Day's Strategy

Surrender

On the second day of the ceasefire, Eden is admitted to the hospital for testing. After the testing is done, Day gets a call about June, saying that she's been attacked by Commander Jameson, who is feeding the Colonies information about the military strengths and weaknesses of Los Angeles. Knowing the need to buy time, Day convinces Anden and June to pretend to surrender - who in turn convince the Senate. After the Senate meeting, Anden tells June he gave up Dakota, the Republic's largest territory, in exchange for military support (and treatment for Day) from Antarctica.

At the same time, Day plans to use the people to help fight against the Colonies and puts out a message across LA using spray paint - "LISTEN FOR ME." When he gets back, the lab technicians tell him that Eden cannot provide a cure for the plague, because the virus is a mutated version of the one Eden was infected with.

Anden officially announces the Republic's surrender when enemy airships begin to approach LA in anticipation of the end of the three-day ceasefire. During the announcement, June heads to the hospital to check on the cure progress. When the lab tech explains why the cure isn't working, and where it originated, June realizes that the infection she caught (in Prodigy) might be the same disease as the plague.

"I draw the one thing I know everyone will recognize as coming from me-a red streak painted onto an outline of a face." (Lu 175)

Day knows that people trust him and what is more recognizable than the red streak that made him famous in Legend. People will know it is him and that way, he gains more power. His plan is going well so far and the people will follow him anywhere. Day might use the people of the Republic of America to achieve his goals in his plan.

"I'm not sure we'll ever create a cure." (Lu 192)

Day's situation here is relatable because his feeling of helplessness is greater than most. His only family is sick and there is no cure for him. We can relate to that moment because we have all been through a moment when we can't do anything and we just have to move on. Even though Day's situation is a little more intense, since Eden is his only family, we can all have a sense of what he's going through. I can especially relate because once my cousin git sick and she couldn't be cured so I was left in a state that I couldn't help anyone. 

CONCLUSION

Day has a strategy that can work if executed correctly but is also suffering because of Eden. The Republic of America is at a great war and Day might have a way to give them an advantage in battle. But the discoveries I have encountered (June's disease might be the same as the plague and Eden will never be cured) have changed the tables a bit. The question remains, what is more important to Day, winning the war or helping his brother?

A Massive Headache

Champions Do Cry

After Day has a severe headache (caused by his disease), he reveals to June that he has months to live. However, while they are talking, Denver gets attacked by the Colonies. After making it to a bunker reserved for the wealthy, they discover that Tess and several other Patriots are being held there. Day gets the authority to lead them on a mission to sabotage the Colonies, and they destroy a nearby Colonies airbase. Meanwhile, June and Anden head to Ross City, Antarctica in hopes of finding allies. The only offer Anden receives, however, is to give up some of the Republic's land in exchange for military support.

After another severe headache that was triggered by an explosion, Day is contacted by the Chancellor of the Colonies. He is blackmailed, and if he doesn't tell the people to revolt against the Republic, June and Eden may die. The Chancellor gives Day a three-day ceasefire. Right after the call ends, Tess is put into quarantine because she has become infected by the plague running rampant in the Colonies.

On the first night of the ceasefire, June and Day are reunited. 

In the middle of the night, Day wakes up from a nightmare. He leaves June's apartment to visit his old home in the Lake sector, not knowing that June followed him. There, he remembers

what happened to his family. Then he breaks down in tears, because he doesn't want to feel the pain of losing his family, which June had been involved in.

"I'd rather step away than be reminded every day that I only have a few months left to be with you" (Lu 101)

After a brief discussion with June about the Princeps-Elect position, Day thinks to himself that he would rather be parted from June than be reminded of the little time he has left with her. Day loves June and would spend every day of his life with her, but since his time remaining is so little, he would rather not be with her and cause her pain.  What would June do if they switched places?

"No matter what happens in the future, no matter where our path takes us, this moment will be ours" (Lu 133)

When Day and June finally reunite on the night of the first ceasefire, they tell each other how much they love one another. June states that she doesn't care about what happens in the future, what happens to them or anyone. She only cares about that moment, where everything else is irrelevant and is not as important as them. This is very deep and touching, especially through everything June and Day have gone through. 

CONCLUSION

Day is having frequent nightmares now and he is in a lot of pain. The attacks and bombings are making it worse for him and he doesn't to spread that pain to others, especially June. The past chapters have made me reflect on what I would do if I was Day. It also made me relate to Day and his problem with June. He only has a few months, and he doesn't want to waste them.