Apartheid 100
Freedom Fighter of The Holy Land
"When Injustice Becomes the Law, Resistance Becomes Duty"-
Thomas Jefferson
It was morning, and Akira woke up thinking about his childhood dream of being a hero. Kencho checked the headline about the Israeli bombing in Gaza on Al Jazeera.
Kencho: Those kids in Gaza. It's Hiroshima all over again. Looks like Soran was right about the Israeli war crimes.
Soran: My family lives at the West Bank.
Akira: Say, why change your hair color?
Kencho: Seeing how you decided to do what you wanted, I figured I'd do the same. Besides, if I'm going to be a comedian, this might spice things up.
Akira: You know, I'm thinking of becoming a superhero.
Soran: Freedom fighter.
Akira: Yeah, that too.
Akira drew a design of his superhero costume.
Kencho: When you say "Superhero", you mean as in "Spider-Man"?
Akira: Yeah.
Kencho: And just out of curiosity, what's the difference between "Superhero" and "Freedom fighter"?
Soran: Ever seen "The Battle of Algiers"? Freedom Fighters are real. Look at the IRA. Superheroes are fictional.
Akira: What if we can have a superhero that will help end the Israeli occupation? Anyway, I remember this from when I was a kid. Fighting bad guys to save those in need in a badass costume. (Showing his drawing) You only live once! A superhero of Justice that fights the fascists! What do you guys think?
Kencho: You are gonna need a costume.
Akira: You got me there. Let's do some preparations.
Kencho: Can't we at least eat first?
They arrived at the aquarium.
Kencho: First time I've gone to an aquarium in Jerusalem.
Akira: Me too.
Kencho: This place looks deserted.
Soran: It is. Look around you.
The trio were so oblivious, they were unaware they were being watched by the IOF through the aquarium's security camera. They found a locker room with scuba diver suits. This went perfectly with Akira's idea. He spray painted the suit for the design.
Outside the aquarium, there was traffic, especially with the IOF patrolling the streets.
Bus driver: We'll just have to wait until the routine inspection ends.
But in the back of the bus, there was a man with a gun. All the passengers in the bus ran out. A girl, which was one of the passengers, ran towards the aquarium. Just when the police was about to stop her, Akira came out of nowhere, and rammed into him.
Akira: You alright? Get to the aquarium. (Turns his attention to the Israeli Police) This ends now. Akiraiger is here!
Soran waited on the second floor to act as a sniper with his M16. More refugees came in. A girl which Soran and Akira met was among them. Just when the police was about to beat him with the baton, Akira took him by the wrist.
Sheriff (Contacting the IOF on radio in Hebrew): [There's suspect in some sort of diver suit.]
The YAMAN arrived, and Soran prepared to cover fire. This gave Akira a fighting chance. Kencho was amazed by their teamwork and the way the YAMAN ran off like cowards. As for Akira, he began to wonder what the girl would think of his bravery. He came inside before it started to rain.
Kencho: You did good out there. (Noticing Akira turning his attention to someone) Who's that girl?
Akira: We met her once. She's been talking about analyzing our actions.
Kencho: Well? What you waiting for? Talk to her.
Akira (goes up to the girl): So err…it's been a while since we've seen each other.
Girl: Hmm?
Akira: We met at the convenience store.
Girl: Yeah, I remember.
Akira: My name's Akira Tendo. I feel this must be fate. We should exchange contacts.
Girl: Not that it's my business or anything, but in what way do you benefit from saving people?
Akira: "Benefit"?
Girl: That getup. Psychologists call it "identification". An inferiority complex or low self esteem often causes people to adopt the look and mannerisms of their heroes.
Soran: Bruce Wayne was able to fight crime as Batman without exposing his secret identity to the bad guys. And another thing, the Quran says, "They give food, despite their love for it, to the poor and orphans and captives: 'We feed you only out of desire for the sake of Allah."
Girl: So it was you who prevented the soldiers from entering with a gun. If you three can't analyze your abilities, you'll lower my survival strategy. Once again, I decline.
Then, there was a rumble. The boys went to check it out. There was a puddle in the hallway.
Soran (spotting the light and hearing someone speaking Hebrew): The Shayetet 13.
Akira: What's "Shayetet 13"?
Soran: They're the Israeli Navy's stormtroopers.
Kencho: Oh damn.
Akira and Kencho screamed. But Soran came prepared. To avoid damaging the tanks, he set his M16 to semiautomatic.
Kencho: Why are we running?
Girl: They're after a gunner.
Kencho: You mean Soran?
Just when they thought they were in the clear running up the stairs, they saw the refugees were cornered.
Girl (Pointing to the exit): The exit's this way!
Refugee (running up to Soran): They killed my little brother!
They hurried to the exit where the Shayetet 13 couldn't reach them.
Akira: Wait…where's Miss Analysts?
The girl that spoke of loosing her brother cried so hard, Soran came up and gave her a hug.
Akira: She's trapped outside, isn't she.
Kencho (Trying to open the door): Dammit! It's jammed!
At that moment, Kencho saw Akira was gone.
Girl: This is why I hate being social. Getting mixed up with the police. Panic spreads like fire. Should've thought about this more.
Out of nowhere, Akira took a leap onto Shayetet 13 stormtrooper and disarmed him. Just when they were about to take the shot, Soran fired his M16.
Girl: What are you two doing here?
Akira: Isn't it obvious? I'm here to save you.
Girl: There's really something wrong with you! Why would you even bother?!
Soran (Quoting the Quran): "And whoever is patient and forgiving, these most surely are actions due to courage."
Girl: Wha…?
Akira: I may not be religious like Soran is, but when you see a girl, you try to get to know her. If I see someone in need of help, I want to become a hero, or as Soran prefers, a freedom fighter! Does there need to be a reason for being to noble?
Girl: "Freedom fighter"?
The girl stood up.
Girl: There will be more of them. Do you two have a strategy?
Akira: Not in particular.
Girl: I thought not.
They ran off with the Shayetet 13 on their tails.
Shayetet 13 Commander: Now stop! Stay where you are.
At that moment, Kencho appeared from the vent naked.
Kencho: Hey! Over here! How ya like me now?
At the IOF headquarters, Amalya was irritated by Kencho prancing around in the nude.
Amalya (in Hebrew): [That's disgusting! (Noticing one of her officers giggling) What are you all smiley about, Rav Turai Lanoie?]
Lanoie: [I think he's kinda hot.]
Akira was beaten by the Shayetet 13.
Akira: What is a hero?
The Shayetet 13 were about to shoot him, Soran fired his M16 at the assailant. The girl joined the fight and tossed to Akira the smoke grenade. This prevented the Shayetet 13 from seeing Akira as he took knocked them cold one by one.
Akira (As the smoke clears): How ya like that, guys?
Soran: You've become a real freedom fighter. Viva Palestina!
Girl: Not that it's any of my business, what's with you and Palestine?
As they left the aquarium, Akira crossed out "Become a Superhero"
Soran (To the girl): Tell me something. Ever read Nelson Mandela's "Long Walk to Freedom"?
Girl: I don't have the time for social activities. Especially not in a warzone.
Kencho: You did make a great team with Akira.
Akira: Will you-
Girl: Out of the question.
Kencho: C'mon, Akira. You're just gonna pull back? Real attempts come after you've been rejected. It's like doing sales.
Akira (turning to the girl): You didn't forget something, did you?
Girl: My priority is to avoid going to Israeli prison. Your friend wants to free Palestine from Israeli occupation. You two want to have your fun now that there's a war going on. Our goals are incompatible. Despite my warnings, you risked your own life to save a stranger. I don't have time for fun and games.
Akira: You know, you are someone precious to me. I'd definitely save you, hero or freedom fighter.
The girl blushed.
Akira: So, where are you headed?
Girl: Someplace safe. Oh, almost forgot my QR code. We may never meet again. There isn't a risk in sharing contact information.
Her name was Shizuka Mikazuki.