Retribution

Circa 2004

The U.S. silently destroyed chemical weapons they found in Iraq. These chemical munitions were manfucatured prior to the first Gulf war. The bombs were built by European countries and filled with western made chemicals, many from America. Explosive Ordinance Disposal units (EOD) disposed of these explosive chemical weapons. Many American EOD soldiers were exposed to sarin, mustard, and other nerve agents.

Our protagonist’s (Octavius) father died when he was 12. His mother raises him. He loves her dearly despite her heartbreak and developing psychosis.

Similarly, our antagonist has lost many people, only for her it was her own children, grandchildren, and husband. This is what transforms her from a “freedom fighter” to a terrorist. These background stories offer parallels between the antagonist and the protagonist’s mother. This causes the protagonist to empathize with the antagonist in a deep, son-to-mother way.