The bright fluorescent lights of the base gym lit up the white walls and the large American flag hanging near the back wall.
Sergeant Sarah Standish adjusted the crisp white fabric wraps wound tightly around her knuckles.
She stood calmly in the center of the black rubber training mats.
Across from her stood Captain Rex Miller, a broad officer who believed strength was the only law.
Miller had spent the entire morning criticizing the newer transfer soldiers in front of the entire company.
He circled Sarah like a wolf looking for an easy point to make.
The rest of the unit stood stiffly in formation along the edge of the mat, watching in dead silence.
Nobody dared to speak up against Captain Miller because he held power over their upcoming military promotions.
Sarah breathed in slowly through her nose and kept her posture perfectly straight.
She knew that losing her temper would only play directly into his hands.
Miller raised his heavy fists and flashed a mocking grin that showed he expected a quick victory.
He tapped his gloves together with a hard leather sound that echoed through the quiet room.
"You really think those basic wraps are going to protect you today, Standish?" Miller asked out loud.
Sarah did not answer his taunt with words.
She simply raised her hands into a tight, professional boxing guard.
Her eyes remained completely focused on the center of his chest.
Major Vance watched the entire scene from the sidelines with his arms folded tightly across his chest.
Vance was a veteran commander who valued discipline over loud grandstanding.
He had granted Miller permission for this exhibition match, but his sharp eyes missed nothing.
Miller stepped forward aggressively, gritting his teeth as he tried to intimidate the young sergeant.
He stomped his foot hard against the mat to test her reaction.
Sarah did not flinch or drop her eyes for a single second.
She maintained her low balance, ready to move in any direction instantly.
The air in the gym felt heavy as the surrounding squad held their breath together.