Apartheid 100

Freedom Fighter of The Holy Land

""We Have To Learn Freedom That Imposes Responsibilities"-

Michael Collins

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.

Soran: Not the way the Hamas are doing this.

Akira: Well in that case… (does a heroic pose) Akirager's here!

More people came to the aquarium to seek refuge. The girl which Soran and Akira had met at the convenience store was among them. The police arrived, apparently confusing Soran with the Hamas collaborator.

Akira (spotting a sniper): Soran! Get down!

Soran (after Akira saves him from the sniper): Shkran lak.

Kencho was amazed by how Akira saved Soran from being shot.

Allelujah (through the bullhorn): Soran, are you listening? I don't want for you to stand accused of collaborating with the Hamas. You always were my friend. Turn yourself over and we'll drop the charge.

Soran: We don't trust you.

Allelujah: Why not?

Soran: You created another Hiroshima in Gaza. That makes you like the Nazis.

Allelujah: I don't blame you. How can I gain your trust?

Soran: Remove your sniper, and we will negotiate with you peacefully.

Allelujah: Fair enough.

Soran knew the consequence, and if he were to win the fight, he had to do this without drawing first blood. As a result, their fight ended in a peaceful stalemate. .

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 negotiated with the police. Once again, I decline.

Then, there was a rumble. The boys went to check it out. There was a puddle in the hallway.

Soran (recognizing the Arab dialect): Not again.

Akira: "Not again"?

Soran: The Hamas are after me.

Kencho: Oh damn.

Hamas (to Soran): Traitor! You sold us out!

Soran: We don't have to do this. You want to kill innocent people, fine. What happens what you make me your Michael Collins?

Hamas: Hey, that's a great idea!

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!

So they all hurried to the exit door and hid from the Hamas.

Jewish Settler (to Soran): Why did you save me?

Soran: It would be wrong if I let you become get killed.

Jewish Settler (to Soran): So you hate the Hamas.

Soran: I am a man of peace. I hate this dreaded war.

Akira: Wait…where's Miss Analysts? She's trapped outside, isn't she.

Jewish Settler (To Soran): You know, the way you were peacefully negotiating with our Nitzav, you seem to know your history on the Munich Olympics.

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 in some grudge match.

Hamas Captain: Oh, but you'll make a perfect bait! We'll be waiting for your sweetheart!

Out of nowhere, Akira took a leap onto the Hamas 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? We've come to rescue 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?

Soran: Working on it.

Girl: Try acting quick.

They ran off with the Hamas on their tails.

Hamas (to Soran): You can't hide forever, traitor!

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 Hamas.

Akira: What is a hero?

Just when the Hamas 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 Hamas 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.