Chapter 45: SS
At night, 129 Potsdamer Strasse appeared as an unassuming building. Inside, the dimly lit room was cluttered with various pieces of exercise equipment. Dumbbells were carelessly thrown into one corner, and a long sword used for fencing was mounted on the wall. The silence was profound, suggesting the space had been unused for a considerable duration.
Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the shrill ring of a telephone. A tall, muscular man leaped from his bed and grabbed the receiver with eagerness.
"Did you blame me for kicking you out of the navy and leaving you in a place where no one cares for a year?" inquired the voice on the other end of the line.
"No, I know you're giving me a brand new start, a new life," the man responded gratefully. "Thank you for trusting me."
"Are you ready?" Akado's voice came through hoarse over the phone, as if he hadn't rested well in ages. "Are you ready to dedicate your life to me?"
"Of course! I was ready a year ago! But you never called me!" The man's eyes burned with intensity, his blonde hair gleaming. He bore a striking resemblance to Akado, both unmistakably German, yet he was arguably more handsome, setting a standard for German male aesthetics.
"A year ago, you were merely ready. I gave you this year to prepare your mind!" Akado chuckled lightly. "Have you read all the information I sent you?"
"I've read and understood it all. I also burned all the documents as you instructed. I just have one last question—why did you choose me back then?" the man asked.
"Because you are excellent," Akado replied. "For me, that's sufficient and makes you worth reusing. Remember this, don't ever let me think you're useless. I can give you everything and also take it all away."
"I understand," the man said solemnly. "I will be loyal only to the Great German Party and to you."
"Then, it's up to you to execute Plan D. Come to the National Defense Force headquarters now. I will personally outline the mission for you, Mr. Reinhardt Heidrich."
"Long live Akado Rudolph!" Although he was only speaking into the phone, Heidrich stood up and performed a standard German salute.
"There are 300 National Defense Army officers about to retire. They must be integrated into your newly formed organization. Additionally, 4,000 rigorously vetted individuals must also be absorbed. These include retired officers, qualified intelligence personnel, veterans, and outstanding soldiers expelled from the National Defense Forces like you," Akado explained during the briefing without any preamble.
"Isn't that number a bit too large? The organization is just being established and already nearly 4,500 strong?" Reinhardt frowned, his worry evident.
"You were just a minor naval officer, and you've never led so many people," he added.
"How much?" Akado smiled, then turned to his confidant, Lieutenant Colonel Gascole. "Explain our next plan to him."
"Yes, General. We plan to separate the Gestapo, an intelligence agency within the National Defense Forces, and consolidate all these personnel under your command into a new super-intelligence agency that oversees everything, including the entire country's secret police and the supervision of internal German government officials. This agency will be named the Gestapo, and it will be under your command, with a staffing level of about 100,000 or more," Gascole reported with a solemn salute.
"That's indeed more than 100,000 people. I will have Gascole gradually transfer the IDF intelligence department to you. I believe you can handle it better," Akado said with a reassuring smile.
"Thank you! Thank you for your trust in me! I will manage everything well! I swear it on my life," Reinhardt Heidrich saluted Akado.
"Don't rush your thanks. These matters are of utmost importance. With my approval, Lieutenant Colonel Gascole will gradually transfer these personnel to you, but for now, all you need to do is to organize a security organization that can protect the Great German Party," Akado instructed with a smile.
"Yes! I will eradicate all your enemies," Reinhardt Heidrich affirmed.
"The new organization will have a brand new uniform," Akado pointed to a uniform hanging on a hanger by the wall. "It's not a new design, the style is similar to that of the IDF officer's dress, but it is black," he explained, pointing to the collar insignia. "Two S's, representing the lightning of two victories! The SS will prove its worth with loyalty and victory. Defend the Great German Party, defend me!"
"Long live Akado Rudolph!" Heidrich responded loudly.
"The SS will be issued weapons, and most of the Luger P-08 pistols phased out by the army in favor of the new P-38 pistol will be handed over to you, and you will equip them to the SS. Additionally, the SS will be equipped with the army standard Mauser 98k rifle. In other words, once you receive these weapons, you are no different from the National Defense Force. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Understood, Lord General! The SS will be a sword in your hand, a shield on your chest, and a bullet that shoots into the chest of your enemy," Heidrich said, growing more excited by the prospects of the SS and his own future. What could be better than rising to the pinnacle of power alongside a strong leader?
In the barracks that afternoon, despite it being autumn, the sun still blazed fiercely. Several soldiers were clamoring in front of their chief: "Why! Why were we expelled before we retired? What did we do wrong?"
"Why? Because a Nazi Party membership card was found in your personal belongings during yesterday's surprise inspection, so you were expelled," the officer replied coldly, taking a couple of steps back.
"But in our company, many have joined the Grand German Party! The Constitution allows freedom of belief! You can't discriminate against us," an ensign protested, with the soldiers behind him nodding in agreement.
"Yes! You can't fire us," they chorused.
The officer sneered. "How can the German Party be compared with the small Nazi party? Joining the German Party is permitted, but joining the Nazi Party violates military discipline, hence your expulsion," he explained, giving them a dismissive look. "Of course, if you're dissatisfied, you're welcome to file a complaint against me at the regiment headquarters anytime."
"You!..." the lieutenant appeared almost hysterical.
"You? What about you? Now, I'm asking you to leave. If you continue with this nonsense, I'll have you thrown out! Get out!" the officer's demeanor hardened as he cursed. "Ungrateful fools! Thinking you can get away with fostering Nazi Party members in the military camp? Have you lost your minds? Find death!"
As he finished speaking, two rows of soldiers armed with Mauser 98k rifles stepped forward, using the butts of their rifles to knock several men to the ground. Dust billowed around them, and the chastened soldiers could do nothing but crawl towards the barracks door.
On the other side of the parade ground, a line of soldiers stood at attention, with the regimental commander personally pinning medals on each of their chests. "From this moment, you have completed your service and will exit the military camp after more than five years. It's my honor to award you these service medals!"
"Long live the Great German Party!" the soldiers responded robustly.
"Retirement from the National Defense Force does not mean the end of your duty. On the contrary, you will be dispatched by the party to areas where you are most needed," the commander continued. "From this moment, the will of the party will accompany you."
Behind him, an officer in a striking black military uniform approached. His burly frame made the crisp uniform look imposing. His military cap was slightly askew, a deliberate choice that lent him an air of casual trendiness rather than strict formality. He stepped forward to address the retiring soldiers with a smile.
"You are standing here because you have read the document and accepted its terms. From today, you will join the divine SS. From now on, you will serve only one person and regard this person as the deity in your heart. May the glory of Great Germany shine upon you forever."
A national flag fluttered at the front of the line. Several senior officers placed their left hand on the flag and raised three fingers of their right hand towards the sky, swearing loudly, "I, [name], hereby swear allegiance to the Great German Party, unconditionally loyal to Akado Rudolph, dedicating my blood and life to him, with the people and the gods as my witnesses."
All the soldiers extended their right hands, echoing the oath towards the national flag: "I, [name], am loyal to the Great German Party today, unconditionally loyal to Akado Rudolph..."
"Gentlemen, don this special uniform. From now on, we are the guards of General Akkado Rudolph. We obey only his commands, and we exist solely to make the enemies of Akado Rudolph regret their existence," Reinhardt Heidrich declared solemnly.
"Long live Akado Rudolph!" they all responded, raising their right hands in a salute.
On September 30, 1926, the SS of the Great German Party was officially established in the suburbs of Berlin, with Reinhardt Heidrich as its commander.
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