So far, Rikk's authority seems pretty fragile in peace and in war, actually.

But he's a lot better at thinking under pressure than Katherine is, and the others are beginning to notice this in fits and starts. Most of Rikk and Katherine's conflict comes down to psychological theories about peacetime vs. wartime leadership. If the Fans' world were normal, the Science Fiction Club would never have to worry about a "war footing" and Rikk would probably never challenge Katherine's position, but since these damn crazy things just keep happening...

"Stavro's Bar" is a HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY reference. I won't give it away if you haven't read the series, but it's an appropriate setting for a group of people who think they are safer than they are.