> I think you're on the right lines in judging that word has to get out so that there can be consequences. Thinking about this, the other people who would be aware of what Lara did were the ones she evaporated in the blast, Liu Xi and Chiaki. Chiaki at least would presumably know that the devastation wasn't confined to one building in a densely-populated city.

True, but as I've said before Chiaki usually won't volunteer information, and at the moment Liu Xi has other worries. There are other cosmic types who might know what Lara did, though, and Sir Mumphrey can probably take a look using his pocket watch.

> > If that's the case Faite is probably already arranging things to make that difficult. If the Carnifex intends to wait for the right moment, her intention is that he'll be waiting a long time for it to arrive. > > That could result in Faite actually helping the Carnifax out with his current amusements. As long as he's still enjoying the situation he's in, playing with the Parodyverse, he's not destroying it. Distractions like Zdenka could keep the Carnifax amused for years yet, maybe decades.

That's where Faite is often misunderstood. She's not a hero interested in justice, her job is only to prevent large-scale calamities that throw the balance of the Parodyverse off (or destroy it, because that would really throw off the balance). She doesn't really care what the Carnifex does within the Pardodyverse as long as he doesn't disassemble it.

> > Lara also has a clever habit of not being there when she's hunted. That way she can surprise anyone who has it in for her. It worked quite well during the war with the Parody Master...twice. Though the second time it was Shema buying into the same strategy. > > A good hunter really has to take that methodology into consideration. That's why the Carnifex is taking his time and watching how people react and perform during a number of events he intends to precipitate.

The tricky part is that he'd have to understand Lara, not just her methods. Her personality is what gives clues to her behavior more than any pattern. Like CSFB!, she's more chaos than order, meaning she's unpredictable.

If he understands her, though, then he'd learn her motivations and use that to keep her out of the way of his plans.

> He's not shown any signs yet of using lies or hostages as part of his methods. If he decides he wants children dead then he'll just do it when the time comes. He's not afraid of any of the heroes he's seen so he doesn't feel the need to set up things to keep them off his back.

If there is one thing Lara has learned about super-powerful bad guys is it's more effective to annoy them than fight them. By herself she doesn't really have the power to beat a single one of them. But she can string them along for ages.

Lara learned that strategy back home, where there are also some fairly powerful bad guys. Shema selected her as a "guardian" primarily for that reason - not because she can beat anyone, but because she knows how to avoid a fight, and avoid getting killed, yet without running and hiding either. This is also why Lara was the first to understand what Faite does.

> Now his agents, Mr Skinner, Mr Flay, and Miss Peel, on the other hand, are cruel sadistic bastards. Cruel sadistic bastards who can walk away from a nuclear blast.

They sound more like Liu Xi's territory. For a heroic type, Liu Xi can be quite cruel and sadistic as well.

> > Lara knows that Zdenka is pretty smart. She would probably say it's up to her. > > The Carnifex wouldn't want to cut in on another guy's girl. Not while the guy was still living.

The small piece of useful information Lara has is that Hatman isn't currently seeing Zdenka. After that, the choice is up to Zdenka.

> > There's an explanation for that: Lara is willing to see the bigger picture that the Hooded Hood has kept trying to point out to the Lair Legion. She doesn't agree with the tactics to achieve it most of the time, but she does see it. The skill that goes into that kind of planning, she believes, is worthy of some respect. > > The Hood probably is worthy of respect - he's generally formidable and he has some heroic qualities - but deep down he's an archvillain. When I'm writing him I always have to remember that there's an icy core of insane ambition in his soul. Pierce the charming veneer and it'll come and kill you. Mumphrey tends to see through the Hood more than many people do, which is why they mutually loathe each other.

The comparison I'm making is a lot like in the early Harry Potter films, when Dumbledore expresses some admiration for the things Voldemort has accomplished.

Lara doesn't at all agree with the Hood's uncooperative style at all. But she does admire how it achieves results in several dimensions. The interesting part, though, is how she manages to think through his plan and see what he's trying to do. If she didn't admire it, and often refuse to interfere, he might be forced to eliminate her.