I was so shocked by what I was hearing that I couldn't speak for a
moment. My mouth was moving, but such was the tumult of thoughts I
was having, no words would come out.
“B-but that's different,” I finally stammered, “When a species
gets out of control, when that threatens the eco-system, the well
being of other species, you know what I mean, that's when something
has to be done. It's done for the good of the environment.”
Strauss said nothing. I looked at Edward to back me up, but he
wouldn't meet my gaze. Robert was looking at me, mouthing the word
“No” while shaking his head.
“You do understand what you've just said, don't you?” Oak asked
with something of a sneer. “When a species threatens to destroy
the habitat of others, it has to be managed?”
“Yes,” I said, “But this is different. What you're talking
about is killing people, innocent women and children.”
“Do you think the Forest values a human life more than a rabbit or
a sparrow?” he asked, that sneer growing. “Maybe we should ask
the badgers what they think.”
