Legend (Legend #1)
Chapter 34: Part Two: June 6
by Marie, Lu,The chapter follows June as she navigates the rooftops of Los Angeles at night, using her skills to remain unseen while traveling to the border of Lake and Alta sectors. Her mission is to find Kaede, a key ally in her plan to help Day, who is scheduled for execution. June reflects on her rooftop tactics, the stark contrast between wealthy and impoverished sectors, and the plague-ridden streets marked by red tape and patrols. Her journey is fraught with danger, as she avoids detection and traverses crumbling buildings, driven by her determination to fulfill her brother’s legacy.
Upon reaching the outskirts of Lake sector, June observes the Republic’s plague control measures, suspecting the patrols are secretly distributing cures to manipulate the outbreak’s end. She avoids looking at Day’s former home, haunted by memories of his mother’s death. Descending to the ground, she searches for Kaede in the bars of Alta, aware of the risks if she’s caught. Her persistence pays off when Kaede ambushes her in an alley, accompanied by Tess, Day’s young friend, who appears to have joined the Patriots.
June attempts to negotiate with Kaede, offering a substantial sum of money in exchange for the Patriots’ help. Kaede is initially hostile, distrustful of June due to her role in Day’s capture, but Tess’s presence softens the tension. June expresses regret for their past conflict and emphasizes her genuine concern for Day’s safety. Kaede reluctantly agrees to hear her out after verifying June isn’t carrying tracking devices, though she remains wary of her motives.
The chapter ends on a tense note as Kaede demands June surrender her weapons and submit to a search, underscoring the fragile trust between them. June’s willingness to cooperate hints at her desperation to save Day, while Tess’s involvement suggests a potential bridge between June and the Patriots. The encounter sets the stage for a precarious alliance, with June’s fate hanging in the balance as she seeks redemption for her past actions.
FAQs
1. What methods does June use to travel unseen through the city, and what does this reveal about her skills and the setting?
Answer:
June travels primarily by rooftop at night, using an air rope launcher to glide between buildings. This demonstrates her advanced physical training, agility, and knowledge of urban navigation—skills honed at Drake. The rooftops provide invisibility, as most people focus on street-level activity. The setting is revealed to be highly stratified, with crumbling infrastructure in poorer sectors (like Lake) making travel dangerous. June’s avoidance of guns to prevent tracking also highlights the Republic’s surveillance state and the secrecy of her mission.2. How does the description of Lake sector reinforce the themes of inequality and government control in the Republic?
Answer:
The chapter depicts Lake as plague-ridden, marked by red tape, Xs on doors, and patrols with gas masks—symbolizing both disease and oppression. The contrast between wealthy sectors (with steady electricity) and Lake’s flickering lanterns and steam plants underscores economic disparity. The patrols’ “routine sweeps” hint at staged cures, exposing government manipulation of the plague. June’s observation that the plague will “magically” disappear critiques the Republic’s propaganda, emphasizing its disregard for the poor and reliance on control.3. Analyze the significance of June’s negotiation with Kaede and Tess. What risks and motivations drive this interaction?
Answer:
June’s offer of money to Kaede and the Patriots is a high-stakes gamble to secure allies for Day’s execution plan. Her vulnerability—unarmed and tracked by the Republic—shows her desperation. Kaede’s distrust reflects the Patriots’ animosity toward Republic soldiers, while Tess’s presence (and medical role) suggests she’s joined their cause. June’s apology for Kaede’s injury and praise of Tess reveal her strategic empathy, aiming to build trust. The scene highlights shifting alliances and the moral compromises June must make to achieve her goals.4. How does the chapter use physical details (e.g., clothing, weapons, environment) to characterize June and the world she operates in?
Answer:
June’s all-black attire (aviator jacket, hiking boots, knives) emphasizes her stealth and combat readiness, while omitting guns to avoid detection underscores the mission’s secrecy. The decaying rooftops in Lake sector mirror the Republic’s neglect of its citizens. Kaede’s vine tattoo and black makeup signal her rebellious identity, contrasting with Tess’s delicate appearance (messy braid, luminous eyes), which belies her resilience. These details enrich the dystopian setting, where survival demands both physical prowess and careful alliances.5. Why does June avoid looking toward Day’s former home, and what does this reveal about her emotional state?
Answer:
June avoids Day’s house out of guilt and trauma, fearing the sight of his mother’s body might still haunt the street. This moment reveals her unresolved grief over Metias’s death and her role in Day’s suffering. Her clenched teeth and stinging eyes when recalling Metias’s words show how personal loss fuels her determination. The avoidance humanizes June, contrasting her usual precision—it’s a rare emotional lapse in her otherwise calculated mission, highlighting the psychological toll of her choices.
Quotes
1. “I LEARNED AT DRAKE THAT THE BEST WAY TO TRAVEL unseen at night is by rooftop. I’m practically invisible at that height—the people on the ground keep their attention fixed on the street—and besides, up there I get the best view of where I’m headed.”
This quote introduces the protagonist’s stealth skills and strategic mindset, setting the tone for the covert mission. It also metaphorically reflects her position as an observer navigating a divided society.
2. “It’s easy to pick out where the wealthy sectors border the poorest ones—where the steady light from electricity gives way to flickering lanterns, bonfires, and steam power plants.”
This vivid description highlights the stark class divide in the dystopian setting, visually contrasting technological advancement with poverty. It underscores the systemic inequality driving the story’s conflict.
3. “I have a hunch that they are doling out cures right now, just as Metias said, and in a few more weeks, this plague will have ‘magically’ trickled away.”
This reveals the protagonist’s growing awareness of government corruption regarding plague management. The sarcastic “magically” implies deliberate deception about public health crises.
4. “I’ve gone too far to turn back now.”
This concise statement captures the protagonist’s point of no return in her rebellion against the system. It shows her determination despite the risks, marking a crucial character turning point.
5. “Kaede, I need your help. I need to talk to the Patriots.”
This pivotal moment shows the protagonist actively seeking alliance with rebels, marking her transition from loyal soldier to potential revolutionary. The blunt request demonstrates her urgency and changed priorities.