? Ghosts? Ghost-aliens?”

“Oo, my money's on underground old-world mutant zombies.” Nia chimed in unhelpfully.

Grace shot a glare at the other blond. The words ‘not helping’ were clear in her eyes. She turned to the Sheriff. “Let's just deal with the spies first. The rest of that we can figure out when we don't have foreign hostiles in the middle of our town.”

Justice sighed.

It's gonna be a long day.

—

Chapter Text

The Outback cave where they were holding the hostage exchange felt dank and oppressive.

It was smaller and less open air than Logan’s hideout, with significantly less sunlight since this cavern was nearly fully buried in the cliffside. Plus without the smell of a cooking fire… or Andy’s laughter… or the soft clinking of Haru working away in his lab… or the loud thuds of Logan training with his new sparring dummy... It just didn't feel right.

There was a tense air between all of them since they arrived at the Outback cave.

Kat couldn't remember a time in her life where she felt more conflicted, which was an incredible feat considering the fact that she dated Pen, and she didn't fully understand why she felt this way. Well… she did, but it was difficult to rationalize.

The one person she hoped would love her back the most had practically confessed his feelings for her. Yet she felt like she couldn’t accept it. 

What was different this time? Where between their shared secrets and joint adventures did she scare him off in the previous timeline? Why did he love her now and not then? Would he change his mind if he knew?

It stung.

The Highwind builder couldn’t help but pick apart every little detail about herself. Questioning, doubting, hurting...

She did her best to not let it show around the others but Andy was very sensitive to her mood. Compounded with the fact he was upset she was leaving, the boy hadn’t left her side for the past forty-eight hours making both his and her problems known to the other two.

Logan wasn't helping the situation. If Kat thought he was affectionate before, he'd been extra huggy over the past day. Acting nearly as clingy as Andy was. 

There was a look in his eyes that she recognized, she’d seen that same gleam when he was on hunts.

His mind was set on something.

Almost as though he could sense her turmoil, he was doing everything he could to win her over and assuage her fears.

Whether he thought she was worried about returning to Sandrock or if he somehow knew about her misgivings in accepting his feelings Kat wasn’t sure. He had extremely sharp intuition at times. Even with emotions, which surprised most people considering he was a very impulsive and unfiltered man.

She appreciated his efforts but it turned into a never-ending cycle of emotional misery for her.

Kat would worry about the whole time travel thing and whether or not it was okay to accept his affection, which would lead to Logan comforting her, which in turn made her feel guilty about enjoying his attention, which would make her shy away, which then made her feel more guilty when she saw the hurt in his eyes, which would make her worry even more, which led to Logan trying to comfort her again, which-

The builder shook her head, trying to break away from her spiraling thoughts.

It made her feel worse that she was also definitely leaning on his support because she really was terrified of leaving.

There was a certain level of safety and familiarity she’d gotten used to, having been on the road with the bandits for a while. Knowing she was about to lose all that, even for a short while, made every minute more tortuous than the last. She didn’t want to leave Andy and Haru behind, she didn’t want to walk away from the unresolved feelings with Logan, and she especially did not want to be in the same town as Pen.

“You alright, Darlin’?” A pair of large hands snaked around the builder’s waist, pulling her against a warm chest.

“Y- yeah.” She turned, practically melting into his arms as he wrapped her into a tighter hug. “Just nervous.”

Logan hummed acknowledgment as he ran a soothing hand across her back.

They were waiting for the Sheriff in the main chamber of the cave. The escape route was to their left where Haru rigged some small explosives to collapse the tunnel behind them and was standing guard. Beyond the escape tunnel, Andy waited with the goats. Ready for a quick getaway.

The boy had almost thrown another fit when both Logan and Kat suggested he stay back with Haru. He wanted to be where the action was. It wasn't until Logan asked him to look after Rambo that they were able to redirect Andy’s attention and keep him far away from the danger. That solved two problems in one as the goats had their own little rebellions once they picked up on their companion's low moods. Though it also felt like they could smell the doom coming.

It had only taken them two- rather rushed- hours to set up, mostly in tense silence.

Grace’s communication was also frustratingly sparse. She’d told them that the hostage exchange would be this afternoon, but other than telling them to get ready she never gave them any specifics. Leaving them to stew in anticipation.

The hunter loosened his hug, looking down at Kat with warmth and worry.

He’d been fretting over her for the past few hours since they’d been more or less left alone together. Even offering to let her take a nap on him while he kept watch. It was tempting, Logan was surprisingly comfortable as a pillow, but Kat wasn’t sure she wouldn’t have nightmares considering how anxious she was.

“Remember, darlin’, the gun’s not loaded. I won’t let anything hurt you.” His arms squeezed her waist gently, the conflict clear in his eyes.

If the rest of them didn’t like this plan, Logan hated it.

He found the idea of threatening Kat, even fakely, appalling. He’d already shown her the gun’s empty barrel and chamber three times and promised her he wouldn’t even think about putting any other weapons near her.

Kat hummed quiet acknowledgment.

Before either of them could talk further, gunshots from the front entrance of the cave rang out, alongside the yapping of angry Rockenyarolls.

Logan cursed under his breath. “Shoulda cleared out the front of the cave. Didn’t even think ‘bout that.”

“Justice can hold his own,” Kat assured him, picking up the ropes they’d discarded earlier. “Uh, we… probably want to make this look like an actual hostage situation…” She gestured with her wrists together.

He stared at her like a yakmel caught in headlights. With the sounds of gunfire getting closer, she hastily wound the rope around her wrists. Struggling with the knot until the hunter finally snapped out of his surprise and tied it, his expression having morphed from worry to something Kat couldn’t quite read.

She stumbled to sit in a nearby chair. Logan pulled his unloaded gun and took up his position just behind her, his free hand on her shoulder.

Justice finally burst into the cavern, his own gun drawn as well.

“Justice.” The hunter's voice was full of menace, snapping smoothly into his bandit persona despite his earlier fumble.

“Put down the gun, Logan.” The Sheriff's own voice was stern.

“Only if ya got the ransom.” Logan pressed the gun against the side of her neck, his hand tightening on her shoulder.

Tension sat thick in the air, both men regarding each other with the level of caution that comes naturally with years of life-threatening situations.

After a terse moment, Justice slowly holstered his gun. He held his hands up, never taking his eyes off of Logan. More specifically, the gun he held to Kat. She could practically see the tightness of the muscles in his jaw as he forced himself to meet Logan’s eyes.

“Alright, man. We don't got long, Pen and Unsuur are about ten minutes behind me.” He glanced behind himself. “Grace said you’re actually one of the good guys. Now I’m taking a serious gamble here, trusting you, but we do need to talk.”

Kat glanced up at Logan. 

If the Sheriff knows that would make this whole thing a hell of a lot easier.

The hunter relaxed, holstering his weapon as well. “I take it you know about th’ Duvos spies in town then?”

“Yeah, and I ain’t too happy with myself over that.” The tension melted out of Justice and he grinned ruefully. “I’m just glad that Grace was right and we were wrong about ya, pardner.”

“You an’ me both.” Logan sighed. “I ain’t ever considered kidnapping someone before.”

“Uh, you alright Kat?” The Sheriff glanced down at the builder, a flicker of worry crossed his face.

“I’m not too particularly thrilled that Pen is coming,” She replied quietly, giving the Sheriff a wry grin. “But otherwise fine… was a pleasant life actually. I’ll miss it.”

“Is that so?” Justice glanced curiously at the hunter, he clearly had questions.

Logan shook his head, though Kat could see a slight blush on his ears. “We don’t got the time right now. You can hang onto the ransom, do you have the water reports?”

“Uh, right.” The Sheriff shrugged a small pack off his shoulder. Rifling through it until he pulled out a thick folder. “These are the recent documents, the whole thing was a massive book. We couldn’t copy the entire thing in time, but uh- yeah. Miguel is pretty meticulous at covering his tracks.”

The hunter barely got halfway across the cave towards Justice when a shout interrupted them.

“SIR! We’re here!” Unsuur’s voice rang through the cavern as the deputy-in-training burst in behind Justice, his gun drawn. They arrived early.

Before Logan could retreat a blue, red, and gold blur shot out towards him, landing a devastating punch that threw the hunter back several feet. Kat gasped before she could stop herself. It was easy for her to play the part of hapless hostage now, familiar terror seeped into her bones as she watched Pen tower over the prone hunter. Her wrists strained against the rope bonds as she stumbled to her feet. An overwhelming desire to help Logan surpassing her logical sense.

Pen’s eyes snapped up to her.

Stepping over the hunter he strode over to her, his confident sneer at odds with the burning hostility in his eyes. Kat stumbled back, fear overpowering her.  

Unsuur rushed past Justice, pulling out a pair of handcuffs to restrain Logan.

Just as the deputy-in-training reached the hunter, Pen grabbed the builder’s arm, the bruising strength of his grip forcing a squeak of pain out of her. At the sound Logan erupted. Kicking Unsuur’s legs out from under him as he threw himself to his feet.

With little hesitation, the hunter launched himself at the enforcer, his knife drawn and a murderous look in his eyes.

“Let her go!” He roared.

Pen dragged Kat around by her arm as he fended off Logan’s attacks, deflecting and attacking with the reinforced armor on his glove. Their fight was frustratingly slow, with the hunter being forced to hold back out of fear of hitting the builder, and the Enforcer slowed by his grip on her.

After a few moments, a commotion from the entrance of the cave drew their attention, as a posse of townsfolk appeared behind the Civil Corpsmen. Some were armed with makeshift weapons, others armed with guns. Led jointly by Mayor Trudy and Miguel. Kat would have found it touching to see the town coming together for her sake if it wasn’t at the worst possible time for them all.

Logan hesitated, backing away from the fight towards the escape route. His eyes met Kat’s for the briefest of moments, a whirlwind of emotions swirling in sky-blue eyes.

The builder shook her head ever so slightly. Save yourself. She hoped he could hear her mental plea.

“Logan! We gotta go!” Haru appeared behind the hunter, grabbing his arm and trying to drag him along.

As a few more townsfolk poured into the cave the two bandits disappeared down the tunnel towards their escape route.

In a flash Pen followed, dragging Kat along with him again.

As they entered the secondary cavern, Kat’s heart nearly stopped. Just ahead, in the narrow escape route stood Andy, his eyes wild with panic and fear as he saw the two fleeing bandits and the builder held captive by the enforcer.

The eerie sound of electric charging seemed to slow down time as a scream ripped itself from Kat’s throat. The relic weapon, Pen’s going to fire the relic weapon.

“NO! ANDY, RUN!”

Logan hauled the boy into his arms as the blast shook the cave. The choking dust blinded the builder, obscuring her little family from view. 

Kat thrashed in Pen’s grip as he pulled her closer. Desperate to know if they were alive. Pain, panic, and grief clouding the last of her sensible thoughts. She had to get to them.

“If you tell anyone,” The enforcer growled in her ear. “Your beloved town is next. Behave, and I’ll let them live.”

Tears blurred her eyes, the fight draining out of her with a choked sob.

The only hope she could cling to was that she saw Logan picking up Andy and Haru igniting the bombs above the escape tunnel. If they’d gotten far enough down the tunnel maybe they’d escaped the blast, if Haru’s explosives went off in time maybe the falling rubble saved them from the relic weapon’s blast, maybe they were okay-

What if they’re gone?

The thought drew a broken cry from her. Despair threatening to consume her.

Her body was limp as she was dragged back towards the posse of townsfolk, her legs unable to support the lead weight that had made its home in her body. It felt like her soul had been ripped out from her, as though all her hope and joy had been suddenly snuffed. She felt nothing but numbness as she was surrounded by her friends, Justice pulling her from Pen’s grip.

She couldn’t even hear the harsh words that the Sheriff snarled at the Church Enforcer, for once she found herself not caring about Pen’s presence.

Justice wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders, doing his best to pull her to her feet. The voices of the townsfolk sounded little more than a cacophony to her as they all tried to talk to Kat, trying to assure her she was ‘safe’ as she was forced to stumble across the cavern towards the exit. 

All of their words fell on deaf ears as she clung to the Sheriff. There was no comfort for her until she knew for sure what’d happened to the gang, to her family. It didn’t matter what they said.

Eventually getting fed up with the crowd Justice ordered everyone aside. 

The builder listened numbly as he commanded Unsuur to follow him and instructed the remaining townsfolk to search the cave for anything related to Logan and his gang. Her mind was still under the pile of rubble and rocks at the back of the cavern.

Burgess, in his ever-endearing yet unfortunately harmful innocence, spoke up with a question that pierced through the fog in her ears.

“Who’s Andy?”

Kat collapsed. The pain in her chest destroyed what little energy and will she had left. She couldn’t even hear her own sobs as the world narrowed to the ropes still on her wrists and the fear and grief in her chest.

Her worst possible fears were coming true.

—

Chapter Text

Andy couldn’t understand why they didn't just go back to save Kat.

He could see that Logan and Haru really wanted to. Especially with how tense they were over that muscley mean guy who took her.

It just didn't make sense.

No one in the gang would ever be left behind. That's what they always told him. But now…

Now, both of ‘em were breaking their own promises.

He'd heard Logan talking to her, assuring her she'd be alright. Sweet talking her ever since Grace visited. The bigger bandit even promised Andy he wouldn't let anything happen to their builder. He lied. Andy wasn't proud of it, but he bawled his eyes out for hours after Logan had dragged him away from the explosion in the cave. 

Admittedly, he thought Kat had died and… he couldn't handle that.

Even after Logan assured him that she was just with the people in Sandrock now, it took a while for the boy to calm himself. He didn't want to lose anyone else anymore. The gang was there for him after the worst days of his life wandering the desert all on his lonesome. They cared for him. 

Spoiled him even.

All out of the kindness of their own hearts.

Not all people were like that, Andy knew. While on the road with his people he was always taught to be self-sufficient. Caravans had no place for slackers, especially in an environment as hostile as the Eufaula. It was why he did his darndest to contribute to the gang when they took him in. Finding food, herbs, and tracking animals for Logan… and they appreciated it too!

But they also let him be a kid. Let him play around and let him rest. Even gave him toys and would play with him! 

They never threatened to leave him behind…

He wasn’t so sure about that anymore though.

Andy had seen the look on Kat’s face. He knew what she was feeling because he felt the exact same when he couldn’t find his caravan.

They’d betrayed her by leaving her.

The boy had made his feelings very clear to Logan and Haru. He’d even thrown punches with all his might. But both of the adults just looked at him with worry and pity. He didn’t want pity, he wanted to rescue Kat.

They were his family, she was a part of his family. Logan was the cool, strong, and leader-y one, Haru was the smart one who taught him so many things, but Kat was the one that kept them all together. She was kind, made him candies and comforted him when he had nightmares, patched up Logan whenever he came back hurt, chatted sciency stuff with Haru while they cooked meals for everyone…

It was why Andy couldn’t understand why they didn’t go back. Logan said this was a matter for the adults, which frustrated the boy. He was a part of the gang too! Yet they left him out and treated him like a kid, even sending him away while they worked on their plans for the gang.

Grace had visited earlier to let them know the situation in town. When she told Logan that Kat was settled back into town his shoulders visibly sagged with relief, then he sent Andy to bed so they could talk.

Andy tried to protest of course.

He wanted to put his two cents into the plans but Logan said that his earlier outburst proved he wasn’t ready. It stung, the boy looked up to the big bandit like a fatherly figure. The fact that Logan didn’t listen hurt. 

If they weren’t going to do it, he’d just have to do it himself.

He sat up in the bed where he’d been sulking. That was a brilliant plan. If Andy could rescue Kat he’d not only get everyone back together, he’d prove to Logan that he could handle himself. Then maybe they'd listen to him more.

Hopping out of bed Andy crept over to the main cavern. Logan and Haru were still arguing with each other, something about moving from the hideout again… and a bounty hunter? That must mean he had to act fast, if they were moving again that would mean he needed to sneak into town tonight.

Both of the bandits were too focused on their discussion to notice Andy sneaking over to the table. He smirked to himself, he practiced his stealthiness good.

Peaking over the top of the table he saw maps and papers scattered about. A photo caught his eye, a weird-looking short redheaded man with the words ‘Bronco the Kid’ scrawled on it. That must be the bounty hunter.

Andy snatched the photo, absconding as quietly as he could back to his part of the caves.

He was sure he had a wig and fake mustache that looked just like the man in the photo. If he paired it with his sand goggles and the set of overalls that Kat had bought him in one of the outer villages, he could pass as the bounty hunter. It’d be the perfect opportunity to break Kat outta that place!

Throwing his pack together Andy grabbed the last handful of candied sandberries he had. Rambo was as fond as the rest of them for the treats, the boy could bribe him for a ride close to town. 

Then Operation Rescue Kat would begin.

—

Justice was enjoying a drink in the Blue Moon.

It’d been the first time in a while that he allowed himself to relax. They’d gotten Kat back just a couple of days ago and they’d all been working on a plan to reveal the water theft operation at the next fireside.

Miguel had been no help to his investigation, though that was not surprising considering he was the head of the whole operation. The pastor instead spent the past two days hounding Trudy about hiring a ‘specialist’ to hunt down Logan. He unfortunately had the backing of the entire town after the posse had gotten back to town with an inconsolable Kat.

Once they got away from the rest of the townsfolk the Sheriff figured out that Kat was actually freaking out about the disastrous explosion in the cave and whether or not it could have killed Logan and the rest of his gang. She had practically considered the boy with them, Andy, as her own child. So Justice could understand her meltdown when she thought they were dead. Kat only calmed down somewhat when Grace got back to them with the news that the bandits and the kid with them were unharmed.

It was then that they also informed Justice about the relic weapon that Pen had.

A light-damned relic weapon! One that could explode entire buildings too!

Thankfully he convinced Matilda to restrict Pen to church grounds because of how he acted during the hostage exchange, but he was damn sure he didn’t want the man in his town anymore. Not only did he kill Howlett but he aimed and fired that weapon at a kid!  

Sure he was trying to kill Logan, but the bandit was holding the kid. 

The Sheriff couldn’t imagine being heartless enough to risk killing a kid, regardless of whether or not the boy was theoretically a part of a criminal gang. Even considering the fact that the ‘Church Enforcer’ was a Duvos agent, Justice still couldn't imagine what purpose, even in a damn war, killing a child could serve.

Thankfully, he now had everything set up. 

He’d documented as much evidence as he could, set up all the arrest warrants, and even stocked up on weapons and ammo from Mi-an’s ever-growing stockpile. It was unfortunate that arresting the whole church included Burgess and Dan-bi, but all the evidence proves their innocence. So once the Alliance arrived they should be fine.

Finally, he could relax.

Just sitting at the bar and drinking while chatting with Owen felt like a vacation.

It was shaping up to be a peaceful afternoon. Justice found it remarkable just how restorative one day to himself had been so far. Maybe he’d even ask the Doc about that Seesai acupuncture stuff he does when the Sheriff inevitably has to go for a check-up on his leg. Owen usually praised the Doc’s skills, saying it’s surprisingly relaxing. Justice wasn’t sure how, considering it was getting poked by a bunch of needles, but maybe he’d give it a shot. 

The Sheriff was considering anything that supposedly helped with stress relief at this point.

“Sheriff!”

Unsuur’s voice broke through Justice’s reverie.

Snapping his head up he could see the Deputy-in-training breathing hard as though he ran across town to find the Sheriff.

“The bounty hunter Mayor Trudy hired has arrived. He’s asking to speak to you and Kat.” Unsuur puffed out as he caught his breath. “Asked me to find you double-time.”

The bounty hunter’s already here?!

Justice knew that Miguel had pushed Trudy to hire one. But he had expected it to take a couple of days to find one, let alone for them to arrive. These ‘specialists’ always tended to go by their own schedules, blowing into town long after they’re needed.

If he was already here, that would throw their plans through a loop a little.

The Sheriff rose from his seat with an unhappy sigh, dropping some gols for his tab and reluctantly leaving his half-unfinished drink. At least it was early enough that he wasn’t having anything too alcoholic, he usually saved that for later in the evening. 

So he was at least sober.

“Go get Kat and escort her.” Justice waved off the deputy-in-training, “Don’t leave her side until we’ve cleared this ‘specialist.’

Unsuur took off at a run as the Sheriff turned to make his way towards Town Hall. 

Considering everything that was happening he wasn’t about to trust some new fella, especially not when they were demanding to see Kat. They had no way of knowing if Miguel managed to hire another Duvosian spy.

He shuddered. 

This whole situation has made him a little paranoid. It was no wonder that Logan seemed a little bit insane when he ran off. The Sheriff wouldn’t be surprised if the bandit was in the same stressed state of mind he was.

Cresting the hill into Martle’s Square, the first thing that caught Justice’s eye was a mop of bright red hair. The flash of color sitting atop the shortest man he’d ever seen. He was talking to the Mayor in front of Town Hall, his travel pack parked on the bench nearby. The height difference between him and Trudy was funny to look at since the man was nearly half a foot shorter than the already short five-foot-one Mayor.

Trudy had mentioned that the bounty hunter she hired was ‘shorter than usual’ but this seemed a little ridiculous. Justice didn’t know adults could be so small.

The Sheriff shrugged off the thought. Time to meet this guy.

“Well howdy there!” The redhead’s voice sounded unnatural, it sounded more like an actor exaggerating a character. “You must be Sheriff Justice!”

He stuck his hand out to the Sheriff.

As Justice shook his hand Mayor Trudy gave him her usual wavering smile. “Justice, this is Bronco the Kid, he’s the best bandit-hunting specialist the town could afford.”

“It’s good to meet ya, pardner.” He nodded at the shorter man. “I look forward to working with you.”

It was almost uncanny how young the bounty hunter looked underneath his goggles and mustache. Heck, if it wasn’t for the facial hair obscuring most of his face Justice would have assumed he was a kid.

“You look kinda young for this kinda job, man.” The Sheriff tilted his head, narrowing his eyes at the man.

He got the nagging feeling that he was right about this not being their specialist, but now he was also starting to doubt that this guy was a Duvosian either. A huckster maybe…

“I don’t like what you’re tryin’ to imply there, pardner.” The small… definitely looked more like a child. Familiar looking too, almost to the point of Deja Vu for Justice. “I’m Bronco the Kid an’ I ain’t gonna play around when it comes to bringin’ those hunkish highwaymen to justice!”

Hunkish…?

No, this guy’s definitely a kid. Justice was even starting to notice blond hair peeking out from under what he was sure was a wig. 

Was this Andy? What the hell was he doing in town? Did Logan send him?

Before the Sheriff could open his mouth to speak the boy squeaked, trying to back away as a blur darted past him snatching the kid up by the collar.

The Church Enforcer had come out of nowhere, the Pastor not far behind him.

Justice frowned. Even if the kid was only pretending to be the bounty hunter, the Sheriff didn’t want the Church meddling in official Civil Corps business anymore. Especially not with how unpredictable Pen has been.

“Lemme go!” The boy dangled in Pen’s grip, trying to throw punches at him.

“This is the kid that was with Logan’s gang, Sheriff.” The Enforcer sneered at the child in his grip. “He’s disguised himself, probably to spy on us for Logan.”

At this point, the kid had given up all pretenses and was making the feral noises that upset children tend to make when they’ve been caught. As they watched, Pen reached out and yanked the wig, mustache, and goggles from the boy’s head, making him yelp with pain.

“Hey, man! Chill!” The words spilled out of Justice before he could stop it. 

He didn’t like the look of contempt on the large man’s face. It was clear that the Enforcer didn’t care that this was a kid he was handling.

“Get offa me! Logan ain't gonna let you off easy once he hears how ya treated me!” The boy shouted, flailing as Pen held him off the ground.

The crowd that had gathered around the commotion in the square let out a collective gasp as his declaration confirmed the Enforcer’s accusation. The mere thought of the bandit recruiting a child set off mutterings of disappointment and disapproval, especially from the older folk who've had kids of their own. Pen hefted the boy in the Sheriff’s direction, a brow raised. As though he expected him to arrest the kid.

“That enough evidence for you?” He smirked.

“Pen, please. Put the boy down. You’ve already caught him, there's no reason to hurt him.”

Trudy startled them all with the sudden tone of command in her voice, her usual warble covered by a cold steel.

Right, she has a kid of her own.  

Even in the face of the frequent sandstorms plaguing Sandrock and her dangerous trips into the desert to find a way to help Sandrock’s forest regrow, the only thing that really made Mayor Trudy tick was seeing innocent people, especially innocent children, getting hurt. She was, after all, still one of the three matriarchs of Sandrock. Plus, while she didn’t have the confidence of Grandma Vivi nor the frying-pan-based violence of Mrs Mable, she was the only one of the three who carried a gun and she was a damn fine shot with it too.

She’d also been peeved lately. 

Between returning home to a hostage situation and having nearly the whole Church group hounding her, her normally meek patience was running thin.

Either Pen was aware of that or he was cowed by the crowd that had gathered as he reluctantly let the boy down.

They didn't even have a moment to relax as the boy immediately turned and punched the man square in the crotch. 

Everyone gasped as the Enforcer crumpled to his knees. A cacophony of shouts broke out as the crowd reacted like someone dropped a spider in the middle of the group. Justice was just about to grab the fleeing boy when the loudest shout he'd ever heard rang out from behind them.

“ANDY!” 

Kat was running towards them at full tilt, her focus solely on the boy.

Upon spotting her, he veered and would have knocked her over with a tackling hug if he wasn't half her size. The builder immediately scooped him up in her arms, taking a defensive stance and glaring the meanest glare her usually friendly face could produce at the Enforcer. Her aura of radiating anger and protectiveness making everyone near her back away.

“You know this child, Kat?” Miguel spoke up, barely restrained disapproval in his voice.

Kat didn’t respond for a moment, simply turning her piercing glare onto the Pastor.

“He was with me while I was with Logan. They found him alone in the desert and took him in.” She snapped. “I helped look after him.”

“From the way he’s acting; lying to and attacking people, it seems more like they indoctrinated him.” The Pastor sniffed disdainfully. “No offense to you, Builder. But I doubt you were able to raise him well as a prisoner to bandits. Though perhaps you were more attached to your captors than we thought.”

The builder bristled when Pen, who amazingly was able to stand back up, cut in.

“Perhaps there is a solution,” The Enforcer gritted out, his attempt at his usual smile coming out somewhere between a grimace and a snarl. “Miguel’s been working on a new criminal reform program. Surely that would be better than simply letting him go? I'd normally vote for harsher punishment but clearly the people want a compromise since he is a child.”

Justice’s eyes snapped to the Enforcer. He was being unusually level-headed considering his pride had just been attacked. That kind of character development would have been a blessing in the Sheriff's eyes if he didn't know that the man was a murderous war criminal.

What are they planning?

Miguel smiled at the Enforcer. Something that looked unnatural to Justice considering the fact that the man rarely smiled and Pen was usually abrasive.

“For once you’re actually thinking with your head… That could work. Proper schooling, Sunday school especially, and several days of grueling community service should set the boy on the straight and narrow.” The Pastor turned to the crowd. “Clearly Logan has corrupted the boy and used the poor child to manipulate the Builder,” He turned a fake sad smile towards her, as the crowd murmured uncertainly, their eyes lingering on the builder with pity.

They were all vaguely aware of what'd happened in the cave, and most of them knew at least the cover story about who Andy was. The whole town had been almost aggressively kind to Kat, having had barely more than a full day to fuss over her recent return.

She even admitted to Justice that it felt like they were practically babying her against her will. 

Kat clutched the boy closer, the dismay on her face turning to near panic.

“The Church can take the boy in.”

“Absolutely not.”

“You're still recovering from a traumatic experience Kat… and your workshop is hardly a proper environment to raise a child. It's crowded with people and machines.”

“No.”

Much to the Sheriff’s dismay, the townsfolk started to mutter partial agreement with the Pastor.

“ She's in no state to care for a child right now…”

“The Church can provide for him until she's ready to take him home, they're kind.”

“...Can't even imagine what that bandit did to them. Poor things.”

The builder's eyes were wide as a cornered cat's. She clung to the boy until he wriggled uncomfortably in her arms, though he looked no more enthused than her about the situation. The both of them looked ready to flee into the desert.

Just as Justice opened his mouth the silence the crowd and defend Kat, another voice rose up out of the crowd.

“Surely you're not going to separate them? You’re going to be taking him away from someone who cared enough to be his mom.” The crowd turned, revealing a pale blond standing arm in arm with the Tallsky builder. “Plus, Logan was already cruel enough to separate them once. You're going to do that to her again?” Nia looked straight at the Pastor with unmitigated disgust.

The few in the crowd who'd spoken looked down at their feet. Justice couldn't blame them, their blind trust in the Pastor and the Church as a whole in this town had gone unchallenged for decades. Hell, he was ashamed to say he was the same up until a few days ago. They'd been so reliant on one another for survival in this dying town that they'd unfortunately started following wolves in sheep's clothing.

The voice of an outsider being reasonable was like a bucket of cold water thrown over a drunkard. It was shocking just how quickly it silenced the mob. Almost painfully jarring.

Mi-an chimed in with her two cents as well. “Nia and I are also moving out of Kats workshop. She's already arranged a room at the Blue Moon and I've got my own house.” She glanced at Kat with a genuine smile. “That means she still has a spare room, and we can help her arrange the yard safely so the boy has room to play.”

“Having his own space to grow would be a hell of a lot better than some stuffy old Church dorm.” Nia sniffed.

The tide of opinions turned nearly instantly. Latching onto the idea of helping a poor single mother, a martyr for them to sanctify.

Justice almost shuddered as the clamors of support rolled from the crowd. The court of public opinion felt way too fickle in his opinion. Being aware of the full situation felt like a weird curse.

Hopefully, he'd only have to deal with this case a few days more.

“Alright, alright. I see everyone has made their opinion known. Trudy, you're the Mayor. What's your verdict on this case?” Miguel relented, almost unbothered that he'd lost the crowd. “Perhaps we can all forget this as a little mishap in our day?”

The Mayor glanced at Justice, silently asking his opinion.

“Hey, don't look at me. The last time I saw a look like that,” He gestured towards Kat, “I made the mistake of climbing up a cliff straight into a Rockenyaroll's cub den. I lost that fight and I ain't keen on repeating that. She was distraught enough when we rescued her, I'm sure we can all come together to help her now.”

With a nod of finality, Trudy turned back towards Kat. “Alright, the boy can stay with you, Kat. I won't say he can go totally unpunished however. I'd like to talk with you in private about arranging for proper schooling and some community service. It'll help him settle with the town as well.”

As the crowd dispersed, satisfied that the scene was over, Kat made to follow Mayor Trudy towards Town Hall. The smaller woman waved her off.

“Go ahead and take him home.” Trudy smiled warmly at the builder, “Rest, Peach knows you both probably need it.”

With a nod Kat turned down Main Street towards her workshop, stopping to turn a grateful smile towards Justice as Mi-an and Nia caught up with her, spiriting her away towards home.

As he relaxed, happy to see a good resolution for his friend, the Sheriff couldn't help but steal a glance at the two Church men. They were unusually cooperative in all this. He would have thought that at least Pen would pitch a fit.

What he saw instead chilled him to the bone. Miguel had already turned away, making his way back to the Church.

Pen on the other hand was watching the builder walking away. The dark look on his face resembled a wolf that’d spotted a lone sheep. Like he’d already had his prey cornered and he would feast.

Justice shuddered.

The Enforcer was planning something. Probably something really bad. 

It was just two more days until he’d reveal the traitors at the weekly town meeting, and the Sheriff was practically counting down the hours. They just needed to hold out a little longer.

For now, he’d just have to up the patrols near the workshop.

—

Chapter Text

Kat was worried about Andy.

He’d been unusually quiet after the whole confrontation in Martle’s Square. Not even gaining back his usual energy after he slept.

It was almost like the cheerful boy she knew was replaced by a ghost.

She did manage to get him a little excited about decorating his new room, picking brightly colored quilts for his bed and a nice toy box with all the bells and whistles, but the builder could still see the storm clouds of uncertainty hanging over the young boy. A terrible mood that followed him after he’d been caught. It’d barely been more than a day since and something more than just fear was lingering around Andy.

When Kat had talked with Mayor Trudy the morning after, they agreed that the builder would supervise his community service time. She thankfully talked Trudy into avoiding any sort of Church service as a part of his punishment, instead having him help sort the archives in Town Hall and pick up litter around Martle’s Oasis. The Mayor was rather lenient in that regard as long as the boy was doing something.

The one unfortunate thing they couldn’t agree on was sending Andy to Sunday School.

Mayor Trudy insisted that the boy also had a proper schooling schedule and since the only school in town had been destroyed, that was one thing that could only be provided by the Church of Light. She was understanding that Kat had misgivings about the Church, especially considering the fiasco the other day, but insisted that he’d be fine since her own daughter, Jasmine, was already attending. Kat only relented when Trudy agreed that she could sit in with Andy.

Kat couldn’t help but wonder if that was why Andy was feeling down.

As far as she knew the boy was never forced to go to school before he was adopted by Logan, so maybe he was upset about having to go to lessons now.

He was also pretty shaken up about being caught… Maybe he was distraught he couldn’t return to the hideout.

She remembered when he first came to Sandrock in the first timeline, he’d gone undercover as Bronco the Kid that time too. Though he had more success bamboozling the whole town then. It’d taken a day for Kat herself to uncover who he really was since he came by her workshop asking for her to forge some weapons and shields.

He was frustrated about getting caught, though more petulant at first rather than morose. Kat couldn’t help but shudder slightly as she remembered how fine she was back then with the boy being taken in by the Church. It was before she knew what traitors they were, but she couldn’t help but blame herself anyways.

A little while after he was caught she’d spotted him talking with Logan on the outskirts of town. 

The bandit had left before she could catch up to him, leaving the boy behind as well. When she approached the distraught Andy he bawled as he told her he’d been kicked out of the gang. She’d spent the rest of that afternoon comforting the crying child as he talked about how the bandits had looked after him after he’d lost his parents and his caravan and how he hated how Miguel always told him that Logan was an evil person.

Kat found it kind of cruel that the Pastor would say such a thing to a child about the only people the boy saw as family but she’d had her own misgivings about the bandits then too.

She couldn’t help but resent the man she’d witnessed abandon the boy.

In hindsight, Logan was doing Andy a favor by effectively giving him over to the people of Sandrock, who the bandit knew would adopt the boy as one of their own. She just didn’t know until way later that Logan actually had good intentions.

It also ended up being the reason that Kat got to know the hunter-turned-bandit so well.

Despite having fought alongside the man, and learning that he was a hero, she couldn’t help but worry that he wouldn’t be able to handle raising Andy on his own. So she frequently visited the boy and his adoptive father. Resulting in the two becoming fast friends.

Logan was already pretty amicable towards her… mainly because they’d fought together against the Duvosians. But he was still rather resistant, not wanting to accept her help.

He eventually relented one night when he’d been injured during a hunt, admitting to Kat that he was overwhelmed by the debts he owed to the city for being a bandit and was worried that they might take Andy from him. Logan practically believed he had to carry the world on his shoulders just to keep what he had… It was the first time she’d seen the hunter break down like that, the stress finally destroying the walls he’d put up.

After that, they both basically became co-parents to Andy. Working like a team almost in the same way they did while out on a hunt together.

The boy did have a generally stronger bond with Logan though. 

He looked up to the man, both as a hero and a father figure. Although Andy never said it aloud, as though speaking it would will it into reality, Kat knew the boy was afraid of losing Logan. Always anxious when the hunter left on long treks into the ever-dangerous desert

Being apart from his adoptive family was likely the source of his stress now.

Kat hummed to herself. It wouldn't be the first time she'd dealt with his separation anxiety. She just needed to keep him busy and assure him everything would be okay… and maybe stop by the Blue Moon as a treat.

Peach knows they both could use the pick-me-up.

She shoved the last book in a small pack. Heidi and Trudy had been kind enough to share the notes that Andy would need to get started in school. Though the boy would likely complain about the mundanity of it considering all the experimental sciences and engineering she and Haru had been teaching him.

It got a little chaotic when a builder and a chemist came together to teach about their respective areas of expertise.

“Andy! You ready, hon?” Kat tapped her knuckle against the door to his room softly.

The builder heard him shuffle around a moment, hurrying to get ready. It was a little less than a minute when his door opened and Andy stepped out, puffy-faced and red-eyed from crying.

She ruffled his hair gently, her concern gripping her throat like a vice. “Hey, kiddo.” Kat tilted her head, trying to think of the kindest way to approach the issue. “You wanna talk about what’s bothering you?”

Andy looked up at her, fresh tears beginning to well in the corners of his eyes. His lip wobbled as he wiped at his face trying to hold in his cries.

“Is- is what they said true? Were… were you actually Logan’s prisoner? You didn't want ta be there?” His voice wobbled worse with each question, his face crumbling. “I wanted to go back for you, b- but Logan said no. He- we left you. ” Quiet sobs racked his body. “The Pastor said Logan was using you too… were we never really a family?” 

Mournful maroon eyes met hers and she mentally kicked herself.

They'd avoided telling him about how she came to be ‘a part of the gang’ because they were worried about what the boy might think. Now, as she watched the boy’s trust in Logan shatter, Kat realized just how bad of an idea that was. 

Not to mention the fact that Miguel would definitely be preaching at the boy about the ‘evil bandit.’ 

“C’mere,” Kat crouched, hugging Andy tightly in her arms. “Yes, Miguel wasn’t wrong about how Logan and I met.” She felt the boy tense, “But he wasn’t entirely right either. There’s some dangerous things going on in town right now and he took me away to keep me safe. We’ve been keeping it a secret because of that danger.”

Andy relaxed a little in her arms, looking up at her with a mix of confusion and hope. “If it was so dangerous w- why couldn’t we come back for you? Logan an’ Haru wouldn’t listen to me when I said we had to go back…”

“Because I’m here to help Grace with the spy stuff. I’m undercover.” She smiled at him. At least that wasn’t a lie. It was something she knew she could trust Andy to know since he did actually know everything in the previous timeline as well. The boy was pretty good at keeping a secret. “Logan and Haru couldn’t come back because they’re wanted in town, so I’m here on their behalf.”

His eyes grew wide as saucers, awe crossing his face. “C- can I help? IswearIcankeepasecret-” Andy’s words jumbled together as he tried to convince her to let him help.

“You can, hon.” Kat ruffled his hair, relieved that she could dispel his doubts so easily. “Just remember; it’s a secret. We gotta act like we're a part of society now.”

She stood up and grabbed the book bag from the table, slinging it over her shoulder as she held a hand out to Andy.

The boy made a face. “Aw, that means going to school, huh?”

“Unfortunately so.” The builder chuckled. “Now, c’mon. We’re already late.”

—

Sunday School with Miguel was hellish for Kat, it was no wonder why Andy hated the idea of school. 

The Pastor did not hold back on the snide remarks. Kat nearly snapped at him several times, wanting to remind him that he shouldn’t be insulting a literal child for being adopted by bandits, until Andy himself tapped her leg and jerked his head towards the door. She could practically read the message in his eyes; I can handle this on my own, you can wait outside.

After several more silent suggestions and even a hastily scribbled note from the boy Kat had enough assurance that he’d be fine and excused herself before she could rip the Pastor’s head off.

She’d forgotten what an ass Miguel was before Duvos betrayed him and he had his epiphany in jail.

But Kat also trusted Andy’s wits. He was still a boy, sure, but he had a level of maturity that was hard-earned by being through so much for someone so young. It was the least she could do to have faith in him.

Leaning back with a sigh she let herself relax a little. She was sitting at the covered Yakmel Cart stop just outside the Temple’s doors. It was a bitter pity that such a beautiful spot was associated with such terrible betrayals and secrets.

Well-kept planter boxes filled with gorgeous Hyacinth Orchids and Mountain Roses lined every corner of the elevated courtyard surrounding the Temple. The Temple itself was on top of the tallest hill in town with a clear overlook of the whole town. ‘The place in town closest to the Light.' So people say. With its bell tower looming over the desert like a beacon, only overshadowed by the sheer height of the cliffside where the old world ruin they called ‘The Breach’ sat.

Churches of the Light were always placed in the spots where they’d get the most sunlight, which likely made cooling them absolutely hellish in the summer, but was the most befitting of people who literally worshiped the light of the sun itself.

Kat liked to consider herself at least respectfully religious.

Sure, the Church of the Light basically opposed everything she did as a career builder, namely using old-world tech, but she did still believe in some of the ideals of peace and unity. Builder’s school may have taught her that the sun was a burning ball of gas millions of kilometers away from the Earth, but she still reveled in the miracle that is their existence. Director Qi at the research center once told her the calculations of all the chances and possibilities that had come before each person was born basically meant that everyone’s existence was a near total zero percentile chance of happening.

It was his long-winded way of saying he appreciated her friendship, but it stuck with her because of how impossible it seemed.

If anything it just made her believe more in the idea that everything has its reasons and led her to the same conclusion that the Church’s teachings did; life should be cherished.

Sometimes though, a worm of doubt would sit in the back of her mind. If everything had its reasons, why did bad things have to happen to good people?

Like Howlett. From everything Logan and the other Sandrockers told her, the man never did anything but sacrifice for others. Selflessly trading his life away to keep people safe and raise a good son. Even brokering peace between Civilization and the Wild. A man that anyone could believe was near saintly from the reverence with which people, even his own son, spoke of him.

Yet here she sat, mere meters away from where he was murdered by a cruel and selfish monster.

It was a thought that made the pleasant warm breeze feel like a hollow chill. A lingering sense of anxiety and fear that seemed to summon trouble with it.

Trouble in the form of an all too familiar shadow falling over the builder. 

Pen’s shadow.

Kat's eyes snapped up, shrinking back against the bench at the sight of the Enforcer towering over her. Blue-gray eyes so shadowed they almost looked black practically piercing through her own.

His face was devoid of emotions, much like it had been any time she disobeyed him in her past life. A terrifying calm that used to have her scrambling to placate him in any way she could. Her chest tightened as her hand drifted towards the gun on her hip. Every instinct in her told her to run, to hide or fight, to do something to protect herself.

“You’re not supposed to be near me.” Kat practically hissed at him.

“You’re the one near me.” Pen sniffed disdainfully. “Matilda and Miguel restricted me to Church grounds, which you are on currently.”

“Leave me alone.”

“I think we both know that’s not an option for me.” He grinned at her humorlessly.

“Then what the hell do you want?” She bared her teeth right back, bristling as her hand fiddled with the safety strap on her holster.

Pen tilted his head, regarding her with cold calculation.

“I think you already know what this all is about, we’ve seen that machine too.” His voice was a soft and buttery coo. “If you agree to come with us we can leave Sandrock peacefully.”

Kat tensed, the time machine, they’ve found it.

“You care for these people, for that boy.” He purred. “It would be safer for them all if you surrendered yourself. Matilda has already given the order for your capture, so it will happen sooner or later.”

The builder shivered, staring at the Enforcer with unhidden fear.

In the previous timeline, the Duvosians had constantly tried to pitch their country’s propaganda to her, thinking that promises of fortune and luxury would buy her loyalty away from Sandrock. Hell, that one Commander that never took off his mask and helmet had tried to wine and dine her. What was his name again? Commander Lettuce? No wait, he was just obsessed with cabbage… Either way, they’d all, even Matilda, tried to recruit her for Duvos.

It wasn’t until the battle in the ruins that any of them threatened to kidnap her.

Of course, it was Pen. He’d forced her into a corner, ordering his men to hold her until they were ready to leave for Duvos. The man considered her his lover, his prize, his right.

He never considered how he’d hurt her.

“Well?” The Enforcer leaned over her, his eyes glittering with malice. “Do you care about them enough to ensure they won’t get hurt? There won’t have to be any bloodshed if you come quietly.”

Any retort she had died in her throat. He’s lying, they’ll never go peacefully.

Even as she thought it she couldn’t help but think about all the worries she’d had over the past year. She couldn’t stand the thought of any of them getting hurt. Despite what drivel Matilda had told them about not harming the people of Sandrock, these were still soldiers, murderers, and war criminals they were dealing with. If the Duvosians were coming after her…

That’d mean there was a battle coming, regardless of what she chose.

The Duvosians might not give up easily, but the Sandrockers never gave up. Even in the face of invasion and hostile occupation, they never backed down. For as much as Kat wanted to protect and fight for them, they’d do the same for her.

Whether she went willingly with Duvos or not, they’d always fight for her.

“Never.” The word spilled from her mouth in a venomous spit.

She’d honor the people of Sandrock; Logan, Haru, Andy, Justice, Trudy, Mi-an, Unsuur, everyone, by standing up for herself as well. To honor their wish to protect her as much as she wanted to protect them. To stand together.

A dark look crossed Pen’s face, anger and contempt at her disobedience, before it was quickly replaced by cold calm.

“You know where to find me if you change your mind.” The Enforcer’s voice was nearly drowned out by the Church bells ringing in the hour. “Let’s hope you don’t come to regret this decision.”

Andy burst out the Church doors freezing as he saw Pen turning away from Kat. He ran over, nearly knocking over one of the Church’s planters in a mad scramble to stand between her and the retreating form of the Enforcer. The boy bristled, glancing back and forth between Pen and Kat with intense worry in his eyes.

“Are you okay!? What’d he do to ya?” His voice warbled slightly as he scanned her for wounds.

Letting out a breath she didn’t know she was holding, Kat ruffled Andy’s hair. “Yeah, I’m fine. How was class?”

The boy wrinkled his nose, the disdain not quite quelling the worry on his face. “Well, Pastor Miguel just preached about the journey of Peach a lot… Jasmine was asking the Pastor so. Many. Questions. I kinda zoned out until I heard the bell.”

Kat chuckled. “That’s one way to get through school I suppose. You should at least try to learn some things though.”

He pouted at her. “I’d rather be runnin’ free with you and the gang. I learned way more doin’ that! Like how to make soap an’ pack bullets, or how plants eat with photo-sentences!”

“Photosynthesis,” Kat corrected him with a slight wince. 

She’d forgotten that Logan thought that making ammunition and cleaning weapons were good bonding activities. Granted, he learned that kind of stuff from his Pa at the same age as Andy. It just seemed like a bit… much to the builder. Though she supposed that making soap had its own dangers too. 

Perhaps the wilderness wasn’t the best place for a child to learn.

“At least let me help you with your homework, alright? If you want to start helping me, you can start by absorbing a little more knowledge.”

“Fiiine.” The boy groaned. “Can we go to the Saloon first? The stories were cool.” He looked up at her with the largest puppy eyes he could muster.

The builder shook her head with a small smile. “Owen has story nights on Saturdays only, sorry kiddo. We can hit up the Saloon after you finish your community service today though.”

Andy groaned louder, throwing his whole head back for dramatic effect. “This town’s gonna work me to death, I swear!”

—

Today they had to work with Burgess to clean litter around the Oasis. Andy thankfully got along pretty well with the ever-chipper Water Safety Inspector. Because the man was one of the only two good Church members in town, Kat felt a whole lot safer leaving Andy in his hands.

She didn’t go much farther than the benches on the Oasis deck though.

 From there she could see Andy making faces as he pulled soggy newspapers out of the water and watch as Burgess wrung water out of an old pair of jeans. Who dumps jeans in an Oasis? It was a curiosity that Kat always had. People tossed a lot of perfectly fine materials as litter all the time. She’d even started collecting paper scraps and recycled them into sketchbook paper and watercolor canvases. Something that earned her a lot of favor with Heidi and the rest of the artist community in Sandrock.

Not many tourists had to take recycling as seriously as the people who lived here she supposed.

What a hassle…

“Is your boy settling in alright?” A warm voice startled Kat.

Grandma Vivi had managed to sneak up on her, out on her usual evening walk around the Oasis. Mirth twinkled in her eyes as she settled next to Kat on the bench, watching as Burgess nearly fell into the Oasis trying to fish a piece of floating trash out. Andy came to the Safety Inspector's rescue as he hauled the man backwards by a belt loop with all his might. 

“I know it's only been a day, but Jas has been excited to have someone her age around now.” Vivi turned her warm look back towards Kat. “Though I imagine that city life ain't as exciting for him as running with bandits.”

Kat looked at Grandma Vivi in surprise. 

So far everyone in town has avoided the subject of the bandits when she was around. Minus Ernest and Burgess who came to check on Kat at her workshop.

Fortunately, Heidi had installed a Sandwall around Kat's yard while she was away. That neat little gizmo turned her cute waist-high white fence into a seven-foot wood and steel fortress of a fence with the push of a button. Unfortunately, that did not stop Ernest, who chose to then stand on Burgess to peek over the fence.

It wasn't until she assured Burgess she was fine and promised Ernest her first interview when she felt better that they'd left.

Everyone else seemed content to have her back, giving her space and not questioning her about the men who kidnapped her.

Grandma Vivi smiled. “I know most everyone don’t want to ask you what happened out there, but I have a hunch Logan treated you a lot kinder than what they’re worryin’ about.” She fixed the collar of the cloak, Logan’s cloak, that Kat was wearing. “That pup has always been sentimental, he holds people he considers family close. He must have really doted on you.”

“How did-?” Kat bit her tongue. The builder thought she was keeping her feelings a secret pretty well. Aside from adopting Andy, she didn’t really let anyone in on the- whatever it was that was going on between her and Logan. She couldn’t help but wonder if anyone else had noticed too.

“I’ve been a tailor for a lifetime now, honey. Even then I can still remember every important piece that left my shop. This one?” Vivi patted Kat’s cloak. “Why, I still remember the day that I wrapped it around the shoulders of a stressed young man. He was getting his own cape repaired and couldn’t stop fretting over the fact that his Pa hadn’t been home in a couple days.” The older woman smiled fondly. “He never parted with it after that. Always swore he was keeping it just in case he met someone who needed it more. I knew better though. It was a comfort to him, something to remind him he always had family in Sandrock.”

Her eyes gleamed with knowing warmth as she looked back up at the builder. “You an’ Andy must be real important to him.”

Kat fiddled with the hem of the cloak, feeling a faint blush burning her cheeks. 

She had no idea it meant that much to him. 

When he’d given it to her he hadn’t made much of a fuss. She even felt a little guilty for keeping it after she’d gotten a change of clothes. Reasoning to herself that it was because it was comfortable and warm… and that he’d never asked for it back…

In reality, Kat knew it was because it felt like a piece of his kindness she could keep close when she’d thought her feelings would go unrequited.

She felt a lot less guilty now that she knew how he felt. With all the uncertainty she was facing now, she was glad to have the cloak. It was practically a memento to all the possibilities between them and a reason to fight for her future, wayward time machine or not.

It'd only been three days and they didn’t really have a definition for what they were to each other… but she already missed him.

The builder smiled hesitantly back at Vivi. “Yeah, he was kind and sweet. I know everyone’s been angry with him lately, but he does have good reasons for why he’s doing all this... I can’t say much more, but he needed my help. We- we got pretty close.” She admitted, glancing up at the elderly matriarch.

“I’m glad to hear our pup’s well.” Vivi sighed happily. “Whatever the reason, I just want to see him home safe.”

“I wonder if the rest of the town would feel the same.” A deep voice from behind made both women tense.

Kat turned to see Miguel watching her, eyes glittering with derision.

“How interesting, Kat. I seem to recall that you told the Civil Corps you knew nothing.”

—

Chapter Text

When he figured out where Andy went Logan was ready to march into town, bounty hunters and law enforcement be damned.

In fact, both he and Haru were saddling up the goats when Grace popped in to let them know that Kat had taken Andy in. Logan was equal parts relieved and upset. He’d already let go of Kat, at least temporarily, now he had to deal without Andy too. It was lonely.

The cave felt too quiet, like they were waiting for the other shoe to drop.

The hunter couldn’t help but feel intense guilt. He was so stressed about how the hostage exchange went that he’d pushed away Andy. To the point that the boy ran away. Likely causing problems for Kat and terrorizing the townsfolk… 

He kind of wished that they’d stayed in the desert. Then he’d be the one comforting Kat and dealing with Andy’s antics. 

Logan wanted his little family back.

Wanted to be the one there for them. Keeping them company, having adventures, and eating at the Blue Moon together on the weekends. Just… being together.

Perhaps it was kind of clingy to be missing someone after just under three days apart but with the situation they were dealing with and the fact that he’d lost both of them suddenly, especially with who it was that had taken Kat…

Even the ever level-headed Haru was antsy.

Both of them were getting to the point that they were ready to ride into Sandrock again, regardless of what Grace had said about staying put.

The chemist had been puttering around his lab nearly as much as Logan was moving around the cave. Often grumbling to himself and causing the whole cavern to be filled with the clattering of equipment and the occasional fwooosh of flames. A sure sign that Haru was just as bothered as the hunter was.

It felt like the two of them were just doing things to fill the silence. As though the both of them had some internal agreement to make up for the noise the kid and the builder used to make.

As Logan completed his fiftieth lap pacing around the cave he noticed Haru packing and saddling Merle. Among the things were his personal effects and enough supplies to last a couple of days. The kind of pack someone who wasn't planning on coming back would do. What's he doing?

Haru wasn't one to make rash decisions… was he leaving too?

“No, we're going back to Sandrock.” He replied.

The hunter blinked, he didn't realize he'd walked over and asked that last question aloud. The only thing more surprising than his own subconscious actions was the fact that Haru had basically issued an order.

“We are?”

The chemist looked up at him. “Well, neither of us can sit still. You've practically dug a new trench with all the pacing you're doing.” He hefted another saddlebag onto Merle’s back. “...and you heard what Grace said. Today is the day they're going to arrest the spies. Between that and losing Kat and Andy, I don't want to wait anymore. The whole point of all this was so we could save Sandrock and return home.”

He patted Merle’s muzzle as the white goat nuzzled his gloves, looking for treats.

“I think it's time to return home.”

Logan nodded. “I’ll need a few minutes to saddle Rambo.”

“Of course. I still need to pack the last of the bombs I made.”

The hunter raised his brow at that. Haru had spent the past day mechanically making all his bombs, smoke bombs, and explosive flasks out of stress. ‘You can never be too ready for a fight.’ He’d replied with a shrug when Logan asked. He would have thought they were finally at the end of the fight, ready to relax after over two years on the run. Yet his best friend clearly thought differently.

“Is that a good idea? I thought we were surrendering.”

“I’ve… got a bad feeling,” Haru admitted with a tilt of his head. “It’s part of why I want to get back to Sandrock. I know Grace said the Alliance would be moving in soon, but I just wanna be there to make sure.”

Ah, so that was why he was worried. Logan was used to being the ‘emotional’ one, but it was unusual for the chemist to be similarly stressed and agitated. His reasoning was something the hunter was familiar with though.

Howlett had taught them both it was better to see things done yourself. Better safe than sorry.

“Right. It’s not a bad idea t’ be prepared.” Logan nodded again. “Let me throw some things together, too.”

—

The noise of the gathered crowd was at a near-fever pitch.

Muttering and protesting loudly as Kat was dragged up the steps of Town Hall’s porch in handcuffs. 

Panicked blood rushed in her ears, nearly drowning out the voices around her. She’d been caught talking about Logan. Damn her lonely heart.

The situation wasn’t helped by the fact that a larger than usual crowd had gathered at Town Hall for the Sunday meeting, the meeting where they were planning to out the spies. Their attention was drawn by the sudden noise, Vivi’s protests, and Andy’s screams.

She’d seen a flash of Grace’s golden hair dashing away and the horrified look on Justice’s face. So it was at least assuring that her friends were nearby. 

“Miguel! What is the meaning of this?!?” Mayor Trudy’s voice rose above the din of the crowd, bringing it to silence.

The Pastor shoved the builder forward with a half snarl on his face. “Do you want to tell them or shall I?”

Kat pressed her lips together. She needed to stall. Just long enough for Justice or Grace to do something.

With a sneer, Miguel turned towards the crowd. “The builder has admitted to aiding and abetting Logan’s crimes while with him!” A gasp rang out from the crowd. “Both myself and Mrs Vivi have heard her saying this.”

“I heard no such thing.” The matriarch shook her head, her jaw squared with anger. “What I’ve seen is our beloved Pastor harassing this poor young woman.”

“Then you’re a co-conspirator.” The Pastor wrinkled his nose at her. “I know what I heard, the builder knows more about Logan than she told the Civil Corps.”

He turned his eyes glittering with malice as he looked at Kat. “Well? If you tell us more, we might be more inclined to be lenient about your transgressions.”

The builder opened her mouth to snap at the man, the desire to out their damned plan stronger than ever. But a sight in the corner of her eye made her stop, killing the words in her throat; Pen standing close behind Grandma Vivi and Andy. An empty look on his face sent shivers down her spine.

“Miguel!” Mayor Trudy spoke up again, her voice sharper this time. “What’s gotten into you?! Are you just going to accuse everyone in this town of conspiring with Logan?”

“Yeah! Who’s next on yer list?” Cooper thundered. The hot-headed man thankfully appeared to be on the builder’s side. “Th’ no-talk doc? Th’ Minister? Me? Y’ know, back when I was younger, we stuck to blamin’ the criminal for the crime, ain’t no conspiracy-ma-tors.”

“She was at the Water Tower with the bandit when it exploded. Are you telling me a builder, a builder who knows how to make bombs, had nothing to do with that?” Miguel snarled.

“Woah, hol’ on now! I was there!” The Sheriff interjected. “So was Pen! You saying we’re all under suspicion because of that?”

“N- no.” The Pastor seemed thrown, realizing most of the crowd was already against him. Their disapproving scowls showing how much the man’s aggression had worn them thin. “But she’s-”

“We’ve all known for a while that Haru’s pretty capable of making bombs too! He used to do so all the time for ol’ Howlett and the Civil Corps! Even then, I have my doubts that Logan was the one to do all that in the first place!” Justice pressed on, stalking towards the stage, stopping on the steps to address the people. “One thing I’d like you to answer for Pastor is why all of your Water Reports have been falsified.”

Miguel’s eyes widened as the crowd’s murmurs reached another roar, the tension reaching an unbearable height.

Kat tried to catch the Sheriff’s eye, desperately trying to point out the enforcer that lingered behind Andy and Vivi. The cold grin on Pen’s face gripped her heart with terror. He should be upset that their plans are getting revealed…

“I- I don’t know what you’re talking about Sheriff, what nonsense slander have you heard?” The Pastor tried to cover his shock with indignation. “Are you telling me that you’ve fallen to the same madness that Logan has? The man is trying to turn us against each other!”

“Then explain the pipe network and the relic underneath the Oasis, or the written confession from ol’ Mason implicating y’all.” Justice drew himself to his full height, staring down Miguel as the Pastor’s eyes darted around, looking for some sort of out. The Sheriff turned to the crowd, raising his voice in announcement. “If everyone would turn their attention to the Peach statue… UNSUUR NOW!”

Kat couldn’t see what was going on by Martle’s Oasis from where she stood on the steps of the Town Hall, both the crowd and the buildings blocking her view. But Justice seemed confident in what was happening. As people gathered at the far end of the square their gasps were punctuated by a loud crash and the roar of spewing water. For a brief moment, the builder could see the faint shimmer of a rainbow in spraying water over their heads. Unsuur pulled down the Peach statue.

It was how Logan revealed the water thieves in the previous timeline.

“W- was everything a lie, Miguel?” Mayor Trudy turned back towards the Pastor. The crowd turned towards him, uncertainty, anger, and betrayal clear on their faces.

“No! They’re framing me!” Miguel shouted desperately, turning his enraged gaze onto the builder. “She was there with them!” He pointed a trembling finger at her. “She’s the one who put those there!”

“Then what about the water reports?” Justice demanded. “The careful accounts of every drop of water in town that you were so proud of keeping? The ones you never let anyone else touch?”

The Pastor stumbled like he was punched, fury crossing his face.

“You’re corrupt! YOU’RE ALL CORRUPT! I’m trying to save you, and yet you turn on me!” Miguel snarled, practically spitting with vehemence. 

“Yeah?!” The Sheriff spat back. “Is that why you’re working for Duvos?!”

“They’re right, the only righteous path!” The Pastor raged. “THEY UNDERSTAND JUST HOW MUCH ORDER MATTERS TO HUMANITY.”

Another shocked gasp rose out of the crowd, cries of fear and betrayal.

In a frenzy, Miguel withdrew a pistol from his robe, screams echoing across Martle’s Square as he pointed it at the builder. 

Kat couldn’t care less.

She saw Pen reaching for Andy.

A scream left her throat, her bound hands desperately reaching for her son.

Justice was caught between two choices, his own gun in his hand already. His eyes barely having more than a moment to dart between the gun to the builder’s head and the Enforcer reaching for the small child.

“AAAAAAAPPPPPPPP!” A mighty- goaty- warcry rang out from Mainstreet. 

Twin white and gray blurs burst onto the scene.

Merle’s head collided full force with the armed Pastor, sending the man down the Town Hall steps into the crowd, the gun flying out of his hands. Rambo threw himself full-bodied against Pen, the ram’s head and massive horns hitting the Enforcer like- well… a battering ram. Sending the man flying as Logan hauled Andy into the saddle in front of him.

“Logan!” The gathered crowd cried almost with one voice.

“Your time is up, Miguel and Pen!” The bandit roared, his deep rumble filling Martle’s Square with his voice. “Give up! I ain’t goin’ to let you hurt anyone else in Sandrock. Not after what you did to my Pa!”

—

The only thing that compared to the sheer terror Logan had felt when he saw the Temple’s fiery collapse when his Pa was still inside, was the horrified chill he got when he and Haru met a panicked Grace on their way to town.

After a quick babble from her where the only thing the bandit could hear was ‘Kat had been arrested by Miguel and Pen.'

They’d taken off at top speed.

He wasn’t sure he’d ever felt Rambo run faster than he had in that moment, barely pausing by the Saloon to drop off Grace as they raced towards Martle’s Square as he’d heard Kat’s scream.

It was nearly disastrous as he saw both the builder and Andy in trouble. 

Logan’s mind was torn between wanting to protect both of them when the goats acted nearly of their own volition. As though they already had a plan. Haru’s goat Merle, leaping the porch rail easily to defend Kat from the dastardly Pastor, as Rambo charged forward, slamming Pen with all the force his nearly half-ton muscled body could produce.

The bandit could barely hear his own roaring voice over the rushing of blood in his ears, pure adrenaline running him.

“Logan! Andy!” Kat’s near-sobbing cries pulled his head out of the fog.

He turned to see the builder stumbling towards them, nearly falling down the Town Hall steps as her hands were still bound in handcuffs. The boy squirmed in the saddle, reaching for the builder with a scared whine.

The bandit hefted the boy off the saddle as easily as he hauled him up onto it. His heart warmed for a moment as he watched Andy scramble over to hug Kat.

Then the Enforcer got up. An uproarious laugh spilling from his large frame.

“Aw, you finally figured it out didn’t you?” Pen’s voice was mockingly sweet. All pretenses of good given up as a psychotic light gleamed in his eyes. “Put up a hell of a fight too, your old man did.”

The townsfolk backed away from the Enforcer, eyes wide with fear and despair as they realized what he meant. Logan’s blood boiled. Oh how he’d been waiting for this chance to avenge his Pa.

He hopped down from Rambo’s saddle, his face fixed in a snarl underneath the mask.

“Ah, yes! He made that exact same face if I recall.” Pen sneered. “Like a cornered animal.”

“W- what are you talking about, Pen?!” The Pastor was starting to push himself to his feet, horror creeping onto his face. “The Temple… that- it was Logan who-”

“-who you thought blew up the Temple, yeah, yeah. We’ve all heard the story, you old codger. But those firecrackers? Hah. Paltry. Logan’s plan to break Howlett out that night would have worked if I hadn’t done something.” The Enforcer laughed cruelly at the look on Miguel’s face. “What? You're rethinking the fact you’ve sold your soul to an empire that was ready to raze this town like that monster did to your precious Doss?”

The Pastor looked like he was going to vomit.

The townsfolk began to bristle. Justice turned his gun from Miguel to Pen, and Logan and Mayor Trudy did the same.

Pen simply smiled. “Aw, not even going to give me a fair fight?”

“Not with the relic weapon you used to blow up the Water Tower, Pen.” Logan spat.

“Shame.” The Enforcer shrugged.

Putting his hands together Logan could see the familiar ominous sparking light of the weapon charging, the shrill sound of electricity filling the air.

“Let me show you the real meaning of Light!” Pen roared.

Logan lunged forward. Firing two shots that knocked the Enforcer back as he dragged his dagger out of its sheath, trying desperately to cut at the relic weapon on the man’s hands.

Pen shoved back, his armored fists hitting the hunter like angry yakmels. He grabbed the hunter’s arm and swung around, practically tossing the man over his shoulder. Logan rolled to the side just as a flash of electric light scorched the spot on the ground where his head had been.

The back of the hands, there’s a computer chip there, that’s the weak spot on the relic. Kat’s voice whispered in his mind. One of many memories of the late nights they’d stayed up together.

The hunter lunged again, sending a flurry of cuts that forced Pen to desperately block each attack. Stabbing, slashing, cutting, aiming for the Enforcer’s hands each time. He was going to disable that relic no matter what.

With a grunt Pen managed to shove a palm between them, a bright flash followed by a crackle of electricity through his body sent Logan flying back. 

Pain making him blackout for a split second.

The Enforcer snarled in triumph, cupping his palms together again, light gathering between them. “You’re too weak, I’m going to finish thi-”

Searing sparks flew from Pen’s left glove, the powering attack fizzling out as the relic sputtered and crackled. The Enforcer swore loudly, grasping at his hand as the malfunctioning weapon branded his hand with electricity.

“It’s over, Pen! Surrender.” Logan snarled, standing shakily as he unholstered his gun again.

Pen looked up at the hunter with a cold, triumphant smile. As though he’d won.

“I think you’re overestimating your position here.” His voice was devoid of its usual boisterous tone. 

Logan opened his mouth to retort when screams from across the Square, near Main Street, made his heart sink.

Looking up from the Enforcer, his blood ran cold. 

Minister Matilda held Kat by her hair, a gun in her hand pressed to the builder’s head. A line of Duvosian soldiers behind her cornering the townsfolk in the square. They’re here. Why’re they here?!

“I suggest you put down your weapon, Logan,” Matilda spoke softly, almost serene, as though she wasn’t one twitch away from taking someone’s life. “You too, Sheriff, Trudy.” She nodded at the other two. “Make no hasty moves and no one has to be hurt.”

The hunter hesitated a moment. His eyes met Kat’s scared gaze.

Pen lunged at him, sinking his fist into Logan’s stomach, punching the breath out of the hunter.

The Enforcer towered over him as he collapsed to his knees.

“Come along, Pen. We’ve gotten what we came for.” The Minister’s voice chided the man. “As for the rest of you, I suggest you stay put so you don’t get hurt.” She turned to the crowd. “The Duvos army has Sandrock surrounded and all telegraph lines jammed. Cooperate with us, and we can cooperate with you, alright?” She smiled sweetly, like she was talking with children, or during a sermon.

“Matilda… you too?” Mayor Trudy’s voice wavered as the townsfolk backed away from the Duvosian line.

“Sorry, dear.” Matilda smiled venomously at the Mayor. “Sometimes we have to do things for our own people. You do what you can for Sandrock, I do what I can for my children. There's no reason this has to get violent for either of us, okay?”

“The Alliance won’t let you get away with this…” Anger steeled Trudy’s voice.

Before the Mayor could continue a couple of soldiers burst out of Town Hall dragging Grace by her shirt and throwing her into the Square with the rest of the townsfolk. “Tiger! We found this one trying to send a telegraph.”

“ The Alliance doesn't know we’re here yet.” The Minister turned back to Trudy and laughed. “And by the time they do, we’ll be long gone. Kat is coming with us as insurance. Behave and we may let her go.” She glanced down at Logan, the threat clear in her tone.

She turned away, dragging Kat with her as the other Duvosian soldier fell in line. Pen spat at the hunter beneath him before turning to follow.

They’re taking Kat.

Bile rose in Logan’s throat as he watched the retreating forms of the Duvosians. The gun never straying from Kat’s head.

The whole town seemed to stand stock still as they watched the traitors and their soldiers leave. Time ticking by with each heartbeat and each marching step.

All at once, several people launched into action. Logan threw himself to his feet, scrambling to confront the Duvosians. Justice followed suit, picking back up his gun and nodding to his fellows. As well as the Mayor. A moment of steely assurance passed between them and everyone in the square that this affront would not be forgiven.

Quickest out of all of them was Haru, who was still mounted on Merle, as he whipped out a bomb from his pack, one of his concussive stun grenades. Lighting it and throwing it at the far end of the Duvosian line.

The explosion threw them into disarray. Sending the soldiers running.

Logan ran across Martle’s Square, his heart sinking as he saw a small airship waiting at the end of Main Street. Its ominous form casting its shadow over the Saloon.

“Stop them!” The hunter fired at the soldiers. “Everyone else get in’ta Town Hall!” He snapped over his shoulder.

Matilda handed Kat over to Pen as she turned back to glare at the attackers.

Haru spurred Merle forward, lobbing another grenade at the soldiers, scattering them further before they could return fire.

The moment of triumph and rebellion turned to a moment of horror as Logan saw Matilda take aim. Her gun pointed straight at-

A near-soundless cry ripped from Logan’s throat. Time seemed to slow as the hunter’s voice and legs couldn’t seem to move fast enough. His best friend slipped limply from Merle’s saddle, tumbling in the street as the panicked goat veered away from the gunfire.

“HARU!”

—

Chapter Text

Kat shivered despite the numerous hands holding her.

It was as though even the warmth of the desert sun couldn't penetrate this deep into the ruins, or this deep into the heart of evil. 

She’d begged him, pleaded with him to stop. Clinging to the meager hope that, somehow, the ‘Protector of Sandrock’ she’d fallen in love with wasn’t the monster she saw in front of her. That the past two years of her life hadn’t been a lie.

When he’d been arrested alongside Miguel she’d still held out hope that he could choose to be a good person. He’d done bad things, sure, but at least he wasn’t flat-out evil, just selfish…

Or so Kat had hoped.

She held out despite the side-eyes she got from the rest of the townsfolk. Held out despite the intervention that Grace and Owen organized. Held out despite the worried glances both Justice and Unsuur shot her way every time she visited the jail. Despite Logan calling her ‘insane’ right to her face.

It was bad enough that his only response to her pleas, to her saying ‘I still love you,’ was just a callous and smug ‘I know.’ Bad enough she stood by him when the whole town thought of him as a traitor. Or that she followed his beck and call like a dog.

But this…

Kat had felt sicker with every step that took her deeper into the Northern Ruins. As the pieces of his true betrayal fell into place, seeing him standing proud as a Duvosian Knight and not some random mercenary like they’d thought and learning just how deep their plots and schemes ran. It was like her body was rejecting all the times she’d let him touch her. Rejecting every kiss he’d stolen from her, and every waking moment she’d spent with him. Like her gut wanted to purge all the feelings she’d ever had.

She’d barely held it together when they found Howlett’s journal, the only thing keeping her from breaking down was focusing on helping the old monster hunter’s enraged son.

All this time…

All this time she’d stood by a monster.

Believed that the monster had somehow loved her back.

It had clicked like a spark igniting the fog that had clouded her judgment, burning away the clouds until the light could shine through again. The memory of enchanting smiles melting into enraged scowls, sweetly whispered words turning into bitter rebukes and poisonous coercion. All the nights she’d spent reasoning away the ways he hurt her and the moments where he never seemed to truly care about her.

Perhaps he did love her in his own perverse way… 

She fit into his narcissistic idea of love anyways.

She’d been in love with the idea of love- with the idea that she could be loved by him specifically. Enraptured by the fact that she had his attention, that he only acted like that with her.

Perhaps it was why he’d grabbed her during the fight. Hauling her away towards the Duvosian soldiers, instructing them to hold her so he could ‘finish swatting the annoying flies that had wandered in.’ Forcing her to watch as he prepared to destroy and take her away from everything and everyone she’d grown to love. 

Several realizations hit Kat at once. That wasn’t love. She’d been blinded by the fear of being alone. Her real love was for the town that’d taken her in like family. 

Most of all; she was scared.

Scared of and for the future, scared that she didn’t really understand who she wanted to be, scared of losing what little she’d managed for herself in her young life, scared that she’d never really been forced to be alone before, scared of how reliant she was on others… and scared for her life.

…and perhaps it was the terror of that realization that made her cling to Howlett’s shotgun as the Duvosians tried to pry it from her.

Her skin crawled with all the hands touching her. Trying to pin her down. Uncaring of the suffering they caused.

She struggled, screaming as though their hands seared her skin like fire. Vulnerable, alone, terrified out of her mind. Every sense overwhelmed by the stench of burning electricity and smoke, the sight of gray and green, and the terrible chill in the air that stifled any warmth. If she lost now this fear would be the rest of her life.

How apt that she held a monster hunter’s weapon as the faces around her looked more monstrous than human.

Blind panic had fueled her through that fight.

A clawing need for survival that lashed out at the world around her. Forcing her to hurt other people in a way she’d never had to in her life. 

In a way, she’d hope to never have to again.

It wasn’t until she caught herself unintentionally turning the barrel of the gun towards Logan in that same lashing panic that she remembered where she was. Her senses returned and the boiling in her gut reached a fever pitch as nausea overtook the feelings of fear. She fell to her knees and emptied her stomach. Flinching harshly when the hunter touched her, instinctively raising the weapon again in a flighty sense of self-preservation.

 He’d pinned her to the ground, holding the shotgun down and away from him, a much kinder- and sadder- look in his eyes than the men that had held her just moments prior. She would have broken down inconsolably right there had they not still had a hard fight ahead of them, the starship engines that the Duvosians intended to steal still attached to the lift that led to their airship and a mech-suit piloting Matilda directing the remnants of the Duvosian army.

After that battle though, both Logan and Justice were much kinder towards her. 

The only remaining witnesses to an innocent life forever altered by the cruelty of the monsters they’d faced.

—

Kat woke up tense.

Everything around her was cold and overwhelmingly bright, the harsh other-worldly glow of ancient old-world ruin lights shining through her closed eyelids. She cracked her eyes open to see she was curled into her cloak, a throbbing ache on the back of her head making itself known. Where-?

The memory of the confrontation at Martle’s Square flooded back to her.

Matilda holding a gun to her head. The look of fear in Logan’s eyes. Being dragged away towards a transport airship. Haru being shot.

She shivered, remembering the scream that escaped her when she saw the chemist fall limp from his goat. In the scuffle she'd tried to wrench herself free from Pen’s grasp, managing to drop to the ground. Then a sharp hit to her head knocked her out. Whether that was accidental or intentional on the Duvosian's part, she wasn't sure…

“Oh good, you’re awake.” A strangely familiar placid voice startled her.

The heart-sinking sight of a Duvosian uniform filled her sight.

Kat kicked at the man.

“Whoa, Hey! Easy!” The man stumbled back a little, almost falling on his butt since he was crouching.

His voice gave the builder pause. It was eerily familiar.

“See? That's better.” He sighed. “I'm Stev, I was appointed to, well… look after you, I guess. Like a warden.”

Her spark of hope was dashed by his words. She did remember him from the previous timeline.

He was her ‘warden’ back then too. When Duvos temporarily occupied Sandrock after the invasion. This Duvosian was actually quite nice, very polite for a ‘violent captor.’ Though it was rather easy to give this guy the slip since Logan and his mole buddies were really good at distracting him.

Talking with him, both during the occupation and later during the time he spent in the Sandrock jail before they were shipped off to the Alliance headquarters in Atara for trial, had really given her some perspective about the supposedly ‘evil’ people of Duvos. Especially after her experiences with their horrid commanders.

The soldiers were just people too. Some of them were nice. It had been a weird comfort for Kat.

Stev was nice, and also kind of fascinating to talk to, but that wouldn't help her-

He reached for her. She reacted instinctively, kicking and flailing again. This time though, the Duvosian didn't back off.

“Hey! Stop! Please?” He pleaded as he struggled to grab her. “Look the Commander wants you moved into the room with the relic machine for transport, I've got no say in- Ow!” He yanked his hand away from the near-feral builder, “You bit me!?” His exclamation sounded more like confusion than rebuke. As though he was just more surprised that she'd think to bite him rather than angry that she actually did.

The Duvosian stared at her, their scuffle coming to an impasse.

“Look,” He held his hands out in front of him, “I really don't want to have to hurt anyone. I don't like this arrangement any more than you do, but I've got orders to follow or the Commanders won't be kind to either of us, okay? I'm trying to help.”

Kat could barely make out the man's eyes through the green goggles that covered most of his face, an earnest look of sympathy written on what she could see. 

The tentative formations of a plan started to swirl in her head, a slight pang of guilt hitting her as she knew she'd have to take advantage of this poor guy's trust. Stev is nice- and she could probably use that little bit of humanity to give herself a chance.

Maybe she'd put a good word in with the Alliance for him… if she made it out of this alive.

“If you can stand on your own and follow me, then I don't have to touch you. If that's what you don't like.” The Duvosian watched her wearily, a little relieved that she wasn't still trying to bite him.

“Okay.” She nodded. 

Stev sighed in relief, stepping back to give the builder room.

Glancing around as she pushed herself to her feet she could see they were in one of the entrance rooms to the Northern Ruins. The blinding glow of the space center lights displaying all of the bustling Duvosian soldiers and Relic AIs walking in and out of the rooms like a disturbed ant’s nest. The sight made Kat shiver again.

“Yeah, if I’m being honest. The Commander and Tiger kind of dropped you here unceremoniously.” Her Duvosian escort rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Something about important communications to get to. Trying to transport the engines and the time-”

He stiffened and glanced sideways at the builder. “Ah, I don’t think I was supposed to tell you that- forget I said anything.”

She just nodded, letting him lead the way.

The ruins were just as cold as she remembered, shadows lingered despite the bright lights. It all brought back bad memories. As they made their way through the winding maze, Kat could feel her heart sink lower and lower. They were going deep into the ruins.

Kat almost stopped when she recognized the path they were taking.

It was the exact path she’d taken with Logan the day she was sent back. 

She swallowed nervously. Phantom pain crackled along her hands where she’d touched that machine.

With everything that was happening, she almost wished that day never happened.

Her hand brushed the edge of her cloak gently. The cream-colored fabric felt like the only semblance of warmth in this whole place.

Almost…

At least she had some good memories to accompany her.

“Look who finally decided to join us.” An unpleasant booming voice drove the little calm she had left out of her.

Pen.

Looking up she saw the time machine, glowing ominously, giving the monstrous form of the Duvosian an eerie backlight.

The room had gone from bone-chillingly cold to unbearably hot like she’d stepped out from the shadows of limbo straight into the fires of hell. She didn’t even realize she’d been backing away until her back hit the shocking cold metal wall beside the door.

“Aw, you’ve got nowhere else to go, skinny.” Pen stalked closer to her, leaning down with his face bare inches from hers. “You’re staying put like a good little builder this time.”

He grabbed her by the throat, forcing her to meet his eyes. A triumphant grin spread across his face as he took in her cowering form and the terror on her face. Stev, and even some of the other Duvosian soldiers, looked immensely uncomfortable, throwing disapproving glances at the commander.

“Don’t worry, you’ll come to love Duvos. Like I said before, cooperate, and you’ll be rewarded.” Pen purred, grinning at her like a life of imprisonment was some immense kindness he could grant her.

As though they weren't going to work her until she died, or experiment on her until she barely resembled a human anymore. Unlike Stev, all the Duvosians higher in the chain of command seemed to think that the Empire was some Light-given gift to the wretched of the Earth. A gross propaganda-fueled ego that would nearly make Kat laugh considering how she’d seen these people treat their own men.

She spat in his face.

Pen flinched, the grin vanishing from his face.

His grip around her throat tightened, slamming her to the floor. Barely more than a mewling gasp was able to leave her constricted windpipe. Near bone-crushing pain shooting throughout her body as it collided with the ground.

“I’d recommend you start listening, sweetheart.” He snarled at her. “Or we’ll have to kill more than just your one little bomb-making bandit buddy.”

Haru.

She stared up at him wide-eyed, horror creeping up her spine. No. There’s no way. Please.

The Duvosian commander smiled cruelly down at her, clicking his tongue in disappointment. “I did warn you. If you came peacefully with us, none of that would have had to happen.” He shook his head as he chuckled, letting go of her throat. “You should've seen the look on your stupid yakboy’s face. Poor man’s eyes were practically bugging out of his skull. It's a shame I couldn’t see the rest of his face.”

Kat curled against the floor. Please no… A sob escaped her. Haru can’t be dead. Please…

Her silent prayers came out as body-wracking shivers. Grief and guilt threatening to tear her apart.

Pen crouched down, a mockingly sweet tone to his voice as he patted her shaking back. “There, there. After today you don’t have to worry about anything outside these walls and then the walls of whatever testing facility Duvos decides to put this machine in.”

He stood, a laugh escaping him. “I will have to find some way to thank you for that by the way, skinny. After this mission, I’ll be able to retire in absolute luxury. Maybe the Empire will even let me keep you once they’re done with you.” 

The Duvosian commander looked down at her, thoroughly enjoying the pain clear on her face.

“Commander Pen.” A soldier entered the room, drawing his attention away from Kat. “Tiger asked to speak with you.”

With a shrug, Pen turned fully away, throwing one last sharp look over his shoulder. “Stay. Put.” He ordered like he was talking to a disobedient dog.

The builder lay there, the throbbing pain of bruises barely grounding her in reality as the pain of regret and self-condemnation threatened to drown her. Her spiraling thoughts consumed her as she wracked her mind for something, anything she could have done differently to save the chemist’s life. Desperate for some kind of relief from the burning pain of grief.

She flinched when another hand touched her.

“Ah, sorry miss.” Stev retracted his hand. 

The Duvosian soldier chewed his lip as Kat stared at him dully. Clearly worried about her.

Now would be a great time to put an escape plan into action…

Should she even try to escape? The hollow space in Kat’s chest sucked out nearly all hope she’d had. She’d seen Haru get shot but some part of her had clung to the hope that he’d survived. Now, though… 

It felt like she’d killed him herself.

Some part of her knew that Pen had only said that to try to break her. Another still defiant part of her wanted to believe that he was lying. Haru was as tough as Logan, he wouldn’t die so easily.

But grief and fear paralyzed her.

Light, what must Logan be thinking right now?

She’d come into his life asking for protection and it cost him what he had left of his family. Everything she’d done until now to avoid the dangers of the future had only made it worse. How stupid was she that she really believed that one stupid little girl could change the course of history itself?

How stupid was she for risking the little family she had built?

Tears streamed down her face.

“H- hey, uh- Why don’t you come over here.” Stev tried to pick her up as gently as he could. “We’ve got a cot set up for you, it’s- it’ll be more comfortable than the floor.”

Kat let herself be half-carried half-dragged by the soldier.

Even if…  

Even if she did give up, Logan never would.

Especially if they’d killed Haru… Vengeance would be coming for all the Duvosians here. Logan wasn’t the peaceful type and Haru typically acted as his self-control. There’d be hell to pay regardless of what they did to Kat.

Perhaps it was the least she could do to honor the chemist’s memory to try and escape.

Dull motivation warmed her chest a little.

She could kill two birds with one stone…

If she was going to die here, or be shipped off to be experimented on in Duvos, she owed some final words to their little bandit gang. Owed it to Haru to give them some semblance of peace about her, owed it to Andy to know how much she cared… Owed it to Logan to tell him the full truth about her feelings.

She started this whole journey with some letters, may as well end it with some.

Plus, it would be enough to distract the ever-placid Duvosian guard that was assigned to her too. Kat would just have to wait for the right moment.

“Stev.”

“Yeah?” The Duvosian stopped dragging her, his brow furrowed.

“Can I write some letters to my family?”

His jaw twitched a little as he contemplated her question.

“Please?” She begged, her voice still wreaked from grief and pain. “I have a son.”

That seemed to do it. The look on Stev's face softened, sympathy in his eyes. A slight comfort to her, knowing that at least one person here was human.

“Alright. I'll have to talk to the commander about getting them sent… but for now, I think I can at least get you some paper and a pencil.”

—

Chapter Text

Haru’s consciousness flickered like a light snapping on and off at the flip of a switch.

It was like he could see flashes of things happening around him playing on repeat. The first thing that his brain registered was pain, then the tang of blood in his mouth, then the sunlight, Logan’s panicked face, and then the loud cracks of gunfire. Plus the pain of being dragged by the arms as his best friend hauled him out of the line of fire.

He knew getting hurt would hurt. The chemist wasn’t a crybaby, but he also definitely didn’t have the mental fortitude that he’d seen from Howlett and Logan. Haru had patched enough wounds that he’d swore he’d never put himself in a position to get hurt like that. Even being extra cautious with his experiments. More to make sure that the hunters had someone who could patch them up, but also to avoid having to deal with this.

Charging into battle just wasn't his style.

That went out the window when he’d seen his friend getting dragged around by the Duvosians and the town he loved being invaded by soldiers. Haru couldn’t remember a time when he’d lost his cool like that, it was weird not being rational for once. It just felt like a white-hot rage.

Peach, everything hurts.

It made no sense. The bullet made one hole in his body. Why couldn’t the pain also be limited to that too?

The chemist could remember seeing Logan trying to speak to him but he couldn’t hear anything over the ringing in his ears. It was really hard to breathe, too. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see some of the other townsfolk gathering around him, horror and fear on their faces. Haru’s head lolled slightly as he looked at them, unconsciously holding up a shaky, mildly bloody, thumbs up.

He blacked out.

—

Eerie quietness seeped through to his consciousness and forced him to alertness. 

His mind woke slower this time, clawing for a firmer grasp of reality as his eyes adjusted to the soft lights of the enclosed room. The first two things he registered were the night sky out of the window above him and a raven, Doctor Fang’s companion, staring intently at him.

“Wakey wakey, wakey wakey! Aw, look at the poor bird!” The bird cooed as the chemist shifted his head to look at him.

Were they in the Town Hall? This was one of the archival offices, wasn’t it?

Haru would have expected to be in the clinic, not Town Hall. 

He felt a hand on his chest as he tried to sit up. Glancing down at it, he saw the hand was attached to Fang… who was wearing a rather stern look.

“Don’t.” The Doctor pushed him back down.

The chemist strained against him for a moment, wanting to look around more. The memory of the fight going on down Main Street filling his chest with anxiety.

He unfortunately lost the struggle with the Doctor, and pretty easily too, as whatever medication he'd been given still sapped his energy. Haru marveled for a moment at the fact he could barely feel his fingertips or legs. The doc gave him the good stuff. It was strong enough that he couldn't even feel the hole the bullet had left in his gut.

“You're… lucky. Bullet missed vitals, just barely missed organs… a lot of blood.” Doctor Fang shook his head, mouth set in a grim line. “Too much.”

A chill crawled down Haru’s spine.

Traumatic abdominal injuries can bleed profusely, leading to a quick death by hypovolemic shock. The patient has anywhere between thirty minutes to a few seconds before they bleed out. That was something he’d seen in those old medical books that Logan had scrounged up. He'd had a brush with death.

“Seems I owe you my life, doc.” Haru managed to croak out.

“He’s awake?!” A familiar hopeful voice cried out from somewhere beyond Fang’s shoulder, reacting to the chemist’s voice.

Arvio’s smiling face appeared next to the Doctor, relief and joy radiating from his face. “Oh thank the Light! Haru!” The salesman grabbed the chemist’s hand with both of his. “You’re alive!”

Haru was captivated by his friend's brilliant smile for a moment. 

Memories of the good days before they'd gone on the run flooded back with the warm look. It'd been so long since they'd seen each other. It was almost surreal to be back among the Sandrockers without handcuffs on his wrists or jail bars around him. 

When Kat and Andy had joined them out in the desert Haru realized just how much he’d missed this. Missed being surrounded by people he trusted. Missed the day-to-day monotony of socialization, and even missed worrying about who liked who.

Which was a little weird since the chemist wasn’t much of a gossip.

He wasn’t one to have a massive social circle or be the most outgoing, mostly interacting with people when it was pertinent to his life. Haru liked to think he wasn’t as reclusive as Director Qi or Doctor Fang, but he also wasn't one for the spotlight. Preferring to be the champion of the background, hiding his presence behind the captivating sight of fireworks and brilliant actors like a stagehand to a play.

That was why he was so attached to outwardly confident and expressive people like Logan.

Or why he was so attracted to Arvio like a moth to flames, despite the man’s ridiculous, often reckless, business plans.

The chemist frowned when he noticed the bandages along Arvio's arms, the sight breaking him out of his momentary reverie. He traced his thumb along the edge of one that lined the back of the salesman's hand.

This-  

This wasn’t supposed to happen. Duvos’ invasion was never supposed to happen. They had plans and everything, Grace was supposed to stop the spies- no one was supposed to be hurt.

Anger at the Duvosians flooded back and he tried to sit up again, much to the Doctor's dismay.

“You're hurt-” Haru’s words were clipped by a cough as his lungs struggled to circulate what little moisture they had left in them.

“Woah, hey. Take it easy.” Arvio hastily helped Fang adjust the chemist into a sitting position against the wall, holding him ever so gently as though to not hurt him. “You don't have to worry about me, it's just some scratches! Nothing compared to almost losing you, my friend.” He settled next to Haru, giving him a worried, and heavily tired, smile.

Doctor Fang handed the chemist a flask of water, a soft sigh leaving him as he prodded the bandages on Haru’s stomach carefully. “Fighting all evening… many injured. None as bad as yours… None fatal… yet.”

Haru’s heart clenched as he swished the water through his dried mouth. He was glad his case was the worst but the thought that anyone could've died worried, and surprisingly angered, him. 

He could have lost everything he cared about yet again.

For all the battle prep that they'd done, they’d failed miserably to avoid the worst possible outcome. An all-out fight that was likely to wreck, if not outright destroy, the whole town. Where was the damn Alliance when you needed them?

“What happened, exactly?” He put down the flask shakily. “After I got shot, I mean.”

“Well,” Arvio hummed uncertainly, “After you went down, Logan ran out to drag you out of the way. It was a long shootout but we managed to drive the Duvosians back to the edges of town… but not before Matilda and Pen took off in that airship with Kat.” The salesman hung his head. “So soon after we got her back, too…”

The chemist’s fist clenched. Damn it.

“Where's Logan?” Worry flickered in his mind.

If his best friend wasn't here waiting for him to wake up then surely he'd gone after the Duvosians. That'd be a suicide mission-

“He's out in the main hall with the Sheriff,” Arvio assured him with a pat on the shoulder. “They're making plans now actually-”

Haru tried to push himself to his feet. Both Arvio and Doctor Fang scrambled to hold him down. “Whoa! Wait, Haru, you're still hurt!”

“I don't care. I- nngh.” The chemist stumbled, falling to his knees. “I've gotta- help-”

Fang grunted in frustration and Arvio pleaded with him, both of them failing to restrain him.

“Haru, please!” 

“No! I didn't spend months out in the Light-damned desert just to end up useless. They've hurt Kat, they hurt Logan, and they've even hurt you.” The chemist gripped Arvio's hand tightly, the emotions that had been stewing all this time finally spilling out. “I need to help.”

The salesman met Haru’s gaze wide-eyed and blushing slightly. 

He’d lost everything he held dear once. The night Howlett died had changed the chemist. Months of blame and self-hatred honing his desire to do something, anything, to protect what he had left. To fight just as hard as Logan, Kat, and Grace- as hard as everyone around him was.

A look of recognition and sadness sparked in Arvio’s eyes. The recognition that the friend he’d known before that fateful night had gone and the sadness that he’d been left behind in his friend’s life.

Doctor Fang sighed, breaking the moment between the two with the reminder that another person was there.

“Don’t move as much… your wound… is healing well. We’ll help you move…” The Doctor grumbled resignedly as he slung one of the chemist’s arms over his shoulder and nodded at Arvio to do the same. “Carry you… to them.”

Haru nodded his thanks to the Doctor as he and Arvio hauled the chemist to his feet. Walking painfully slow towards the door of the office they were in. 

As they moved Haru noticed that the office was acting as a makeshift clinic. The walls lined with the other injured that Fang had mentioned. Most were dozing or asleep except for a few like Owen, who was sitting upright with his arm in a sling. The Saloon owner nodded to the chemist as they passed.

Despite the relief of knowing no one else was as badly injured as he was, it was a disheartening sight. 

Their town was under siege. Sandrock was at war.

Things got a little awkward as the trio had to figure out how to fit through the door. Despite the wider frame of the door, they still had to shuffle sideways to fit through without jostling Haru too much. As they entered the main hall Haru noticed the gathered townsfolk mingling about and the Sheriff, the Mayor, and a few others gathered around the Mayor's work desk like a war table.

“Haru, good to see you're up!” Grace waved the trio over.

The chemist’s skin prickled as several pairs of eyes turned to him. It still unnerved him to be the center of attention.

“Haru, What are you doin’ up?! You’re injured!” Logan’s concerned voice drew the chemist’s attention to the other side of the desk.

He almost had to do a double take as he noticed that not only was the hunter in handcuffs but his torso was tied down to the chair he sat in with a length of rope. Andy was sat in the chair next to him but instead of handcuffs, the boy’s arms were simply tied to his sides with a rope that wound around his chest. It looked almost like those old yakboy comics where the captured party were practically mummified with rope.

“Why are you-?” 

“Andy tried to sneak off and Logan’s tied up so he won’t go and get his head blown off by the Duvosians.” The Sheriff cut him off with a heavy sigh. “He wanted to take the fight to them after you went down.”

“They have Kat!” Logan looked back at Justice, snarling as he strained against the ropes. “We have every reason to go after them!”

“But we don’t have the means to, Logan.” Grace huffed. “You’re not going to help her much if you’re gunned down the moment you show your face out there.”

Mayor Trudy pulled a chair over for the Doctor and Arvio to set Haru down before chiming in herself. “Yes. You’re one of our best fighters, Logan, but even you can’t get through the blockades on your own.”

“Blockades?” Haru tilted his head at Trudy.

“Yeah,” Grace answered for the Mayor. “The Duvosians have set up blockades on the far side of the Shonash Bridge and on the cliffs between the ranch and the Highwind Pass Bridge. We managed to push them out of town and ended up in a little bit of a standoff before the ceasefire for the night, but we’re effectively trapped in town.” The blond spy glanced at Logan. “And even if we could break through, they’ve taken Kat to the Northern Ruins. We have no way of reaching up there without an airship or plane of some kind… or at least no way that wouldn’t also get us killed.”

“If you an’ the Alliance weren’t so damn hesitant, we wouldn’t be in this situation.” The hunter spat at Grace, the unrestrained anger in his voice making the spy flinch.

“Wait, where is the Alliance? I thought you said they’d be here soon.” Haru turned his own hardened gaze towards the spy. Were they really stuck here without aid on the way?

Grace hung her head a little. “Unfortunately, they were waiting for me to contact them once the spies were arrested. Duvos has been jamming our telegraph communications- have been for more than a day now I think… But basically; no, the Alliance isn’t coming.”

Haru closed his eyes with a sigh. He’d had pretty low expectations of the Alliance ever since they failed to provide any aid to Sandrock at all since the end of the relic rush and the slow descent of the city to a ghost town, but he’d held out hope they wouldn’t fail them this hard considering this was a direct conflict with Duvos…

The chemist took a deep breath and opened his eyes, staring hard at the wood grain underneath his feet. So what could they do now? How could he fix this?

He needed to think.

His eyes landed on a pale blond sitting curled in on herself against the side of the Mayor’s desk. Her head drooped against her arms as she sobbed quietly. The chemist frowned, she seemed familiar… yet he was pretty sure he didn’t know her.

“Who’s she?” 

Justice glanced over. “That’s Nia, Kat’s friend from Highwind. She was one of the passengers we rescued from the stranded Ataran Express train at the station. Had to sneak ‘em out once the sun went down.”

That's where he’d seen her. There’d been people boarding and leaving a train. He remembered that fact registering momentarily in his brain when he and Logan raced back into town on the goats to stop the confrontation. The crowd gawking at the infamous bandits thundering by.

Wait. 

There’s a train at the station.

The chemist’s brain was moving a mile a minute.

Planning was something he could do, even with the painkillers in his system addling him slightly. Ideas were second nature to him. 

This would be better than nothing.

“Does it have fuel?”

“What?” The Sheriff shot him a confused look.

“The train. Is it fueled?” Haru could see Grace and Trudy catching on.

“Yeah,” The Mayor nodded. “They were boarding when the Duvosians attacked.”

“We’d have to get past some of the soldiers though. The ones guarding the Highwind Pass tracks would notice us rather quickly.” Grace interjected.

Haru nodded. “The train would have to head back towards Atara, we need to let the Alliance know what’s going on.” The chemist leaned towards the desk, grabbing a loose pencil and a scrap of paper. “If the Duvosian blockade is on the far side of the Shonash Bridge, we could get the train running full-steam ahead and run it down. Not much their guns are going to do against a several-ton, metal-bodied, engine-powered machine.” He sketched the train and the bridge, writing rough calculations for the time and fuel needed to hit the bridge with full power. “We’d need cover to get to the train, then a distraction so that we can get it running.”

“It’d have to be a hell of a good distraction, I don’t wanna see anyone else shot.” Justice watched the chemist’s calculations curiously.

“Did you guys manage to catch Merle? I’ve got enough bombs to arm the entire town…” Haru hummed idly before realizing the entire table, minus Logan who already knew that fact, was staring at him wide-eyed.

“You what, pardner?” The Sheriff’s brow was furrowed with concern.

The chemist cleared his throat sheepishly. “Er… Let’s just say that it was fortunate that the bullet hit me and not my saddlebags.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I had a bad feeling about what was going on in town, so I packed a full arsenal. Regular bombs, timer bombs, stun bombs, and lots and lots of smoke bombs.” 

Justice let out a low whistle of appreciation. “Yeah, those could work. We’d be in for a helluva fight, but that’d give us an advantage.” He tilted his head. “We haven’t seen yer goat since it ran off when you got shot, though.”

“Merle will come if I whistle. The goats are smart enough to avoid the Duvosians.” Haru assured the Sheriff.

“You sound real confident in that.” Grace looked at him with a raised brow.

“Well yeah, how do you think we’ve given Justice the slip for so long?” Logan snorted before glancing at the Sheriff. “Uh- No hard feelin’s.”

The Sheriff smiled wryly at him. “It was probably for th’ better all things considered.”

“So we need to decide who'll be going and who'll be fighting.” Mayor Trudy glanced around the group, her mouth pressed in a thin line.

“I'll go with the train team.” Haru offered instantly.

Logan's head snapped back towards him, instantly against the idea. “No, you're not.”

Haru opened his mouth to argue, the familiar sparks of an argument brewing between the bandits, but Trudy’s voice cut them off.

“He might have to.”

The hunter turned in surprise to the Mayor. Conflict on his face and the rebuttal that he'd go instead of the wounded chemist clearly on the tip of his tongue.

Mayor Trudy shook her head to silence Logan. “It's what makes the most sense strategically. We'd need you and every other able-bodied person to fight the Duvosians. Those that are injured, especially as badly as Haru is, would need to stay back or join them on the train to Atara.” Everyone looked at her in surprise.

“Think about it this way;” Trudy continued. “We can treat the train as not only a chance to get the word out to Atara about the situation here, but as a preliminary evacuation of those that are heavily injured or unable to defend themselves. It'll help us conserve what supplies Doctor Fang has and they'll be able to get immediate care in Atara.”

Everyone nodded, even Logan.

Trudy may have been a wavering, shy woman for most of her mayorship. But the one thing she did not lack was sensibility in battle. She carried a gun for a reason.

Haru was even willing to bet even Justice would lose a shooting contest to her, if she ever actually considered shooting for sport rather than for self-defense. Trudy had dealt with gangs of sand bandits and a few monsters back when her husband was still alive, repeatedly proving she was made of true Sandrock steel. It was one of the reasons most Sandrockers voted for her to take over the role of Mayor when he’d passed.

Plus something about her radiated the energy of a seasoned war leader. Almost as if they'd been through this kind of situation before.

Considering everything that was happening with Kat, the likelihood was high…

“That plan is all well and good, but how's Haru supposed to operate a train on his own?” Arvio piped up, glancing at the chemist with worry. “He can barely stand on his own.”

“He won't be alone.” A voice from behind startled them all.

Haru struggled to turn and look. Spotting Jensen, Sandrock’s train conductor,  and Owen walking towards them. Fang glanced at the Saloon owner, a little annoyed that another one of his recovering patients wasn't staying put.  

Sandrockers are notoriously stubborn.

“If we're evacuating the injured folks then we'll have enough to handle the train and Jensen can direct us.” Owen nodded at the older man. “Most of us have at least one good hand.” He waved his one unbroken arm.

“We're in luck too,” Jensen spoke up, an excited spark in his eye. “The train currently in the station is a diesel-powered engine. Nice and streamlined. If we're in luck and Duvos didn't shut off the engines, we'll be able to depart as soon as everyone's on board. Even if they have turned them off, it’ll only be between ten and twenty minutes to get the engine hot again. And it really only needs one person to drive it.”

Trudy smiled at the two. “So we finally have a plan?” Hope rose in her voice, reflecting the rising spirits among the group as they finally had direction.

“You betcha,” Jensen nodded vigorously. “Plus it gives me a reason to run those suckers down like a train bat outta heck!”

“I'll make the announcement now, then. We'll sort out who's staying and who's evacuating,” Mayor Trudy looked between all their faces then out at the awaiting crowd of townsfolk. “...and it- it'll give everyone the chance to say their goodbyes.”

—

Haru stood awkwardly with Logan and Andy in the foyer of the Town Hall.

They'd already witnessed many heart-wrenching goodbyes. 

Tears were shed as the reality of their situation set in fully. Knowing that some of them may never see each other again after tonight was overwhelming.

Dan-bi wailed as Ri-an told her he was staying behind to fight and that she should go since she was pregnant with their child. Old man Mort moved Zeke to tears as he refused to leave, unwilling to not only leave his town behind but unwilling to leave Zeke who'd chosen to stay and fight. Trudy shared one last trembling hug with Jasmine as she asked Owen to look after her.

The sheer amount of emotion in the room making the hair rise on the chemist’s arms.

Doctor Fang had given Haru just enough medicine that he could stand on his own. The sharp ache of the bullet hole keeping the chemist alert.

Andy clung to his hand as the boy refused to look Logan in the eyes.

“Y- you'll come find us though, right?” Tears streamed down his face as he refused to acknowledge any of it. “With Kat, too?”

“That's the plan, son.” Logan reached down to the boy, ruffling his hair gently. “It's why you can't stay either. I need to be able to focus, and I can't if you ain’t safe. This is one of those situations where the pack needs to split up. I can’t say for certain what’ll happen, but I promise I won’t give up till we’re all back together, alright?”

The boy sniffed hard, his watery eyes finally turning up to look at the hunter. “You promise? You p- promise you'll come back with her?”

“’course I will.” Logan smiled at Andy reassuringly. “Then we can settle down for a while, spend time together as a gang. Jus' like we used to out in th’ desert.”

“I- I'm gonna hold you to that!” Andy let go of Haru’s hand, latching onto the hunter's leg and hugging the man for all he was worth.

Logan looked up at Haru, a sad smile on his face. “You take care out there too, okay? I ain't fixin’ to lose any more of my family.”

Haru followed Andy’s suit and hugged the hunter tightly. “I could say the same to you, brother.”

They held together like that for what felt like an eternity, unwilling, almost scared, to let go just yet. 

The chemist couldn’t help but feel a missing presence in their little family like a gaping hole. A missing assuring smile. The second voice of reason that could talk down the sibling spats that broke out between the two bandits and that patiently guided Andy when he'd gotten in trouble. The one that felt just as much of a sister to him as Logan was his brother.

A missing puzzle piece to their mismatched little troupe.

That made the goodbye that much harder to handle. Even while they held out what little hope they could, it still stung to be split up further. To potentially lose one another.

To possibly be lonely again the way Haru had before he left his village for Sandrock…

Logan glanced up over the chemist’s shoulder, gently breaking the hug between them. “Looks like someone else wants to say goodbye, too.”

Haru’s heart jumped a little as he turned, seeing Arvio standing a few paces away shifting nervously from foot to foot as he watched the bandits. The salesman had immediately left to talk to his sister once the train evacuation plan was announced and the two of them hadn’t really had the chance to speak since they’d left the temporary infirmary.

Glancing back he noted that the hunter had turned his full attention to Andy. With a gesture he beckoned Arvio to follow and stood further from the crowd, trying to afford them a small semblance of privacy.

“I- I guess this is goodbye… again.” The salesman began quietly. “I spoke with Amira and we both agreed on staying and fighting…” He rubbed his arm nervously, watching Haru’s face for any disapproval.

The chemist felt his heart sink a little.

Ultimately, he knew it would have been selfish of him to ask Arvio to run with him when the town desperately needed every able-bodied person they could find. Even more so considering he’d already accepted Logan staying behind. But part of him had secretly hoped that he wouldn’t have to risk losing anyone else he cared about. 

However, a look of mutual understanding passed between them.

Just the same as Haru didn’t want to feel useless laying about wounded, Arvio didn’t want to abandon the people who’d taken him and his sister in like family. They had obligations to fulfill, not just as residents of Sandrock, but as moral people. People who had something to care about.

It was a sign they’d both matured, he supposed.

Haru slid his hand into Arvio’s, squeezing gently and hoping it could convey everything he felt without words. It felt too selfish to speak that out loud at this point.

“Just promise me you’ll be safe.” He smiled sadly at the salesman. It was all he could ask.

Arvio nodded, for once he was nearly too overwhelmed for words. “Only if you promise the same.”

The chemist nodded back as Mayor Trudy stood on top of her desk to address the town.

“Alright, everyone! We've gotten a census on who's staying and who's evacuating, those who're going to fight and those among the designated evacuees meet with Sheriff Justice to pick up your weapons.” She nodded to the Sheriff. “Remember what team you're with and follow the plan. The evacuees will head towards the train in three groups. The fighting team will give them cover and provide a long enough distraction for the train to depart.” Trudy glanced around the hall, her jaw set with determination. “May the Light be with you all.”

With one last squeeze, Arvio let go of Haru’s hand and joined the crowd gathering around Justice.

Logan walked up to the chemist again, setting his hand on his shoulder. “I picked up one for you as well.” The hunter held up a holstered pistol for him. “It doesn't have as strong of a kickback as mine but it'll knock those sobs on their asses. It'd be a great comfort to know you have it.”

Haru took the gun, running his fingers over the worn leather of the holster. It’s from the monster hunters’ arsenal.

The hunter must have slipped out to grab it from their old home at some point.

He nodded his thanks. Attaching it to his belt carefully.

Its weight was both unfamiliar yet comforting. Haru had used to carry one when he and Logan had to be real bandits. He hadn't had to since Kat had joined them, usually preferring diplomacy and, barring that, smoke bombs.

However, peace was no longer an option.

Not with what the Duvosians had done.

“First evacuation team and fighters! C’mon with me!” Justice called out, making his way towards the front doors.

With one last clap on the shoulder, Logan left Haru to join the fighting team.

“Andy?” Haru glanced around, looking for the kid. “Stay close to me, alright?”

The boy nodded his usual rambunctious nature silenced by the intensity of the moment. He took the chemist’s hand as they followed the departing group.

Everyone was silent as they gathered on the Town Hall’s porch. The cold dark air of the night seeping through their bones as they left their last bastion of safety.

With a nod to each team, the Sheriff signaled to each team what direction they'd be going.

The fighting team would be going up the stairs next to town hall and following the path to the tunnel that would put them right next to Cooper’s ranch. The evacuees would be going down the stairs to the Oasis and sneaking around the dock to follow the train tracks to the station.

Nothing but the soft clinking of equipment and the shuffling of feet broke the night air.

Haru held Andy’s hand tighter as the fighting team disappeared from sight. Their own team making their way down the stone steps towards Martle’s Oasis. The cool croaking of night bugs in the scant foliage did little to calm his nerves.

In total their team was him, Owen, Jensen, Andy, Jasmine, and Hugo.

They’d secure the train, then help the other evacuees board as they arrived.

It was a little bit of a relief to have both Owen and Hugo with them, even if one of Owen’s arms was out of commission and Hugo had a twisted ankle. The blacksmith had rather renowned strength, particularly with punches, and the Saloon owner kept himself fighting fit on both principle and because he was best friends with Sheriff Justice. Having both of them to back Haru up was a comfort.

Once they reached the end of the dock they moved slower, crouching so as to not be seen by the Duvosians near the ranch.

The chemist cursed under his breath once they reached the train tracks, signaling for the rest to stop.

There were Duvosians on the Train Station platform. They looked to be standing outside the train but there was no way Haru could see them sneaking past them. They’ll have to wait until the diversion starts-

BOOOM!

An explosion shot smoke out of the tunnel in front of the ranch, startling the soldiers and obscuring the battlefield.

Several of the men standing closer were dragged into the smoke by unseen hands as the rest of the soldiers scrambled away. Raising their guns but holding their fire for fear of hitting their own.

Haru could see several silhouettes dart out of the smoke and into cover along the porch of the ranch and the cliffside nearby. Another bomb sailed out of the fog, landing among the Duvosians. The chemist barely had time to warn the others and look away himself as a bright flash and concussive FOOM lit the night sky, throwing several soldiers and scattering the others.

Several cracks rang out as the gunfire started.

The chemist saw the Duvosians on the station platform running to join the fray, returning fire towards the Sandrockers shooting at them.

“C’mon!” Haru snapped over his shoulder. Leading the evacuation team towards the platform in a sprint.

The gun on his hip left its holster almost instantaneously as he fired at the remaining Duvosian on the station. The man stumbled and fell over the side of the platform, with no other sign the soldiers noticed the chemist and the other evacuees come up from behind. Haru turned, gun still in hand as he boarded the train. 

The front passenger car was empty, the way to the engine clear.

“What do you want us to do?” Andy whispered quietly to Haru. 

Haru glanced back. “Get down and hide under a table ‘till we tell you to-”

A Duvosian launched out of the shadows near the door to the train engine. Slamming his body into the chemist’s.

“HARU!” He heard Andy scream.

With a grunt, the chemist found himself pinned between the soldier and one of the passenger booths, his own gun dropping and skittering off under the table.

He has a gun.

The chemist grabbed the Duvosian’s arm as he tried to aim at his head. Pushing it away with all his might.

It’s not enough! Haru’s arms trembled with the effort as the soldier leaned in, putting the strength of both his arms behind the weapon, his finger on the trigger. The man was taller and had at least twenty pounds more muscle than the chemist. There was no way he could out-compete the soldier in a test of strength.

Every nerve in the chemist’s body burned with pain as he felt the strain on his wound from the struggle, the stitches pulling taut. Each millimeter that the barrel of the gun crept closer to his head the slower time seemed to move. Haru could see the kids out of the corner of his eye, clinging to each other in terror.

Haru was about to shout at them to run when Owen shoulder-checked the Duvosian, crushing the man against the wall of the train with his whole body.

“You alright?” The Saloon owner huffed as the soldier slumped to the floor unconscious.

“Ye- yeah.” The chemist winced as he straightened himself, he was pretty sure he could feel his wound dripping again. “We should probably haul him off the train, though.”

Hugo came up from behind and patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ve got this guy.”

The chemist nodded, watching as the train conductor hurried past. “Jas, Andy, head up front with Jensen.”

The kids shuffled past the two men dragging the Duvosian, Andy stopped to stick his tongue out at the unconscious man before scurrying to join Jasmine.

“Good news fellas!” Jensen hollered back to them. “Engine’s hot! We’ll be riding outta here like a bullet in no time!”

Haru sighed internally with relief.

It would have been a tense half-hour if the engine had gone cold.

“Bad news though.” The Train conductor reappeared in the doorway. “We need someone to close and unhook the fuel lines from the Highwind side of the train before we can leave.” He scratched his beard. “It’s helpful to have the extra fuel but we’re no longer goin’ that direction… I guess Duvos were too busy fighting to unhook it.”

“Hugo and I will get it.” Haru stooped to look for his gun. “Just make sure that the train’s  ready to go.”

The train conductor disappeared back into the engine.

Seeing the pistol gleaming out from under the bench, the chemist snatched it up and hurried to the door. Catching the two men returning from dumping the Duvosian off of the platform.

“Hugo, I need your help removing the fuel lines.” The chemist puffed out. “They’re on the back of the train.” He pointed towards the far end of the platform, the back end of the train lit up by the flames spreading from the explosives.

“I can go with him.” Owen looked at Haru with concern. The chemist guessed he must look half-dead.

Haru shook his head. “No, I’m the better shot,” He glanced over the bigger man’s shoulder, spotting the second group coming up from the Oasis. “And I need you to direct the rest of the evacuees.” He nodded towards them, the authority in his own voice surprising him.

The Saloon owner’s mouth thinned but didn’t protest, he turned and ran to the edge of the platform to wave them over.

The chemist and the blacksmith turned back towards the far end of the platform, the Highwind side of the train.

Gunfire still rang out from the ranch, and a bright blaze ran along the fence and the far side of the stable bathing the whole area in light. As far as Haru could tell, the Duvosians had been driven farther back along the cliffside along the tracks. Thankfully, all of the still forms that littered the ground looked to be in Duvosian uniforms.

Running quickly across the platform, the chemist felt more tense as they were lit up by the firelight. It almost felt like an eternity of exposure until they finally got to the far end of the platform, far too close to the fighting.

Hopping down, Haru pressed himself against the side of the platform, gesturing to the fuel lines hooked up to the engine.

“Hey!”

Shit.

Haru saw a Duvosian step clear of the bushes near the burning stable, gun raised in their direction.

With no time to dive for cover, the chemist shot in his direction. With how shaky his hands were at this point, he couldn’t hope to hit the man, just scare him off.

It didn’t work. 

A bullet narrowly missed Haru, sending up a small spray of dust and rock shards as it hit the stone foundation beside him.

“Shit!” The chemist flinched away, trying desperately to still his shaking hands.

BOOM!

Another explosion blew the roof off of the stable, collapsing the back wall and throwing the Duvosian off his feet. Before Haru could react a silhouette leapt out of the uneven shadows cast by the firelight. A towering form with a horned hat and flowing cape slammed into the soldier, throwing him clear across the tracks and away from the chemist.

The silhouette, Logan, stopped and turned, giving the slightest of perceivable nods to Haru before darting down the tracks towards the rest of the Duvosian troops. His presence alone scattering the demoralized troops.

Yet another round of gunfire broke out, closer this time, when Hugo grabbed the chemist’s arm, startling the younger man.

“C’mon! I got the train unhooked!”

They scrambled back, unceremoniously dragging themselves up the side of the platform and booking it as fast as Hugo’s twisted ankle would allow the man to limp. 

They reached the train car as the final group of the evacuees thundered up the steps to the platform.

“Everyone inside! Let's move!” Haru skid to a stop, holstering his gun and waving them on.

Once the last person was on board, the chemist followed, brushing past all the evacuees settling in.

“Alright, stay low and avoid the windows!” The authority in Haru’s voice felt foreign to him. He was used to following the lead, not leading. 

Things sure have changed.

“Don’t poke your heads up until I or Jensen give the all-clear!”

He made his way towards the engine. Slipping through the door, he nodded to Jensen. “We’re all boarded.”

The train conductor grinned at the younger man. “Better hang onto your hat, Mr. Bandit!”

With that, Jensen threw a few levers forward and the train lurched, bucking like a spurred yakmel. The churning of the engine growing exponentially louder with each beat. Andy and Jasmine huddled together under the console for protection as Haru braced himself against the sudden speed at which the train leapt out of the station.

Astonishingly it took just over a minute for the train to hit the target speed. 

Nearly twice as fast as a galloping horse and more than enough forward momentum to hopefully crash through whatever barricade the Duvosians set up.

It roared forward as they hit the downward slope towards the bridge, gravity aiding the churning engine, and Haru could see a few errant Duvosian soldiers who’d ventured past their barricades on the far side of the bridge to investigate the fighting in the town.

They panicked as they saw the train bearing down on them, some leaping out of the way, others freezing and shooting at the thundering machine. He flinched as he heard the bullets ricocheting off of the metal shell of the engine. One managed to pierce the glass, disappearing into the wall behind him pulling an inaudible string of curses out of his mouth.

Unfortunately for the Duvosians, the bullets did little to stop the train.

A few of the soldiers managed to leap out of the way but Haru winced as he saw one poor soul bounce off the front of the train and slam into the cliffside. 

As the train hit the bridge he could see the silhouettes of soldiers scattering from the blockade. The meager fort of scrap metal and wood coming into view, definitely not enough to stop the several-ton machine.

“Brace yourselves!” Jensen shouted a second before the train smashed through the barricade with a resounding crack and crunch of wood and metal.

The train jolted worryingly as the barricade kicked up sand and reared around them like startled horses. Haru could hear more bullets raining down on the train's metal shell, the sound of shattering glass behind him sending a spike of worry through him.

They roared onward as the remnants of the barricade disappeared among the sands behind them, the worst of the debris flung away by the cowcatcher.

“You guys alright?” The chemist shouted over the roaring wind filling the train as he stumbled back into the passenger car, glancing around the passengers worriedly. He could see everyone huddled together looking up at him, some were bloodied and, worryingly, glass lay all over the car.

“Some scrapes and bruises!” Owen shouted back. “Glass cut some folks up, we’ll handle it!”

Haru nodded, glancing over everyone before turning back. Thankfully, aside from the glass, there didn’t seem to be too many holes in the metal parts of the car’s walls. So not many bullets could’ve reached the evacuees.

Limping back to the front, he glanced at the door to the outside walkway of the engine. The urge to look back at Sandrock struck like lightning.

“I’m going to check for any damage.” The chemist announced, walking out the door without waiting for a response from the conductor.

His body shook as he clung to the rail, the wind ripping at his clothes as the adrenaline slowly leaked from his body. 

They’d made it.

He could feel his wound trickling and they’d have to see about clearing some of the glass in the passenger car, but they were safe now. That was all that mattered.

Sandrock rapidly disappeared over the horizon, slipping into the shadows of the night as the train sped down the tracks. The glow of fire and explosives the only lingering sign of the town’s life, lighting up the Breach and the cliffs that curled around it like a giant’s hand.

The only thing left for him to do was to alert the Alliance and hope no one in Sandrock died.

For the first time since the collapse of the temple almost two years ago, Haru closed his eyes and prayed.

—

Chapter Text

When they weren't actively fighting off the waves of Duvosian soldiers, Logan sat perched at the top of the Temple’s bell tower.

It was the perfect spot to keep an eye on the Duvosian warship hovering over the Northern Plateau. The tower had an unobstructed view of the Northern Plateau as it rose above the rocky cliffs that surrounded the town. Only the cliff that Breach ruins were set into overshadowed the Temple’s tower, and that sat to the west side of town, out of the way. 

Of course that meant he also had to look out for oncoming attacks, it was an obligation to keep an eye on their enemies so they’d have ample warning.

But if he could, he'd spend every second fixated on that ominous silhouette on the horizon.

Every hour that crept by slowly increased his dread of seeing it depart.

Of watching it fly away with Kat.

So his every spare moment was spent watching the monstrous machine. Even when his eyes felt gritty and heavy. Or when he desperately ached for sleep.

Pure frustration and hatred kept him awake.

It'd been roughly two days since the Ataran Express successfully escaped the blockade. In that time the Duvosians had tried to retake the town five times. 

They’d managed to drive the soldiers out of the town and even freed the Shonash Bridge. But they, unfortunately, couldn't send them away completely as they’d sustained a few more injuries and had run out of the bombs Haru stockpiled.

Mi-an was working on replicating them, but without the chemist’s recipes, it was a long shot.

Fortunately, though, they did have access to the workshops, which meant that the builder could still help by churning out ammunition and weapons endlessly. She’d even built an air cannon designed by Director Qi, which saved their asses when the Duvosians had nearly overrun Town Hall the day prior.

It's not the same without Kat.

The little voice in Logan’s head sent a stab of pain through his chest. Startling him as he tried to shake off the resentment.

None of the others would let him go save her. 

It was reasonable, he knew. There was no way to get to the top of the plateau without getting killed and they needed everyone to defend the town from the attacks. The Duvosian army sat on the Highwind Pass, with a seemingly endless supply of men and weapons. Threat of death and capture hung over the Sandrockers’ heads like a looming sandstorm.

Until the Alliance armies arrived they were effectively trapped.

Despite that, the hunter’s heart was still stuck up in the Northern Ruins.

He was initially worried that the Duvosians would kill Kat to punish the Sandrocker's rebellion. That was what Matilda had threatened them with after all…

Miguel made that fear into something much worse.

Grace had originally theorized that they somehow knew about the time machine that the builder was connected to. Maybe they’d taken her because they needed her to understand how that thing worked. Or at least intended to use her as some form of human experiment.

But Miguel, after he finally snapped out of his shell-shocked catatonia, had a much less savory theory.

‘Pen’s been obsessed with her since the beginning. It was… disturbing… to see.’ He'd told them. ‘Even if they didn't need her, he wouldn't let her die… not until he's satisfied his fixation.’

It was hard for Logan to not strangle the Pastor.

Even knowing the man was seriously misled and used by the Duvosians, the hunter just couldn’t rid himself of the image of Miguel pulling a gun on Kat. He felt like the Pastor was far too complicit in everything, manipulation or not. 

Just knowing that he’d willingly worked with Duvos, with the man who killed Logan’s Pa, even if Miguel didn’t know the full truth behind all that, Well… if the Pastor hadn’t willingly surrendered to the Sheriff, the hunter might have ended up in the jail himself.

Part of that anger, Logan knew, was because his already short fuse was even shorter since they were all under duress. Everyone else in town, people who were all used to living together in the city, felt trapped. Logan, who was used to the open wilderness, felt like a cornered animal.

On top of that, he nearly watched Haru die in his arms much the same way his Pa did. Thankfully, Doctor Fang had been among the crowd gathered and could attend to the wounded chemist immediately, but that whole ordeal had left a bitter taste in his mouth.

So he self-isolated in the temple bell tower.

The hunter didn’t need to alienate himself further by lashing out constantly at everyone.

Grace couldn’t meet his eyes, likely lost in self-blame. Justice only came to fetch him to help with fending off attacks, both Corpsmen acting more weary around him than when he was a bandit. The rest of the town all walked on eggshells around him…

While they all didn’t know the full extent of his feelings, or why he was so upset about the loss of Kat, they could definitely sense that he was a danger to be around.

Really the only people who were confident enough to talk to Logan were Mayor Trudy, with her newfound role as a war leader, and, shockingly, Doctor Fang.

The doc had been on the hunter’s case about injuries, especially considering his gripe with Haru leading an escape mission while injured. Fang had accepted the necessity of the situation. But it had riled the doctor up to see Haru and several other patients of his jeopardizing their recoveries, even if he had agreed that evacuating them to the doctors in Atara was the safest option.

‘Bomb-man spent too much time with you.’ Fang had complained to Logan, ‘Should’ve rested after… bullet wound. Could’ve killed him.’

Logan wasn’t sure if that last part was a warning about the chemist’s condition or a threat from the doc himself, but Doctor Fang wasn’t wrong about the two bandits either. Being on the run for nearly two years after a tragic loss really wore down their sense of self-preservation. The hunter’s own idea of field medicine, rest, and wound treatment had horrified the normally mute doctor over the past two days as well.

His health looked like it would be an ongoing dispute between him and Fang.

The hunter had been getting rest in short bursts though. Quick two-hour naps when his eyes couldn’t stay open. Making sure to take stock of his injuries and letting his stress out by punching Duvos bastards.

The one thing he knew for certain was that he'd need to be in top fighting shape if he hoped to join the Alliance in rescuing Kat. He was going to make damn sure he was on the front lines there. Logan wouldn’t relax until he had her in his arms again.

He was pretty sure that and the constant need to fight off the soldiers were the only things keeping him sane at this point.

Otherwise he might-

“Hey, Logan!”

Justice’s shout broke the hunter out of his thoughts.

He glanced down to see the Sheriff mounted on his horse.

“Can ya check the Highwind Pass bridge? We spotted a large dust cloud that way! Possibly a lot of soldiers movin’ in!”

Right. He’d gotten too distracted, he was supposed to be a lookout, yet here he was with his head in the clouds…

Damn.

There was a large dark mass moving across the bridge in unison, approaching the town fast. A few towering figures that Logan could only surmise were AI machines weaponized by the Duvosian army among them. That was a larger group than any they've faced so far.

“There's a helluva lot of ‘em headed this way! It looks like they've got robots with ‘em!” The hunter shouted down to Justice as he scrambled to gather his things.

He nodded to Burgess, who poked his head up into the bell tower, and scrambled down the tower’s outer platform, opting to hop over the rail instead of taking the cramped stairs inside. As he slid down the sloped roof he let out a piercing whistle. 

“AAAAPP!” Rambo appeared underneath the hunter, catching him in the saddle as he jumped off the edge of the roof.

“C’mon ‘bo. To Town Hall.” He clapped his heels into the goat’s side.

They raced down the hill, following the Sheriff’s dust trail as he hollered to rally everyone for the attack, the bell tower ringing the alarm behind them.

Barricades and sniper spots already lined Main Street, a funnel leading to their central defensive position where the air cannon was mounted on the Town Hall’s porch.

The hunter was one of the last in the line of defense along the Square, stationed to protect the cannon and its operator against any Duvosians that managed to slip past the Civil Corpsmen and the rest of the defenders. As they managed so far, the front lines did well dealing with the soldiers as they were scattered by the blasts from the cannon, leaving Logan as little more than ranged backup since he was the sharpest shooter among them. 

Swinging down from the saddle Logan clapped a hand against the goat’s side, urging the animal to flee to safety.

“ Fthpth.” The goat sneezed at his master, unwilling to leave.

“Things are ‘bout to get ugly, Rambo. You can't stay.” The hunter sighed. “Go on, git.”

The goat simply huffed, the look in his eye clear. Someone's gotta protect your dumbass an’ Haru ain't here to do it.

The hunter shrugged. He didn't have time to argue.

He took his station by the air cannon, shooting a quick glance at the ragged but determined-looking Tallsky builder, Mi-an. The ominous line of Duvosians growing closer down Main Street.

Gunfire rang out from the forward sniper posts, the sharp cracks of rifles and the echoing boom of Cooper’s shotgun.

The Duvosian line slammed into the barricades like a tidal wave, the massive AI machines leading the forward charge, deflecting bullets and smashing away anything that blocked their paths. At nearly twice the size of a full-grown man and protected by thick rounded metal shells nothing the Sandrockers did seemed to slow the steady march of the machines down.

Desperate shouts echoed from the rooftops as the forward guard of townsfolk immediately retreated towards Martle’s Square.

Logan’s gun leapt from his hip into his hand as he shot down the few soldiers that made the mistake of rushing forward to grab at the fleeing Sandrockers. With very few targets to pick off from his position, he then turned his gun towards the first of the machines. Each round that he dumped into it barely making much more than a dent in their outer shells.

As he watched it bore down on the Civil Corpsmen trying to hold the barricade along Main Street. With a swing of its fist, it sent Justice clear across the square and trapped Unsuur under the rubble of their meager fort. Blasts from Mi-an’s air cannon only seemed to bounce off of the steely surface as it turned its glaring red ‘eye’ towards the town hall. 

Great.  

Every time they invaded they had something new to throw at the Sandrockers. Now the Duvosians had even found something that could take out their only advantage.

The hunter centered his shots on the glowing ‘eye’ as it ambled towards them, its fists raised.

Finally, a resounding crack froze the machine in place,  the red glow going dark as a bullet pierced through to the circuitry behind. The husk of the machine stood in eerie silence as the battlefield seemed to still for a moment.

“The eyes!” Logan roared to the other Sandrockers. “Aim for the eyes!”

He leapt forward off of the deck, yanking his knife free of its sheath. Slamming into the nearest machine like an attack dog let free from its cage. His knife crunched through the glass lens like a fork through a leaf of lettuce.

A scream behind him sank his heart as he heard a strangled metallic crunching noise. With a glance back he saw the air cannon overrun and destroyed by a bunch of Duvosian soldiers, Mi-an thrashing as they restrained her. Crap.

Two more AIs forced their way onto the Square as Logan slammed and threw Duvosians left and right, desperately trying to thin the horde.

The first stepped forward, confronting the hunter head-on.

It swung a heavy arm down towards the hunter, aiming to squash him with one hit. 

“AAAAAAA!”  

A screaming gray blur shot past him, slamming into the machine and leaving a near-perfect indent of the goat’s head and horns.

The AI teetered for a moment then fell, the sheer force of the headbutt tipping it backward with a resounding crash. Its arms flailed as it struggled to right itself, rocking back and forth like a turtle.

“I guess knocking them over works too.” Logan muttered under his breath.

Rambo pranced away with an angry bleat as more soldiers surged towards the hunter and the goat. Several of them were lashed by flailing hooves and the rest were stuck facing down the seemingly unstoppable Sandrock Monster Hunter.

The tide of the attack turned in their favor. As Logan held back the soldiers and Rambo dodged and baited the second AI machine, Justice managed to free Unsuur from the rubble, and Ri-an and Trudy drove off the soldiers that had overrun Mi-an’s position. With the added pushback from more Sandrockers joining the fray, they managed to push the Duvosians back towards Main Street.

They managed to push the soldiers halfway down Main Street, bottlenecking them between the raised porch of the Blue Moon and Grandma Vivi’s tailor shop.

Unfortunately, the fight took yet another turn as the last AI machine suddenly lost interest in the evasive goat and turned nearly on a dime to strike at the nearby Sandrockers.

Trudy was thankfully able to dodge it but it hit Unsuur square in the chest, flinging him over the rail of the Tailor Shop’s porch.

It forced the Sandrockers back, the threat of being squashed flat scattering them.

The Duvosians surged forward again, managing to grab Mi-an and the Mayor.

Justice leapt towards them in an attempt to save them, only to be forced to retreat by the AI as it tried to throw him in the same direction as Unsuur.

Both the hunter and the Sheriff stumbled back towards Main Street. The AI separating them from their friends. Soldiers flanking them as the remaining Sandrockers went down, injured or captured.

It eventually narrowed down to just Logan and Justice. The former outlaw and the Sheriff fighting practically back-to-back.

“I take the AI, you get the soldiers?” Logan gritted out over his shoulder to Justice.

The Sheriff grimaced as he knocked another Duvosian away with his war hammer. “Sounds like suicide.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve jumped off a bridge with a friend.”

Justice snorted a laugh. He blocked another strike from another soldier with the handle of his hammer, kicking the man in the chest and sending him careening down the stairs next to the Tailor shop. “Ah, t’ hell with it! Ready when you are!”

The hunter turned towards the AI machine as the Sheriff hefted his hammer up, ready for one last charge-

Salvation descended from the heavens upon the back of a large, rather angry, duck.

It landed with a resounding thump on top of the AI machine. Knocking it over like a toy and pinning it underneath the duck's massive body. As it landed several uniformed soldiers dropped from the sides of its saddle, their colors marking them as the Alliance's own Council Guard.

The remaining Duvosians didn’t hesitate to surrender. Finally faced with a real army, and an angry, monstrous-sized, duck.

That's a Martle Duck. The Monster Hunter in Logan’s mind chimed in quietly as the carnage around them slowed to a stop. It reminded him of the sketches his Pa had shown him; a fluffy duck that was nearly the size of a building. A living myth that had always been a little too fantastical in Logan’s mind.

“Hey, y’all!” A familiar redhead waved to Logan from atop the duck. “Got here jus’ in the nick of time, huh!?” She grinned fiercely as the elite Alliance fighters quickly subdued the remaining Duvosians, directed by a golden blond man with a green cape.

“Elsie?!” Justice laughed out in disbelief as the roar of engines flew overhead, Alliance fighter planes heading towards the Duvosian airship. The sound of cannons and gunfire announcing their arrival.

What about Kat?

Logan found himself equal parts relieved, and equal parts horrified. Haru made it to Atara. That was a relief. But were they just going to drive the Duvosians off? What about the rescue mission? For several moments the hunter’s body was giving his mind mixed signals.

“How’s that for an entrance!” Elsie hooted joyfully as she slipped from the saddle. She slammed into Logan with a crushing hug.

Logan would have taken more time to marvel over how much little Elsie, the younger sister that he’d always known, had changed. It sure was a hell of an entrance for her to make! But the hunter was stuck staring shell shocked at the sky.

“W- what about-” He stuttered. The words not coming easily to him for once as the feeling of nearly losing a battle bled slowly out of his bones.

Elsie leaned back, her brow furrowed slightly in concern at her old friend. After a moment of thought her face cleared as though she could divine what was on his mind. “C’mere.”

She looped her arm through his, dragging him towards the Alliance soldiers. “Justice, you too! C’mon!” The yakgirl shouted over her shoulder.

“Commander!” Elsie waved furiously at the man with the green cape. “Commander Avery!”

The man turned, golden amber eyes piercing through them as he sized up the hunter and the Sheriff.

“What is it?” He turned his attention to the redhead.

“This is Logan and Sheriff Justice. The guys that Haru recommended you talk to.” Elsie turned to scan the ranks of Sandrockers now gathering to help arrest the surrendering Duvosians. “Uh- Grace should be somewhere around here too.”

Commander Avery nodded, turning burning golden eyes back towards Logan. “Your compatriot apprised us of the situation. They’re holding a builder hostage?”

“Y- yeah.” The hunter managed to snap himself out of his daze a little. “She's-”

“We also have reason to believe that they intend to take her back to Duvos.” Grace interrupted, seeming to materialize out of thin air and startling everyone except the Commander. “She has important knowledge about the relics in that ruin.”

“I’ll be leading a mission to the plateau using this duck,” Logan had no clue how Commander Avery managed to say that with a completely straight face, “It’s not likely that the airship will be driven off while they’re still trying to extract whatever relics are down there and we need to put a stop to that. Your compatriot told us that there are powerful starship relics down there, and we cannot let that stay in Duvos’ hands.”

“I’m going along.” Logan volunteered instantly, the exhaustion burning away from his bones instantly.

Justice glanced at him worriedly. “You sure about that, pardner? We're all kinda banged up-”

“I’m going along.”

The Sheriff backed off while Commander Avery raised a brow appreciatively, both clearly sensing the anger radiating off of the hunter.

“If Sandrock can spare any more good fighters, we’ll need every hand we can get to clear out the Duvosians. Our pilots will provide a distraction and try to keep the warship from leaving until we successfully secure the ruin.” The Commander turned back to Justice. 

“Have any volunteers meet at the ranch in fifteen minutes.”

—

Kat found it amazing just how easy it was to equate the movements of the Duvosians to a hive of bumble ants… or hornets.

In less than thirty seconds the soldiers had gone from moving around lazily to swarming around and moving things with efficiency. She only overheard snippets about what was going on; ‘the Alliance is attacking our ship-’ and ‘move all relics aboard the ship ASAP!’  

Most curiously she’d overheard that they couldn’t figure out how to move the time machine.

Over the past few hours- or was it days at this point? Kat had watched the Duvosians make several attempts at moving it. It went disastrously each time. The surface of the machine was so hot that it burned through ropes and heated chains to the point of snapping. It was too heavy for the smaller AIs, electrocuted one of the larger AIs, and even set one poor Duvosian’s uniform on fire when he got too close.

Now that they were under pressure from the Alliance arriving, they were desperately doing everything short of melting their own hands off.

On the bright side; this chaos was just what Kat needed.

“Hey, Kat.” Stev’s voice startled the builder.

She’d been befriending the Duvosian soldier and he’d been calling her by her name rather than just ‘builder.’ He even told her a little bit about his life in Duvos, just enthused by the fact he actually had someone willing to listen to him.

It was a little heartbreaking, almost like they could've been friends in a different timeline.

“The Commander wants us to move you to the airship now.” Stev leaned over, grabbing her arm gently with an apologetic look.

“O-oh.” Oh shit.

He tried to pull her along but she froze. She can’t go on that ship, she’d never see Sandrock again if she did.

“Wait. Stev.” Kat pulled back, the soldier turning to her with a furrowed brow. “The letters. Can I send the letters?”

She picked up the scraps of paper from her cot, looking at the Duvosian with the most pleading look that she could muster.

“Now’s probably not the time for that-”

“Please.” The builder grabbed his hand, holding the letters against it. “You know as well as I do that if they take me to Duvos these letters will never make it home.”

A shadow crossed Stev’s face. He did know that. If anyone knew the harshness of the Empire it would be the low-down people like him.

He took the letters gingerly, slight resignation on his face as though he could sense her plans. His sense of morality winning out over his sense of duty.

“Stay here, builder.” He sighed. “I'll talk with the Commander.”

The Duvosian hurried out of the room, leaving only the distracted hauling team to look after her. A mistake considering they were running around trying to extinguish another fire.

Kat wasted no time slinking out of the room like a shadow.

—

The duck’s landing on the plateau was a little rough.

Aside from Logan and the Sheriff, Grace, Unsuur, and Elsie decided to tag along on the rescue mission. On top of four soldiers and Commander Avery himself, that made ten people riding on the duck and its makeshift carry basket.

Which meant that the duck, Daisy, as Elsie named her, couldn’t stay in the air very long at all.

A couple of the Alliance soldiers took a rough fall from the saddle and they all witnessed Justice catch a face full of dirt, but they came out mostly unscathed.

Shaken, but unscathed.

“You guys go on ahead, Elsie and I will see about disabling the airship!” Grace called down to them, urging Daisy to fly off without waiting for a response.

“Stubborn woman.” The Commander grumbled darkly.

Logan wasn’t sure who outranked who between those two, considering Grace’s status as a spy, but they evidently disagreed with each other over who had authority.

They’d argued about whether or not to split their team and have some of them land on the ship to check if they were keeping Kat there, something which Logan thought was a good idea, but Commander Avery did not want to split up their group citing that their first and foremost mission was to clear the Northern Ruins of the Duvosian army.

The Commander let out a sigh.

“Logan, Sheriff, you’re with me. Jamie, Wan, you take the rear guard. Martin, Unsuur, Adrien, guard the entrance. Capture anyone trying to escape.” Avery ordered.

The Alliance soldiers saluted and Logan found himself shifting from foot to foot with impatience.

There were so many things he wanted to do.

Find Kat namely.

But also maybe kill Pen and punish each and every Duvosian who made the mistake of setting foot on Sandrock soil.

Following the Commander into the ruins the first thing they discovered was that they were remarkably intact. Specifically, the security systems were amazingly, and very annoyingly, intact.

The moment they set foot past the entryway they were beset by lasers.

For the most part, they were easy to dodge and easy to snipe. Getting zapped by them hurt worse than all get out though. Logan was thankfully only grazed by one of them, but it still felt like every sunburn he'd ever gotten concentrated in one spot.

Aside from those nuisances, they found that the ruins were swarming with Duvosians.

None of them were nearly as skilled at fighting as the Alliance Commander or either Sandrocker. If anything, Logan suspected they might be slightly malnourished since they’d found that the soldier’s rations consisted almost exclusively of canned cabbages. The hunter could easily fling the Duvosians around with one arm.

They practically waded through the Duvosians’ defenses until the Commander signaled for Logan and Justice to stop and be quiet.

A couple of soldiers were chatting casually just around the corner, oblivious to the carnage just down the hall from them.

“...did ya hear though? Apparently, there's more than just the Starship engines. They've got a time machine!”

“Really? I always thought that kind of thing was an old-world fantasy!”

“Yeah, me too! But Tiger even caught a time traveler living among the people in Sandrock.”

“No wonder they want that thing more than the Olympia engines… Imagine how many things you could do with a relic like that!”

Justice exchanged an alarmed look with Logan. Grace was right, they do know about the time machine.

“A time traveler?” Commander Avery muttered under his breath, confusion on his face.

“Kat. The builder they kidnapped.” Logan answered quietly.

The Commander's eyes widened, understanding dawning on his face as he realized a little about why the Sandrocker was so desperate to bring Kat back. Logan unfortunately didn't have time to elaborate as the Duvosians, escorted by another one of those large AI lifter robots, turned the corner and spotted them.

“Hey!”

“Intruders! Capture them!”

The AI lumbered forward with surprising speed, raising its arms to crush them.

Avery leapt out of the way as it shattered the floor where he'd been standing. Justice swung wide with his hammer leaving a sizable dent in the machine's armor, staggering it as it tried to lift its fists again clumsily.

The Duvosian soldiers charged, one pulling a measly combat knife while the other two pulled out metal batons. Logan flung the knife-wielder across the room. The other two tried to flank Justice when Commander Avery drew his own sword.

They weren’t particularly hard to put the soldiers out of the fight.

One collapsed with a scream as Avery slashed his leg and Logan tackled the other, knocking him out against the floor.

The AI was harder to handle.

Justice evaded its hits nimbly, making deeper and deeper dents in its shell with his hammer. But the machine was unfazed, the strikes doing little more than aesthetic damage to it.

“Hit the eye!” Logan dodged another swing, the metal whooshing over his head. “That’s the weak spot!”

“You don’t think I’m trying?!” The Sheriff huffed out, backing away again as his hammer bounced off the machine.

Like a gold-and-green shadow, Commander Avery shot forward, sliding under the AI’s arm and stabbing the point of his blade nearly to the hilt into the ‘eye’ of the machine. It froze in place, the loud humming from its joints dying with little more than a metallic whine.

Pulling his sword free he jerked his head in the direction the Duvosians came from. “Come on. We’ve wasted enough time.”

The short stretch of hallway led to a locked door and an entryway to the main atrium of the space center. A massive machine sat in the center of a cylindrical room, the marking ‘ Olympia Number 06 ’ clear on the side. The ceiling of the room led all the way to the surface where they could see the Duvosian airship hovering above a massive opening to the ruin, ropes hung all the way down into the dizzying depths of the ruins below them.

“O- lym- pi- a… that’s the starship they were talking about, huh?” Justice shook his head, eyes wide at all the new things around them. “And there were six of these things? Who knew this stuff was here…”

“Look.” Commander Avery pointed to a spot just over the railing to where a massive engine sat suspended by some of the ropes around the machine. “They’re hauling the engines to the airship.” His voice was troubled, the steaks of their mission a lot clearer than before. “Though I don’t see that time machine that they mentioned…”

“We’ll have to keep an eye out, we don’t know what it looks like.” Logan’s heartbeat thrummed in his ears. Plus, it was likely that they were keeping Kat alongside the time machine.

If they found it, they would likely find her.

Making their way back into the hall they couldn’t go through the locked door as it requested a key card. With no other place to go, they continued down the hall to what looked like a dead-end room with two Duvosian guards.

Yet again the soldiers were not difficult to defeat. Hell, having to snipe the security lasers off of the walls were more of an issue to Logan. It was almost a pity they were so weak. He just wished there weren't so many of them…

As he plucked the key card off of one of their unconscious bodies, he noticed a familiar mark on the wall. A splash of red paint that looked almost out of place within the neat walls of the old-world ruins. His Pa’s mark.

It was the symbol that Howlett used to mark ruins that had monsters in them.

Logan’s fingers brushed over the mark almost reverently. He was here.

Even with what Kat had told him about what happened to his Pa… It hurt to know that his last days alive were spent alone among so many enemies. His loss still burning like a fresh wound.

“What’s that?” Justice asked over the hunter’s shoulder.

“My Pa’s hunter mark.” Logan pulled his hand away. “Kat told me that he was captured by the Duvosians in these ruins… That Pen injected him with that virus here.” He practically spat the Duvosian’s name.

“The time traveler.” Commander Avery glanced up at them from where he was tying up the Duvosians. “How much did she know?”

“Practically everything. She lived through all this shit in her previous timeline.” The hunter shook his head sadly. “We almost didn’t believe her until Grace dug up all of that stuff under the Oasis.”

The Commander hissed through his teeth quietly. “We should’ve been here sooner. The ACI agent reported everything but the Council wasted so much time arguing-” He paused for a breath, a storm brewing on his face. “There may be Duvos spies within the Alliance Council’s ranks too,” Avery admitted almost ashamedly. “The fact that we’ve fallen short here in Sandrock despite all the warnings we’d been given… It’s almost like the bureaucracy was doing it on purpose.”

The hunter and the Sheriff looked at Commander Avery in alarm.

If that really was the case it was no wonder bad things just seemed to keep happening.

“Come on.” The Commander straightened, turning on his heel back towards where the locked door was. “We need to put a stop to this… and with any luck, we can prevent this from becoming a worse disaster.”

—

Between Commander Avery’s revelation, the grindingly slow old-world elevator transit, finding another of Howlett’s old hunting marks, and the fact that they had to snipe all of the damned old-world lasers that were trying to chip away at them… Logan’s nerves were on edge.

So much so that when they finally reached the end of the transit system he was ready to crack some skulls open.

“...It’s just some letters, Commander Lefu.”

They could hear more voices down the stairs in front of them.

“Your job is to look after the builder, Soldier. You should have never left your station.” A low voice snapped. “I don’t care if they’re letters to her family or letters to the Emperor himself. She’s a prisoner, she has no authority to send them!”

“But sir-”

“Don’t make me repeat myself, Soldier.”

Logan’s feet were moving before his mind caught up with his plan.

He launched himself over the railing and landed in front of the two Duvosians standing next to a telegraph station. One of them wore a more elaborate uniform than the others they’d seen, the Commander presumably, and the other held letters in his hands. The hunter zeroed in on that one.

Kat’s letters.

With all the wrath his body could muster, Logan slammed the Duvosian Commander into the wall, a crunch telling him that the man wasn’t likely to get up any time soon.

The other soldier squeaked, dropping the letters as he clawed at the weapon on his belt.

The hunter grabbed him by the neck, pinning the Duvosian to the wall with one hand and ripping away his weapon with the other.

“WHERE IS SHE?” Logan roared in the man’s face.

“Woah, Logan!” Justice called from above, where he’d left the Sheriff and Alliance Commander behind. Both of them looked at him with slight concern.

“He knows where Kat is!” The hunter snapped back up at them. “He has letters from her!”

“And he won't be able to tell you where she is if you choke him to death.” Commander Avery pointed out mildly.

The Duvosian soldier’s face was turning red from lack of oxygen, clutching desperately at the hunter’s grip. As angry as he was he felt a little guilt at the fear he saw in the smaller man’s eyes. He was probably getting a little too unhinged for his own good…

Logan let go and the soldier slumped to the floor, gasping for air.

“You’re going to take us to her.” He growled out at the man.

The Duvosian swallowed and nodded uneasily.

Finally, they’d find her.

—

Kat had made excellent progress in escaping. She’d managed to get roughly halfway up the ruin’s levels and it was a relief to be farther from the burning room where the time machine was. She was so close to the elevators that would take her to the surface.

So close to going home.

She was slinking around the edge of one of the rooms when a booming voice froze her in place.

The room below the catwalk where she stood was brimming with Duvosian soldiers. 

“Well? What’s the hold-up?” Pen snarled at a group of soldiers.

“W- we can’t figure out how to move the machine, it burns through anything we use. Even the steel chains.” One of the men stammered out.

“Tell Tiger that we might need the battle mech to move it then.” The Duvosian Commander hissed with frustration. “Really, you guys cannot be this stupid. Especially with the Alliance ready to wring all our necks.”

“We- uh, we also have more bad news, sir.”

“What is it?” Pen’s voice was bitterly cold, “What else could you guys muck up?”

“The builder is missing and we can't find Private Stev anywhere.” The nearest soldier squeaked out, his voice cracking a little with fear. “And- uh… Several Alliance soldiers and Sandrock soldiers have breached the premises-”

The man didn’t even get the chance to finish his sentence when Pen grabbed him by the skull and slammed him into the floor. Leaving the poor soul crumpled unconscious, and very likely injured, against the concrete.

“Captain.” 

“Y- yes sir.” One of the men responded, eyes fixed on the soldier on the floor.

“Take your men to stop the Sandrockers, and bring that builder back to me.” The Duvosian Commander spoke with a level of calm that was belied by what he’d just done less than a moment ago.

“Yes, sir!”

Pen turned away and headed out the door that led to the main atrium. That was where they had the cables to haul the starship engines.

A thought struck the builder. Those engines were just as dangerous in the Duvosian’s hands…

It was a bad idea.

Kat knew it was a bad idea.

Especially with how close she was to freedom…

But she needed to stop the Duvosians from getting those engines too.

Time machine or not, those engines alone could spell a new kind of disaster for the whole Alliance should Duvos use them to create a weapon.

Slinking around the edge of the room she found a tall stack of crates she could use to cover her descent from the catwalk. Scrambling down the stack she hid in one of the open crates filled to the brim with weaponry.

A familiar red metal gleam caught her eye.

A weapon that she was very familiar with, yet refused to use after the one time she was forced to; Howlett’s Shotgun.

She’d forgotten that this was where she’d found it.

It was almost amazing that the Duvosians hadn’t thought to move it or stow it away.

Strapping it to her back she also nabbed the extra shotgun shells and a pair of daggers. Kat would need everything she could find to fight this uphill battle.

With a steadying breath, she peeked up out of the crate. The room was surprisingly devoid of Duvosians. The builder could only hope that Logan, Justice, and whatever Alliance soldiers were with them could fend off that many soldiers.

Hopping out of the crate she crept towards the hall that led to the main chamber of the ruins. The Olympia launch chute.

The height of the glass and metal walkway was almost dizzying. Almost made worse by the fact there was no cover to hide behind here.

It felt like a death trap.

Kat spotted the harness where they were hauling the engine up. The ropes strained heavily against the weight of the massive relic. All she needed to do was cut them and let it fall.

Glancing around, the coast seemed clear. The atrium was devoid of all signs of life. Duvosian or Alliance.

She sprinted for the relic, drawing one of the daggers to cut the ropes.

A strike from behind knocked the breath out of Kat, her dagger skittering away from her hand as she fell to the ground. Baleful laughter rang in her ears as she tried to get her bearings.

Pen.

He’d waited in ambush, where was he waiting?

She’d forgotten how high and far the man could jump. He was inhumanly fast.

How did he know she’d come back here?

“Well, well, well.” He purred. “You just couldn’t listen, could you?”

Kat bristled, thrashing in his grip as he swung her around to face him. Holding her tight by her collar.

“You just love playing the hero don’t you?” He hauled her to the edge of the platform, holding her over the precarious edge. “Are you so desperate to throw your life away for this dying town?”

His eyes glittered with malice as he watched her struggle.

Pen leaned in close, brushing his lips against her ear. “I could make that easier for you. I could even be… gentle.” Her skin crawled as he cackled again.

“Don’t worry, Tiger commanded that you’re taken alive. Whatever happens, they need you…”

He pulled away, predatory excitement in his eyes as he hauled her closer to himself, away from the ledge. The Duvosian moved his hand from her cloak to her throat, squeezing hard enough to choke. Reigniting the pain from the bruises she still had and undoubtedly creating new ones.

“Though they didn’t say you needed to be able to walk.” 

The builder’s blood ran cold.

She crept her hands as slowly as she could towards the dagger she still had left on her hip, every nightmare she’d had about that horrible day in the previous timeline making themselves fresh in her mind.

Fear burned her down to her soul like frostbite. That all-consuming feeling of panic returning in full force.

A loud crash from behind drew Pen’s attention. 

“PEN!” Logan’s voice roared, the familiar sound melting the ice in Kat’s veins.

The Duvosian turned, letting Kat see the hunter flanked by Justice and… was that Commander Avery? The hunter was holding a defeated Stev by the collar of his uniform. All three of them looked battered and burned, having had to fight nearly an entire army to get here.

Despite looking exhausted Logan’s rage radiated off of him like a violent aura.

He tossed the Duvosian soldier aside and snarled at Pen. “Let. Her. Go.”

“Oh?” Pen held her out at arm's length over the ledge again. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

The hunter paled slightly but showed no other signs of fear, his eyes fixed on the Duvosian.

“You’re bluffing, I know you’ve got orders to bring her in alive.” Logan’s voice was cold and sharp, a hollowness in it that Kat hadn’t ever heard before. Something’s not right.

“Ah, shame.” Pen threw her down on the walkway behind him and she gasped for air as she could finally breathe properly again. “Looks like we’ll have to settle this the hard way again.”

He glanced down at the builder with a cold smile. “Watch this, love, I’ll kill your precious boy toy. Then you won’t have any reason to fight anymore, right?"

Logan launched himself at the Duvosian with a wordless cry.

As easily as swatting a fly, Pen batted the hunter away. The sluggishness in the hunter’s movements was apparent- even the Sheriff and the Alliance Commander were moving slow. They were exhausted after having to fight through an entire army with only three people. Every soldier, robotic AI, and security turret having worked away at them until they were ragged and pained while facing down an unstoppable enemy.

Pen was rested and charged for a fight while Logan and the others were unfortunately worn down by attrition and injury.

No.

No. No. No.

Memories flooded her over every moment Pen had hurt the people she cared about. The threats he’d made to Sandrock, the explosion in the Outback cave when she feared that Andy and the gang got hurt, the moment she saw him reach for Andy again during the confrontation in Martle’s Square… Haru’s body falling in the street, and the enraged look on Logan’s face as he met Pen’s eyes.

By Peach… with everything that's been taken from Logan…

The pain that she’d felt when Pen told her that Haru died gripped her lungs. Sending a lance of fear through her heart with every blow the Duvosian landed on the hunter and squeezing her throat with an icy grip every time she saw Logan’s dulled, tired-eyed look. 

What if he throws his life away?

What if he can’t win?

What if he dies?

How many more people would Pen take from her?

Was this her punishment for flying too close to the sun?

Fear gripped Kat in a way it only had once before.

That same clawing instinct that was desperate for survival, this time not for herself but for the people she cared about.

For Logan.

Pen dodged yet another attack easily and grabbed the Alliance Commander’s tattered cloak. He flung him at the Sheriff, knocking both men across the threshold of one of the doorways across the platform. The eerie shrill of the Duvosian’s relic weapon pierced the air as he shot the door controls, triggering the forcefield and trapping the two behind it.

No.

The distinctive beep of one of the ruin’s laser turrets echoes from above, its red gleam lighting up the hunter’s back.

No.

A scream ripped out of Logan as it hit him square on the shoulders, forcing him to his knees.

No!

The rising shrill of Pen’s relic weapon stabbed at Kat’s ears as maniacal laughter filled the seemingly endless ruin around them.

No! No! No!

Kat let out her own screeching war cry, her last dagger leaving her hip as she grabbed at the Duvosian Commander’s arm. Hauling back with all her might, Pen's energy bolt shot wide, flying across the cavern and exploding the starship engine with a heat that drove nearly all the oxygen out of the room. The burning wreck fell, cinders flying up the atrium as though the launch center had been turned into one giant rocket stove.

Still not done, the builder raised her dagger, driving it with all her might through the back of the Duvosian’s hand sending sparks flying from the relic. She barely heard his roar of pain over the thundering in her ears as she grappled with the struggling man. Trying to steer him over the edge of the walkway-

Pen ripped Kat off of his shoulder with his good hand, pure unadulterated rage replacing any semblance of composure the Duvosian had.

With little more than a swing of his arm, he threw her over the ledge like a sack of trash. The only thing she could focus on as they disappeared above her was the look of fear in Logan’s eyes.

The depth of the room was dizzying as the void whipped past her ears, the increasing distance between her and Logan being the only measurement her mind could focus on as she fell.

I have to protect him.

That was the last thought to run through her head before she felt the awful crunch.

—

Chapter Text

Blinding rage was all Logan could feel.

Like an animal lost in a swirl of primal emotion. The last thing he could remember was terrified hazel eyes disappearing over the ledge. As though half his mind fell down into the void with her.

It wasn't until Justice caught his bloodied fist that he snapped back to reality for a moment.

The hunter was perched on top of an unconscious Pen, senselessly beating the man with his fists. 

Everything was a mess. He couldn't tell if the blood on his hands was from his split knuckles or what was left of the Duvosian’s face. Logan couldn't even remember how he took Pen down. Just the unrelenting boiling feeling in his veins screaming for violence.

Some small, sane, part of his mind was terrified of this new feeling.

He was an emotional man- impulsive as Haru called it- but he’d never lost control like this. Especially not during a fight.

It was exhilarating to be able to take down what was an unbeatable opponent just moments ago with such ease. But at the same time, it was horrifying to realize he was capable of beating another human being within an inch of their life out of pure anger alone.

Even if that man was the monster who took everything from him-

His blood boiled again, the animalistic parts of his mind demanding its pound of flesh.

Logan struggled against the Sheriff’s grip until his words broke the hunter out of his rage. 

“C'mon! We have to get down there and find her, man!”

Kat.

He needed to get to Kat.

The Sheriff kept a firm grip on his arm as he dragged the hunter away from the unconscious Duvosian.

Across the room, Commander Avery stood with the two Alliance soldiers that he’d originally told to be the rear guard. Evidently, they’d caught up.

“This looks like the way down.” The Commander gestured to the doorway next to them. “We only have one more level of the ruin to secure.”

Through the door was another elevator. A shorter one thankfully. Followed by an exit back to the main atrium that led to the space underneath the rocket.

But what they saw made it clear that they were still in for a long fight.

The space was lit by embers and flames. It looked like the burning wreck of the first starship engine had landed on the second one, destroying both and scattering fire and debris across the floor. Smoke would’ve filled the room had it not had space to rise up skyward through the launch chute. The shadows of Duvosians darted around in the smog, no doubt trying to salvage what was left of the relics. Across the room Logan’s eyes snapped to the broken form of Kat laying on the ground, the white of her cloak like a beacon in the hazy gray and orange that surrounded them.

A massive mech stood over her, the painted colors on it marking it as a Duvosian weapon. Its back was turned to them as it reached down a massive hand to nudge at the builder’s still body.

“Hey!” The shout ripped out of Logan before he could stop it, his heart hammering in his chest.

The mechanical monster turned to face them revealing Matilda in the glass dome of the pilot's seat, a scowl on her face.

Despite his earlier outburst of energy, Logan felt tired.

He forced himself to square up for another fight, but a gnawing feeling in the back of his head told him he wouldn’t be much help. The weight of his own limbs felt like too much to hold up.

“Well.” The old- fake- Minister crooned softly. “Look where you’ve gotten yourself, young man.”

Logan’s hand trembled on the grip of his pistol, Justice and Avery tensing beside him.

“You know- we intended to keep her alive.” Matilda sighed softly. “Kat is imperative to our mission… ah, I guess that’s was now. A fall from that height? She doesn't have long.” She shook her head. “Whatever you did, you’ve basically killed her.”

It felt like the breath was punched out of the hunter. As much as he blamed Pen, it was Logan’s life that she had jumped in to save… His weakness that she had thrown her life away for.

“You’re the ones invading Alliance territory and killing innocent people, Duvosian.” Commander Avery spat back, snapping Logan out of his mental spiral.

The mech whirred as it straightened, energy shields on its wrists and torso activating as it loomed to its full height.

“Oh? And aren't you the ones who arrived too late to properly save anyone, Commander?” Matilda snorted. “Wasn’t it the Alliance who failed Sandrock for the past fifty or so years?” Avery showed no reaction to her words and she turned her gaze back towards the two Sandrockers. “Are you sure you two want to fight us? We’ve done nothing but help while everyone else sat on their thumbs.”

“Don’t you fucking dare.” Logan growled out, hackles raised with false confidence fueled by hate alone. “Pen is the one who killed my Pa, the one who hurt Kat. You are the one who stood aside knowing what he did, YOU are the one standing in my way.” He drew his pistol with a shaking hand. “I’m going to kill you.”

“Have it your way.”

The mech raised its hand and several Duvosian soldiers hustled forward from the corners of the room behind it. Logan’s heart sank. He needed to get to Kat. But there were too many of them.

Exhausted as he was, he’d be lucky to take down a few of the soldiers with him.

Beyond that, how on Earth would they get past Matilda’s mech suit? The damn thing glowed orange and red, standing proud as though it knew it was impenetrable.

It stomped towards them, its glowing center brightening as it charged.

CRACK!

A familiar boom echoed around the ruin, along with the shattering of glass and the acrid smell of gunpowder and electricity. Matilda’s machine stumbled and collapsed to its knees mid-step. Its joints whining in protest against the sudden stop.

The mech practically froze in place, its lights flickering and alarms buzzing out warnings. 

“What?!?” Matilda shrieked. “What’s happened?!”

“Heavy damage identified. Emergency mode engaged…” The mech chirped in a chipper AI voice. Bolts of electricity shot out of the back of the machine, and the soldiers scrambled to get away from it as searing sparks filled the air.

Logan’s eyes sought out the source of the boom, of the gunshot, and a familiar flash of metallic red caught his attention. 

Kat held up his Pa’s shotgun from where she lay, her arms trembling with the effort of keeping the weapon aloft. After a moment she dropped it, her arms falling limp.

“Work you stupid thing!” The Duvosian woman slammed the controls inside the machine desperately. “Work!”

The mech swayed as it came back on, the lights in the cockpit snapping back to life at the press of a button. Matilda’s panic turned to smug triumph with a chuckle. She grabbed the controls as the machine stood up once again. The whirring of machinery growing louder.

“Emergency egress mode, engaged.”

All the color left the woman's face, her smile dropping instantly. “Emergency what-!?”

“Three, two, one-”

Before, she could do anything the limbs shot off of the mech. Rockets ignited on the back of the cockpit launching the whole thing up the silo. It slipped through the opening high above them in the ruin, continuing skyward seemingly endlessly. Leaving nothing but stunned silence in its wake.

Chaos broke out as the few remaining Duvosians scattered into the corners of the ruins, likely hoping to evade capture.

“We'll handle the remaining soldiers. You go help the builder.” Commander Avery signaled to his men, disappearing into the smog after the errant soldiers.

Logan didn't need to be told twice he was off like an arrow, sliding to his knees next to Kat. Laying a gentle hand on hers.

She's breathing.

His own breath was shallow. The builder’s body looked so small and broken, several joints looked out of place and she was deathly pale. Too much blood staining her clothes. As soon as she felt his hand her eyes fluttered open. Hazel meeting his-

Kat was looking at him like he was made of sunlight.

The warmth and love in her eyes nearly made him sob, as though his presence alone was enough to put her at peace despite her shattered bones. Like the pain was nothing as long as she could look at him. The hunter did everything he could to choke back his own tears. 

“Hey, darlin’.” Logan’s voice cracked as he spoke softly, “I jus’ need you ta hang in there for me, okay? We’re going to get you out of here.”

Little more than a soft breath left her throat as her eyes flicked across his face, a small smile wobbled across her lips.

As the hunter slid his arms underneath her body gently her eyelids drooped.

“Stay with me darlin’.” Logan felt his heart in his throat, he didn’t want her falling unconscious now… “Jus’ try to stay awake.”

Kat’s eyes flicked to meet his again, sadness mixing with the warmth. Like she had already accepted that she wouldn’t make it.

Logan’s stomach swooped as he lifted her fully into his arms. Everything felt wrong… too loose- and limp, like her body didn’t work anymore. Her eyes drifted closed and the hunter nearly stopped breathing, the temptation to shake her awake stopped by the stabbing fear of hurting her. 

The journey back to the surface went by in a blur, with the hunter moving just under a dead run as he tried not to jostle the builder. But it still felt too slow. 

Like one of those nightmares where his legs just won't work.

Each step Logan took was followed with his soft assurances and pain-filled pleas, each passing second broken with quiet stay-with-mes and you’ll-be-okays. False promises to fill the unnerving silence that had fallen over Kat and desperate attempts to assure himself that she wasn’t gone. The booms of the Alliance planes attacking and the roar of the fleeing Duvos airship barely broke through the ringing in his ears.

The sunlight and open air only seemed to highlight how pale Kat was.

Elsie and Grace only needed a glance at the look on Logan’s face when they landed. They wasted no words, waiting silently as Logan climbed into the basket.

They turned the duck towards the clinic, the flight itself short and simple now that the airship was gone. Logan felt himself wince slightly as the whole basket jolted when the duck landed. 

Doctor Fang was waiting outside his clinic already, his already grim face turning grimmer as he saw Kat in the hunter’s arms.

He ushered them inside, directing him to set the builder down on one of the hospital beds. Logan set her down as gingerly as he could as the Doctor rushed around pulling supplies off the shelves and creating a pile of tools and medicine on the bedside table.

Then he tried to pull the hunter away from the bedside.

Logan tensed, yanking his arm from the Doctor’s grasp. With a frustrated sigh, Fang pointed at one of the empty beds. “You’re hurt too.” The Doc explained gently, “I need you out of the way… for her sake.” He added with a tilt of his head.

The hunter relented, he could at least see her from there.

Sitting on the bed he felt the adrenaline draining out of his limbs, days of grit and exhaustion burning his eyes. Doctor Fang handed him a small vial of clear liquid. Medicine.

He tried to hand it back, a mumble along the lines of; ‘treat her first’ rumbling out of him. Fang shook his head.

“Pain meds, you need to rest… I’ll help her.” He pushed the medicine back towards the hunter. Watching patiently as the hunter downed it in one gulp.

The effect was almost immediate. 

His eyes drooped and his vision blurred, unconsciousness slowly consuming him like a wave. Logan tried to fight it, willing his body to protest, but he only slumped forward with a soft whimper. The Doctor caught him before he could fall out of the bed. Laying the hunter on his side.

As darkness overtook his vision Logan kept his eyes fixed on where Kat lay.

It was almost cruel.

Her hair was fanned out like a halo, her face peaceful. As though she was simply asleep. Logan could almost believe that she was just sleeping if it weren't for all the blood.

Darkness fogged the last of his sight as Doctor Fang pulled the privacy screen between them.

—

The hunter woke much later, a little belligerent and in a lot of pain.

When he’d woken up, he’d found all his wounds treated, stitched, and bandaged. Though that did nothing for the searing pain that was the laser burn wound on his back. It sent shards of pain up and down his spine nearly any time he moved.

Despite that he’d made a fuss, trying to get the Doctor to let him see Kat.

He wasn’t in any state to force his way through as he was on a hell of a lot of painkillers, making him sluggish and clumsy. It felt like every last ounce of strength he’d had was sapped away by some unseen power. Even their arguments were little more than a question from Logan followed by a firm shut-down by Fang.

Perhaps it was because of their past experience with what happened to Howlett, or the fact that Logan had pretty much proven he can’t be trusted to look after himself while injured, but the Doctor was significantly more aggressive with him.

Now he was sitting in a makeshift waiting area.

Out of all the injured people he was the only one that chose to stay in the clinic instead of returning home.

Strangely enough, he was the only one who the Doc was perfectly fine with staying for some reason, in spite of the arguing.

It’d always been hard to tell what the quiet man was thinking-

“Hey, Logan.”

The hunter jolted. He hadn’t heard Justice stroll in.

“I- uh, I don’t know if you wanted this-” The Sheriff stammered out a little sheepishly. “I picked it up when you took Kat.”

He held out a red shotgun, the dull gleam of gunmetal all too familiar to Logan.

His Pa’s shotgun.

Logan hadn’t thought to grab it despite the fact that it was lying next to Kat, he was far too focused on getting her back to Sandrock. His stomach turned as he took the gun silently. It felt cold and heavy in his hands…

“Has there been any news?” Justice glanced at the privacy screen where Fang was keeping Kat.

“No.” Logan replied flatly. “He's had to do multiple surgeries, an’ that's all I could figure out by watching. He won't talk.”

“Mind if I sit with ya?”

The hunter only grunted in reply. It didn't look like the Sheriff was going to accept ‘no.’

Justice settled next to Logan, silence stretching between them.

After a long few minutes, they heard a commotion. Fang’s bird, X, flew overhead and landed on his perch, grumbling irritably. The raven normally had a genial and mischievous presence, but now he sat like a gloomy shadow glaring at the men. His black feathers ruffled in agitation.

With a puff of his feathers, X let out a caterwauling cry, sounding more like a raven than he ever had in the years that the Doctor and his bird had lived in Sandrock.

Loud, low wails that seemed to shatter the air with their mournfulness.

It made the blood freeze in Logan’s veins. No, no, no, nonono.

“X! Silence!” Doctor Fang’s harsh voice silenced the bird as he stepped out from behind the privacy screen.

The bird stopped his ruckus, though he still let out barely stifled croaks of sadness.

Logan was on his feet before the Doc could say anything else. His face was grim, more so than when he told the hunter that his Pa was ill and he couldn’t cure it. It was a look that only bore bad news. The worst news a Doctor could bear.

Their eyes met and that pain flooded back anew.

“Please…” Was all Logan could wheeze out despite his soul screaming out for some kind of miracle.

Fang shook his head.

“She’s dead…?” Justice croaked out, his head falling into his hands.

The hunter fell to his knees, the Sheriff’s question crushing him like the whole weight of the sky itself bore down on him. Yet another bright light in his life snuffed out as though the world didn’t want him to have a reason to live-

“Not… quite…” The Doctor’s pained and halting voice broke through the fog of pain. “Still… alive.”

Logan’s head snapped up, as did Justice’s, the Doctor’s words seizing the attention of both men.

“What do you mean not quite?” Logan demanded, though his voice couldn’t muster anger through the wave of grief.

“She’s… alive. Close call… but stable condition.” Fang looked down miserably. “But the… damage… is too much. Brain injury… spine injury… Not even old-world tech could fix it. Kat is… asleep… but she can’t wake up.”

A coma…?

“So it’s like she’s dead then?” The Sheriff spoke flatly as he ran a hand over his face.

“I won’t… give up.” Fang shook his head. “But yes.”

Silence fell over them, loss clouding the air like fog. None of them knew what to say. Really, there was nothing to be said.

Nothing that could be done.

“I- I’ll go inform everyone.” Justice managed to speak around the tears he was holding back, hurrying to leave before the dam could break. Leaving the other two to their own devices.

Doctor Fang refused to look up, the tension between him and the hunter unbearable. The situation all too familiar to the both of them.

Fang turned away, back towards the privacy screen.

“Wait-” Logan struggled to his feet. “Can… can I see her?” His voice shook.

He wasn’t entirely sure he could handle seeing her like that, but he needed to be by her. Needed to be there for every possibility, for any chance that she might wake or any chance she might die. He needed her.  

The Doctor hesitated before nodding. “Let me clean… first.” He answered gently, a look of understanding and concern on his face. At the very least he wasn’t going to let the distressed hunter see her in a bloody, messy, post-surgery state.

With that, he disappeared back behind the screen. Only the gentle clatter of tidying and the feelings of grief were left to accompany Logan. 

His chest felt hollow, like it would pop like a bubble at any moment.

Turning back to the chair he’d been sitting on, his foot hit something with a metallic clatter. Looking down-

The shotgun.

An electric bolt of pain shot through his chest as he knelt down to pick it up. Inexplicable anger burned in his chest.

Anger towards Pen, towards Duvos, and strangely enough… this gun.

It was a soft simmer underneath his skin. Like a need to see it all destroyed.

Like he wanted to see this thing melted down and thrown into the sea.

As a weapon it was meant to protect them- to protect Howlett and Kat- but it failed miserably. They were gone. Logan had lost two people and this damned gun hadn’t helped either one of them. 

It had one job and it failed.

He had failed.

Realization hit him like a runaway train. It wasn’t the gun he was angry at, that was just a placeholder… 

He was angry at himself. He was the one that failed to protect them. Failed to be there in their hours of need. Failed them. Logan had no one to blame but himself. For not being stronger, for not having their backs, for not being able to save them.

They were gone because of Logan.

The hunter slumped down, practically cradling the gun to himself, a silent scream shaking his whole body.

—

Chapter Text

Time flew by in a dull blur.

Once Fang let Logan be by Kat’s side, he never left. Only eating or sleeping when one of the townsfolk or the Doc were bothered enough to force him to. Doctor Fang was even kind enough to let the hunter use the clinic’s bath to wash up, insisting that he needed to keep himself clean so that the burn wound on his back would heal properly.

Other than that, Logan had been sitting in a silent vigil. Dutifully waiting for any sign of Kat waking up.

The world around them seemed to move on. According to Justice, Alliance troops have moved in and even made camp at the Northern Ruins to ensure no Duvosian soldiers were left behind. The town was busy rebuilding, especially since the fires from the explosives destroyed parts of the buildings along Main Street and half the Wandering Y Ranch. 

Most of Kat’s closest friends visited her at some point throughout the days.

Mi-an came by pretty often, sitting with Logan quietly until the needs of the townsfolk called her away again after just a few short moments. Nia came by once with the Tallsky builder but was barely able to contain her sobbing. Justice and Owen came by pretty often, bringing food for Logan and sitting in silent shock with him. Unsuur came by once as well, showing more emotions than Logan had ever seen from him with silent tears as he stared at the empty space in front of him.

The rest of the townsfolk visited in small groups, mourning the loss of the builder who’d done so much for Sandrock. None of them spoke it out loud for fear of hurting the hunter who sat so loyally by her side. But they were basically holding a funeral for Kat. They were already moving on.

It all passed him by.

Logan couldn't care if they rebuilt or razed Sandrock.

He wasn't the savior that he wanted to be…

Or the savior that anyone wanted him to be, considering the shoes his Pa left behind to fill.

Thankfully, no one asked him to do any saving. No one tried to pry him away from her side, nor did they ask any questions. None of them tried to even speak to him, really. The pain on his face apparently spoke for him every time someone visited.

For once Logan kind of understood why Doctor Fang was always so quiet. What was there to be said when the only person who’d listen wasn’t there anymore?

So they all left him to his vigil.

Almost three days passed just like that; in silence.

Until Justice came in with Commander Avery.

Up until that point Logan didn’t bother responding to anyone. But Avery said something that caught his attention.

“The Duvos prisoners will be shipped out to Atara to face trial soon, including the war criminal Pen.”

The hunter turned piercing eyes towards the Commander. Just the name of that monster boiled his blood. He wasn’t normally one to advocate for capital punishment but in this particular situation, the hunter wouldn’t be opposed to slitting Pen’s throat himself.

He opened his mouth to say as much when he was interrupted by Mi-an’s quiet rage-filled voice.

“Make sure he never sees the light of day again.” She trembled in the chair where she sat holding Kat’s hand. The look in her eyes clearly mirrored what Logan was feeling.

Commander Avery’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “Of course. I intend to testify against him and we will be taking whatever written statements and testimony that the Sandrockers are willing to give.”

“You’re giving him a day in court?” Logan growled out softly. “Just kill him and be done with it.”

“Unfortunately Alliance law requires us to give prisoners of war a certain amount of grace despite whatever they may have done.” The Commander shook his head. “I understand why you hate him, but we cannot let ourselves fall to their level.”

The hunter huffed, turning away and laying his head back down beside Kat’s arm.

“The Alliance Council has also agreed to have the builder buried with the highest honors for her contribution to the battle.” Avery changed the subject. “We will be getting in contact with her family and-”

Logan was on his feet before he even registered what he was doing. His fist connected with the Commander’s jaw, knocking him back.

“Whoa! Hey!” Justice scrambled to hold him back.

“You can tell the Council they can go to hell!” The hunter spat. “They did jack shit while Duvos took over the town! They let an innocent woman die for the sake of ‘preventing a war!’”

He felt that rage again, trembling with emotions that had nowhere to go. This time his anger was directed at the government that was supposed to protect them but failed spectacularly. How dare they talk about honor when she’d had to sacrifice herself for their sake?!  When anyone else had to die for their own shortcomings?!

The Alliance soldiers standing with the Commander drew their weapons, ready to protect their superior from the enraged hunter.

Commander Avery raised his hand, signaling for his soldiers to stand down as he rubbed his jaw.

A few moments of tension passed between them as Justice tried to babble out excuses and apologies on behalf of their wayward friend. The Commander’s eyes flicked away from Logan’s towards where Kat lay. A crack appeared in the normally steely look that the golden-eyed man usually had. Sorrow and regret flickering across his face, empathy in his eyes as a little bit of humanity escaped the ethereal mask he wore.

“I’ll let that go this once.” He spoke firmly. His tone belying his emotions.

Silence stretched between them again as the anger slowly bled out of the hunter, guilt for lashing out replacing it.

“We will send more information to everyone associated with Kat, and keep in contact with your Doctor on her condition.” The Commander turned to leave, his soldiers following close behind.

He paused, turning back just before they left and meeting the hunter’s eyes.

“For what it’s worth… I’m sorry for your loss.”

Logan collapsed to the floor as the Sheriff and Mi-an tried to hold him upright, the ringing in his ears muffling the sound of the door closing behind the Commander.

Loss.

—

The fourth day was worse.

Haru and Andy had finally come back from Atara alongside a few of the others that’d left on the Ataran Express. Trudy had received a telegram that informed them of the Sandrock refugee’s return and, as much as Logan wanted to be there to greet them alongside the rest of the town, he couldn’t bring himself to leave Kat’s side.

He knew it was a betrayal to the two, but he just couldn’t face them.

Not until they came and found him in the Clinic, pacing around the waiting area like a caged lion.

“Logan!” Andy screeched, startling the hunter and earning a disgruntled squawk from X, who roosted nearby.

The boy swept into the Clinic like a flurry, tears already dripping down his face as he slammed into a hug against Logan. “Youweren’tatthestationandwecamebackand-”

Logan picked Andy up and crushed him in a hug, pain stinging his heart.

How was he supposed to tell Andy about Kat?

“Are you alright, man?” Haru’s soft voice interrupted the hunter’s thought. “Justice told us you were in the Clinic. We thought you’d been hurt.”

The chemist’s eyes were full of worry and Andy wriggled back to peer up at Logan. Their looks of curiosity and concern stabbing guilt through his heart.

“Yeah- uh…” He started numbly.

They must have sensed something wrong. Haru reached out a hand like he was concerned the hunter would shatter in front of them. Andy stepped back to look harder at Logan, sensing something off about his father figure-

“Where’s Kat?” The boy’s question made the hunter flinch.

That was the worst response he could’ve had.

He could see Andy’s world shattering in his eyes. Pain and betrayal on the boy’s face as every assurance Logan had made to the boy became yet another lie that pierced his little heart.

“Where is she?” He insisted, his young voice cracking.

Logan glanced over his shoulder to the privacy screen behind which Kat lay, his heart in his throat. “She’s-”

Andy tried to dart past him. Reflex was the only thing that helped Logan catch the boy before he could get more than a few steps away. He couldn’t let Andy see her yet. Not like that.

“Let me go! I want to see her!” He thrashed in the hunter’s grasp.

“Andy please-”

“No!”

“Listen to me!” Logan hissed, kneeling down and holding the squirming boy.

“No- Kat! MA!” Andy screeched out, shocking the hunter into letting him go. “Ma! Please!”

The boy scrambled out of Logan’s grip disappearing behind the screen.

The hunter sat numbly for a moment. He called her Ma.

He stumbled to his feet, hurrying after the crying boy with Haru hot on his tail. Andy grasped Kat’s hand, full-blown waterworks streaming down his face as he shook the builder’s arm. Desperate to see her awake and attentive like she used to be.

“Please- wake up! You gotta wake up!” Andy sobbed out.

“Andy, stop!” The hunter tried to pull the boy away, his heart in his throat. “You’ll hurt her!”

Andy let her go, staring wide-eyed up at Logan. “W- why won't she wake up?”

The hunter knelt down pulling the boy into a hug, gentler this time, holding him as he teared up. Hoping beyond all hope he could provide even the littlest of comfort to Andy.

“She's hurt bad, Andy.” Logan’s voice wavered, trying to hold back the tears in his own eyes. “The Doc said she’s not likely to- to wake up anytime soon.”

“B- but she will wake up. R- right?” Andy clung to the hunter, trembling like a mini-earthquake.

Logan's heart stung. It was so tempting to say yes. To just tell him that she won't be gone forever, that she will wake up and they just needed to wait for her. So tempting to protect him from the truth.  

Hell, it had been tempting to believe that himself. 

But he'd be lying.

Making another promise he couldn't keep. Hurting the boy further when he inevitably realized that she wasn’t waking up.

He couldn’t. Not to Andy, the boy who’d already lost his whole family once… and who now had to face losing yet another family member. He was whip-smart, he’d figure it out pretty quick. It would just be cruel to get his hopes up now…

“No, Andy. We don't know if she'll ever wake up…” The hunter tried to keep his voice steady. “The Doc said it’s not… not likely-”

“Liar!” Andy spat, startling Logan.

The boy pulled back like he'd been stung. His maroon eyes stared up at Logan with fury and betrayal, swiping his blotchy red face with balled fists as he struggled to look angry through his tears. 

“Andy…” Logan tried to reach out to him. 

He smacked the hunter’s hand away with vitriol. “You said you’d come back with her! You said we’d be a family again!” Andy hiccuped. 

A bitter taste rose in the back of Logan’s throat as his words came back to haunt him. It felt like his heart was sinking into his stomach. What was he supposed to say?

Andy threw his fists at the hunter, his punches bouncing weakly off his chest as the boy openly sobbed. His grief spilling over into anger, yet also dimming the heat behind his attacks. Lashing out with raw emotion.

The hunter sat there and let him. He didn’t know how to comfort the boy. Hell, Logan felt the same way about himself. The only thing he could think to do was let Andy channel all his anger towards something. Even if that was against him.

Once the fight drained out of him Andy turned and tried to run.

Logan caught him by the arm and the boy collapsed to the floor in a crying heap, refusing to look at the hunter. Kneeling down Logan scooped Andy into his arms. Holding the boy as he cried into his shirt.

He sat there trying to swallow down the lump in his throat as he comforted his son. It felt like his family was shattering all over again.

Eventually, Andy’s sobs slowed to soft hiccups then an exhausted sleep, unconsciously clinging to the hunter despite his earlier outburst. Logan lifted the boy and gingerly laid him down on the cot that the hunter had set up next to Kat's bed.

His heart stung again watching his son’s troubled sleeping face.

She was supposed to be here.

Kat was meant to be there with them. To help him comfort Andy. Or better yet celebrate with them at the Saloon… and then rebuild Sandrock. Maybe even figure out all those sappy romantic feelings Logan was having and helping him raise Andy properly.

There were so many things they should've done together. So many experiences they could've had. So much time they would've shared.

What would he do now that those chances weren't there anymore?

Drained by emotion the hunter glanced around, a thought striking him. Haru’s been awfully silent.

His eyes landed on the chemist sitting in the chairs across Kat as he held what looked like a letter, his face pallid with a hand over his mouth. Barely restrained tears rolling down his cheeks.

As though Haru sensed Logan’s eyes on him, he looked up.

“Have you read these?” He held up the paper. “They're from Kat.”

Logan shook his head. He had been ignoring the whole world the past few days.

He recalled that an Alliance soldier had brought them by, saying they'd found them in the ruins and that one of the captured Duvosians told them they were letters from the builder.

The hunter had barely registered the man's presence at the time, too wound up in the thought that everything was his fault.

Haru handed a letter to Logan with a trembling hand.

His eyes blurred for a moment as his eyes caught sight of the hastily written script. Evidence of her dire situation while imprisoned clear in the messy lettering. He was about to read her last words to him.

‘Dear Logan,

If you’re somehow reading this I have a lot to say. We haven't had the chance to know each other too well, at least not in this lifetime, but I wanted to tell you the truth before anything happens.

I love you.

In this life and the last.

I never thought that I would ever tell you that. In fact, I was pretty content with just existing around you in this life as you had turned me down in our past life.’

What.

It felt like Logan had been punched twice. Kat was in love with him and future-past him had sabotaged his chances?

All the moments she had shied away from his touch, guarded her emotions, and why she looked hurt when he’d asked her for a chance at a date started to make sense. Kat was protecting herself from a choice he’d made. Logan didn’t know whether to laugh hysterically at the horrid irony or cry uncontrollably at the unfairness of it all. It was yet another thing he’d done wrong to hurt her. 

…and now he had no chance of correcting that mistake nor any of the others he’d made.

‘I know I was more hesitant this time even though you were the one to ask me out first. I should have told you about what happened. In hindsight, I was selfish, prideful, and took away that choice from you. I don’t know what changed and I worry that it is some kind of effect of the time machine.

But whatever the case, I wanted you to know how I felt.

I love you.

Light, that feels good to get off my chest. 

In case I don’t make it, look after Andy for me. I know you already do, but worrying about the little rascal is the whole reason I ended up knowing you well enough to love you. You’re the good parent that the kid needs.’

Logan swallowed hard and glanced to where Andy was sleeping, tossing and turning fitfully as Haru tried unsuccessfully to comfort him.

Was he going to look after his son? Yes. Kat didn’t even need to ask him to.

But it felt unfair when the boy was equally attached to Kat.

Sure, Logan had taught the kid fighting skills and discipline, but Kat was the one who taught him the things he enjoyed, like mechanics, diagrams, and the method of scrap recycling that was the foundation of Sandrock’s survival.

Andy had spent more time practically glued to her side when she was doing builder work with Haru. Her method of teaching sometimes seemed like the only thing that could hold the boy’s attention. He only ever broke away from the builder and the chemist to excitedly try to impress the hunter with his latest inventions.

Logan couldn’t help but wonder if this was the kind of pain his Pa felt when his Ma skipped town.

Grief and anger at everything…

He dashed the mist from his eyes as he looked back down at the letter in his hands. Thankfully, since he wasn’t sure his heart could bear any more grief, there only seemed to be a few lines left to read.

‘I’ll hopefully see you soon Yakboy,

-Kat

P.S. If you can as well, please figure out how to disable that time machine. It’s caused nothing but grief and I don’t want anyone else going through that.’

Staring a hole at the paper in his hands Logan wasn’t sure what to do now.

It was over. Their fight was over and there was nothing.

He’d had something to look forward to while Kat was around. Before he knew her all he did was keep moving forward with the vague notion of future grandeur. Once he knew her… Building a life seemed to have its own excitement. Having a home to return to after a long adventure, a partner by his side and little ones to tell his and his Pa’s tales and adventures to. For once, the future had this kind of allure to it that made Logan think.

But that was while Kat was with them…

Should he just wait until the end of time for her to wake up?

How would he look after Andy while doing that?

A familiar thought crept into his head as he stared at the paper, fueled by the scrawled words ‘time machine.’ Despite his promise that he would never act on impulse again, traitorous sparks of ideas and hopes ignited a fire in his chest. The same fire he’d felt when he’d cooked up the plan to bomb the Temple that fateful night.

Fang said he couldn’t fix what was wrong. But who’s to say there isn’t someone, or something, that has a solution?

This wasn’t like the old-world virus that Howlett was inflicted with, that could’ve at least been cured by old-world tech, or medicine. The Doc said that Kat’s injury was one that old-world medicine couldn’t.

But that was from a medical tech standpoint.

Old-world technology reached far beyond medicine alone…

The rusty gears in the rarely used calculating part of his mind creaked together with the same desperation he’d felt when Fang had told him his Pa was dying. 

Old-world tech.

The time machine.

He could use the time machine.

—

Chapter Text

Qi was absolutely buzzing with energy.

His symptoms mirrored that of an excessive dose of caffeine. Something he was all too familiar with after the whole Express Tea Maker fiasco where Doctor Fang had told him to ‘lower his intake of caffeinated beverages.’

The Director did have to admit that his notes were… illegible… despite the inspiration and increased productivity that the concentrated tea offered.

But what Qi was feeling now was a whole different kind of inspiration.

A time machine!

Something that could mess with temporal continuity and had already done so!

He couldn’t believe that it had flown under his radar. More so knowing that his alternate-timeline self hadn’t found it and thoroughly examined it before a builder could get to it…

It was thrilling when the Alliance Commander and Mayor Trudy had told him that the ruin was the Olympia launch site. But the Bandit-but-not-really ruffian standing in front of him had nearly given Qi heart palpitations once the Director figured out what it was that he was trying to articulate. Especially when the hunter-bandit-hero mentioned that he was going to bring the Director right to the relic.

“So let me get this straight.” Qi clasped his hands together to keep them from shaking as he addressed the wild-eyed man. “There’s a time machine in the Northern Ruins?”

“Yeah.”

“And you want me to investigate it and figure out how to send someone back in time?”

“Yes.”

“And you then want to use that ability to save the builder from her near-fatal injuries?”

“Uh-huh.”

“And you expect me to go along with this because it’s an old-world time machine relic in the Starship ruins that have been the entire focus of my life’s work and a major dream come true for any researcher from here to Vega 5?”

“...y- yeah?”

Qi stared. His eyes blank as a million different thoughts ran through his head.

Was this unethical or law-breaking considering the technological regulations within the Alliance of Free Cities, and specifically the laws of Sandrock? 

Probably. 

Has Qi disregarded those same regulations repeatedly over the entire course of his career? 

Absolutely. He had to ask Trudy for retroactive amnesty regarding the technological crimes he’d committed over the past seven years because they came in handy when fending off Duvos last week.

Would it be ethical to ignore those regulations in regard to the time machine and the infinite potential it had to advance his research despite the hunter’s desire to use it for personal gain…? 

Eh, Qi never cared about ethics.

Plus, Kat had been his friend too.

She was the one who helped him build his actually functional Gungam Mobile Suit when pretty much everyone else had laughed at him. On top of the fact that she was the builder who consistently brought him hundreds of relics and data disks… The Director’s research had accelerated a lot since the Highwind Builder had moved in.

 Also, despite the improbability of it, he valued their friendship equally, if not somehow more, than just the mutual working and professional benefits their cordial relationship afforded him.

It would be for selfish reasons, but reviving her and examining the effect of the relic far outweighed any legal or moral repercussions Qi could think of.

Compounded with all that…

When was he ever going to get a chance like this again?

Already the feral mad scientist that lurked in the corner of his mind was ready to live the rest of his days in the Olympia Starship ruins. But when would he ever get the chance to work with a real actual time machine without the interference of an ethics committee or political power again?

Even the rational parts of his mind were pointing and screeching like excited children.

“Director?” The white-haired hunter eyed Qi wearily.

The Director blinked. Ah, he must have gotten lost in thought again.

“Allow me to gather some equipment together, we can head out tonight. I’d rather not delay this opportunity.”

The hunter perked up, clearly relieved. “D’ya need any help carrying things?”

Qi frowned at him. “No, no. You wait outside, I need to concentrate on figuring out what to bring and the diagnostics equipment is quite delicate. I will not have a brute handling it… No offense.”

—

Logan was pacing impatiently outside the Research Center.

He wasn’t sure if it was the stress of the situation or if the Director was actually just really slow, but it felt like it’d been hours since Qi sent him outside. Realistically it’d been like twenty minutes, they were just planning on doing something illegal.

Intense urgency made his skin itch.

The rational parts of his brain were reminding him what happened when he'd acted on impulse when his Pa was quarantined by the Church. Even if that wasn't his fault it still led to Howlett’s death.

What was worse was that he’d had to sneak out of the house because he was worried that Haru would try to stop him… or insist on joining him.

Already the chemist had sensed that something was off about the hunter’s mood. They'd been best friends for far too long, he could practically read Logan’s mind.

While it was nice to have someone to share his burdens with, the hunter felt guilty for putting so much weight on Haru. He’d already gotten the chemist dragged into the whole banditry thing, it didn't seem fair for him to drag him along any further. Especially not when it meant putting yet another family member's life on the line.

That was something Logan wasn’t willing to do anymore, Sandrock, Alliance, and Duvos be damned.

“What are you doing?”

As though the devil was summoned by his thoughts, Haru’s soft voice nearly made the hunter jump out of his skin. The chemist was standing near the corner of Mi-an’s house. His hair still clearly tousled from sleep, his dark eyes full of concern.

Logan just stared at him in guilty silence. He didn’t doubt that they both knew what the hunter was doing.

The chemist let out a soft sigh.

“I- Andy and I can't lose you too, Logan.” Haru ran a hand down his face slowly. Even with the distance between them the moonlight only seemed to highlight redness in his eyes from crying. “Whatever it is that you’re planning, you need to tell me.”

The hunter shook his head. “I can’t.”

“Why?”

“I just can’t.” The hunter snapped, his anger surprising them both.

Hurt twisted Haru’s face. Logan hadn’t pushed his friend away in years- practically since they were children. Lances of guilt cut Logan’s heart as he watched the chemist lean back, eyes closed, with a heavy sigh.

“Kat was my friend too, Logan.” Haru’s voice wobbled with barely restrained grief. “Just as much as I consider you my brother and as much as I considered Howlett my father,” Logan flinched as the chemist continued, “I understand. Hell, I don’t blame you for pushing everyone else away. Don’t do the same to me like I don’t know what you’re going through- because you’re not the only one who’s lost family here. ”

His dark eyes felt like they were piercing through the hunter’s soul, his words hanging between them with the weight of pain and betrayal.

“If you don’t want me along, fine.” Haru looked away with disappointment. “At least tell me what you’re doing.” He ordered flatly.

Logan’s eyes were glued to his feet, the shame chewing at him. This was Haru, the man who’d given up the chance at a normal life to help Logan try to save Sandrock. Someone who was by his side when his Pa died and he couldn’t even attend his funeral nor grieve properly. His chosen kin who willfully stood against the world with the hunter.

The memory of a line from Kat’s letter struck him. ‘I should have told you… I was selfish, prideful, and took that choice away from you.’ To throw away their bond over something like fear just didn’t feel fair. He couldn’t deny his best friend, his brother.

Especially not when Logan had already made so many choices that’d hurt everyone else. If Haru wanted to stand alongside him, who was he to take away that choice?

“I asked Qi to help me investigate the time machine that Kat was talking about…” The hunter swallowed hard. “If- if we can use it to set time back, she wouldn’t be hurt.”

Haru glanced back up at him, relief and gratitude breaking the tension on his face slightly as he acknowledged his friend’s relenting. “That… that might not actually be a bad idea.” The chemist murmured softly, almost to himself. His eyes darkened in the way that they usually did when he was imagining a new plan or invention.

The hunter looked at him in surprise. Even he had thought this idea was irrational, but having the ever-thinking and planning Haru agree with a half-baked plan? That was new.

“We might end up having to fight like hell again.”

“You sound like you’re trying to talk yourself out of it.” Haru snorted then shook his head. “There’s no one I’d ‘fight like hell’ for more than you guys. Even if it’s for the rest of eternity.”

Logan stood in slight awe. He owed the chemist so much good in his life, for all his forgiveness, companionship, and loyalty… his eyes misted slightly.

“Plus, if you can set the machine so that you and Kat remember what happened… We’ll have an even better advantage this time around…” Haru hummed to himself slightly, his mind already working through the plan. 

The hunter cut the chemist off with a bear hug.

Haru hugged him back, squeezing his shoulder slightly. “Whatever Kat wanted… I know it wasn’t this- she wouldn't have wanted the gang torn apart. Whether or not what you’re doing works, don’t you even dare think about trying to push us away again. For her sake.”

“I’m sorry.” Logan’s voice broke.

“It’s alright. Peach knows we’ve all been through way too much the past couple of years.”

There was so much that the hunter didn’t know how to say. 

He didn’t know if there was ever going to be a way for him to express his gratitude to Haru. For everything they’d been through he’d been loyal. Logan felt a little guilty again as he remembered how he was going to still leave the chemist behind for this mission. There was pretty much no one else he’d trust to have his back more than Haru and yet…

“Are you ready to go?” 

Qi’s voice interrupted them before Logan could start to say anything. The hunter turned to see the Director with a ridiculously overstuffed backpack slung over his back, its bottom nearly touching the ground with how heavy it was.

“Oh, Haru. Are you coming along too?” Qi tilted his head as he saw the chemist. “We’re headed off to examine a time machine according to Logan.”

Haru glanced at Logan who shook his head. “No, I have to stay to look after Andy. You guys be safe.”

“Very well.” The Director glanced at Logan. “Shall we go?”

—

Their walk to the clinic was quiet but certainly energized. 

Almost to the point that Logan was almost frustrated with the Director. Qi had wanted to bolt straight to the ruins. Even when Logan had explained to him why they needed to grab Kat first.

The hunter had to admit once Director Qi had a goal, he certainly focused on it with single-minded devotion.

It was a little bit of a confidence boost since he had one of the smartest minds in Sandrock ready to help him figure out the complicated doohickeys of the time machine. The Director had even listened with extreme interest when Logan explained how Kat was sent back in time with all her memories but her body and the world around her was reset. As well as the dreams the hunter had been having about the past timeline.

“There’s likely imperfections in how the time machine works.” The Qi babbled as they walked through the threshold of the clinic. “Though I do find it interesting that it put her consciousness back in a younger version of her body rather than sending her as a whole back in time… Perhaps it was to prevent a doppelganger situation…?”

Logan glanced up with a weary smile at the Director.

While he appreciated the enthusiasm, the hunter wished that Qi could be a little quieter. They were basically there to kidnap Kat out from under Doctor Fang’s supervision and he knew from experience that the Doc’s raven was a nosy and vengeful little corvid.

He glanced over Kat again, the familiar sting of his heart as he took in how peaceful she looked despite the tubes, casts, and bandages covering her body.

Figuring out how to carry the builder was going to be an issue too.

The hunter didn’t want to hurt her or tear any stitches. Plus, he’d have to figure out how to juggle carrying her and the IV and monitors that were attached to her. It seemed like too much to do.

Every time he shifted her slightly the machines beeped at him angrily.

He let out a soft groan of frustration as he knew they were wasting precious time. 

X the raven’s soft growling was the only warning the two got as Doctor Fang appeared from upstairs. A dark look on his normally impassive face.

“What are you doing?” 

Crap.

Qi and Logan stared at the Doctor wide-eyed. Even the socially oblivious Director could sense the irritation radiating off of him. Something which was a bad sign since neither of them had ever seen the mute Doctor be angry.

“Why are you… messing with her?” Fang fixed sharp gray-blue eyes on Logan. 

“I have a plan…” 

“Like last time?” The Doctor’s cold voice made the hunter flinch.

“No.” Slight rage flickered and mixed with the guilt Logan felt. It hurt to have that accusation being thrown at him, especially from him.

The last thing he needed was another argument with Fang. If anything, he was grateful to the Doctor for doing his best for both Howlett and Kat, and himself considering Fang put up with his presence the last few days. He’d even seen it for himself in the Doctor’s eyes and action; the looks of self-condemnation that came with failure and the compassion he’d shown the hunter over his grief. He knew he owed Fang nothing but gratitude and respect.

But this was something Logan was willing to fight over. They have a chance to save her.

Impulsive or not, he would take chances over nothing at all.

He needed something to keep him grounded.

“Kat told me about a relic that saved her before. It could save her again…” Logan met the Doctor’s gaze unwaveringly. “There’s at least some chance to fix this. We’re taking that chance regardless of what you think.”

The hunter didn’t even realize his voice was rising in fury until he noticed that the Doctor’s raven took to hiding against Fang’s neck, puffed and cowed with fear. The Doctor himself looked tired. As though he’d expected something like this. He probably was.

Logan felt a prickle against his skin. The cloying reminder of his Pa’s death and the similarity of the situations…

“Look-”

“I have one condition.” Fang’s voice cut it, not quite as cold as before. “I… want to help her too. But if… you are taking her. I'll go along… and look at this… machine too. I can help if things… go wrong.”

That stunned Logan. He couldn’t help but wonder if things would’ve been different if the doctor had been along that night too.

Qi, who was looking back and forth between both men like he was watching an intense match, chose that moment to interject. “It would be useful to have the opinion of a Doctor on the effects of the time machine on Kat’s body. That could help us extrapolate on the functions and the uh- glitch- in the time traveling system.”

Of course that would be logical- Plus, they’d need the Doctor’s help getting Kat there without harm in the first place…

“I owe you that much.” The sincerity in Fang’s words surprised Logan. “...For last time.”

The hunter's expression softened. The Doctor felt guilty too. They were more alike than he'd thought…

“Thank you. Though, for the record, I technically owe you. You did yer best and never gave up on ‘em, that's all I can ask.” Logan glanced back down at Kat looking at all the cords attached to her. “Er- I could use help carryin’ all this stuff though… I dunno if-”

“You can… disconnect them.” The doctor brushed past him, flicking a few switches on the monitor and silencing the beeps.

“Wh- wait, doesn't she need ‘em?”

Fang shook his head with mild annoyance and a little amusement. “You didn't listen to me yesterday… or the day before. I told you about it.”

“Uh-” Logan had only been vaguely aware of the Doctor speaking as he tended to Kat over the past few days, he kind of had other things on his mind. It was a weird juxtaposition going from ready to argue to feeling like a kid getting called out for not paying attention in class.

“Her condition is stable… She can live without help. This… is just a heart monitor.”

“Oh.”

“Just mind… her wounds.”

—

Chapter Text

“Halt! Who goes there?!?”

Logan cursed himself quietly.

They’d been incredibly cautious so far. Mainly because Fang insisted on going slow and keeping a close eye on Kat as she hung limp in the cradle of Logan’s arms. But also because the hunter wanted to avoid any other Sandrocker that might try to talk the trio out of their little plan.

That didn’t stop them from landing headfirst in the middle of their first roadblock.

He, Fang, and Qi had loaded up onto Daisy with Kat and flew over to the Northern Ruins. Straight into the Alliance Council Guards that were encamped at the entrance of the ruin.

It was a little funny watching the alarmed soldiers scattering at the sight of the monstrous-sized duck, but he did have to shout down and identify themselves as Sandrockers before they got blasted down by Alliance cannons.

That was almost a disaster.

Now, though, they had to explain to a small army of disgruntled elite Alliance fighters why three men and an unconscious injured woman just descended from the sky on the back of a giant Martle Duck. The soldiers were edging closer, braver despite Daisy giving them a warning hiss. Tension sat thick in the air as Logan could count no less than ten guns pointed at them.

Honestly, if he’d sat and thought through this plan a little longer he might have thought to remember that the Alliance hadn’t quite left yet.

They were still in the process of packing up and transporting the prisoners, just a day or two of patience and they wouldn’t have any guns pointed at them…

“State your business, Sandrockers!” The same soldier shouted again, earning another angry hiss from Daisy.

“At ease Lieutenant.” A familiar flash of blond made Logan’s heart sink. “Sandrock is a part of the Alliance, they’re allowed to be here.”

The men parted as Commander Avery strode up to the massive duck, his face carefully impassive. It was hard for Logan to not feel a spark of guilt and a little bit of fear as he saw the bright purple bruise on the Alliance Commander’s jaw. He couldn’t help but wonder if the man was going to try to stop them, or worse, arrest them out of spite.

Golden eyes met the hunter’s blue ones. “It would be best if we spoke in private.” He jerked his head towards one of the tents, turning on his heel and striding away.

Logan sat frozen, watching the Commander walk away until he felt Qi attempting to dismount. Several soldiers hurried forward to stop the Director from falling face-first with the heavy pack on top. They were already apparently familiar with the eccentric researcher and his overzealous equipment packing.

Hopping down from Daisy, Logan hurried to the basket where Doctor Fang held Kat secure for the flight.

He could see a few of the Alliance soldiers raise a brow as he lifted the unconscious builder from the Doctor’s arms. But he couldn’t care less, doing his best to avoid knocking her legs against the side of the basket. The hunter could at least focus on that and not the gnawing fear that he’d have to fight the damn Alliance to go through with their plan.

As Fang climbed out of the basket himself Qi led the way after Avery, the researcher plodding along like he had no care in the world.

The hunter couldn’t tell if he was oblivious to the danger or was just that focused on getting to the time machine.

At least he held the tent flap open for them.

Inside Commander Avery was leaning against a table with maps strewn all over it, a glass of amber liquid in his hand, probably something alcoholic, and a vexed look replacing the normally stoic one. Silence stretched between them as the three men stood across from him. The noises of the soldiers settling back down for the night slowly dying out outside of the tent.

Logan opened his mouth to speak- only to be stopped by Avery with a raised hand.

“I’m going to stop you right there,” He sipped his drink, nodding towards the builder in the hunter’s arms. “I’m assuming the less I know the better off we’ll all be.”

“Probably,” Logan replied flatly.

Silence again.

“You need access to the ruins.”

“Yes.”

The Commander set his drink down with a harsh clack. More silence, it was almost deafening.

The hunter could practically feel the tension rolling off his companions, almost as much as he could feel the tightness in his own muscles. Perhaps if he took the brunt of the blame they let the others-

“We currently have the Duvosian who was her warden in the interrogation tent.” Avery’s words startled the hunter. “He should be able to lead you through the ruins and I can turn his custody over to you temporarily.”

“Wh- what?”

“Well, I’m assuming you don’t want to be wandering around the ruins for several hours with an injured builder in your arms.” The Commander tilted his head. “Plus, like I said, I assume the less we know, the better.”

Tension bled out of the hunter. He’d been fully prepared to argue with and even outright fight Avery, especially considering they hadn’t exactly been friendly the last time they talked. But this was a surprise. He was actually offering to help them outside of his duties to the Alliance...

“Why would you help us?” Qi asked what Logan was thinking.

“Because you’re not the only ones displeased with what happened here.” Avery shook his head regretfully. “Even if you don’t trust me,” The Commander looked pointedly at Logan, “Consider this as me ‘clearing my conscience.’”

Huh, he does have a heart then.

In a few brief moments of eye contact, the hunter could sense Avery’s sincerity. However uptight and annoying Logan may have found the Commander to be in the short time they knew each other, he at least was honest about wanting to make things right.

“You think the Duvosian is really going to help us?”

Avery nodded. “He’s the only one who asked about her and expressed remorse over what happened. Seems she’d left a strong impression on him.”

A thought struck Logan and he deflated a little. “...That’s the guy I choked, isn’t it?” 

“Yeah. Though that would just be more incentive for him to cooperate.” The Commander shrugged.

He made his way past them, gesturing for them to follow.

As they left the tent Logan took in the camp around them without all the bristling soldiers about. It was bare bones with the exception of what he assumed was the soldiers’ barracks and the prisoners’ barracks, which was closely guarded by a night watch, and a small tent set off to one side that Logan guessed was the interrogation room considering Avery made a beeline for it.

Inside was a table with two chairs, one occupied by the prisoner, and a lantern sitting in between providing a bright yellowed light around the whole tent. Two guards stood on either side of the table and came to attention as the Commander entered. Avery dismissed them with a gesture of his hand and they hurried around the hunter, eager to get to bed after a long shift.

As Logan’s eyes met the Duvosian’s, the prisoner nearly fell out of his seat.

Now that he wasn’t in a Duvos Army uniform anymore the faded bruising around his neck wasn’t hidden at all. The hunter couldn’t help but wonder if it was some kind of sign he was being confronted with all the reckless choices he’d made.

The Duvosian’s eyes widened as they landed on the builder cradled in Logan’s arms. A shadow of pain and sorrow crossing his face.

“Stev,” The prisoner glanced up as the Commander addressed him, “I’m sure you’re already familiar with Logan. If you can, we need you to guide them through the ruins.”

“I- can. Uh… what are we doing, exactly?”

“They'll fill you in once you're in the ruins.” Avery waved him off. “Just help them however you can. Then we'll see to it that your cooperation is considered during your trial.”

The Duvosian, Stev, chewed his lip as he watched the hunter wearily.

“Are we going now?”

“You are, yes.”

“In the middle of the night?”

“As soon as possible, yes. They want to depart immediately and I want to be able to go to bed.”

Stev’s eyes snapped up. “You’re leaving me with them?”

“The Sandrockers will be responsible for your custody until their mission is done.”

“Is this an execution?” The Duvosian slumped down in his seat. “I- I was just doing my job, man…”

Ah. He probably thought that they- that Logan- wanted vengeance for what happened to Kat. Granted, less than a day ago he probably would’ve wanted that. Now, though, he didn’t want anything other than getting Kat back.

Perhaps he was maturing as a person- or so incredibly scarred that he’s numb to his emotions- but the rage and grief that he’d felt was replaced with nothing but determination and purpose. He was trying to right his own wrong…

“It ain’t.” The hunter tried to meet Stev’s eye. “We genuinely need help, th’ Commander said you can help. If you want some leniency, prove you’re repentant.”

Stev glanced at Kat again, resigned, and nodded. 

Avery stepped forward to unlock the handcuffs that chained him to the table. The mismatched group left the tent without any more words spoken between them. The Commander took point leading the way towards the entrance, nodding to the guards as they brushed past.

Cold metal surrounded them once more, the walls of this ruin far more familiar to Logan than he’d ever want them to be. Their footsteps thumped against the floor, the strange metal seeming to amplify the differences in their gaits, the sharp stomps of Logan and Avery’s boots, the weighted thumps of Qi’s sneakers struggling against the extra weight he carried, the soft plods of the simple shoes that Doctor Fang and Stev wore.

Logan wasn’t sure if it was just his nerves, but it felt like he could see, hear, and feel everything. An overwhelming cacophony of sensations as his nerves peaked at the evocation that the Starship ruins brought.

“This is where I leave you guys.” Avery’s voice sounded sharp in the echoing hall. He halted suddenly at the threshold of a doorway leading deeper into the ruins, turning back to the group. “I’ll make sure no one enters the ruins again until sunrise… and we need the prisoner back by sundown tomorrow, if possible.”

“We'll do our best, can’t make any promises we’ll be exactly on time though. Ain't much sunlight down there.” Logan snorted, tipping his head in thanks to the Commander as he strode by. “-and Avery?”

“Hm?” Golden eyes turned towards the hunter.

“Thanks.”

The Commander gave him a small, rare, smile then started back down the way he came, perfect stride and the air of confidence back in full force.

As his footsteps receded in the echoing hall Fang let out a soft sigh of relief. 

“You people are too… intense.” The Doctor shook his head as he moved to check over Kat.

“Yeah, Commander Avery is notably stoic and warlike. Fitting for his position I suppose.” Qi shrugged his pack higher on his shoulder and glanced at the Duvosian. “If we could continue please?”

“Where did you guys need to go, exactly?” Stev glanced at the researcher.

“The time machine.”

The Duvosian’s attention snapped to the hunter, surprised.

“You know what I'm talking about.” 

“I do, yeah. I already told the Alliance about what I know though?” Stev tilted his head. “Is that why you brought the builder?”

“Yeah… sort of.”  Logan nodded. “What did you tell them?”

“Tiger ordered for her to be captured specifically because she seems to be the key to that machine.” He shook his head. “We couldn’t move the machine at all- almost couldn’t stand near it either, it kept burning everything- and it would only ask for ‘previous user input.’ The higher-ups didn’t want to risk testing it here in the Alliance though.” 

So they saw her as yet another human guinea pig for the Empire… the thought made Logan seethe.

“Bastards.” The hunter muttered darkly under his breath.

Stev winced.

“We weren’t supposed to hurt anyone.” The Duvosian sighed as he walked along, waving for the group to follow. “They told us it was an extraction mission… I- I should have expected something to go wrong.”

“You’re a soldier invading a foreign country, what did you expect?”’ Qi shook his head at Stev.

He returned a sad smile to the Director. “There’s a reason I wasn’t smart or skilled enough for any other job, I guess.”

“Oh.”

“There’s really not much choice in Duvos, at least the Army feeds us. Everyone’s just… forced to make do.”

Damn.

They quieted as they followed the Duvosian through the ruin.

Logan hadn’t expected to feel pity or sympathy for someone from Duvos but he hadn’t expected any conversation with one of them to be so… introspective. Stev was definitely, and painfully, aware of the failings of his nation. The hunter sent silent thanks to the Light and his late Pa for the fact he was born in Sandrock.

Sure it was a dying town by the time he was born, but at least he was free to do what he wanted.

…and had plenty of sunlight. 

He’d heard that Duvos rarely got sunlight through the thick clouds that covered most of the Empire. That must have been hell to grow up in…

“Ah, this way.” Stev waved them through the elevator door, “We have to go to one of the lower levels.”

—

The room felt horrifically warm when they entered it.

Which was a significant feat since Logan had grown up in the desert, which was known for its horrifically homicidal heat.

It made their wait all the more irritating.

Director Qi had all his equipment set up. Stev even helped out, listening with slightly confused fascination as the researcher babbled on about all his sciency stuff. They were surrounded by whirring machines and beeping monitors as the Director danced around the room like a manic butterfly. Tapping away at each different machine, accidentally burning his hand on the time machine, pulling out and inserting data disks every which way.

Logan did find it interesting that the Director was able to pack so many delicate things into one backpack without breaking anything. But other than that they just had to wait for him to examine the relic.

The hunter couldn’t help but focus on the time machine too.

His proximity to it made the back of his mind crawl and itch with some kind of subconscious anxiety. As though he knew he’d seen this thing before and had some kind of bad experience with it.

Eerie blue glowing liquid flowed in little drops and bubbles through geometric white veins along the impossibly smooth surface of the relic. Its heat was painful yet almost called to Logan like a tempting void. Like his very essence was drawn to the machine itself. Every time he closed his eyes flashes of a scene played behind his eyelids, tidbits of memory that his mind couldn’t comprehend nor remember when he opened his eyes.

Twice Doctor Fang grabbed his arm and pulled him back when he’d taken too many steps closer to the relic.

The Doctor’s concern helped ground him as they made a little pallet out of leftover blankets to lay Kat on and waited for the Director to finish his study. The hunter was grateful he had something there to distract him since his mind was slowly devolving into a churning mess.

Even Stev didn’t seem too particularly fond of being in the presence of the time machine, settling down a little ways from where they’d laid Kat and watching Qi work with an unsettled look.

As he puttered around the room the Director let out a constant string of ‘Fascinatings’. Filling the heavy air with the slowly rising manic excitement of a mad scientist on a roll, leading right up to a startlingly loud “I’VE GOT IT!”

“Got what?” Logan stood as the Director poked a button on the machine, causing a small data disk to pop out of the smooth surface of the console.

Qi hurried over to them. “I know how to use the machine!”

Logan’s heart rate spiked. Finally.

“First, You and the Duvosian were right.” The Director pointed at Stev. “We do need Kat’s presence. Specifically, her hand.”

“Alright, and?”

“Well, in order to activate the time machine we need you to input a date, then scan the builder’s hand on the machine. After that, the relic should do what its namesake implies.” Qi held out the little disk in his hand. “I also need you to hold onto this. Put it into one of your belt pouches- er, somewhere safe. If I’ve set this up correctly, it should send that data disk back with you. Give it to the me in the past that you meet and I’ll be able to figure it out from there. That knowledge should help us regardless of what situation we end up in…” The Director adjusted his glasses and glanced back at the machine, clearing his throat. “I believe we’ve got everything ready.”

“You’re sending him back?” Stev tilted his head at the Director. “What’s going to happen to us?”

Qi shook his head. “That’s one of the unknowns, unfortunately.”

Both Fang and the Duvosian frowned at the Director. Logan didn’t blame them, this seemed… crazy.

He knew it was his idea but… damn, it’s scary.

“Well, we’ll never know if we don’t get started.” Logan sighed, stuffing the disk in the pouch next to his holster.

The hunter leaned down and scooped Kat back up into his arms, the warmth of her body calming his heart a little. Just hang in there a little longer, love. Logan squeezed her gently, hoping against all hope that she could somehow sense his thoughts.

Doctor Fang and Stev flanked him with nervous curiosity as they approached the machine.

A glowing white handprint filled the center console. Ominous and enticing in equal measure.

Shifting the builder in his arms the hunter pressed his hand against the console. The screen flickered, showing a picture of Kat staring intently at the machine. Text popped up underneath Logan’s hand.

‘PLEASE WAIT. SCANNING…’

The relic started humming noticeably louder, the dots on the screen swirling in perpetual motion.

A new picture popped up, a faded shot of Sandrock. It was slightly blurry but Logan recognized it as one of the windows in his old room. The one that led to the alleyway behind the house he and his Pa used to live in.

‘SAVE POINT LOCATED. INITIATE LOAD’

‘CONFIRM / DENY’

The hunter glanced at Qi, who nodded.

He hit confirm and flashing red text popped up.

‘ERROR; CURRENT USER DETECTED.’

‘REQUIRE INPUT FROM PREVIOUS USER.’

Again the glowing hand popped up.

“This is where you put Kat’s hand.” Qi encouraged, pointing to her hand.

Logan lifted her free arm as gingerly as he could, wincing as her hand slapped gracelessly against the smooth material. After a second the console glowed green.

‘CONFIRMED.’

A heartbeat passed.

He woke up on the floor.

Oh Holy Light, shit, fuck, damn!

The worst searing pain he’d ever experienced burned through his entire being. He writhed against the ground as though he was trying to escape his own body, the sounds of his companion’s panic were muffled by the overwhelming agony he was feeling.

An old memory surfaced in his mind.

Back when the hunter was eight, he’d watched his Pa peel some potatoes. With every peel Howlett would flick the skins across the kitchen into the trash can, never missing despite there being at least seven feet between him and the bin.

‘Pa, do you think the potatoes can feel their skin being peeled off?’ Little Logan asked.

‘Uh-’ Howlett narrowly missed skinning his own finger, startled. ‘That’s… a bit of a morbid question, don’t ya think?’ He smiled patiently at his son.

‘I’d certainly hope they don’t.’ Little Logan pouted. ‘I like eating potatoes. The skin is gross, though.’

Logan wasn’t sure he’d ever look at potatoes the same way again. It felt like every part of him was being pulled apart, unraveled and skinned. Naked like a potato. Pain filling every nook and cranny of his body.

“Oh, interesting.”

Qi’s voice was the last thing the hunter heard before he mercifully passed out.

—

“Miss, are you alright?”

Kat woke with a gentle start. The piercing brightness of sunlight beating down on her almost seemed to light up her entire skull despite the fact her eyes were closed.

She let out a slight groan as rough fingers pressed against her neck. Checking her pulse. The not-so-gentle feeling of the start of sunburn nipping at the parts of her exposed to the harsh desert rays.

A shadow fell across her eyelids as the rough hand retracted and shook her shoulder.

“Hey, sleepin’ here ain’t a good idea. Try an’ stay with me.” The low richly warm voice spoke again.

The builder tried her best to force her eyes open, groaning with the effort. She caught a quick glimpse of familiar Eufaula sky blue eyes before the harsh brightness forced her eyes shut again.

“Logan…?” She managed to whimper out through a sandpaper-dry throat.

That seemed to startle the voice. She heard them shuffle slightly, the sunlight over her eyelids returning as their shadow moved earning another pained whimper from her.

“You know my son?”

Kat couldn’t remain conscious anymore, her brain was overloading. Even the slight ache in her back and the sting of violent sunlight couldn’t force her to full awareness. Inky blackness took over senses and thoughts as she sank back down into the comfort of unconsciousness.

“...Miss?”

—

Chapter Text

The pink morning sky hung brilliantly above Logan’s head.

It was a pretty perfect morning. Cool breeze, the distant chirps of birds and bugs, Sandrock looking like an emerald and sapphire jewel below him. He stood on the Northern Plateau, the horizon spreading near infinitely around him. 

For as many bad memories he had about the Starship ruins here… Logan sure didn’t mind the view.

Especially when it was enhanced by the silhouette of a certain petite yet powerful builder who’d saved his whole world, changed the course of nature, and showed him the horizon, sitting up on the raised rock ledge in front of him.

He chuffed to himself quietly. 

Logan had never waxed poetic about a woman before. Neither prose nor romance had been an interest of his.

Now, though, he was contemplating both on a daily basis.

Kat was hunched slightly, her back to the hunter and her eyes fixed on the sunrise. At first he thought about sneaking up on her but quickly discarded that idea. There were ledges all around them.

“Hey,”  The builder startled slightly at the hunter’s voice. “Enjoying the view?”

She relaxed and smiled easily at the sight of him.

It was a reaction that both washed him with serenity and lit a fire in him. 

Logan had seen how intense and guarded the builder was. The rest of the townsfolk told him about how kind and carefree she used to be before… everything with the Duvos spies happened… and that the betrayal had changed her personality practically beyond recognition.

They didn’t have to tell him that. It was his shoulder she cried on when she’d been pushed to the brink of insanity by the Duvosians and her traitorous ex-lover.

To see how relaxed she was now, how she could express herself so freely in his presence, and how much she trusted him… Logan couldn’t help but want to be worthy of that trust. As much as she expressed how much he helped her, he couldn't help but feel that she made him a better man too. 

At the very least he was striving to be a better man, for both her and Andy.

His lip twitched with a slight smile at the thought as he climbed up to join her. Sometimes it felt like the Light or the Universe or some other great power had sent the two to guide him after his Pa died. Hell, he and Kat had got along at first because she constantly fretted over Andy. Constantly bringing them food and making sure the boy had everything he needed as the reformed bandits settled back into town.

“Sunrise always makes being up early worth it. It’s peaceful.” She replied as he settled next to her.

“Trying to excuse why yer up at such odd hours again?” He joked.

“No, it’s just a good routine.” She hummed quietly, glancing at him with a knowing warmth. She knew that he knew.

Logan spied the shadows under her eyes. Sleeplessness was an issue they both had. For him it was nightmares, the haunts of his past waking him up in the middle of the night. But both Kat, and Doctor Fang when the hunter brought up his concerns during a checkup, told him that the builder’s issue was with her brain. ‘Insomnia,’ the Doc had said.

It still worried him. 

Especially when he thought about all the times he'd come across her unconscious in random spots in the early mornings. He'd even made a habit of checking on her throughout the night to make sure she didn't pass out around any of her machines or forges. It was like she was putting herself in danger on purpose.

There was one especially terrifying night where he couldn’t find her and nearly tore apart every ruin around Sandrock looking. 

When he’d found her then, it was terrifying.

She was face down, unconscious, in an old abandoned ruin. He'd rushed her back to town only for Fang to tell him she collapsed from exhaustion. They’d had a nasty argument that morning when she woke up. Logan couldn’t help it, that situation had freaked him out pretty bad. It brought back every horrible feeling he’d had when Miguel had told him that his Pa was found unconscious and dying in a ruin.

Sure, Logan knew the truth now, but knowing never took away the pain. Nor the trauma.

She might be good at maintaining a cheery facade but the exhaustion in her eyes didn’t lie to him.

“Hmmm… yer havin’ trouble sleeping again.” Kat flinched at his words, unable to meet the hunter’s eyes.

He reached out, laying a gentle hand on her back in reassurance. She was likely thinking of their argument. Logan didn’t mean to bring that up again, they’d promised to never yell like that again. He wasn’t particularly tactful with his words. It’d gotten him in trouble before. But the hunter also didn’t know how to express his worry without overstepping the boundaries of their friendship.

Kat met his eyes again, the conflict and guilt on her face.

“You ready to head into the ruins?” She deflected.

Logan felt a small prickle of disappointment. She wasn’t ready to talk about it. He might have put a greater rift into their friendship than he’d thought when they’d argued.

No sense in pushing it he supposed.

“‘Bout as ready as I’ll ever be. These ruins’ve been cleared by the Council Guards once before. So there’ll be nothing we can’t handle in there… if anything at all.” He shrugged, reaching a hand down. “C’mon, Sunrise is pretty but time’s a wastin’.”

As they picked their way down to the ruins the hunter reflected on how this was the first time he’d be setting foot in these ruins since the day they’d fought Duvos, Pen, and Matilda together.

If he was being truthful, he didn’t like the Starship Ruins. He avoided any hunting commissions that required him to come up here. It was where Pen attacked Howlett, injecting him with the virus that’d put him in a coma, and it was where that same monster had tried to kill Logan and kidnap Kat.

As they stepped into the elevator that’d take them to the lower levels the hunter hummed along with the music to try and soothe his nerves.

The elevator shuddered to a stop at their floor and Kat pulled out a small map to navigate them.

She’d told him that this was a request from Director Qi who’d practically lived in these ruins for a little while after they were discovered. Something about a new area in the ruins that the Director wanted them to look at.

“So, we're exploring a new wing, huh?” He asked as he followed her lead.

She chuckled as she folded her map, stuffing it back in her pocket. “Well… not necessarily new. The Director poked around there before, but he said this is the kind of job best handled by the delicate touch of a builder.” Kat rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “If ask me, that's just code for ‘He can't be bothered to do heavy lifting.’ And you already know how he is about sending the Civil Corps.”

Logan was indeed aware of the Director's habit.

Any time Qi actually bothered to commission the hunter or the Corpsmen he either insisted on going along or on them taking Kat along. He didn't trust them to bring back the correct components or items that he wanted.

Most often the Director just commissioned them when he needed a brute for backup or as a personal beast of burden.

“Is that why I'm here?” Logan smirked at her. “Y’ needed a pack yakmel to carry stuff?” 

Of course that wasn't the reason, he knew. She'd personally asked him along. It wasn't out of necessity since she was ridiculously strong herself. He suspected it was more because she didn't want to be alone.

The hunter was more than happy to oblige.

“Ha, no, not really.” She chortled. “I just wanted to-”

Kat stopped mid-step, as though she'd been physically hit. A look like a yakmel in headlights as she forced herself to continue down the hall wordlessly. Logan couldn't stop a slight frown from twitching at the corners of his lips. That was a weird reaction for the builder to have. She wanted to- what? Hang out with him?

She'd never been shy about asking him for company before…

Curiosity got the best of him as he held open the door to what looked like another atrium for her. 

“Wanted what?” He prompted curiously.

“Er- Uhhm-” Her eyes flicked across the room, taking in every machine and discarded pieces of furniture. Her hand drifted into her pocket.

The builder’s eyes slid down to a point between their feet and Logan could help but feel mounting concern. Even in the moments she was most vulnerable with him she was still certain. Still strong. What could make her so… scared?

“This really isn’t how I wanted to do this…” Kat pulled something small, pinkish-red out of her pocket, still not meeting his eyes. “I- I’ve been thinking about this for a while- its-”

It’s a heart knot. It took a moment for Logan’s mind to process what it was, but the woven red strands were unmistakable.

“I like you.”

Every emotion crashed through the hunter at once. Panic namely. But also things like regret and, shockingly, guilt.

What was he supposed to think?

What was he supposed to do?

For as long as he spent denying himself, telling himself that he would never get what he wanted. That he’d never have her. Here she was presenting everything he wanted upon her palm.

Guilt hit him like a truck.

He didn’t want to hurt her. They were so close already, each other's companion in suffering and in contentment. Was she in love with him or did she just like what they had?

Did he even have a right to all that when he was so desperately lost with how to help her with all her troubles?

Peach above, she had troubles. Monsters that he couldn’t fight for her and times when her own mind betrayed her. He had them too. Yet the hunter wouldn’t even know where to start despite all the time he’s spent trying.

Fear was the one thing keeping his heart in check.

Logan never dispensed much thought towards love. He’d always thought he’d just keep good people by his side and be content with that. To him, love was something that hurt. Just like it hurt his Pa when his Ma ran off… and just like it hurt to have his Pa die in his arms.

He couldn’t stand to lose anyone else.

Couldn’t stand the anxiety that possibly pushing away one of the most important people in his life brought about.

Nor the thought that Kat of all people might run from his life like his Ma did.

What if they couldn’t handle their own problems together?

“I- I’m sorry Kat.” His voice sounded distant and hollow, the traitorous words burning his throat as they left his mouth. 

“I don’t-” 

Don’t what? 

“I can’t-” 

Can’t what?  

“I can’t accept this.”

Coward. Traitor.

The words seared his mind. Doubly so as her face fell. Pain and hurt carefully tamped down with a builder’s precision crossed her face and she looked away. No doubt to hide tears.

How could he trust himself to love her if he hurt her like this? 

Kat turned away, stammering about looking at the machines.

Logan found himself nodding. Returning some listless reply about checking the perimeter. His legs burning to run from the mess he’d just made.

His boots thumped clumsily against the floor. Putting as much space between Logan and Kat as quickly as they could. His blood roaring and his breath shallow. It felt like he’d torn his own heart out and was walking away from where it lay.

As soon as he was out of sight he practically collapsed against the wall, the metal surface the only thing keeping him on his feet.

Why, why, WHY?

Why did he run?!

The hunter ran trembling hands through his hair, loosening the short ponytail he usually kept his white locks in.

Everything that just happened played through his mind on loop.

He was in love with her. Why did he do that? What was he trying to save her from? Himself?

The memory of the look of pain on her face appeared every time he blinked. Jabbing him like a rusty needle torturously slow. One thing he’d always promised himself- promised her- was that he’d never hurt her. 

It was why he kept his feelings to himself.

Why he was so afraid of her rejection.

Why… did he run when she was openly telling him she wouldn’t reject him?

Why was he being the coward here?

A memory leapt forward in his mind unbidden. The day they’d spent together going after the two idiots who were using Logan’s name to try and rob folks. 

It was those idiot brothers Donkey and Mule of course. As the resident duo troublemakers from the same village as Haru, that wasn’t surprising. What was surprising was the fact that they’d trapped a Mega Tunnel Worm in the cave and had also apparently set up several clever traps.

Including a crossbow trap that had shot a poisoned arrow straight at Kat.

He’d reacted on instinct back then. Complete emotion over logic. In that moment the hunter couldn’t care less if he died, he just couldn’t stand the thought of her being hurt, or worse, killed.

Logan woke up later that day, drenched in sweat and the horrid taste of Fang’s antidote in his mouth. As well as the unpleasant feeling of a hole in his shoulder like he'd been turned into a pincushion by a porcupine.

He was in his house again. Though he couldn’t remember how he got there. The hunter could remember the ruins… and then nothing. Maybe some bits and pieces of Fang and Kat talking while the Doctor worked on Logan’s wounds, but the poison and the pain did quite a number on his awareness at the time.

One thing he remembered vividly, for some reason, was the warmth of Kat’s cheek resting in the palm of his hand. 

She’d been sitting at his bedside, waiting for him to wake up.

The hunter realized almost instantly that she must have dragged him out of that cave and back into town on her own. Which struck him harder than it should have. 

Logan had always tried to be the strong one. Handling everything on his own, powering through by himself. Ever since Haru left for college, the hunter did his best to shoulder his load alone. So sure that he needed to be strong. Unbeatable. The Sandrock hero. 

He believed for so long that he was the last line of defense, that if he was ever weak he’d be the sacrifice to keep everyone safe.

Yet she helped him.

Not only that, he was alive because of her.

It was then he realized how much Kat meant to him. How much he needed her.

Every day, starting that very next morning, he’d found all the little reasons to fall for her harder. When she’d come to check on him, just after Andy had finished helping the hunter with his bandages, she’d actually scolded him for trying to handle his injury on his own. He’d even heard her mutter ‘I could have helped’ under her breath with a cute little pout.

Granted, the builder did agree with him that Andy could stand to learn about wound treatment and medicine. But she still insisted that he needed an adult’s help, and that someone needed to babysit the hunter so he didn’t strain himself or open his wound while his son was in school. She worried about him. Cared for him.

Logan didn’t protest too much, he enjoyed her company.

Hell, he had loved the feeling of having a little family again-

Cold rushed over him, draining all his emotions down to his feet. Blanketing him with grounded reality as he stared blankly at the cold metal wall across from him.

He had to go back to her. To tell her.

He’d beg for forgiveness if he had to- and wear that damned heart knot every day if it meant seeing her smile.

Regardless of whether or not he was scared of her problems, and how he'd cope with his own, he’d love nothing more than to know she was with him. To have that feeling again because he knew- he knew- she was the one who’d stay by him. Who’d love him whether he was saving her life or acting like a whiny toddler in time-out because he tore a stitch trying to climb into Rambo’s saddle.

She’d told him she liked him, and damn would he do anything to earn her love.

The hunter had gotten barely two steps towards where Kat was when a metallic shrill, followed by a crack, a crash, and a bloodcurdling scream sent him running.

Fear gripped his heart, different this time, colder, like he’d felt only once before.

Skidding around the corner he saw her writhing on the ground next to a metal crate, the blue glowing machine in the middle of the room letting out a shrill squeal as the air seemed to charge with electricity.

“Kat!” He slid to the ground next to her, his heart in his throat. “What happened?”

The hunter scooped her up, the builder’s pained whimpers tearing at his heart. He noticed a creeping crackle of blue energy climbing her arm, part of her hand crumbling into light. “No, no, no!” He screamed, futilely trying to brush the energy off of her. “Shit!”

She let out a louder whimper and Logan pulled her up against him. “Hang in there, Kat.” His heart betrayed all the fear he felt, panic pushed down only by the need to comfort her. “I’ll get you out of here, don’t worry.”

He squeezed her tightly as her eyes started to drift closed.

“Kat? Hey, stay with me!” The hunter gasped out. Tears streaming freely down his face.

He can’t lose her now! He couldn’t!

“You can’t go, please!” He screamed as her eyes closed, her body going limp.

“KAT!” Her name tore from his lips like a desperate shouted prayer.

He shook her. Frantically trying again to push the blue glow, which had reached her shoulder. Babbling out pleas and assurances.

She couldn’t die here… She had to live.

Sobs wracked the hunter’s body.

“Please, please, please! I love you Kat! I love you!” Logan wailed, clutching her to his chest.

He couldn’t lose her like this. It was cruel that she’d die without knowing how he truly felt. That he’d never get the chance to make things right. Never get the chance to spend what time they could’ve had together.

“I love you…” A hoarse sob escaped him.

Blinding white light engulfed him. A feeling that was somehow simultaneously chillingly hot and scorchingly cold rolling over his whole body.

Then, nothing.

—

Logan woke choking on a mix between a scream and a sob. 

He thrashed, the tangle of blankets only worsening his panic. The hunter fell out of the bed with a thump, scrambling to his feet as he fought off both the sheets and wires clinging to his body and the fog that clouded the edges of his vision. 

As he got his footing a shape loomed towards him through the haze in the corner of his eye.

He punched it instinctively and the heart monitor fell over with a plaintive beep. Logan ripped at the cords still attaching him to the machine. Adrenaline making his hands tremble like an elderly man's.

“Logan!” A hauntingly familiar voice broke through the fog. 

Gentle hands grabbed at the hunter, trying to steady him. Blue eyes that mirrored his own and tawny brown hair entered his vision. Logan stared in disbelief, like a ghost or some cruel hallucination was standing before him.

“You're alright, son. Yer safe. It's all right.” Howlett’s voice was as calming to the younger hunter as it had been when he was little. “Ya gave me a nasty scare y’ know.”

He smiled warmly.

Logan reached out a tentative hand, scared that the image in front of him would shatter at the slightest touch. It met a solid, warm shoulder.

After that instant his last shred of sanity snapped as he grasped at the older hunter’s arms desperately, his eyes focusing just enough to take in the details of his father's face. Tears welled in his eyes. Pa.

Howlett pulled him in for a tight hug and the younger hunter’s knees gave out, dragging them both to the floor as he clung to his Pa. Choking on tears as the impossible just suddenly became the very real. All the pain and sorrow he’d endured weighing his bones down.

“Whoa, hey! It's alright, stay with me, Logan. You're gonna be alright.”

The old hunter held his son in his arms as Logan cried in a way he hadn't since he was ten.

—

Chapter Text

Howlett held his crying son for a while. Letting the younger man wail against his shirt until Doctor Fang finally came by, jabbing Logan with some kind of sedative medicine.

‘Hysterical.’ Was the only answer that the shaken-looking Doctor gave when he asked what was wrong.

The old hunter got the feeling that there was more to it. Especially since that was the first time the Doc had spoken to him since all this started…

It'd been weird in Sandrock the past few days.

Ever since Howlett returned early from his hunt, He’d noticed that everyone in town seemed to be in a daze. Following their usual habits but… almost robotic. Like they couldn’t control themselves properly.

Just a few nights ago, while he was out, it felt like the whole desert was being shaken by an earthquake.

He’d been following the trail of a pack of Rockyenarolls, the ones that attacked Cooper’s herd of yakmel and were likely a threat to the town if not handled. The old hunter figured that they were led by an Alpha and, according to their trail and what he knew about the wild dog’s love for rough terrain, were likely headed up the Northern Heights.

Once he’d crossed the Highwind Pass and was getting ready to climb to the Plateau he’d spotted her, dark hair fluttering in the breeze backdropped by a light blue shirt. 

A woman.

Initially, he’d been worried that the Rockyenarolls might have attacked her, any pack wouldn’t mind picking easy prey like a lone wanderer, but he saw no wounds on her. Aside from the fact she was unconscious and starting to sunburn, she was unharmed.

Then the woman really surprised him. 

She woke just barely, murmuring Logan’s name just before passing out again. 

Of course, he couldn’t be sure if she was asking for his son or for someone who’d coincidentally had the same name but… When her eyes flicked open and met his for a brief moment, she seemed to recognize him- Or mistake him for his son. A lot of folks always mentioned how his son had inherited his eyes and face. 

Either way, it seemed like she knew Logan.

Howlett had decided to drop his hunt then and carry the woman back to town. It was what he was going to do anyway, saving someone’s life took priority over tracking down those Rockynearolls.

But once he got back to town he’d noticed everyone seemed different.

Well actually… At first, he didn’t notice. Howlett had brought the woman straight to Fang’s Clinic when he got into town. The Doctor wasn’t one for idle chit-chat anyways so the old hunter figured that this was normal.

It wasn’t until Haru rode back into town with an unconscious Logan that the old hunter realized something was off. 

The two of them had been down south working on a hunt for the Civil Corp. Scouting a ruin while also taking care of the unprecedented number of desert vipers that the recent rains brought out. So when they arrived, Howlett almost couldn’t contain his panic.

His boy wasn’t waking up. 

The thought that Logan may have been bitten by a viper was what initially made him worry, but there was no bite wound and Logan always heeded Howlett’s warning about carrying antidotes. He couldn’t tell whether or not it was a relief that hadn’t been poisoned or a nightmare that he didn’t know what was wrong with his son.

When the old hunter had tried to get more information out of the chemist he noticed the look in the younger man’s eyes.

It was like he wanted to say something but he couldn’t. No amount of prompting from Howlett could get him to respond. Haru's face just remained mostly blank, with dazed panic in his eyes.

Then the chemist walked off.

Howlett followed after him, worried that something might be really wrong. But the chemist just walked straight back to the home he shared with the two hunters, up into his own room, and sat at his work desk staring blankly at the wall.

Thoroughly confused, and now scared, the old hunter returned to the Clinic.

He checked on Logan then decided he’d ask the Doc…

Who was in the same state.

Blank stare, robotic movements… Hell, after the first day, Howlett realized they were all following specific schedules too. Like they’d been replaced by machines and were statically mimicking what they do on a daily basis.

Everyone in Sandrock was affected.

The Ranch, the Church, the Saloon- even the Civil Corps. Howlett had tried to broach the subject with Sheriff Justice and only got a blank stare in return. Same thing with Mayor Trudy. 

He wasn’t sure if he needed to contact some Doctor in Atara for the whole town or for himself. It felt like he was going mad.

It’d been a few days since they’d all started like this and the old hunter had settled into a routine. Make two patrol rounds per day, one morning one evening, and check on every person in town who was affected by this… whatever the hell this was… then spend the rest of the day in the Clinic and keeping tabs on everyone.

He would’ve left to find help by now if he wasn’t so worried about one of the townsfolk wandering off and getting hurt.

Then, by the grace of the Light, Logan finally woke up.

It was as the older hunter was returning from one of his patrols, despairing over no change yet, when he heard a loud crash and incoherent shouts.

Rounding the corner he saw his son punch the heart monitor. 

Howlett had to rush forward to stop Logan from hurting himself as he tried to fight the monitor wires that were still stuck to his chest. Despite himself, he couldn't help but smile in relief at his son. Glad to see him awake even if the younger hunter was trying to throw haymakers at Fang’s innocent medical equipment.

Logan had stared at him in disbelief, reaching out gingerly like he'd thought that Howlett was going to disappear. Clinging to him the same way he used to as a child.

What concerned him the most was the look the younger hunter had on his face. An ashen and empty expression that reminded Howlett of when he was younger, on a hunt near the Peripheries with another hunter, and had to tell a woman that her entire family had been killed by a monster. It was a hollow kind of grief that Howlett wouldn't wish on anyone, that horrible shell shock that came with witnessing the deaths of everyone you loved. 

Logan wasn't the happy-go-lucky man that Howlett had said goodbye to just days ago anymore.

The older hunter had tried to get his son to tell him what was wrong but Logan could only let out terrible body-shaking screams and sobs that tore at Howlett’s heart. Suffering the kind of pain that no physical wound could make.

Then Fang came over with the sedatives, refused to give much more than a one-word answer, told the old hunter to keep an eye on Logan as he should wake in an hour or so, and refused to make eye contact whatsoever before retreating to his personal apartment upstairs.

Which led to now. With Howlett sitting and watching over his sedated son.

“Nng..” A soft groan from his son snapped the old hunter’s thoughts back to the present.

Hazy bloodshot blue eyes opened a crack. A sluggish with a medicated fog that Howlett had seen, and experienced, a few times before.

“Pa…?” Logan’s voice was weak and uncertain.

“Hey, son. How’re you feelin’?” The old hunter ruffled his white hair gently.

Tears welled in the young hunter’s eyes. “I think I died…”

Howlett raised a brow at that. Seems a bit dramatic. “No. You gave me a mighty bad scare, but yer alive.”

Logan blinked, trying to look at the older hunter clearer. “Is it really you?” He croaked out, more tears streaming from his eyes. “D- did we really go that far…?”

What is he talking about…? Howlett tilted his head, continuing to pat his son’s hair comfortingly. “Yeah, it’s really me. I’m here an’ you made it back to Sandrock. You’re gonna be alright- I dunno how far south you an’ Haru went though.” 

A heavy sigh left Logan as his eyes drooped again. He struggled to keep his eyes open, still trying to focus on Howlett. “Where… is Haru?”

A thought struck the older hunter. “Oh, He was acting strange once y’all got back into town too. Everyone had been actin’ a bit weird the last few days…”

The younger hunter’s eyes focused sharper for a moment. “Weird…?”

“Yeah, I think there might be some kinda illness goin’ around.” Howlett furrowed his brow in thought. “No one’s been talkin’ neither. Like somethin’s wrong with ‘em but they can’t speak.” He shook his head. “We’ll figure that out later, right now-”

A flicker of worry across Logan’s face was the only warning the older hunter got before he tried to stumble out of the bed. 

“Whoa, hey!” Howlett tried to stop his son. “The meds are still wearing off Logan, you need to rest!”

The younger hunter ignored him, pushing back against him. “We- we gotta warn everyone, Pa! Duvos is in the Northern Ruins and they’ve taken over the Church. I- I saw it. In the future, they attack Sandrock.” He babbled as he struggled against his Pa.

Howlett’s eyebrows would’ve shot into space had they not been attached to his head. Duvos? This far south of the border? In the future?

His mouth twitched with a worried frown. Maybe Logan had been bitten by a Desert Viper, some of them had venom potent enough to cause hallucinations. That or he’d drank from the wrong kind of cactus again. 

Or he was affected by whatever was happening to everyone else…

“Logan.” The old hunter tried patiently. “I think you need to sit and wait until the Doctor comes back.” He tried to gently push his son back down onto the hospital bed.

Logan stopped when he caught his Pa’s tone, looking at him offended. “You think I’m crazy.”

Well damn.

“A little maybe. You’ve been under duress. I dunno if one of the snakes got ya or whatever’s goin’ on…”

“I’m not crazy!”

 “Alright! I'll handle it, but you need to rest. I'll see if I can't talk to Justice or Pen and maybe-”

The younger hunter gripped Howlett’s arms painfully tight. “NO! You can't! Not him- he- he's one of them!”

Howlett was starting to understand what the word hysterical meant. He's never seen the younger hunter so frantic. He tried to get a tighter grip on his struggling son. “Damn it, Logan! Stop! You're gonna hurt yourself.”

They struggled for a bit. Logan was still fairly powerful, even while drugged. 

Though Howlett had always been quite proud that his son was as strong- if not stronger- than he was, it was times like this where he was reminded that the younger hunter was equally as bullheaded and, occasionally, frustrating.