Fire

After Akado spoke, he sank into deep thought, and a heavy silence enveloped the room. No one dared to break the stillness. Eventually, Akado shattered the tense atmosphere. He waved his hand wearily and said in a soft tone, "Leave now! I'm tired." Reluctantly, everyone turned to exit the room. Just as they reached the door, Akado seemed to recall something and commanded, "Gascoll, stay behind! I have a task for you. The rest of you, leave."

Gascoll turned back and approached Akado's desk while Anna closed the office door behind her, leaving just the two of them in the room. Gascoll stood at attention and asked, "Mr. Prime Minister, what orders do you have for me?"

Akado was silent for a moment, his expression one of deep contemplation, almost as if he was wrestling with a significant decision. Finally, he spoke, "Regarding that top-secret plan, I asked you to find a suitable person. Have you found someone?"

"I have," Gascoll replied, his eyebrows raised slightly. The gravity of the situation made him cautious, prompting him to carefully choose his words. "Mr. Prime Minister, is this the right time to implement this plan? It seems a bit..."

"There's no other way! We must launch this plan ahead of schedule," Akado interrupted, waving dismissively. "Our enemies are close to destroying us. We must act during these perilous times."

"But, Mr. Prime Minister, the plan was to wait until President Hindenburg was incapacitated," Gascoll noted with caution.

Akado pulled an enlarged photo of a medical record out of his desk drawer. "I retrieved this from the president's office this morning. I personally got it from the guard. Hindenburg is gravely ill."

Gascoll examined the photo, nodding slowly. "The man I found is ideal. He's deeply committed to the communist cause and is eager to make a significant impact."

"Are you certain he has the courage to go through with it?" Akado pressed for confirmation.

"Yes, I'm quite sure. He could even act tonight if necessary. Should I alert the local police and guards?"

"No need," Akado stood abruptly. "A small sacrifice may be necessary for a greater victory. Let's proceed tonight. Prepare two sniper teams and leave no survivors."

"Yes, sir!" Gascoll responded crisply, then turned and left the office.

Later that night, as the world slept, two patrolling guards trudged down an empty corridor, their flashlights cutting through the darkness and their boots echoing on the tile floor.

"Ruby, those mashed potatoes at dinner were too watery. Even though they're better than what many get, it's still a sign of worsening times," one guard complained, yawning.

"Quit your whining! If it weren't for the Grand German Party and Prime Minister Akado, we'd be far worse off. Be grateful for what you have," Ruby retorted, also yawning.

"So, I'm a rich man in France?" the first guard joked, puffing out his chest.

Suddenly, Ruby halted, shining his flashlight ahead. "Who's there?" he called out, spotting a large potted plant that seemed oddly out of place.

"Don't scare me! It's just a plant," the first guard said, shining his light on it. "Must be the wind."

"We're indoors! How can it be the wind? Let's check it out," Ruby insisted, starting to jog towards the suspicious area.

"Wait for me! Hey, Ruby, should we sound the alarm?" the first guard called after him.

Ruby blew his whistle as he ran toward the end of the corridor, where he found a window open and the curtains fluttering strangely as if caught in a breeze.

"I'm out of breath," the first guard panted, catching up. "What's that smell? Barbecue?"

Soon, more guards arrived, and they traced the smell to an office door, beneath which a faint light glowed.

"It's a fire!" Ruby shouted. "Quick, call the fire department!"

The alarm blared as they kicked the door open, only to find the office beyond recognition, the fire already spreading to the ceiling.

"Fight the fire!" the guards rallied, attempting to contain the blaze with buckets and wet cloths, but the fire was relentless.

"This is the Capitol! We've been targeted!" the captain of the guard shouted into the phone, calling for backup from the police and military. But before he could complete his calls, the line went dead.

Meanwhile, a man in a gray trench coat hurried through an alley near the Capitol, glancing nervously behind him. Two SS officers stepped into his path, one brandishing a submachine gun.

"Mr. Flokhovsky, in such a hurry? Where might you be going?" one officer asked sardonically.

Before Flokhovsky could reply, more SS troops appeared, blocking his retreat.

"You're not going anywhere, Mr. Flokhovsky," the lead SS officer stated coldly. "Take him, but keep him alive."

Back in his office, Akado received an update from Gascoll. "Mr. Prime Minister, President Hindenburg has departed for East Prussia by plane tonight. His doctor fears he may not survive the journey."

"The president's actions are irrelevant now," Akado replied, a complex mix of emotions crossing his face. "Everything depends on tonight."

"Report!" Reinhardt Heidrich entered after knocking. "Sir, we've captured the man. All is proceeding well."

Akado's vigor seemed to return instantly. He stood, energized. "Notify Fanny to arrange a press conference for the confession and trial. Also, inform General Brousic to enforce martial law with the 15th Division in Berlin."

He then turned to Anna, "Seal all routes in and out of Berlin. No one gets in or out."

Looking back at Heidrich, he added, "Select your best men. Seize all records and assets of the conspirators. Imprison them until we decide their fate."

Waving a document, Akado declared, "Tomorrow, I will propose a bill to Congress that will strip the opposition party of their electoral rights. All legislative powers will be assumed by the executive branch, which will also amend the constitution. Freedom of speech, assembly, and the press will be temporarily suspended."

Gascoll and Heidrich's faces lit up with anticipation. The power they were about to wield was immense. Together, they saluted, their voices resounding through the room, "Long live Akado!"