Rebel
Chapter 13: Ross City: Eden 7
by Lu, MarieThe chapter opens with Eden and his brother, Daniel, discussing Dominic Hann, a notorious murderer Daniel has been tracking. Eden reveals he interacted with Hann during a drone race in the Undercity, where Hann posed as a patron. Daniel is furious, emphasizing Hann’s brutality and the danger Eden unknowingly faced. Eden, however, struggles to reconcile Hann’s calm demeanor with his violent reputation, while also fielding frantic messages from his friend Pressa about the night’s events. The tension between the brothers escalates as Daniel lectures Eden, who resents being treated like a child.
Their argument intensifies, revealing deeper familial rifts. Eden accuses Daniel of condescension and pity, while Daniel expresses frustration over Eden’s reckless behavior. Eden’s anger peaks when he suggests they part ways when he leaves for the Republic, a comment that visibly wounds Daniel. Despite Daniel’s attempt to reconcile, both remain stubborn, highlighting their emotional distance. The confrontation ends with Eden retreating to his room, leaving the unresolved tension hanging between them.
The scene shifts to the AIS headquarters, where Eden and Daniel meet Director Min Gheren. Eden is subjected to a memory extraction process to help track Hann, as his unexpected interaction with the criminal is deemed significant. Daniel, though protective, continues to frustrate Eden with his patronizing tone. The director explains the technology, which replays memories to uncover hidden clues, and Eden reluctantly agrees. The chapter ends with the memory playback beginning, immersing everyone in Eden’s recollection of the drone race and his encounter with Hann.
The chapter explores themes of familial conflict, trust, and identity, as Eden chafes under Daniel’s overprotectiveness while grappling with the moral ambiguity of figures like Hann. The advanced memory technology introduces a sci-fi element, hinting at broader societal surveillance and control. The emotional stakes are high, with Eden’s desire for independence clashing with Daniel’s fear for his safety, setting the stage for further tension and revelations.
FAQs
1. How does Dominic Hann’s characterization as a “ruthless killer” contrast with Eden’s personal experience interacting with him?
Answer:
Dominic Hann is described as a notorious murderer responsible for dozens of deaths, including undercity debtors and councilmen, painting him as a cold-blooded criminal. However, Eden’s interaction with him is marked by calmness and apparent interest in his drone racing skills, even offering patronage. This contrast unsettles Eden, as Hann’s demeanor doesn’t align with the violent reputation Daniel emphasizes. The disconnect highlights Eden’s naivety and the complexity of Hann’s character—charming yet dangerous, a duality that adds tension to the narrative.2. Analyze the sibling dynamic between Eden and Daniel. How does their argument reveal deeper issues in their relationship?
Answer:
Eden and Daniel’s argument exposes a strained relationship where Daniel assumes a paternal role, infantilizing Eden (“I know you don’t understand”) while Eden resents his condescension. Their clash stems from differing perspectives: Daniel prioritizes safety and authority (e.g., condemning the Undercity), whereas Eden values autonomy and resents systemic oppression (e.g., criticizing the agency’s tyranny). The argument escalates to emotional wounds, with Eden threatening to leave for the Republic alone, symbolizing their emotional rift. The scene underscores themes of miscommunication, pride, and the struggle for mutual respect.3. What is the significance of the AIS memory-access system, and how does it reflect the novel’s technological and surveillance themes?
Answer:
The AIS system extracts and replays memories via neural chips, turning subjective experiences into investigable data. This technology underscores the novel’s focus on surveillance and control, as the state can invasively access citizens’ private moments. For Eden, it’s unsettling—his memory becomes a tool for others, blurring personal agency. The system also heightens stakes, as Hann’s rare appearance suggests Eden’s unique value to the investigation. The scene critiques dystopian governance where technology erases boundaries between public and private.4. How does the physical divide between Ross City’s skyscrapers and the Undercity mirror societal divisions in the story?
Answer:
The skyscrapers symbolize wealth and visibility, while the Undercity—literally hidden from view—represents marginalization. Daniel dismisses it as “filth,” reflecting elitist disdain for the impoverished, whereas Eden and Pressa navigate its struggles (e.g., gambling to survive). The dichotomy mirrors systemic inequality: the privileged ignore the Undercity’s existence, while its residents face violence and debt. Eden’s drone racing bridges these worlds, but his brother’s horror at his involvement underscores the entrenched class divide.5. Why does Eden’s threat to leave for the Republic alone hurt Daniel, and what does it reveal about their emotional conflict?
Answer:
Eden’s threat cuts Daniel because it rejects their familial bond, reducing Daniel’s protective role to irrelevance. Daniel’s wince and hesitation suggest he fears losing Eden, but his pride prevents reconciliation. Eden’s pride similarly masks his hurt, as Hann’s understanding contrasts with Daniel’s dismissiveness. The Republic represents escape from both Ross City’s oppression and their toxic dynamic. The moment reveals their mutual love obscured by stubbornness, highlighting how unspoken emotions deepen their rift.
Quotes
1. “He tells me that Dominic Hann is wanted for at least a dozen murders and has probably committed many more that have never been linked to him. Undercity victims indebted to him, unable to pay back their money. People who have crossed him, whether on purpose or accidentally.”
This quote introduces the central antagonist, Dominic Hann, and establishes the grave danger Eden unknowingly faced. It highlights the brutal reality of the Undercity’s criminal underworld that contrasts sharply with Eden’s initial perception of Hann as a benign patron.
2. “‘You were down in the Undercity again! In a drone race! Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?’ ‘Then scream at me!’ I insist. ‘Tell me how you can’t believe I did what I did tonight! Anything’s better than your pity!’”
This heated exchange captures the core conflict between the brothers - Daniel’s protective frustration versus Eden’s desire to be treated as an equal. The dialogue reveals their fundamental communication breakdown and differing perspectives on risk and autonomy.
3. “‘If the agency you work for wasn’t so tyrannical,’ I yell back, ‘Pressa’s dad wouldn’t need to be a millionaire just to survive. We wouldn’t need to gamble on the races. And I wouldn’t have to explain myself to you as if I were talking to a damn stranger.’”
Eden’s outburst critiques the systemic inequality in Ross City while simultaneously expressing his deep resentment at the emotional distance between him and his brother. This quote ties personal conflict to broader societal issues in their world.
4. “But we aren’t brothers here. He’s my father, and I’m his son. The feeling of distance, along with the fear of everything that happened tonight, now threatens to smother me.”
This introspective moment reveals Eden’s painful realization about their relationship dynamic. The quote powerfully conveys the emotional weight of their parental/sibling roles and foreshadows their impending separation.
5. “‘Mr. Wing,’ she says to me, and Daniel shifts uncomfortably nearby, ‘it was right of your brother to inform AIS of the fact that you crossed paths with a man we’ve been struggling to track down for months… imagine what it means that your performance so interested him that he decided to speak to you in person.’”
The director’s ominous warning marks a turning point where Eden’s personal conflict becomes entangled with larger law enforcement efforts. This quote elevates the stakes by revealing Hann’s unusual interest in Eden.