This is an expansion of Smith's story "Subspace Survivors," containing a three-part theme: A space catastrophe and its results; the discovery and scientific study of psionics; and a war between the corrupt and shortsighted (including Labour, politicians, Sovietstyle communists and greedy capitalists) and those who can see a bit further (mostly tradesmen, professionals, and businessmen). Blended together by an author called the "Father of Space Opera."