"Bring it, Lieutenant," you say with a smile.
He launches a devastating barrage of blows, but you manage to block and dodge. As he begins to withdraw, you counter-attack, just managing to slip your cross through his blocks and thump against his chest. He grunts in surprise, stepping back and sweeping out with a trip. You stagger and feel the impact of his glove against your shoulder. You strike low, knocking him back long enough to get some distance and lash out with a kick. It's a glancing blow, but it keeps his own strikes out of range. He sweeps again, but you anticipate and jump over his leg, snapping out a kick to his midsection. He blocks it and presses forward. You see the combination coming and keep your arms moving to deflect, but you don't see the kick from below. The wind rushes from your lungs and you feel your feet leave the mat as you sail backward. You crash down on the mat but roll backward into a fighting stance, arms up in a guard.
"Wow, Nubes," Karim says, panting. "You got some moves."
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