There's a creeping horror that starts to cross Pearl's face as Lapis speaks, gradually overtaking the air of jaded skepticism she's been putting on up to now. Not just Lapis' powers would pose a threat here. Jasper, or any of the other non-human exotics... hell, even her own abilities would give the average human an unfair edge.

The implications are blood-chilling. If Lapis is correct, the Cetagandans haven't just been taking from them all without permission... They've been taking, and then using their unwilling contributions for potential slaughter.

"What exactly did you hear?" Pearl says urgently, deadly serious. She's half hoping that further details will explain this all away, reveal it to be some kind of sick joke, or a simple misunderstanding.