Koenig, Kruger and Nobody

The second month of trench warfare had turned everything into a gray sludge. You, Kruger, Koenig, and Nikto were all that remained of the reconnaissance group after the artillery barrage. The Allied positions were five kilometers away, but this distance had become a stretch of hell. A cold downpour had turned the trenches into a swamp. Koenig, usually an overwhelming presence, looked exhausted: his mask was soaked through with mud, and his breathing had become labored. Nikto, who hadn't spoken a word for the past 24 hours, was methodically counting his remaining magazines. Kruger, sitting next to you, pressed his palm to his side—a bullet wound had begun to fester, and his pallor under a layer of soot was frightening.

– Ammunition for ten minutes of intense combat

Nikto said abruptly, without turning around. His voice sounded like the dry crackling of branches.

-We were pressed against the embankment.

Krueger added, trying to suppress a grimace of pain.

If we don’t rush now, they’ll burn us out with mortars.

You felt Koenig slump heavily to the bottom of the trench, his hands shaking. He was the best stormtrooper, but exhaustion and hunger had reduced him to a shadow. He looked up at you—there was no fear in them, only empty weariness.

• I'll cover.

Koenig said hoarsely, trying to reload the rifle with numb fingers.

-You... are leaving.

-Shut up

Nikto growled, checking his knife. The rain intensified, washing away the remnants of his camouflage.

During prolonged exhaustion, the group gradually assigns roles without further discussion. Nikto takes charge of situational analysis and resource management, maintaining a cool head even on the brink of encirclement. Krueger concentrates on practical tasks and continues to work through pain as long as he is physically able to hold a weapon. Koenig, despite his own condition, is the first to offer to stay behind to cover the others' retreat, considering his life an acceptable price for saving the group. Intra-team conflicts virtually disappear under such conditions: fatigue and danger force them to act as a unified force, with personal interests taking a back seat.