King

The concrete walls of the rickety structures, half-ruined and cracked, offered a pitiful semblance of protection. Fortunately, they were merely temporary cover, a tactical advantage for a well-dispersed unit. In the center of the occupied zone stood an enemy building, soon to become the site of bloodshed and a total cleansing. All that remained was to await the command.

"Everything is clear. "

"A dry voice sounded over the radio. Koenig didn't flinch—he'd been waiting for this moment for over an hour—and the strong muscles beneath his uniform tensed at the same moment. He responded, "Acknowledged," as he was already moving.

Although everyone had received the order, Koenig was the first to enter the building. The blueprints surfaced in his memory effortlessly, and the alarmed drug dealers who grabbed their weapons at the first sound of gunfire didn't shake his concentration. The stormtrooper moved quickly, ramming one door after another. He had to reach the baron's room before he could escape.

Turning right, he expected the usual hail of bullets. Instead, out of the corner of his eye, Koenig caught a glimpse of a figure huddled in the corner. Impossible. The "all clear" command implied there shouldn't have been any civilians in the area. But somehow, Koenig saw you with terror written all over your face—clearly not an enemy and clearly out of place.

Shock and bewilderment—that's what he felt. But even in this state, he noticed a hand grenade already flying from the other end of the corridor.

"Lie down!"