Nia had remembered those words when Rourke attacked her.
She remembered them now.
Because she knew Rourke wouldn't stop.
He couldn't.
His authority had been challenged in front of thirty-one witnesses.
And people who built their identity around authority often struggled most when authority failed them.
That afternoon, the recruits were assigned a series of scenario exercises.
Nia was paired with Caleb Price, one of the strongest recruits in the class.
Caleb had been a college linebacker.
He was friendly, confident, and considerably less arrogant than most of the physically gifted recruits.
"You really put Rourke on the floor yesterday," he said.
Nia adjusted her gloves.
"He lost balance."
Caleb laughed.
"That's what you're calling it?"
"That's what happened."
He shook his head.
"You are very hard to read."
"So I've been told."
The scenario began.
Caleb played an aggressive suspect.
Nia played the responding officer.
Within seconds, Caleb rushed her.
Nia sidestepped.
He grabbed her sleeve.
She redirected his arm.
"Control your distance," she said.
Caleb tried again.
She moved.
Again.
She moved.
Finally, Caleb stopped.
"How do you keep doing that?"
"You're showing me what you're going to do."
"I am?"
"Every time."
Caleb stared at her.
Then smiled.
"Teach me."
Nia shook her head.
"First, learn to stop announcing your attacks."
Caleb laughed.
For the first time, Nia smiled.
From across the gym, Rourke watched them.
His expression hardened.
He had just discovered something else.
Nia wasn't simply surviving.
She was becoming influential.
That was something he could not tolerate.
The First Crack
The academy's midterm evaluations were held two weeks later.
Thirty-two recruits entered the testing room.
One by one, they were evaluated on judgment, communication, physical control, and scenario management.
Nia scored near the top in every category.
Except one.
"Authority projection," Rourke said.
Captain Brooks looked at the sheet.
"Explain."
Rourke tapped the paper.
"Williams hesitates."
Nia looked at him.
"During which scenario?"
"The domestic disturbance."
"I gave verbal commands before approaching."
"You were too cautious."
"I was assessing the environment."
Rourke leaned back.
"That's what people who lack confidence call hesitation."
Captain Brooks looked at Nia.
"Your thoughts?"
Nia spoke carefully.
"The subject had a child behind him and an unknown object in his right hand. I believed immediate physical intervention could have escalated the situation."
Rourke shook his head.
"Police officers can't be afraid to act."
"I'm not afraid."
"Then prove it."
Brooks interrupted.
"That's enough."
Rourke looked at her.
Brooks continued.
"An evaluation is not a duel."
The room became quiet.
Rourke said nothing.
Later that day, Nia received a sealed envelope.
Inside was a notice.
She had been selected for an advanced defensive tactics assessment.
The assessment was optional.
But failure would be noted.
Nia understood what it meant.
Rourke wanted another opportunity.
She considered declining.
Then remembered Captain Brooks's words.
Sometimes surviving the academy meant knowing when not to fight.
But there was another lesson Elena Torres had taught her.
"You don't avoid every fight," Elena had said.
"You choose which ones matter."
Nia signed the form.
She would participate.
That evening, she called Elena.
"You sound tired," Elena said.
"I have an assessment."
"With the big man?"
Nia smiled.
"Yes."
"Are you scared?"
Nia thought about it.
"No."
"Good."
"Should I be?"
"No. You should be careful."
Nia smiled again.
"I learned from you."
Elena laughed.
"Then remember the most important lesson."
"Which one?"
"Your goal isn't to win."
Nia waited.
"Your goal is to go home."
Pressure
The assessment took place at six in the morning.
Only twelve recruits were present.
Rourke stood in the center of the mat.
His expression was unreadable.
"Today isn't about strength," he said.
Nia almost smiled.
He had said those exact words before.
"It's about control."
The exercises began.
The recruits were tested against weighted dummies, resistance drills, and simulated assaults.
Nia performed well.
Too well.
Rourke increased the difficulty.
Then increased it again.
Finally, he called Nia forward.
"You and me."
A murmur moved through the group.
Rourke looked at the other recruits.
"Officer safety."
He turned to Nia.
"You ready?"
"Yes."
They began.
Rourke attacked aggressively.
Nia moved backward.
He closed the distance.
She redirected.
He grabbed her.
She escaped.
He increased pressure.
She continued moving.