Episode 14 : Custody
Zawaq is inside the iron cage. The iron cage is in the middle of the desert, under the scorching sun. Zawaq remains calm sitting cross-legged on the grated iron floor.Zaqwan approaches the iron cage. Zawaq opens his two eyes and looks towards Zaqwan.
"Zaqwan?! You're still alive?!" Zawaq asks Zaqwan.
"Yes, I'm still alive. Let's get out of this cage," Zaqwan says to Zawaq.
"Is it possible?" Zawaq asks Zaqwan, glancing at the dozens of Arab soldiers approaching them.
"I have obtained permission from the base commander. You can come out now. I've also explained to them that you fought against the Israeli soldiers bare-handed. Your actions gave me and two other soldiers time. Luckily, there are witnesses to support my explanation about you," Zaqwan explains at length while unlocking the iron cage.
"Thank you," Zawaq says, stepping out of the iron cage.
"No problem," Zaqwan replies.
"You have a lot of explanations to give us," says one of the Arab soldiers surrounding Zawaq.
"I will explain everything," Zawaq responds.
"Let's go back inside the base," says Zaqwan.
Two hours later, Zawaq has explained almost everything to the Arab military officers inside the large green tent sitting on folding iron chairs.
"So, Israel has invincible soldiers? How many of them are estimated?" one of the Arab military officers asks.
"Perhaps hundreds. Their numbers are vast. One way to counter invincible soldiers is to destroy Israel," explains Zawaq.
"Impossible. This means we need to win the Arab-Israeli war," says one of the Arab military officers.
"The British support Israel militarily, financially, and with supplies, while they don't directly help the Arabs," another officer responds.
"I can help in fighting against the invincible Israeli soldiers," says Zawaq.
"We will provide support in terms of weaponry," says another Arab officer.
"The Israeli invincible soldiers are indeed formidable. Even armored vehicles are ineffective against them. I have been showered with bombs dropped by the Israeli air force and yet remained unscathed," Zawaq explains.
The Arab military officers look at each other. They all exhale deeply.
"We won't let you fight alone. We need more reports about you," says the chief Arab military officer.
"I don't want more people to sacrifice," says Zawaq.
"We can't refrain from sending troops to support you. We need to mobilize troops no matter what, or we will be punished by higher-ups," explains the chief Arab military officer.
"Alright, typically Israel sends ten invincible soldiers. The rest are ordinary human soldiers. Let me fight the ten invincible Israeli soldiers. Your soldiers can handle the rest," Zawaq suggests.
"Okay, we'll arrange our troops," says the chief officer.
After that, Zawaq sits on a rock outside the base. Zaqwan walks up to Zawaq while they are both being watched by the duty soldiers.
"What are you doing?" Zaqwan asks Zawaq.
"I'm keeping an eye on the surroundings," Zawaq responds.
"Without binoculars?" Zaqwan asks."I can see far without using binoculars. My eyes are as sharp as an eagle's." Zawaq replies.
"Impressive. Do you see anything?" Zaqwan asks.
"So far, nothing yet," Zawaq answers.
"Hey, I've read about your background. I investigated by asking the headquarters," Zaqwan explains.
"So, what do you know?" asks Zawaq.
"Your father is a Palestinian Jew. Your mother is an Israeli Jew. I found out your father converted to the Hanif religion but moved to Israel using his old identity where he was still Jewish. Including your mother, she was originally Jewish but converted to Hanif religion along with your father," Zaqwan explains.
"What? Are my parents traitors?" Zawaq is shocked to hear Zaqwan's explanation
a."I don't think your parents are traitors to Palestine. They must have their own reasons." Zaqwan replies.
"Are you sure?" Zawaq asks.
"Ask your own parents. Are they still alive?" Zaqwan asks.
"My parents... are still alive," Zawaq answers.
"You should go back to Israel. Get answers from your parents. Whether they side with Palestine or Israel. So, are you Hanif like us?" Zaqwan asks Zawaq.
"I don't have any religion. My parents didn't teach me anything," Zawaq replies.
"Weird," says Zaqwan, then sits beside Zawaq.
"I have many questions for my parents. I hope they are safe there because I betrayed Israel," Zawaq says.
"Why did you betray Israel?" Zaqwan asks Zawaq.
"They kill children. Civilians, not soldiers. I'm a doctor. I should save lives, but I've helped Israel kill innocent people by providing treatment and contributing to Israel's violence with experimental research," Zawaq explains.
"Experimental research?" Zaqwan asks.
"I'm the one who created invincible humans," confesses Zawaq.
Zaqwan's eyes widen at Zawaq's confession. His mouth hangs open.
"You caused all this? The chaos caused by invincible enemies is because of you?" Zaqwan asks.
"I'm sorry. I'm no longer involved. I'm now against Israel," says Zawaq.
"Terrible. Truly terrible," says Zaqwan, then stands up from beside Zawaq.
"I informed your superiors. They asked me to create invincible humans for Arabs, but I refused. I don't want more violence to happen," Zawaq adds.
"Are you still siding with Israel? Why don't you contribute yourself to the Arabs if you truly regret creating invincible Israeli soldiers?" Zaqwan asks Zawaq.
"If I share my knowledge, the whole world will have invincible humans. The world will be destroyed, and there will be no life left," Zawaq answers.
"So? How do we oppose Israel when they have such extraordinary power that they can dominate the world?" Zaqwan asks Zawaq with frustration.
"I will oppose them myself," Zawaq replies.
"You're injured yourself, and I've been the one treating you," Zaqwan responds angrily.
"I will continue to oppose them even if I die," Zawaq asserts.
"If you die, no one can oppose Israel!" Zaqwan says angrily.
"In that case, I won't let myself die. I want to keep living to destroy Israel!" Zawaq responds with determination.
"Even if everyone around you dies?" Zaqwan asks Zawaq.
Zawaq falls silent.
"Your parents are in Israel. And you betrayed Israel. Do you know your parents will die?" Zaqwan says.
"I will save them," says Zawaq.
"Just consider your parents already dead since you betrayed Israel." Zaqwan suggests.
Zawaq sits quietly on the rock, looking at the desert ground. Zaqwan observes Zawaq's contemplation after hearing Zaqwan's statement.
"Now you're alone. Do you still want to continue the fight for humanity?" Zaqwan asks Zawaq.
"I will continue no matter what," says Zawaq, turning his face away to hide his emotions.
"I'm sorry too, Zawaq. I was too harsh on you," Zaqwan says to Zawaq, then walks away leaving Zawaq alone.
Inside a large green tent, the Arab military officers sit on folding chairs, looking at each other.
"The headquarters has deployed thirty elite soldiers to crush the invincible Israeli soldiers," says the base commander.
"Is it futile? Did you request assistance from headquarters?" one of the Arab officers asks.
"No. This is the headquarters' decision. After hearing our report, they immediately announced that they will strike Israel relentlessly," explains the base commander.
"The invincible Israeli soldiers will withstand bullets! How do they plan to defeat Israel?" another Arab officer asks anxiously.
"Don't worry, we will hear the results in a week or two. Thirty elite soldiers will arrive here to hear our report and explanations. We will inform them of everything so they can use knowledge as a weapon," says the base commander.
"You know yourself that killing the invincible Israeli soldiers is impossible!" argues one of the Arab officers.
"The invincible Israeli soldiers can still be killed," the base commander cuts off the officer's statement.
All the Arab military officers in front of the base commander are shocked to hear his statement.
"Everything that lives will die. Zawaq knows how to kill the invincible Israeli soldiers even though he doesn't share how to create them," explains the base commander.
"Even if we know how to kill the Israeli invincible soldiers, it won't be easy. I'm afraid none of our thirty elite soldiers will survive," says another Arab officer.
"We can only do our best and trust in god. We will equip them adequately for the thirty elite soldiers who will arrive in one or two weeks," says the base commander.
At night, Palestinian refugees, adults, and children, board military trucks from behind. Zawaq helps to load their necessities into the truck.
"I will come back stronger," says a small-bodied boy, holding his own collar.
"You are already strong. Grow up anywhere you are. Remember your roots. Pursue knowledge. Tell the outside world what you have experienced, oh little one. Be human," Zawaq responds to the boy and ruffles his hair.
"I will come back! Stronger and grown-up!" the boy shouts.
The rear barrier of the military truck is closed and locked with a loud metallic sound. Zawaq smiles.The military truck drives away from the military base area.