So Tom's to blame for not trying to make friends, but other people can't be held responsible for not trying to befriend him?

> > Carrying a sword is an overt threat in its own right. > It is, and that's why Chiaki has learned she must *make* people around her at ease, since they won't be when she first meets them.

Or she could not wear the sword.

> It works pretty well. If she doesn't draw attention to the sword herself, then people around her don't think she'll use it. Of course that works against her sometimes, when she's trying to be intimidating.

So news-stand cashiers don't get at all nervous when she asks for a paper?

> > > That depends on the situation on the ground. Chiaki probably would have tried to negotiate her way out of it. Failing that she would have used trickery and disappeared at Heathrow. Either way, the other passengers on the plane would have been blissfully unaware. > > Those things are within Chiaki's ability range. Tom had to use a solution that was within his. And he needed to get to Egypt too, and establish his credentials with Koo Koo Ka Choo. > Chiaki would point out that her solutions are readily available to anyone, short of swordplay. She also would believe Tom lacks the discipline to carry it through, though.

How would a normal person use trickery to disappear from an airport on high security waiting for their arrival?

> > > That's what they were expecting, yes. What Tom should have given them is what they didn't expect - someone polite, cooperative, and not dangerous looking at all. Then the Feds may have called Project Pendragon and told them Tom is being cooperative. > > Or taken him into custody and dissected him. > Most experts would hopefully tell them that would accomplish nothing.

Tom's not that trusting, and he does know the people after him. Would Keiko have passively allowed her old unit to take her into custody?