Which line in this excerpt from Kurt Vonnegut's "Report on the Barnhouse Effect" indicates that the story is an example of social sci-fi?

The prefix of the italicized word in the sentence is rather difficult

What is meant by “eternally burning black pipes”? what is this implying about the personality of the firemen?

Brutus: but as he was ambitious, i slew him. . who is here so base that would be a bondman? if any, speak, for him have i offended. who is here so rude that would not be a roman? if any, speak, for him have i offended. who is here so vile that will not love his country? if any, speak, for him have i offended. i pause for a reply. which rhetorical device does brutus use in this excerpt?