The principal looked at Zach. Zach looked at the principal. They looked at each other. Neither said a word.
"I'm not going to admit to it if anyone asks, but I agree," the principal eventually said.
"That's why there's a backup plan," he continued.
"..." Zach looked at him silently until he explained what that backup plan was.
"...It's an even worse plan, but if using you and your classmates as pesticide or bait doesn't work, we will just have to disregard subtlety and bring down the continent on Ugor's head."
"...Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Zach wasn't sure what the principal meant by that, but it was no good regardless of whether he was being literal or speaking figuratively.
