(Karra teaches having to shield against coercion after drinking alcohol is a bad idea which can slow reactions and cause a person to be less focused. Being able to identify if you were being coerced would also be affected depending how much alcohol had been drunk.) 

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Karra: okay, let us proceed.

Russ: well how did my shields hold up tonight? That was a hard lesson, hard test, worked me over.

Karra: you need practice as Omal pointed out.

Russ: I need stamina practice, I mean that is going to come with time but I mean on….

Karra: the constant pounding?

Russ: yeah and then finally it took me to layered shields to get finally that out of the way......

Karra: yeah.

Russ: but I was a little shocked that I had to go to that level, I mean was he like working me over a little extra hard tonight?

Karra: yes he was, I believe I caught a whiff of alcohol.

Russ: on Omal?

Karra: no, not on Omal.

Russ: oh, me?

John: on me?

Karra: no, I’m referring to something earlier on that you might not have noticed Russ.

Russ: oh no I didn’t.

Karra: no when we were over setting the skis.

Russ: oh you mean the beer?

Karra: uh-huh.

Russ: what, did he think that it would diminish my capabilities?

Karra: just a little.

Russ: well it was a good test, it didn't diminish them.

Karra: yeah but….

Russ: slower reaction time possibly.

Karra: yes but in a situation that you are in that you needed shielding and the fact that you had slowed things down by imbibing the alcohol when you needed them the most, even though it was out of politeness, you have to weigh the good with the bad.

Russ: well so in the most optimal sense to imbibe but be able to maintain capabilities, that’s good practice too so get like a case of beer and practice…..

(John starts laughing)

Russ: drink some beer, practice my shields......just kidding.

Karra: we will deal with that later......okay.

John: all right so, it is my understanding or misunderstanding with this conversation right here that alcohol or drug use would limit your shielding abilities.

Karra: yes it does and the focusing ability of shielding.

John: okay so you’re not able to focus as well….

Karra: uh-huh.

John: and that in turn makes your shielding ability less functional.

Karra: correct. The situation that you should try is getting Mark to coerce you when you’ve been drinking heavy and you’ll see the difference. Mind you that’s hardly a fair test is it?

John: well I mean I like the idea of Mark testing me when I haven’t been drinking heavily you know?

Karra: uh-huh.

John: but maybe of had a couple of beers okay? Which isn't too uncommon in my life. I mean you’re well aware….

Karra: yes I’m well aware of…..

John: yeah I know but I’m not pulling any punches or trying to deceive anyone by any means but I feel more comfortable challenging Mark under the influence of some alcohol and let him try and break down my shields okay and my shielding ability okay? Now you’re suggesting that I should do this when I’m blind drunk?

Karra: no I’m not saying that when you’re blind drunk….

Russ: she means to see the two sides of it.

Karra: yes exactly, to see both how you react with the quickness of protecting yourself from a coercive or a coercive coercer when you have been drinking a few drinks and when you haven’t had any.

Russ: like that test where you drink and go drive but then you drink a whole lot more and then you go and drive.

Karra: yes.

Russ: well which is worse?

John: all right I just want to understand.

Karra: Russ will tell you that when Mark fully powers up….

John: yeah?

Karra: he’s quite impressive as a coercer when he powers up, especially for a third dimensional coercer.

Russ: now Karra….

Karra: uh-huh?

Russ: it seemed to me when I was over there, I did not pick up any need for heavy shielding, not like what I'd get with Omal when he’s testing me….

Karra: Omal wasn't testing you.

Russ: what?

Karra: Omal was not testing you.

Russ: oh well he was certainly working on me.

Karra: I think he was just powered up.

Russ: oh, that could be it.

Karra: yeah, he’s gone to a Council meeting.

Russ: ahh, but over there I can generally tell if someone’s trying to drain me or someone’s trying to coerce me….

Karra: uh-huh.

Russ: or something like that and I can then up my shields if I need to but from what I recognized with that is my natural shielding was holding up just fine in that situation.

Karra: yes but you have to control the controller, you see what I’m saying?

Russ: hmm, I see what you’re talking about.