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The three men share some uncomfortable looks. Finally, Virrir hazards a guess:
"Cause, uh, the dragons-"
"Yes! Exactly! The dragons," you nod. "And the nobles, for that matter. Because they have dragon magic and magic, unlike psionics, is most certainly hereditary. And much, much more powerful. Psionics can be defended against or countered: with knowledge, with experience, with the right equipment. Magic, in comparison, can only really be countered with more magic. Which is why dragons and their halfbreeds rule the Core Worlds and psions are..." you shrug elaborately. "Well, not shunned and despised, exactly. Not universally, at least. But you don't see them ruling so much as a planet, do you? Or a nation. Or even organizing into a political party. I mean, why do you think Valsen is here, on Barter? Why is he hiding out here, in the abandoned sections and talking big about taking over Command instead of actually doing it?"
"Because he still doesn't have the strength-"
"And he will never have the strength!" you slam your fist into the table, making the three of them jump as bottles clink and nuts rattle. "Do you honestly think this is the first time someone like Valsen showed up here? That he's the first psion to try and conquer Barter?! This station's been around for more than a century and it has fended off <span class="mu-i">dozens</span> of takeover attempts, both from the inside and out, psions included. I've been here for all of fifteen years, and I've personally witnessed seven. And I know exactly how they all ended because I was among those who'd be sent in afterward to clean up and repair the damage. I saw the bloodstains, the bullet holes, the scorch marks and the warped bulkheads. People died, For the ambitions of some cretin who thought he was the first to have an idea that has already failed time and time, and time before. Everyone jokes about ProfSec being thugs chasing after unpaid bills and fines, but if there's one thing they're very good at, it's sussing out internal threats to Barter's political structure. Make no mistake, they're already aware of Valsen - of this little cult he's building here. And they're just waiting for him to make too many missteps. To break enough of the rules we live by here on Barter that no one will complain or even care when they storm this place and shoot anybody who resists!"
You realize you've gotten out of your chair and started shouting, so you force yourself to relax, sit back own, and take a gulp from a bottle to soothe your dry throat. The three men are now looking at you with worry, wariness - and maybe a little bit of fear.
(cont)
