The next morning, the bright sun filled the upper windows of the mansion training hall.
All thirty squad members formed two straight lines along the polished marble edges.
Marcus stepped out into the center of the mat before the officer even called roll.
He pointed directly at Sarah with a fierce and determination-filled scowl on his face.
Marcus: Sir, I am formally requesting a full three-round sparring bout right now!
Senior Officer: Private Sarah already beat you clean yesterday, Sergeant.
Marcus: Yesterday was a fluke, and everybody in this unit knows it!
The commander looked over at Sarah to see if she would accept the sudden challenge.
Sarah stepped forward onto the mat without hesitation, her eyes locked onto Marcus.
Sarah: If he wants another lesson, I am ready to give it to him, sir.
The room went completely silent as the two fighters faced each other again.
The stakes were much higher now, with the whole platoon watching closely.
Marcus dropped into a deeper combat stance, determined not to make the same mistake twice.
He planned to use his massive size advantage to force her off the mat area.
The senior officer blew his whistle to start the first round of the rematch.
Marcus rushed forward aggressively, throwing a rapid combination of quick jab strikes.
Sarah ducked smoothly under the first punch and slid to his weak left side.
She landed two sharp palm strikes directly into his exposed ribs in quick succession.
Marcus stumbled sideways, gasping for air as the sharp hits connected perfectly.
The recruits gasping in the audience realized that her first victory was no accident at all.
Sarah held her ground, perfectly poised for whatever move he made next.