The silver whistle blasted sharp through the quiet gym.
Brad rushed forward instantly with heavy footfalls.
He threw a wild right punch toward her head.
Maya ducked smoothly under his swinging arm.
His fist hit empty air with a loud swoosh.
Corporal Miller: Stop running away and fight me!
Captain Maya: You are wasting your energy too fast.
Brad turned around quickly with an angry snarl.
His face turned bright red from the missed strike.
He lunged again with a double leg tackle attempt.
Maya sidestepped cleanly to her right side.
She guided his weight past her with her palm.
Brad stumbled forward onto the padded blue wall.
The spectator soldiers gasped in total surprise.
Private Davis: She dodged that like it was nothing!
Sergeant Miller: He is losing his temper already.
Brad bounced off the wall with pure rage.
He wiped sweat from his eyes with his sleeve.
He had expected an easy victory over the officer.
Corporal Miller: You were just lucky that time!
Captain Maya: Good footwork is not luck, Corporal.
Maya reset her position in the center ring.
Her breath remained steady and slow through her nose.
She knew anger made a fighter very predictable.
She waited for him to make another big mistake.
Brad circled her like a hungry wild animal.
He lowered his head and growled under his breath.
He wanted to prove his physical power to everyone.
He charged again without any tactical control.
Maya stood her ground until the last second.
She prepared her balance for the incoming impact.
The crowd leaned forward in eager anticipation.