Rebel
Chapter 12: Ross City: Daniel 6
by Lu, MarieDaniel, an AIS agent, ventures alone into the Undercity’s roughest district, disguised as a gambler to avoid suspicion. The area is lined with tents and desolate shops, evoking memories of his past as a street orphan. His mission is to locate his brother, Eden, whose presence in this dangerous environment baffles him. Despite his discomfort, Daniel blends in, maintaining a wary demeanor as he searches for clues about Eden’s whereabouts, ultimately leading him to a suspicious bar requiring a password for entry.
After exiting the bar, Daniel investigates a nearby alley and discovers a hollow wall masking a hidden space. Using his agility, he scales the wall to find a massive crowd gathered for a drone race. To his shock, Eden is among the racers, celebrated as the winner. The scene takes a darker turn when Daniel spots Dominic Hann, a notorious and elusive criminal, engaging with Eden. Hann’s presence sends a chill through Daniel, who recalls the man’s brutal reputation and the danger he poses.
Daniel’s panic escalates as he watches Hann interact with Eden, fearing for his brother’s safety. He considers assassinating Hann but realizes the risk to Eden if he fails or is implicated. Instead, he devises a plan to disrupt the event by targeting the overhead lighting system. Climbing the support beams, he prepares to cut the power, hoping to create chaos and extract Eden unnoticed. The tension mounts as Hann’s men surveil the crowd, and Daniel’s resolve hardens to protect his brother at all costs.
The chapter highlights Daniel’s internal conflict between his duty as an agent and his protective instincts as a brother. His frustration with Eden’s choices and his inability to understand them mirrors his past helplessness in the Republic. The encounter with Hann underscores the stakes, as Daniel confronts the grim reality of his brother’s involvement with a deadly criminal. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, with Daniel poised to act, leaving readers eager to see how the confrontation unfolds.
FAQs
1. What is Daniel’s primary mission in this chapter, and how does his approach differ from his usual operations?
Answer:
Daniel’s primary mission is to locate and protect his brother Eden, who has unexpectedly become involved in the dangerous Undercity drone racing scene. Unlike his usual operations where he works openly with AIS agents to shut down illegal activities, Daniel is operating alone, disguised as a gambler to blend into the environment. This covert approach is necessary because Eden’s involvement with Dominic Hann—a notorious criminal—requires subtlety to avoid escalating the situation. Daniel’s street skills from his past in the Republic resurface as he navigates the Undercity’s shadows, demonstrating his adaptability in high-stakes scenarios.2. Analyze the significance of Dominic Hann’s appearance at the drone race. Why is his interaction with Eden so alarming to Daniel?
Answer:
Dominic Hann’s presence is alarming because he is a notoriously elusive and violent criminal who rarely appears in public. His direct interaction with Eden suggests that Eden’s drone-building skills have drawn dangerous attention. Daniel recognizes Hann’s reputation for brutality and fears his brother is now a target—either for recruitment or exploitation. The scene evokes Daniel’s traumatic past in the Republic, where powerless witnessing led to family loss. Hann’s interest in Eden also raises stakes because it places Eden in the crosshairs of criminal rivalries, making extraction far riskier.3. How does Daniel’s internal conflict about Eden reflect his character development?
Answer:
Daniel struggles with underestimating Eden’s capabilities while simultaneously wanting to protect him. He admires Eden’s engineering talent but is baffled by his reckless choices, like participating in illegal races. This conflict mirrors Daniel’s growth from a street-smart survivor to a disciplined AIS agent who must balance instinct with strategy. His hesitation to shoot Hann—weighing Eden’s safety against the opportunity to eliminate a threat—shows his maturity. The chapter highlights how Daniel’s past trauma informs his protective instincts, yet he must confront Eden’s autonomy, a tension central to their relationship.4. What tactical considerations prevent Daniel from intervening directly when he sees Hann with Eden?
Answer:
Daniel avoids direct intervention due to several risks: (1) Eden would become the prime suspect if Hann were killed, likely leading to immediate retaliation from Hann’s spies in the crowd; (2) Daniel isn’t confident in his marksmanship to guarantee a lethal shot from his perch; (3) the crowded space makes escape impossible if identified. Instead, he opts for a subtler approach—targeting the circuit breaker to create chaos. This reflects his training: assessing collateral damage and prioritizing Eden’s safety over impulsive action, even when faced with a high-value target like Hann.5. Evaluate how the setting of the Undercity reinforces the chapter’s themes of danger and hidden identities.
Answer:
The Undercity’s grim, claustrophobic environment—with its makeshift walls, dim lighting, and hostile observers—mirrors the precariousness of Daniel and Eden’s situations. The hidden drone race venue, accessible only through deception or physical prowess, symbolizes the dual lives they lead: Daniel as an agent masquerading as a gambler, Eden as a student entangled in crime. The red-lit clearing becomes a metaphorical stage for exposure, where Eden’s talent and Hann’s menace collide. The setting amplifies tension, emphasizing how survival here depends on blending in while constantly navigating unseen threats.
Quotes
1. “I didn’t come to Antarctica just to return to living like a street orphan.”
This quote captures Daniel’s internal conflict as he navigates the Undercity, highlighting his past trauma and current determination to rise above his difficult origins. It underscores the tension between his professional identity and personal history.
2. “Why is he here? Why can’t I understand him? Why won’t he talk to me?”
These desperate questions reveal Daniel’s frustration and concern for his brother Eden, emphasizing the central mystery driving the chapter’s action. They showcase the emotional core of Daniel’s mission in the Undercity.
3. “My brother’s a drone racer… I’ve never doubted Eden’s talents, but have I still been underestimating him?”
This realization marks a turning point in Daniel’s understanding of his brother, combining shock at Eden’s secret life with dawning respect for his abilities. It shows Daniel reevaluating his assumptions about his sibling.
4. “Dominic Hann has killed hundreds… You don’t want a man like this setting his sights on you.”
This description of the antagonist establishes the grave danger Eden is in, raising the stakes dramatically. It creates palpable tension as Daniel realizes his brother is interacting with this notorious criminal.
5. “I feel like I’m back in the Republic again, looking on helplessly as the soldiers take my family away.”
This powerful comparison connects Daniel’s current crisis to his traumatic past, showing how his worst fears are being reactivated. It reveals the deep psychological impact of seeing his brother in danger.