Champion
Chapter 22: June 11
by Lu, MarieThe chapter opens with the protagonist, June, jolted awake by an air raid siren, momentarily transporting her back to a traumatic memory with Day in Denver. As reality sets in, she rushes to check the news, discovering that enemy airships are approaching Los Angeles ahead of schedule, forcing their plans into immediate action. The urgency escalates as she contacts Day, who reveals they are at Eden’s hospital room, and they exchange tense words about the impending threat. June prepares to join them, sensing the gravity of the situation as the city’s electricity flickers and the sirens fall silent.
June arrives at the Central Hospital’s lab floor, where Day, Eden, and the Patriots are gathered. The atmosphere is tense, with Eden appearing weak but stable, while Day and Pascao discuss urgent plans in hushed tones. Anden, the Elector Primo, delivers a televised surrender speech to the Colonies, a staged act meant to buy time, but the absence of the Republic’s flag and his somber tone evoke a sense of genuine loss. The group watches in silence, their resolve tested as the reality of their precarious plan sinks in.
Pascao informs Day and June that they must act quickly to prepare the air bases for sabotage before the Colonies land their ships. Meanwhile, Day reveals a critical setback: Eden is not Patient Zero, and his blood lacks a key component needed for the cure. This revelation casts doubt on their ability to secure Antarctic aid, jeopardizing their entire strategy. June’s concern deepens as Day leads her to a lab room, where a tech prepares to show them the scientific discrepancy in Eden’s blood samples.
In the lab, the tech displays side-by-side cell comparisons, highlighting the missing element in Eden’s blood. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, with June and Day grappling with this unforeseen obstacle. The urgency of their mission intensifies, as the success of their plan now hinges on solving this medical mystery while the enemy forces close in. The weight of their roles in the rebellion becomes ever more palpable, leaving readers anxious for the next steps.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the air raid alarm at the beginning of the chapter, and how does it connect to June’s emotional state?
Answer:
The air raid alarm triggers June’s traumatic memories of her past experiences in Denver with Day, where they fled from danger during another siren. This moment highlights her PTSD and the ongoing psychological impact of war. The alarm also signals the immediate threat of approaching enemy airships, forcing June into action. Her emotional response—initially disoriented, then panicked—demonstrates how wartime trauma lingers even as new crises emerge. The parallel between past and present sirens underscores the cyclical nature of conflict in their lives.2. Analyze Anden’s surrender speech. Why is the omission of “Long live the Republic” significant, and how does it contribute to the chapter’s tension?
Answer:
Anden’s deliberate omission of the Republic’s traditional rallying cry reinforces the gravity of the staged surrender. The absence of this phrase, coupled with the replacement of the Republic flag with the Colonies’ flag, sells the illusion of defeat to both citizens and enemies. This detail heightens tension by making the characters (and readers) question whether the ruse might become reality. June’s internal grief—despite knowing the surrender is fake—reflects the psychological toll of sacrificing national identity, even temporarily, for strategy.3. How does the revelation that Eden is not “Patient Zero” complicate the characters’ plans, and what broader implications does this have?
Answer:
The discovery that Eden lacks a critical component in his blood for the cure jeopardizes the entire mission. Without identifying Patient Zero, Antarctica’s promised aid (contingent on a viable cure) may not materialize, rendering the surrender gamble pointless. This twist forces Day and June to pivot urgently, adding scientific uncertainty to their military and political challenges. It also raises stakes for Eden’s survival, as his immunity was their key bargaining chip. The setback underscores the theme of unpredictability in war and science.4. Compare June and Day’s leadership styles as demonstrated in this chapter. Use specific examples.
Answer:
June exhibits methodical leadership, immediately scanning headlines and assessing threats (e.g., tracking airship positions) while maintaining emotional composure (comforting Ollie). Day, meanwhile, acts with urgent pragmatism—prioritizing time-sensitive tasks (“buy us some time”) and focusing on interpersonal connections (checking Eden first). Both share decisiveness (June’s quick departure; Day’s call to alert Anden), but June leans on strategic analysis, while Day relies on instinct and teamwork. Their dynamic balances planning (June) and adaptability (Day), which is critical for their mission’s success.5. Evaluate the symbolism of the “eerily black” cityscape after the power outage. How does this imagery reflect the story’s themes?
Answer:
The darkened cityscape, with only government buildings like the Bank Tower remaining lit, visually represents the Republic’s crumbling infrastructure and the elites’ insulated privilege. The “damp morning shadows” swallowing the landscape mirror the characters’ fear of being consumed by war and uncertainty. This imagery reinforces themes of disparity (between leaders and civilians) and looming annihilation, while the Bank Tower’s persistence hints at resistance—a literal and metaphorical beacon amid darkness, much like June and Day’s defiance.
Quotes
1. “I’m back in Denver, sitting with Day at a little lantern-lit café while sleet falls all around us, listening to him tell me that he’s dying. I’m back in the panicked, chaotic streets as the siren shrieks at us—we’re holding hands, running for shelter, terrified.”
This quote captures the protagonist’s visceral flashback to a traumatic moment with Day, illustrating how present dangers trigger painful memories. It establishes the emotional stakes and the constant tension between past and present in their dystopian world.
2. “We all knew this was coming, we had planned this and we know it’s not real—but even so, I can’t help feeling a deep, dark sense of grief and failure. As if we are truly handing our country over to someone else.”
This moment reveals the psychological complexity of their staged surrender—while logically part of their plan, it still carries profound emotional weight. It highlights the conflict between strategy and patriotism in wartime.
3. “‘The Republic has officially surrendered to the Colonies.’ […] He doesn’t end with Long live the Republic. A chill runs through me when the screens are replaced with an image of, not the Republic flag, but the Colonies’.”
Anden’s surrender announcement represents a pivotal moment where the characters’ plan is set in motion. The omission of the traditional patriotic phrase and flag replacement powerfully symbolize the Republic’s apparent defeat, creating dramatic tension.
4. “‘What’s the point of staging this whole surrender if we won’t be able to get help from Antarctica?’”
Day’s urgent question reveals the high-stakes dilemma they face—their entire strategy depends on external aid that may not come. This quote underscores the precariousness of their rebellion and the theme of desperate hope in impossible circumstances.