Betrayal

It was as if fate itself had intervened at the most opportune moment, like a pillow offered to a sleepy traveler. The Hadra family, once prominent and affluent, met a tragic end that shook the very foundations of their empire. In a time of dire financial straits for the IDF (International Defense Force), the Hadras had generously extended a substantial financial lifeline. However, this act of goodwill would soon be overshadowed by a series of brutal events.

One fateful afternoon, a group of SS soldiers, donned in stormtrooper garb, violently stormed into the longstanding residence of the Hadra family. The attack was merciless and comprehensive, sparing none within the household. The massacre didn't end there; news soon broke that another member of the Hadra family, who had been engaged in negotiations in Munich, was assassinated in his vehicle. A month later, the youngest of the Hadra lineage was apprehended and subsequently murdered in a basement within the Ruhr district. Despite these horrific events, the IDF proceeded to partition and seize the Hadra family's extensive assets.

With strategic assistance from the Bai Lanhua Group, Merkel swiftly monopolized the pharmaceutical industry across much of Western Europe, effectively absorbing the entirety of the Hadra family's industrial empire. The National Defense Army, on the other hand, secured a significant cash infusion, bolstering its military capabilities considerably.

Though the official narrative painted these events as the workings of the Nazi Party, whispers of the truth circulated among the well-informed. They knew that the Hadra family's demise was intricately linked to the division of their wealth by the IDF and that the executioners were heavily armed. Moreover, it was confirmed that the IDF had detained the grandson of the first unfortunate head of the Hadra family. However, these informed individuals chose silence over disclosure, swayed by the lucrative distribution of the Hadra family's other major business venture in food, masterfully managed by Akado.

Despite the underlying discontent among many Jews regarding the slaughter of the Hadras, their ongoing strife with Hitler's Nazi regime left them reluctant to antagonize another formidable adversary like the Great German Party. After assurances were made to no longer target Jews, Rupp opted to erase this grim chapter from memory.

Thanks to the financial backing from the IDF, the group was once again oblivious to the actual cost of their expenditures. They not only cleared most of their debts but also invested in advanced weaponry and equipment, including funding for cutting-edge secret fighter jets.

Meanwhile, Akado was hosting a clandestine meeting with the newly appointed commander of the Soviet Union's Leningrad Military Region, Tukhachevsky, who had also arrived as part of a secret Soviet delegation to Germany. Tukhachevsky, a pivotal figure in Soviet military strategy, had been instrumental in fostering covert cooperation between Germany and the Soviet Union. He had championed the development of the Soviet Union's first-generation tanks, drawing inspiration from the French Renault FT-17, and had played a significant role in enhancing the Soviet Union's military and industrial infrastructure.

At the newly established Joint Staff Headquarters of the General Command of the National Defense Forces, the two "Akkados" from differing nations convened. Tukhachevsky, with his characteristic Soviet exuberance, embraced Akado warmly, commenting on his rapid rise through the ranks to Lieutenant General. The jovial atmosphere briefly masked the underlying tensions of their respective agendas.

Tukhachevsky was straightforward in his intentions, proposing three cooperation agreements involving military, industrial, and naval collaborations. Despite the vast oil reserves discovered in the Middle East, the extraction and transportation challenges meant that Germany and much of Europe still depended heavily on oil from Romania and the Soviet Union. However, Germany's current reserves were sufficient, thanks to previous technical collaborations, which included substantial oil acquisitions.

Akado, aware of the Soviet Union's dwindling foreign exchange reserves, listened as Tukhachevsky outlined the Soviet needs, which included the acquisition of German military vehicles, precision equipment, and assistance in developing a formidable submarine fleet. The discussion highlighted the mutual benefits of their continued partnership, with Tukhachevsky eagerly pushing for the purchase of German submarines and military hardware, revealing the Soviet ambition to bolster their naval capabilities significantly.

As their meeting concluded, plans were made for further discussions and visits to military sites. Tukhachevsky's parting words, filled with a hopeful vision of enduring friendship between their nations, resonated with Akado as they bid each other farewell.

In the aftermath of the meeting, while Tukhachevsky directed his team to prepare for the integration of German technological insights, Akado turned his attention to other potential alliances, signaling to his British contacts a readiness to engage in lucrative deals involving oil and timber.

The intricate dance of diplomacy and covert operations continued, with each player maneuvering for advantage in a world driven by power, wealth, and strategic alliances. The shadows of the Hadra family tragedy lingered, a stark reminder of the ruthless lengths to which entities would go to secure their dominion and influence.

In the dimly lit room, Goebbels sat sullenly, his hands wrapped around a coffee cup, his expression one of deep despondency. The atmosphere was heavy, almost suffocating, as if the shadows themselves were steeped in gloom. "He is becoming stronger with every move he makes," Goebbels muttered to himself, his voice laced with a mix of fear and resignation.

Nearby, another voice, sharp and filled with a bitter edge, cut through the dimness. "I cannot accept this! I refuse to be defeated in such a manner! I must try again! Yes, I must try once more to see if I can defeat him!" The speaker was none other than Adolf Hitler, the infamous leader of the Nazi Party. Recently absent from the public eye, he appeared somewhat thinner now, his pale face hinting at a recent illness, yet his eyes burned with a feverish intensity.

Despite the outward strength of the Nazi Party, which was still seen as a formidable contender in Germany's upcoming parliamentary elections and had even begun to outshine the Deutsche Party and the Social Democratic Party in some remote areas, Hitler harbored a deep-seated fear of his opponent, Akado. This fear had seeped into the very core of the Nazi Party, sapping the usual ferocity from leaders like the stormtroopers' chief, Roma, whose once fearsome forces now seemed diminished under the shadow of the SS, led by Heinrich Himmler.

"It's all set! I've passed along the information; our contact will turn the tide for us within days," Goebbels said, a flicker of cunning pride crossing his features as he swirled the coffee in his cup. "This time, we'll strike at the National Defense Force again! Let's see if Akado can pull off another miracle!"

"You mean?" Hitler asked, his interest piqued as he leaned forward.

"That man is staunchly anti-war. He's one of the few German politicians fully supportive of keeping the IDF limited to 100,000 troops. He even denounced Akado as a traitor to Germany when the 'New Versailles Peace Treaty' was signed," Goebbels explained with a sly grin. "Imagine his reaction if he learns of the secret expansion of the Wehrmacht. Wouldn't he explode with rage?"

"Indeed! If he stirs up enough trouble, Britain and France might even get involved. That could be our chance to bring down the Great German Party!" Hitler's eyes lit up with a renewed sense of purpose as he sprang from the sofa. "I must prepare for this. We need to ensure this scandal is as messy as possible. That way, we can secure our position in the next Congressional election!"

"This document," Hitler said, rummaging through the papers on the table and handing one to Goebbels, "is a copy of the 'Pluto Project,' obtained by French intelligence from within the British government. It's not comprehensive, but the evidence is undeniable. He won't be able to deny this!"

Goebbels scanned the document, nodding slowly. "This will undoubtedly put Germany in a precarious diplomatic position, but if it means building the Germany of our dreams, temporary sacrifices are necessary."

"Can the government support us? We are practically declaring ourselves the enemy," Hitler asked, his voice tinged with hesitation. He deeply loved Germany, the motherland that had shaped him, and he was committed to fighting for its rise to power.

"Rest assured, my Führer! The government also wants to regain control over the IDF. It has become too independent, too audacious. Bringing it back under government oversight is something many officials agree on," Goebbels reassured him, understanding the bureaucrats' desires to manipulate the military forces.

---

Meanwhile, in a different setting, Akado was hosting General Tukhachevsky, showcasing a unit of German soldiers. "Akado, my old friend, I must say, the unit you've shown me might as well be your honor guard," Tukhachevsky joked, yawning as he gestured towards the soldiers performing drills.

Laughing heartily, Akado replied, "General, here we focus on discipline rather than combat skills. That's what we emphasize on your side when training German soldiers."

Tukhachevsky, however, seemed unimpressed. "They remind me of Soviet veterans from five years ago. They're competent, no doubt, but you've hidden the real powerhouses, haven't you? Divisions filled with tanks and heavy artillery."

Akado sighed inwardly. His Soviet counterpart was no fool, keenly aware of the unspoken strengths and strategies. "I can only show you so much, General. Most of our cooperation must remain confidential, especially since neither the UK nor France wants a resurgent Germany."

"Indeed, they fear a strong Germany just as they fear a strong Soviet Union. But as long as our friendship endures, they will soon witness the rise of both our nations," Tukhachevsky stated confidently, his voice carrying a hint of defiance.

As they continued their discussion, a lieutenant hurried over, interrupting them with urgent news. He whispered anxiously into the ear of Akado's secretary, Sindra, who approached with a grave expression.

"General," Sindra said, glancing at Tukhachevsky before continuing, "troubling news from the Congress. Former Prime Minister, now MP Sherman, has publicly accused the National Defense Forces of colluding with the Soviet Union, violating the Versailles Peace Treaty, and secretly expanding the military. This could threaten global security."

Stunned, Akado felt a sharp pain clutch at his chest, as if the very breath were being squeezed from his lungs. In that moment, the weight of betrayal and political intrigue bore down upon him, threatening to crush his spirit. He had navigated a labyrinth of adversaries, only to be undermined by his own countrymen. The irony was as bitter as gall, and for the first time, he understood the literal taste of blood in one's mouth from sheer stress and shock.