Excellent, Krista.. 

Seconded.  

Thirded.

I'd say "Fourthed" but that would be ridiculous.

Maybe Nabby didn't have enough time to aim. Maybe she figured she had to
get her shot off while Cologne was still distracted, rather than take a
chance on being spotted. Or maybe she's just a lousy shot. It's not like
we've ever seen her practicing. She says she's good, but that could be a
bluff.

I think we're missing a couple points here: 

1) Is Nabiki a murderer?  Sure, she knows that Cologne is a threat, but
maybe she's hoping she can bluff her...and before you say THAT isn't
likely, remember, this is Nabs we're talking about.  If anyone could bluff
Cologne, it's her. (IMHO)

2) Does it work?  I agree that the shooting was a little...flat in the
emotional/literary sense.  It didn't really strike me as profoundly as the
rest of the events in the chapter. 

(God, I'm sounding like my English teacher, someone shoot me now!)

Just my little contribution to this thread.

--
Christopher "God-boy" Angel
cja124@mail.usask.ca      http://www.engr.usask.ca/~cja124
'Man who eat ice cream in car is sundae driver.'
	-found on a Bazooka Joe comic.