Rebel
Chapter 3: Ross City: Eden 2
by Lu, MarieThe chapter introduces the illegal but thrilling drone races in Ross City’s Undercity, where participants use homemade drones pieced together from scrap metal. These high-speed races, which weave through crowded streets, are untaxed and untraced, attracting gamblers and spectators despite the risk of police intervention. The narrator, Eden, recounts being introduced to the races by his friend Pressa, who has been gambling on them for years. He admires the ingenuity of the drones and the adrenaline of the races, which contrast sharply with the regulated, privileged world of the Sky Floors.
Pressa and Eden navigate the Undercity’s grimy streets, passing through a bustling food market before arriving at her father’s apothecary. The apothecary, though illegal, provides essential herbal remedies to those denied proper healthcare due to their low social “Level.” Pressa’s father, Mr. Yu, is a kind but ailing man suffering from a muscle-wasting disease. His condition requires expensive, high-Level medical treatment, which Pressa attempts to fund through her gambling on drone races, hiding this from her protective father.
The apothecary is a warm, chaotic space filled with medicinal herbs and a loyal clientele. Mr. Yu greets Eden affectionately, unaware of his daughter’s risky activities. Pressa deflects her father’s questions by claiming Eden is helping her with a robotics project. The chapter highlights the stark inequality in Ross City, where access to healthcare is tied to social status, forcing the poor to rely on makeshift solutions like the apothecary or illegal gambling.
As Pressa and Eden leave the apothecary, their conversation turns to an upcoming drone race semifinal. Pressa reveals the race details, teasing Eden about his potential participation. The chapter underscores the desperation and resilience of Undercity residents, who navigate systemic oppression through ingenuity and risk-taking. Eden, though privileged, recognizes the harsh realities of life in the Undercity and the moral complexities of Pressa’s choices.
FAQs
1. What are the key characteristics of drone races in the Undercity, and why are they illegal?
Answer:
Drone races in the Undercity are illegal due to their unregulated and dangerous nature. They involve a dozen racers piloting homemade drones through crowded streets at speeds high enough to cause fatalities or property damage. The races lack permits, bypass government oversight, and involve untaxed cash gambling. Authorities view them as disruptive, especially since they violate the Level system’s rules. Despite their illegality, the races attract spectators drawn to the ingenuity of the drones, which are often assembled from scrap parts. The decentralized nature of these events makes it difficult for police to track organizers or shut them down permanently.2. How does the Level system in Ross City create healthcare disparities, and how does Pressa’s family cope with this?
Answer:
The Level system restricts healthcare access to those below Level 7, citing concerns about drug misuse. This leaves poorer residents like Pressa’s father, who suffers from a degenerative muscle disease, without proper medical treatment. Pressa’s family copes by relying on her father’s illegal apothecary, which sells unapproved herbal remedies. However, these treatments are ineffective for his condition. To afford real medicine, Pressa gambles at drone races, risking her safety to earn enough money for black-market pharmaceuticals. This highlights the systemic inequality in Ross City, where wealth and status determine access to basic needs like healthcare.3. Analyze the contrast between the Sky Floors and the Undercity as depicted in the chapter. What does this reveal about Ross City’s societal structure?
Answer:
The Sky Floors represent privilege, where residents enjoy conveniences like automated deliveries of medicine and hygiene products. In contrast, the Undercity is gritty and resource-scarce, with residents relying on makeshift solutions like illegal apothecaries and drone racing for income. The apothecary’s barred windows and handwritten labels starkly differ from the Sky Floors’ sleek efficiency. This divide underscores a rigid class hierarchy in Ross City, where upward mobility is nearly impossible for the poor. The Level system institutionalizes this inequality, forcing Undercity residents to break rules to survive, while the wealthy remain insulated from such struggles.4. Why does Eden feel conflicted about Pressa’s participation in drone races, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Eden admires the creativity and excitement of drone races but recognizes their dangers and illegality. He’s torn between supporting Pressa’s efforts to save her father and worrying about the risks she takes. His hesitation to judge her reflects his awareness of his privileged “skyboy” status and the harsh realities of Undercity life. Eden’s conflict shows his empathy and moral complexity—he respects Pressa’s agency but struggles with the ethical implications of her actions. His silence when Pressa defends her choices highlights his humility and understanding of systemic injustice.5. How does the apothecary serve as a microcosm of community dynamics in the Undercity?
Answer:
The apothecary functions as both a lifeline and a social hub for the Undercity. Mr. Yu’s warm interactions with customers, like Mrs. Abesman, reveal a network of mutual aid and trust. He offers flexible payment options and personalized care, filling gaps left by the oppressive Level system. The shop’s crowded, makeshift nature mirrors the resourcefulness of Undercity residents. However, its reliance on unapproved remedies also reflects the community’s marginalization. The apothecary embodies resilience and solidarity, showing how the oppressed forge their own systems of support when excluded from mainstream institutions.
Quotes
1. “Drone races are illegal, technically. If you’ve ever been to one, you know why.”
This opening line immediately establishes the underground, rebellious nature of the drone races in Ross City’s Undercity. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of illicit activities that thrive outside the system’s control.
2. “I can’t help but be impressed that something so fast and dangerous can be made just by putting together metal scraps from the Undercity’s junkyards.”
This quote beautifully captures the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the Undercity residents, contrasting their makeshift creations with the privileged Sky Floors. It represents a key theme of innovation born from necessity.
3. “If your Level is below a 7, you’re not allowed access to regular health care. Antarctica claims it’s because if your Level is that low, you can’t be trusted not to use the drugs for illicit purposes.”
This exposes the cruel classism of Ross City’s Level system, showing how it denies basic healthcare to the poor under the guise of security concerns. It’s a pivotal explanation of the story’s central social conflict.
4. “The rules are different when you’re poor.”
This blunt statement encapsulates the chapter’s examination of systemic inequality. It justifies Pressa’s illegal activities while highlighting the moral complexity of survival in an unjust system.
5. “Listen, if you don’t learn to take your chances down here in the Undercity, you’ll get walked all over.”
Pressa’s philosophy of survival demonstrates the harsh realities of life in the Undercity. This quote represents the chapter’s exploration of how oppression breeds both resilience and moral compromise.