In the dead of night, within the quiet residence of President Friedrich Ebert, a sudden, dull crack shattered the silence. The door was forcibly opened as two IDF soldiers in heavy leather boots stormed in. Soon after, dozens more soldiers flooded into the house, their guns ready as they encircled a bewildered Ebert and his family at the center of their home.
Commander Akado, with a deliberate slap of his gloves against his left leg, strode into the living room with a chilling smile. He glanced over at Ebert and announced, "Hello, former President Mr. Ebert, you have been arrested!"
"Asshole! Do you realize what you're doing? This is a coup! You are attacking the German president! You are committing treason!" Ebert retorted, his face pale with anger and disbelief.
"What a coincidence," Akado laughed mockingly. "Ebert, you're the one who committed treason! How does it feel to have your own accusations thrown back at you?"
"I committed treason? How could I possibly betray my own country?" Ebert responded with a sneer, his voice dripping with scorn. "You are the ones framing me! This is a shameful excuse for a coup!"
Akado, nonchalantly choosing a sofa, sat down and propped his legs up. "Then explain to me, Mr. Ebert, why you and Secretary Simman called the Coalition Arms Control Committee in the middle of the night? What was that about?"
"It was indeed my report! But I did not betray Germany! It is you, the despicable defense forces, who have betrayed our nation! You have turned Germany barren!" Ebert fumed, his wife gently pulling at his hand in an attempt to calm him. "You continue to increase military spending, squandering money on gas-guzzling vehicles and secretly funding the development of new weapons! I exposed you to protect Germany's future!"
Standing tall and fearless, Ebert stared down Akado. "Especially you! You've been expanding the National Defense Force with the ulterior motive of violating the Versailles Treaty, sentencing the German economy to death! Your damned 'Pluto Plan' disgusts me! I wish I could hang you from a telephone pole!"
He continued passionately, "If the Allied Arms Control Commission takes stricter control over the National Defense Forces, they will be forced to abandon their exaggerated armament plans. This would free up government funds to rebuild our country!"
Akado sneered in response, "Oh, but your actions with the coalition arms control committee failed and led to the catastrophic downfall of the Ruhr industrial zone, causing unprecedented losses to Germany! You have become the country's greatest sinner!"
"I am not guilty! The crimes are yours, Akado! It's your secret expansions that have caused these problems!" Ebert yelled hysterically.
"You are wrong! All this happened because Germany's military was too weak to defend our nation, and now we suffer this disgrace. But I am planning our retaliation, rest assured," Akado said, rising from his seat.
"You! You bastard! I want to see Seekert! He won't let you get away with this!" Ebert shouted.
Akado approached Ebert, leaning in to whisper, "I embezzled public funds to buy over a dozen companies, generating nearly a million in profits monthly to support a secret expansion of the defense forces. Even Seekert doesn't know. One day, Germany will rise to become the world's leading power."
Ebert froze, staring at Akado with incredulity. "Tell me, is all this really for Germany?"
Akado nodded solemnly. "You are going to die, I have no reason to lie to a dead man. Everything is for the birth of a superpower."
With that, Akado stepped back, waved his hand, and gave the order: "Fire."
"Akado! You devil! You destroyer of Germany! One day you will be hanged by the German people!" Ebert watched in horror as the surrounding soldiers raised their rifles, cocked their guns, and aimed at him. The room fell into a deadly silence.
The first shot rang out, followed by a second, then a third, fourth, and finally, a barrage of gunfire. On the night of November 7, 1923, German President Friedrich Ebert was secretly executed in his home by the Wehrmacht. He and his wife were killed by 25 shots on their living room sofa.
Akado approached Ebert's body, reaching out to close his eyes. "I'm sorry, no one can stop the revival of Germany. Rest in peace, and don't be my enemy in your next life."
Exiting Ebert's home, Akado climbed into a car. "Go to Marshal Hindenburg," he ordered the driver. Late at night, German Army Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, resting in bed, was alerted by his guards. A Colonel named Akado Rudolf had come to visit, claiming an urgent situation that required Hindenburg's immediate attention. The guard, initially intending to dismiss the junior officer, reconsidered upon seeing Akado's car followed by a truck and at least 20 heavily armed soldiers. Sensibly, he allowed Akado to proceed.
"Akado, I remember you! Weren't you promoted by my nomination? It seems no one has taught you manners recently! Don't you know it's rude to disturb an old marshal at midnight?" Hindenburg grumbled.
"Marshal, I apologize for the late disturbance. President Ebert has betrayed the National Defense Forces and his country! I had to come," Akado explained, his expression grave.
"What? You woke me in the middle of the night to tell me a joke? Ebert betrayed the National Defense Force? Betrayed my country? Do you realize that such nonsense could cost you your head?" Hindenburg said, frowning deeply.
"Marshal, President Ebert has indeed betrayed the National Defense Forces and obstructed the Pluto Project. The evidence is solid. General Sikter approved my arrest of Ebert. Unfortunately, he and his family resisted arrest, and now he and his wife have been killed," Akado reported, his forehead beaded with sweat as he awaited Hindenburg's response.
After processing the information, Hindenburg stood up, his gaze piercing as he seemed to try to read Akado's true intentions. After a moment, he asked, "You ordered the death of the president?"
"No, Your Excellency Marshal, I ordered the death of a traitor to the German people," Akado replied solemnly.
"And what do you expect now?" Hindenburg inquired, "Credit for this action? A promotion because you killed the president?"
"Marshal, I know you've been preparing for the next presidential election. The National Defense Force will fully support you. By tomorrow morning, you will control Berlin, and Germany will welcome their new President, Marshal Hindenburg," Akado stated confidently.
The room fell into a lengthy silence. Hindenburg sat back, his hand on his chin, contemplating deeply. Ebert was dead, and the presidential seat was now vacant. Aligning with this ambitious young man seemed more beneficial than exposing him.
"Can I trust you, Colonel Akado?" Hindenburg finally asked, breaking the tense silence.
Without responding verbally, Akado walked over to the phone, picked it up, and commanded loudly, "Get me the 15th Division... Leo! This is Akado! Command the troops to take control of Berlin! Marshal Hindenburg is now the president of Germany!"
Hindenburg straightened his uniform and smiled as he watched Akado, "Keep Ebert's death a secret. I'll speak to Seekert on your behalf; you won't face any consequences. From today, you answer directly to me."
Akado laughed, knowing his gamble had paid off. His actions had prematurely placed Hindenburg in the presidency, advancing his career and granting him greater independence.
On the morning of November 8, 1923, the National Defense Force and several government officials announced that President Ebert and his wife had been attacked and killed by unknown assailants on the night of November 7. The German government then declared an emergency, appointing the highly respected former German Army Marshal Paul von Hindenburg as the new President of Germany, effective immediately.
When General Seekert received the news in his office, he dropped his favorite coffee cup and cursed Akado for half an hour. However, once Hindenburg's personal secretary confirmed Hindenburg's support for Akado, Seekert reluctantly ordered Akado to take command of the newly formed 22nd Division near Berlin.
As Akado dragged his exhausted body back to his apartment, satisfied with the night's outcomes, an unexpected knock came at his door.
"Who is it?" Akado called, signaling to his aide to open the door.
"I've come to surrender to you, Colonel Akado. Rudolph," said the man standing outside, a smile playing on his lips.