Rebel
Chapter 32: os Angeles: Daniel 2
by Lu, MarieThe chapter opens with Daniel and his brother, Eden, returning to their Los Angeles apartment after a chaotic night. Eden collapses into sleep while Daniel stays awake, observing the city’s JumboTrons broadcasting news of unrest in Antarctica’s Ross City, where tanks patrol streets filled with protests and bonfires. The President calls an emergency meeting, but Daniel reflects on how Hann’s lawless tactics give him an edge. The scene underscores the tension between order and chaos, with Hann’s manipulation of the system sparking violence while authorities struggle to respond.
Eden wakes later, and the brothers share a quiet moment on the balcony, discussing the crisis. Eden reveals his theory that Hann didn’t destroy Ross City’s Level system but merely suppressed it, likening it to revising a drone’s programming rather than rebuilding it from scratch. He believes he can reverse Hann’s disruption using his knowledge of the engine powering the system. Daniel, though fearful for Eden’s safety, recognizes his brother’s determination and expertise. The conversation highlights Eden’s growth from a vulnerable boy to a capable young man willing to risk everything.
Eden proposes a risky plan: he’ll re-enter Hann’s circle under the guise of defecting, while Daniel and June create diversions to buy time. Daniel reluctantly agrees, acknowledging the danger but trusting Eden’s abilities. The brothers share a rare moment of camaraderie, laughing at the absurdity of defying authorities. Eden questions whether restoring the Level system is morally right, hinting at a deeper critique of the system’s flaws. This moment foreshadows their potential to reshape the system rather than simply revert it.
The chapter closes with Eden sketching a plan to modify the Level system’s functionality, suggesting a compromise between restoration and reform. Daniel, though wary, supports his brother’s vision. Their dynamic shifts from protector-protected to partners in rebellion, united by their shared history and resilience. The chapter sets the stage for their covert mission, blending tension with hope as they prepare to challenge both Hann and the authorities.
FAQs
1. What is the current state of Ross City, and how does it contrast with Daniel and Eden’s upbringing?
Answer:
Ross City is in chaos, with the Antarctican military imposing martial law after Hann’s disruption of the Level system. The city’s infrastructure is collapsing, as seen in the JumboTron footage of tanks rolling through bonfire-lit streets and police struggling to contain protests. This contrasts sharply with Daniel and Eden’s upbringing in Lake, where they learned to function without reliable technology during power grid failures. While Ross City’s citizens are paralyzed without their system, Daniel and Eden’s street-honed adaptability gives them an advantage in navigating the crisis.2. How does Eden theorize Hann manipulated the Level system, and what is his plan to counter it?
Answer:
Eden believes Hann didn’t fully dismantle the Level system but instead suppressed or disrupted its implementation, leaving the framework intact for easier manipulation. He compares it to revising a drone rather than rebuilding it from scratch. Eden plans to exploit his knowledge of the engine he built (which powers Hann’s device) to reverse the disruption. His strategy involves infiltrating Hann’s circle under the pretense of defecting, then physically installing a chip to restore—or modify—the system while Daniel and June create diversions.3. Analyze the brothers’ dynamic in this chapter. How has their relationship evolved, and what does Daniel’s agreement to Eden’s plan reveal?
Answer:
Their relationship shows maturity and mutual trust. Daniel, once overprotective, now respects Eden’s autonomy, evidenced by his reluctant acceptance of Eden’s dangerous plan despite his fears. Eden, in turn, insists on collaboration (“You don’t ever have to go it alone”), reflecting growth from his rebellious past. Daniel’s agreement highlights his recognition of Eden’s unique skills and their shared pragmatism—they prioritize action over bureaucratic delays, echoing their street-survivor instincts. The playful banter about being “bad influences” underscores their deepened bond and shared resolve.4. What ethical dilemma does Eden raise about restoring the Level system, and how does Daniel respond?
Answer:
Eden questions whether reinstating the Level system—a potentially corrupt framework—is morally justified. He hints at the system’s flaws (“What if restoring it is exactly what shouldn’t happen?”). Daniel pragmatically suggests they don’t have to restore it unchanged, opening the door to modifications. This exchange reflects their awareness of systemic corruption and a willingness to subvert Hann’s plans while potentially reforming the system’s inequities, blending their technical and ideological perspectives.5. How does the chapter illustrate the theme of technology’s dual-edged nature? Provide specific examples.
Answer:
Technology is portrayed as both a lifeline and a vulnerability. The Level system’s collapse paralyzes Ross City, exposing dependence on it, while Eden’s drone symbolizes innovation’s promise—its stable engine mirrors his potential to fix the crisis. Hann weaponizes technology (using Eden’s engine for suppression), yet Eden plans to repurpose that same tech for liberation. The juxtaposition of JumboTrons broadcasting chaos with the brothers’ low-tech adaptability underscores how technology’s value depends on its wielders’ intent and competence.
Quotes
1. “When you aren’t accountable to anything, you can move pretty goddy fast.”
This quote captures Daniel’s reflection on Hann’s ruthless efficiency and his own past as a street-savvy rebel. It highlights the central tension between lawless agility and systemic constraints that drives the chapter’s conflict.
2. “He had wanted to make his point about the city’s corrupt system. He’s just willing to sacrifice all the people he claims to be fighting for in the process.”
A damning observation about Hann’s revolutionary methods, showing how his ideological extremism undermines his own cause. This reveals the moral complexity of the uprising in Ross City.
3. “I’m saying I can find a way to reverse it. He’s using the engine that I built to power it. If I can get back into his circle, I can find a way to shut the whole thing down and get the Level system back up.”
Eden’s pivotal realization that positions him as the key to resolving the crisis. This moment marks the transition from observation to action in the brothers’ arc.
4. “You told me last night that I don’t ever have to go it alone. Well, that goes for you too.”
A powerful reciprocal moment that crystallizes the brothers’ evolving relationship. Eden turns Daniel’s protective words back on him, establishing their partnership as equals.
5. “Then maybe we don’t restore it to exactly what it was.”
This concluding thought represents the chapter’s thematic breakthrough - that solving the crisis requires not just technical skill but moral imagination to rebuild a better system.