Stein raised an eyebrow. Birkin was a little touchy about this subject, wasn't he? He shrugged and reached for a cigarette. "Sorry, I was just confused for a moment, when you said that people who seek power don't deserve it."

He smiled and reached out, clapping Birkin lightly on the shoulder. "I won't tell anyone, don't worry. Like I said, the affairs of other worlds really don't matter to me, and I just enjoy your company. What you do here is none of my concern."