Chapter Text
After the dramatic events of the Duvos invasion and the betrayal of several core members of society, the city of Sandrock slowly started the process of rebuilding. The Commerce Guild sent out a stand-in commissioner, ironically Yan’s brother, who proved to be much more helpful and genuine than his twin. After uncovering the depth of Yan’s schemes, Wei quickly set the records straight. Mi-an, Lucy, and the handful of builders Yan kept around for handling excess commissions all received a significant amount of backpay to make up for what Yan had stolen from them. It was enough for Mi-an to buy land to build her own factory and allowed Lucy to expand her home considerably.
Logan and his gang were welcomed back with open arms. Trudy had tried to let them off the hook for the crimes they’d been accused of, but Logan would have none of it. After arguing in the street long enough for the entire town to catch wind and come to share their two cents, they finally agreed upon a week in prison and a month of community service. All Logan wanted to do anyway was help rebuild his hometown and start his new life with Lucy, Haru, and Andy. All three members of the gang moved into her home after the renovations paid for with Yan’s stolen money were complete. The only one not excited about the change in location was Rambo, as he now had to share a stable with Lucy’s menagerie of adopted animals. They kept him well stocked in rutabaga to appease him.
Two months had passed since the excitement had finally died down, and one spring evening found a collection of individuals staying late as the Blue Moon Saloon closed. Trust stood on the stage usually reserved for music and stories, looking out at the faces of some of the people she trusted most. In the booth closest to her sat the monster-hunter, his arm slung loosely around the shoulders of the petite builder next to him. Lucy had stolen his iconic yakboy hat and perched it comically on her head– comically because it kept sliding low over her smaller head. Her antics had Logan laughing, and Trudy was pleased to see him finally relaxing after everything he’d been through. She’d worried his time on the run had left scars. Perhaps it had, but the builder had done a lot of good, both for him and for the town.
The sheriff of the Civil Corps sat backwards in a chair, nurturing a glass of whiskey as he chatted with his partner Unsuur and the current guild commissioner. Unsuur had no drink, but flipped a flat rock over and over in his hands while he waited. The two Civil Corps officers had bonded with Wei after working with him to clear out the Starship ruins and build the reservoir to supply Sandrock with fresh water. It was Wei who had requested this meeting tonight.
There was a bang as the kitchen doors swung open, revealing the two last members of their gathering. The owner of the Blue Moon Saloon was an amiable man named Owen. Having spent his whole life in Sandrock and being the most successful business owner in town, Owen had a hand in all Sandrock matters. After the fact, Trudy had been surprised to hear that Owen had not been involved in the investigation of the water shortage in Sandrock, although Grace had explained it was due more to the fact that Owen was notable enough to be noticed when he went missing and not from a lack of skill.
Which left Grace, the fry cook and undercover AI spy. Trudy imagined only a handful of people knew this secret, and while she could only guess who, she wouldn’t dare bring it up without Grace’s permission. Their efforts to save Sandrock had very much been a team effort, but Grace had been the brains behind it all. And although she knew Grace couldn’t stay forever– her AI work probably took her all over– Trudy considered the woman a true Sandrocker.
Trudy waited patiently as Grace and Owen finished closing up the saloon and joined them. Once Grace gave her the nod to go ahead, Trudy clapped her hands to get the attention of the others. “Good evening everyone,” she smiled warmly. “Thank you for giving me your time.”
“Always, Trudy,” Owen interjected. Others nodded in agreement.
She gave a nod of appreciation. Turning her focus to the guild commissioner, she gestured for Wei to stand. “As you know, Wei has so generously been spending his time helping us get back on our feet, and we are forever grateful for his assistance.” She paused as a smattering of applause cut in. Justice lifted his glass in cheers. “But,” she continued, “His time with us is drawing to a close, and he needs to return to his family in Atara.” Waving for Wei to join her on the stage, she encouraged him to speak.
“Thank you, Trudy.” The gentleman adjusted his checkered coat. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you all and to work with you. I am honestly sorry to go, although I promise not to be a stranger. I’d love to bring my family here eventually to meet you all. But yes, my time has come to an end here.”
Lucy leaned forward, lifting a hand as she asked, “Who is going to take the place of Commissioner?”
“That–,” Wei paused, looking at Trudy. She gestured for him to continue. “That is why we’ve called you here tonight. I have been helping Trudy to hire a new commissioner to take my place. We have found someone who I think will be a perfect fit, and she will arrive in three days time.”
“Really?” Unsuur glanced up, rock stilled between his fingers. “Who is she?”
“Her name is Diana. She has over a decade of experience as a Builder with some experience in management.”
“Wait.” Lucy frowned. “Has she never worked as a commissioner before?”
Wei shook his head. “No, although she has spent the last two years as a team manager for a fairly large branch in Walnut Grove, which isn’t that different. But she came highly recommended by Grace actually, which is why we decided to give her a chance.”
“Grace?” Justice leaned back to shoot her an inquisitive look. “Didn’t know you associated yourself with so many builders.”
Grace amicably shrugged. Trudy imagined she wouldn’t share the story she had told the mayor. Instead, she merely said, “Diana’s a bit of a family friend. But she’s retired from the Flying Pigs and has spent time in The Peripheries. She’s used to a rougher way of living.”
“Well that’s something,” Logan commented. He’d managed to retrieve his hat from his girlfriend and tipped it back on his head. “High city folk don’t understand the dangers the desert can bring. We don’t need a commissioner we’re going to have to babysit.”
Grace tipped her head back and laughed. “I’d like to see you try,” she said wryly. “Nah, Diana can more than take care of herself.”
Tudy imagined she well could from what Grace had told her. Flying Pigs yes, but Diana had also worked closely with the Alliance in holding back the efforts of Duvos. A talented builder and strong fighter, Grace had described the woman as intelligent and tenacious– hand picked on multiple occasions to infiltrate Duvos and hijack their defenses. If Trudy was honest with herself, the woman had seemed frightening at first, but Grace had reassured her.
“She’s like a mama Rockyenaroll,” Grace had said. “She fights fiercely to protect her pups.”
Trudy asked if she had family, but Grace had explained that other than an elderly father, no. Then Grace had told her why the woman had retired from the adventuring guild, which is what had convinced Trudy to hire her. Something in the woman’s story screamed Sandrock. The woman seemed to embody the same sense of survival and grit that defined this town. Trudy had a gut feeling the woman needed Sandrock as much as Sandrock needed her.
“You are all being informed of this now, because you have key responsibilities to our city,” Trudy stated. “And your efforts will likely be influenced by her cooperation. I know we will all give her a Sandrock welcome and help her find her bearings.”
“Flying Pigs, huh?” Justice questioned curiously. “Any idea of her fighting style? What weapons does she prefer”
A knowing smile crossed Grace’s face. Trudy imagined she had a great deal of experience with that answer. “Fists,” Grace responded. “She’s a bit of a martial arts whiz like our Unsuur here.” The man in question gave a rare smirk. “She always said it was good to keep a builder’s hands free for building.”
Justice’s eyebrows shot up with interest. “Really? I wonder if she’d be up to spar at any point.”
“Well,” Grace paused. Trudy watched her carefully, waiting to see how much information the woman would share. Grace tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear as she hesitated. “She retired from the Flying Pigs due to a pretty extensive injury,” she finally said. “She can defend herself and all, but I don’t think she’ll be accepting sparring invitations anytime soon.”
Logan frowned. “What kind of injury we talking about? Is she going to need any help?”
Grace tilted her head and shrugged. “Maybe, although she has regained her mobility and can fully function in the realms of her job. Diana’s good about letting people know if she needs help though. I imagine ruin diving would be the only thing she won’t do, but that's what y’all are for.”
Logan nodded thoughtfully. “As long as she knows not to put herself in a situation she can’t handle.”
“She knows how to handle herself.” Grace spoke with the conviction of a years-long friendship. Trudy knew to trust just about anything the spy shared, which is why she hadn’t questioned the new commissioner's ailment too much. If Grace said she could do it, Trudy knew she could.
After a few more minutes of discussing Wei’s departure, Trudy dismissed them. “Well I won’t keep you any longer. We will make an official announcement at the fireside tomorrow, I just wanted you to have a heads up on the situation. I look forward to seeing how Diana fits in with us.” As she stepped off the stage, she leaned towards the saloon owner. Lowering her voice, she murmured, “Owen? A word please.”
“Sure.” He amiably got up and followed her towards the bar. Trudy pulled her petite frame up on a stool, subtly watching as the others stood to leave. Although she was sure what she wanted to share would be figured out soon enough, it wasn’t her information to publicize.
Owen seemed to catch her subtlety and busied himself wiping down glasses and putting them away while they waited.
Thankfully the others didn’t linger. The Civil Corps officers left quickly, needing to get to their night patrols. Logan and Lucy lingered by the door as they exchanged words with Wei. Trudy could hear Lucy thanking Wei for everything he’d done for the guild. Eventually, Logan pulled the door open and waved them through.
Grace followed after them and locked the door. Joining them at the bar, she asked Trudy, “Have you told him yet?”
“Told me what?” Owen raised an eyebrow. Hands diligently going through the motions of a well practiced work, the handsome saloon owner gave them a winning smile. “I’m not in trouble, am I?”
“Of course not,” Trudy smiled. Owen was one of her favorite Sandrockers, although she’d never admit liking some more than others. But there was something in the way the charismatic man made everyone feel important. Something in the way he wore his big, generous heart on his sleeve that had people flocking to bend to his will. Trudy thought he had the makings of a mayor, although she knew he’d never be interested. The Blue Moon Saloon was his heart and joy.
She straightened, sliding into her mayor voice. “The city will be renting one of your rooms for the new commissioner.”
A confused look crossed the saloon owner’s face. “Why?” he asked. “I mean, I’m flattered, but isn’t there space in the apartments?”
Trudy nodded in agreement and looked to Grace. She would be able to dance around the commissioner's private matters better than Trudy ever could.
Flattening her hands on the smooth wooden surface of the bar, Grace explained, “I suggested we find other accommodations for Diana, and I ask that what is said here doesn’t leave the three of us, unless Diana herself deems otherwise.”
Owen put down the glass he was wiping, giving Grace his full attention. Hands braced against the bar, he said sternly, “Of course, I never talk about my guests.”
“Exactly Boss.” Grace grinned. “That’s why we thought you would be perfect.”
An eyebrow quirked at the sentimental title, for Owen was as much her boss these days as Trudy was a builder. He gestured for her to continue.
Grace tilted her head in a movement that Trudy had learned to recognize as the spy reviewing her game plan. Lacing her fingers together, Grace began. “Diana is recovered, but her condition as a result of her injury is more of a … chronic one. Like I said, she has full mobility and is fully capable of keeping a job, but it requires consistent maintenance on her part.”
“That sounds rather exhausting.”
Grace nodded. “I imagine so– it’s why I think Diana’s one of the strongest people I know. But the reason we thought your saloon would be a better fit is because it’s closer to the health clinic and is a less steep walk than over by the apartments.”
“Can she not do stairs?” Owen glanced over at the stairs leading up to the rooms he kept above the saloon. “Can’t say I’ll be of much help then.”
“She can,” Grace reassured. “I… I don’t want to go too into detail because it’s her privacy, but I’m sure she’ll share with you eventually. She has times when walking is hard, but if she has a railing to hold onto, she’s fine. That’s why these are better than those big stone steps by the apartments.”
Owen seemed unsure, his brow deeply creased as he listened. Turning to Trudy, he questioned, “If you don’t mind me asking, why her? I don’t mind the accommodations, just wondering why you thought she was worth it.”
Trudy met his gaze steadily. “She’s Sandrocker material through and through. You’ll know it when you meet her.” At least, Trudy thought so, having never met the woman before. Grace seemed to believe she was, which was enough for Trudy.
She watched as he pursed his lips in thought, eyes still considering her carefully. She breathed a sigh of relief as the saloon owner eventually shook his head, a wry smile forming on his handsome face. “Then we best give her a Sandrock welcome.”
