In the shadowed confines of a dank and cold prison cell, two soldiers clad in the uniforms of the National Defense Forces forcefully swung open the heavy iron door. Lieutenant Colonel Gascol, followed closely by Akkado, stepped into the dimly lit space. In the corner of the cell, a figure shrank back upon their entrance. The man, evidently accustomed to mistreatment during his imprisonment, did not scream or resist; instead, he curled up tighter, his eyes wary and watchful.
"Mr. Sherman, if I'm not mistaken, this is our first formal meeting," Akkado said, a smile playing on his lips as he approached the huddled figure. "I'm quite pleased to see you here."
"Are you, Akkado? Rudolph?" The man in the corner, former Deputy Prime Minister Sherman, squinted up at Akkado, his voice tinged with scorn. "What are you doing here? Come to mock me?"
"Well, that's one reason," Akkado replied cheerfully. "One of my plans hit a snag, so I thought I'd come here to unwind."
Sherman snorted disdainfully. "You'll end up here too, sooner or later! Locked up and then hanged with piano wire! You're all deluded, but in truth, you are the greatest disaster to ever befall Germany!"
"Let's discuss that, shall we? Why am I the greatest disaster in Germany?" Akkado asked, the innocence in his smile belying the sharpness of his gaze. He pulled over a chair, sat down, and faced Sherman. "Go on, enlighten me. It'll make me happier when I finally dispose of you."
"I've seen war! I know its horrors! Your secret expansions of the military will only drag the German people into misery! You'll be the death of us all! Am I wrong?" Sherman shouted, his voice echoing off the stone walls.
Akkado nodded thoughtfully. "That's merely your speculation. If we're speaking of assumptions, I could just as easily claim that I'm leading the German people to strength, couldn't I?"
"Sophistry! You're just a sophist, a liar! We've been defeated, and you know better than anyone the price we paid in the last war! How many loyal generals and officials died in disbelief at our defeat! We haven't even recovered, and here you are, ready to march us all to our graves again!" Sherman's voice rose in anger, his handcuffs clinking as he shook them.
Akkado laughed heartily. "Time will prove everything, not your conjectures."
"Wait until you're proven wrong! It'll be too late then! Germany will fall into the abyss because of your ambition!" Sherman spat, his gaze venomous. "And what will you use to atone for your sins?"
"And what about you, Sherman? What will you use to atone for your own failures?" Akkado retorted with a smirk.
"Me?" Sherman paused, taken aback. "What have I done wrong?"
"You had the chance to eliminate me, the so-called 'demon,' yet you failed. You were given power by the German people, and you failed to overthrow the 'demon' and save Germany from ruin. Aren't you even more to blame?" Akkado's smile widened as he prodded further.
"You... You're absurd!" Sherman lunged forward in a rage, only to be forcefully kicked back into the corner by Gascol.
Akkado stood, brushing off his coat. "Time will indeed prove everything, Sherman. When I make Germany invincible, I hope you'll be alive to take responsibility for your words today. Lieutenant Colonel Gascol, don't kill him. I want him alive for a bit longer."
Gascol nodded, and as Akkado concluded his visit, two defense captains stepped forward, menacing grins on their faces and leather batons in hand. Behind them, a medic with a medical kit stood by, a silent observer to the unfolding cruelty.
Akkado left the cell without a backward glance, the sounds of a beating and Sherman's hysterical screams echoing down the corridor.
Outside the prison, Akkado inquired about another prisoner, Miss Gris, who was kept in confinement due to her knowledge of the "Pluto Project." Gascol reported that they were treating her well, providing meals, newspapers, and books, as per Akkado's orders.
Akkado sighed, a mix of regret and resolve in his voice. "I promised Grace a significant sum of money, which I ended up allocating to the National Defense Force. I'm sorry for her."
"General," Gascol began, a hint of suggestion in his tone, but Akkado cut him off.
"Just keep her locked up. If I succeed one day, I'll see her then."
As Akkado walked away, his thoughts were already shifting to the broader schemes and machinations that awaited his attention, the personal tragedies he orchestrated a mere footnote in his grand vision for Germany's future.
"Colonel Smith," Akado began, lounging comfortably on the sofa with a glass of wine in hand, clearly pleased with his recent financial successes. Doubling one's money in a few months would leave anyone feeling quite fulfilled. "It seems your government has been facing some difficulties lately."
"Indeed, it has been quite challenging," Smith replied, shaking his head. He took a moment before adding, "I've heard you've been quite successful with your companies, making some good money."
Akado laughed, waving his hand dismissively. "That's just pocket change, nothing worth mentioning. Let's focus on why you've come to see me in such a hurry."
Smith sighed, "Due to the heavy financial burdens, we intend to withdraw all personnel, including military and observers, from the demilitarized zone along the Rhine."
"This is very interesting," Akado said, setting down his glass and adopting a more serious tone. "Will the British be the only ones withdrawing, or are France and Belgium considering this as well?"
"The Belgian government is still undecided, but they are considering it. The French, however, seem to have no plans to withdraw, though the economic crisis is hitting them hard too," Smith explained, taking a sip of his wine.
"You know, General Akado, after years of effort and a bit of luck, Germans like you have almost overcome all the setbacks caused by the war. Personally, I hope you maintain a rational approach and a good relationship with France."
"Of course!" Akado nodded. "On certain issues, our countries indeed share common ground, don't they?"
As soon as Smith left, Secretary Anna, who had been silent until then, looked at Akado with a puzzled expression. "General, will the British really finalize the diplomatic consensus in three days and withdraw their last military personnel and observers from the Rhine Demilitarized Zone?"
"It appears so," Akado confirmed. "Ask Sindra to assist me this afternoon; I have a meeting with the French ambassador to Germany."
"Anna, call Depp to prepare the car!" Akado commanded. "Take me to the presidential palace; it looks like we're in for some significant operations in the coming days."
At the presidential palace, President Hindenburg was poring over a stack of reports, visibly distressed. The economic crisis had swept through Germany, impacting numerous companies and adding to his burdens as the nation's leader. However, he found some solace in the fact that the National Defense Force had been relatively quiet over the past six months, sparing him additional headaches and financial demands.
It was during these trying times that General Rudolph Akado, a high-ranking officer in the IDF, approached Hindenburg with a proposal. Hindenburg was not particularly pleased to see him; Akado usually meant trouble or demands for more resources.
"Take it slow, General Akado," Hindenburg said, raising his hand to pause Akado's hurried speech. "Is it my hearing, or have you lost your mind?"
"You heard correctly, and I am perfectly sane, President Hindenburg. This is a golden opportunity for us to regain control of the Rhine Demilitarized Zone! If we seize it, we'll be hailed as heroes in German history," Akado explained fervently.
"Germany currently has only 300,000 regular troops, with more than half stationed near Poland and along the unstable Czechoslovak border," Hindenburg countered, furrowing his brow. "If war breaks out, the French could easily overpower our forces on the Western Front within months, and we would be doomed!"
He stepped closer to Akado, looking him in the eye. "Trust me, Akado, we wouldn't even qualify as sinners, let alone heroes. We'd both end up executed. I'm old—it doesn't matter much for me, but are you willing to risk everything, including your young life?"
"President Hindenburg, I've always assured you that my actions are for the strength and well-being of our country. I'm willing to sacrifice everything for it," Akado declared, standing firm.
"No matter your assurances, I cannot endorse your plan. Don't just think about potential victories; consider the costs we'd have to bear," Hindenburg said, patting Akado on the shoulder. "There aren't many true patriots like you, which is why I tolerate your impulses and keep you in your position. Do you understand?"
"Please, just consider my plan," Akado persisted.
"I'm tired, boy! I need to rest. The economic crisis weighs more heavily on us than you might think. Unless I die, you'd better forget your damned plan," Hindenburg concluded, dismissing the proposal.
Outside the presidential palace, Gascoll and Heidrich awaited news anxiously. "Did President Hindenburg agree to our plan?" Gascoll asked.
Akado shook his head. "No, he rejected it. It looks like we'll have to proceed on our own."
"The SS can take direct action in those areas," Heidrich suggested eagerly, his eyes alight with zeal. "My men are as capable as the regular army and even more loyal."
"I believe that," Akado acknowledged, pausing to consider. "But this time, we're not aiming for a secretive or militaristic takeover. We need to sway public opinion and build confidence in our actions."
"I still need your help, though," Akado continued. "Have your Gestapo and SS operatives, dressed in civilian clothes, distribute leaflets in the Rhine Demilitarized Zone to foster a welcoming atmosphere for the return of the National Defense Forces."
"And you, Gascoll, your main task is to engage with the forces deployed in France and lobby the French government at a high level to abandon the Rhine Demilitarized Zone. Even if it seems impossible, we need to shake their resolve to stay," Akado instructed.
"Understood, General!" Gascoll saluted.
"For the rest, return to the Defence Forces Command," Akado concluded, descending the stairs. As his car drove him back to base, he dialed the divisional telephone of the 15th Division in the suburbs of Berlin.
"Major Ren! This is Akado. I order you to use frequent exercises as a pretext to mobilize troops and enforce martial law throughout Berlin in three days. Secure the presidential palace," he commanded.
"Long live the Great German Party! I will execute this order, General! But I must ask—why take such a risk by surrounding the presidential palace?" Ren queried, though he immediately accepted the order.
Akado smiled slightly. "In three days, I will order our troops to enter the Rhine Demilitarized Zone."
"General, this plan is very risky. Are you certain?" Ren's voice wavered with a mix of excitement and fear.
"I'm doing what I believe is necessary for Germany's power. I can't promise anything specific, but I need real warriors to stand with me. The French will retreat—I'm confident in that. Trust me," Akado reassured him.
"Understood, General Akado! The 15th Division will follow your orders and hold Berlin to the last," Ren affirmed.
"Thank you," Akado said, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple as he took the first step in his bold plan. He then made further calls to prepare other divisions, emphasizing the importance of their actions and the need for discretion.
As the sun set, Akado hung up the phone, his gaze lingering on Gascoll and Heidrich. "Gentlemen, now we wait for the news."
This was a significant gamble, advancing plans by over six years, and Akado had not informed many of his usual contacts or even most military seniors. For the first time in a long while, he acted without certainty of the outcome, driven by his vision for Germany's future.