Pests

The hall was filled with tension, every delegate listening as Atticus's voice rose. Calm, steady, but expansive.

"Then let me ask you something," Atticus said, titling hus head to the side slowly, "How would you deal with pests? Pests that keep pestering you even though you've made it clear they're not wanted?"

"In case you've forgotten, this is the human domain."

His aura surged like a storm, rippling across the room. The walls groaned under the pressure, the sound echoing ominously.

"You have no demands here. You have no voice. I will treat you as you are: pests," his gaze sharpened,

"what are you going to do about it?"

The room froze, the weight of his words sinking in.

In the control room, silent excitement filled the air as the Ravensteins watching the live feed grinned widely. None of them spoke, but their clenched fists and proud expressions said it all.

He said it.