The giant indoor gymnasium was packed with hundreds of eager soldiers by four o'clock.
Blue padded mats were spread across the wooden floor right under the bright lights.
The American flag hung high above the floor near the high steel roof beams.
Marcus stood in the center of the ring stretching his thick muscular arms aggressively.
He was grinning arrogantly while his friends cheered loudly from the front row seats.
He pumped his heavy fists in the air to show off his superior physical strength.
Sergeant Cole: Today we show everyone what happens when amateurs try to lead us!
Maya: Real leadership is about protecting your people, not intimidating them for fun!
Marcus stepped closer until his boots nearly touched the edge of her black mat.
He leaned down and spoke in a harsh whisper that only she could hear.
Sergeant Cole: Your brother thought he was smart too before his career ended abruptly.
Maya: My brother was twice the soldier you will ever dream of being, Marcus.
Sergeant Cole: You will be signing your voluntary resignation papers before nightfall comes tonight.
Maya: Keep dreaming while you still have your title and your clean uniform on.
The surrounding crowd grew loud as Commander Harrison walked up to the ring center.
Commander Harrison was a gray-haired officer who respected strictly enforced discipline above all.
He held a bright silver whistle in his hand as he reviewed both fighters carefully.
Commander Harrison: This match will follow standard hand-to-hand combat rules without exception today.
Commander Harrison: No illegal strikes or dangerous holds will be tolerated in my gym.
Sergeant Cole: Understood, Commander, I will keep it clean and short for her.
Maya: I am ready to begin whenever the commander gives the official whistle signal.
Maya stepped into her fighting stance with her chin tucked down low and safe.
Her heart pounded like a heavy drum, but her vision remained completely sharp now.
She saw the way Marcus leaned his weight too heavily on his right knee.
It was a habit he picked up from years of relying purely on brute force.
She knew she could use his own momentum against him if she stayed patient.
The audience grew completely silent as the commander placed the whistle to his lips.
Every soldier held their breath while waiting for the sharp opening sound to ring out.
Maya locked eyes with her opponent one last time before the official signal sounded.
She saw a faint flicker of doubt deep behind his loud, arrogant brown eyes.
He knew that if he lost today, his control over her family secrets was gone.
Sergeant Cole: Let us see what you have got, private!
Maya: I have got everything my family gave me to win this fight!