Caine vs. Barra

**RAD** · July 2nd, 2005, 09:27 PM

Title says it all.

Caine vs Barra, both healthy and at the top of their games in an environment where neither has an advantage and in a situation where the only solution is a fight to the death. No holding back. No compromise. Two enter, which one leaves?

Come on man, I gotta know.

**MWStover** · July 14th, 2005, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by RAD

Title says it all.

Caine vs Barra, both healthy and at the top of their games in an environment where neither has an advantage and in a situation where the only solution is a fight to the death. No holding back. No compromise. Two enter, which one leaves?

Come on man, I gotta know.

Eh, sorry. Was meaning to reply to your email earlier -- life got in the way.

Unarmed? Caine. He has access to unarmed techniques that are far more advanced than any available to Barra.

Armed with their characteristic weapons? (i.e. stone axes vs. knives) Barra.

All other things being equal (which they just aren't, but since you asked . . .) the edge goes to Barra. Caine dislikes fighting women, and is reluctant to kill them. Barra, conversely, has no difficulty killing men, and she hunts murderers for sport. Caine is a murderer many times over.

He'd hesitate. She wouldn't.

'Nuff said.

**juzzza** · July 14th, 2005, 10:37 AM

Hmmm... is this true if you replaced the fighters with Mr Stover and Mrs Stover?

We all know she is better with a handgun!

**MWStover** · July 14th, 2005, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by juzzza

Hmmm... is this true if you replaced the fighters with Mr Stover and Mrs Stover?

We all know she is better with a handgun!

No.

Replacing the fighters with me and my wife would mean that my wife would win. Every time. In every situation.

There is no circumstance that could make me raise my hand against her.

**juzzza** · July 15th, 2005, 02:37 AM

Good answer!

**saintjon** · July 15th, 2005, 04:54 PM

Is it safe to assume though that had he the chance Caine would've definitely hurt Avery Shanks when he was mad at her, Matt? he did lay down some of the most vicious smack-talk I've ever read.

**MWStover** · July 18th, 2005, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by saintjon

Is it safe to assume though that had he the chance Caine would've definitely hurt Avery Shanks when he was mad at her, Matt? he did lay down some of the most vicious smack-talk I've ever read.

He dislikes harming women. It's an emotional prejudice, not a moral principle.

No one who threatens his family is safe from him.

**saintjon** · July 18th, 2005, 09:08 PM

Nice distinction there. I wouldn't have mentioned it but just as I was reading this thread I told a friend of mine about the "drowning" speech.

**Shehzad** · July 18th, 2005, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by MWStover

He'd hesitate. She wouldn't.

'Nuff said.

Even if he'd pay for it with his life? I seem to remember all his prejudices got thrown out when he was fighting for survival.

**Holbrook** · July 19th, 2005, 12:32 AM

Originally Posted by Shehzad

Even if he'd pay for it with his life? I seem to remember all his prejudices got thrown out when he was fighting for survival.

I think the key word here is hesitate. Even if it is for a fraction of a second, that could be the difference between a knife in the ribs and survival in a given situation, especially against a foe who has no qualms at all about killing you.

Anyhow, I will be soon be able to judge for myself concerning this character. A friend has bought me the books (they should be here next week) I think he is under the impression I need educating in "Stoveronics"

**Shehzad** · July 19th, 2005, 05:45 AM

*Raises Staff*

Join my flock, oh seeker of knowledge in Cainism...

**Holbrook** · July 21st, 2005, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by Shehzad

*Raises Staff*

Join my flock, oh seeker of knowledge in Cainism...

I have only agreed to read them, (The two that are coming that is) and flocking is against my religion

**MWStover** · July 21st, 2005, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by Holbrook

I have only agreed to read them, (The two that are coming that is) and flocking is against my religion

Eh. It's against his, too.

That's one a them, y'know, ironical kinda thingies.

**Gary Wassner** · July 21st, 2005, 12:40 PM

Hey Matt. Welcome back from the media frenzy.

I just read Heroes Die and I enjoyed it very much. It was quite a departure from what I ordinarily read. You have a very warped mind, but it worked for me.

**MWStover** · July 21st, 2005, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by Gary Wassner

Hey Matt. Welcome back from the media frenzy.

I just read Heroes Die and I enjoyed it very much. It was quite a departure from what I ordinarily read. You have a very warped mind, but it worked for me.

Thanks, Gary. I'm glad it's over. I really need to leave Star Wars behind for a while -- it ruined my health and severely damaged my productivity. The happy news is everything seems to be on an upward track now.

And you think I'm warped when all you've read is HD . . . ?

You better be sure to have the medicine cabinet fully stocked before you ever decide to take on Blade of Tyshalle.

btw, I bought The Twins off Amazon.com, but I haven't started it yet -- I'm working on the long-delayed Caine Black Knife right now, and I just can't read in the genre while I'm in the middle of a project.

I started Scott Bakker's first book back at the end of the tour, and had to put it down after 30-40 pages . . . because I got home, and started back to work.