Excerpt from Jackie Mannheim's Computer Diary: encrypted
I would be lieing if I said I like Artemis Fowl. He is arrogant and too smart for his own good. I would never go to his house if it weren't for Juliet Butler, my best friend who works for Art's mother. Juliet and I started hanging out when she noticed I look like the lead singer from her favorite band, Rivalry. From the moment I walked through the door of Fowl Manor, Artemis and I detested each other.
That hatred only strengthened last night, but Juliet just told me it started a few months ago. Artemis and I were contestants for a contest to design Dublin's new opera house…
Dublin, Ireland
Artemis Fowl and his companion/bodyguard, Butler, sat in the old Dublin Theater. They were wearing their best suits which came from the best tailor in Europe. All around them where others dressed in the best fashions available to them, whether that be a pair of jeans with no holes and a polo shirt or an elegant ball gown. They were all contestants in a contest to design the new Dublin Theater. Artemis was certain he was the winner. After all, who could compete with a mind such as his?
A sudden twitch of annoyance made the boy look at a young girl about his age with red hair and green flame eyes (of which Butler noticed was wearing a beautiful sapphire dress) that was seated three rows up and two seats over. Her name was Jackie Mannheim. She was an American who had recently moved into Ireland's child services. Even though she, like Artemis, was just twelve years old, she never seemed to have an adult around her. Artemis new her to be an orphan, and even knew who her foster mother was. And yet, the girl had a strange freedom to do as she wished, when she wished. As if she was an adult.
Mannheim was also the one person that did present a challenge to Artemis. She was just as intelligent and clever as Artemis, but wasted it on foolish things that were good for everyone. She had made herself quite an adversary to Artemis. She was enough of a challenge that for this contest, Artemis had hacked into her computer and stolen her blueprints. He then melded the plans with his own blue prints and submitted them.
With a small smile, young Artemis returned his attention to the host.
"And so, with no further ado, I am pleased to announce that the winning blueprints and the one hundred thousand dollars prize go to…" The man looked at the card that he had just been handed. "Jackie Rene Mannheim!"
Applause broke out and copies of the winning blueprints were projected on the wall behind the stage. Artemis frowned as the girl rose from her seat and stepped up to the stage. For half a second the children's eyes met. The narrowing of the eyes from both parties was clear. This wasn't over.
Someone gave Jackie a box to stand on so she could reach the microphone on the podium.
"Thank you all. I must say, I am surprised."
You are not the only one, Artemis thought.
"All the contestants came up with wonderful ideas," Jackie continued. "I have had a lot to contend with here." While she remained cheerful a slight edge came into her voice and her eye flitted to Artemis as she said this. With the barest hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth the continued, "I had actually come up with two designs, but thanks to today's technology I cannot remove the other from my computer!"
The audience laughed at the joke, but Artemis just frowned again. She didn't fool him with the well timed gag. The computer blueprints were a decoy. She had expected him to cheat! And worst of all, he had fallen for it!
"Nevertheless, I feel that these plans will be better than anyone expected." She removed a laser pointer from a hidden pocket and pointed at several key points on the projection of her plans. "As you can see, because of the precise arch of the ceiling, there will be no sound difference from the front row to the balcony. Furthermore, this tiny curve going towards the stage will insure that sound does not break past the safe decibel range."
Jackie Rene Mannheim continued to explain small details as Butler removed his phone from his pocket.
"What is it, Butler?" Artemis asked quietly.
"E-mail, sir. We have a hit in Ho Chi Min City."
"Excellent. At least the day isn't a total loss."
As Butler packed their things later that night, Artemis could hear the giggles of two girls. One of the girls was Butler's little sister, Juliet. The sixteen year old was acting as Artemis's mother's servant. What really bothered Artemis was the second girl: none other than Jackie Mannheim herself! Jackie and Juliet had been friends since the American had come to the country nearly two years before. Because of this, Jackie was around far more than Artemis would have liked. Butler never minded her presence, for reasons that he would not divulge, and this irritated Artemis even more.
"I should have known that those plans were a decoy," Artemis grunted.
"Stop beating yourself up, sir," Butler said. "What's a hundred thousand pounds to you?"
"I suppose you're right, Butler."
"Is losing really what's bothering you? Or is it who you lost to?"
The question wasn't answered, but the oversized body guard didn't expect one.
Ho Chi Minh City
Artemis and Butler followed Nguyen Xuan to a poor lane lined with beggars on rice mats. Most of the residents on this lane had nothing to spare, with the exception of four. Butler looked down the lane and saw a young pre-teenage girl on a cell phone. Her red hair seemed almost iridescent in the dark ally and her green eyes appeared to be bits of burning sulfur. Jackie Mannheim had not yet noticed them, but her presence more than intrigued Butler. Was she following them? If so why? Would it be because of… her?
Artemis smiled, but did not notice Jack, who was getting closer.
"Butler," Artemis said, "pay our friend. In full. Remember Mister Xuan, this is between us. You don't want Butler to come back, do you?"
"No Master Fowl. My lips are sealed."
Butler could hear Jack's voice as he handed over the twenty thousand American dollars.
"I'm just visiting a friend of mine, Ms. Catherine," the girl was saying. "Of course I'm still in Ireland. I'm twelve how could I be otherwise?"
A very good question, Butler thought.
Jack finally looked up and made eye contact with Butler.
"Ms. Catherine, I have to go. I'll call you when I get back to Dublin."
The girl quickly dodged into another ally. Butler almost followed when he heard Artemis's voice again.
"Ma'am, I would like to see your book in return for restoring your magic."
Butler felt something brush against him, but when he turned nothing was there aside from a heat haze. Not surprising in the sweltering heat of a Vietnam summer. Still, his solider sense could not help thinking they were being spied on somehow.
"No good to you," the sprite said. "Written in old language."
Butler took the golden book and photographed every picture. He then copied the pictures onto Artemis's phone and emailed them to Fowl Manor. Within half an hour every character was saved in the Fowl computer. Artemis gave the sprite an injection of a virus that would rid her of her alcohol addiction.
"Time to leave," Artemis said. "A hundred years of alcohol leaving the body by any means possible is not a pretty sight."
Butler and Artemis left the ally. Jack appeared quite suddenly next to the fairy's hole and peeked in.
"Baya?"
"Jackie…?"
Jack quickly reached into the hole, pulled out the trembling sprite and vanished into thin air again.
"It's going to be okay, Baya," Jack's voice whispered in the darkness. "It's my turn to take care of you."
Skipping ahead to just before the time stop is put in place.
Jack Mannheim was furious. Baya, the Vietnamese sprite, was settled in her closet detoxifying. She didn't know how, but somehow Artemis Fowl had managed to erase the memory of his meeting with the sprite in Vietnam. How did he even find her in the first place? She suddenly felt no qualms talking about it with the boy. He already knew about the People and she wanted to know how!
Plus she was certain he was responsible for her computer contracting a virus, reducing it to only some much chips and wire.
Jack pushed her motor scooter onward into the Fowl property. She could sense it at once. Something was amiss. Heat hazes were scattered about the area and it was a chilled evening. Jack feared the worst as she gunned the throttle.
What has that boy done now? she wondered, fearfully.
Jack entered the manor without knocking as she always did. There were no Butlers doing random security checks as was normal, but they could just be checking different areas of the house.
"Fowl!" Jack called. "Get yer ass down here! I gotta bone to pick with you!"
Artemis was in the control room watching Holly weep as she sat on her cot. He was starting to have second thoughts. He didn't expect fairies to look so… human. He also hadn't expected a female, like Mother or Juliet or...
"Damn it Fowl, I'm talkin' to you!"
Jack?
Artemis checked his monitors. His heart sank as he looked at his watch. It had frozen and that meant the time stop was in place. Jack was trapped in here and Artemis did not have the supplies to save her.
Holly knew what was digging into her heel now. It was the acorn. There was hope after all.
"Fowl!"
Holly's ears barely picked up the new voice, but she didn't need to hear it twice to know who it was. Jackie. But why would Jackie be in this house looking for possibly the most evil Mud Boy alive?
For a moment, Holly feared that the teenager's time on the surface with humans had corrupted her, but she shook away that notion at once. Jackie would never turn her back on the People. If only Holly could get her attention…
Artemis bolted out of the study and ran right into Jack. Literally. The collision knocked them both to the floor.
"There you are!" Jack roared as they climbed to their feet. "What did you do to Baya?! How did you find out about her? Furthermore I demand reimbursement for my computer that you destroyed!"
"I don't have time for this Jackie."
"Jack."
"Whatever. We can discuss this tomorrow. Now get out of here while you still can."
"What's that supposed to mean? Art, what is going on? What have you done?"
Artemis gave his best innocent face.
"Done?" Artemis asked.
But Jack saw right through it. She saw the truth in his eyes. Those hazes weren't there because it was a pretty night. Artemis had provoked them somehow.
"Oh gods, Arty… You have got to stop this now. Whatever it is yer doing, stop. You don't know what yer up against here."
"I don't know what you mean."
Artemis was done playing. He had plans that needed tending to. Jack could figure her own way out if she insisted on behaving this way. He made to leave but Jack grabbed his arm and pushed him against the wall.
"You know damn well what I mean. The fairies in the yard! What have you done to…?" Jack glanced into the study and saw Holly on one of the screens. She gasped. "Holly… Art… you didn't…"
By now, Artemis was so full of questions Jack could hear his brain buzzing.
"How do you know about fairies? And how do you know Captain Short?"
But Jack shook her head.
"Yer not gonna get away with this. I'll see to that myself."
"Don't be so dramatic."
"Where is she?"
"Do you honestly think…?"
"WHERE IS SHE?"
Jack raised her fist as she aimed a punch. Artemis just smiled. There was no reason to flinch. Butler came out of no where and grabbed her fist. His hand was so massive that it nearly swallowed her arm to the elbow.
"Jack, I don't care if you are my sister's best friend. I will break your arm if I must."
Jack pulled away from him with surprising strength.
"Fine! I'll find Holly myself."
Jack began to walk away.
"Butler, stop her."
Jack wasn't really sure how Butler hit her, but she knew it hurt. She was down in a flash, barely clinging to consciousness.
"Juliet will be furious," Butler noted, his insides churning with guilt over what he had just done.
"She will get over it."
"How can Jack know about the People and Captain Short?"
"That is a very good question. Put her in with the elf. We can talk to her later."
"I think it may be best if Juliet interrogated her. I doubt she will willingly speak to either of us."
Jack came to her senses to find herself on a cot. Someone was slapping her cheek lightly. She could hear her name being called in the distance. Finally she managed to open her eyes. A blurry face was very close to her own. Jack planted a hand on Holly's chest and pushed her away.
"Holly… you know I've got long arm syndrome."
"Glasses might help. Or magic."
"There are more important things to use magic on than a small vision problem. You must be dry or else Art couldn't keep you here. What's going on?"
"I could ask you the same thing. 'Art?' You're on a nickname basis with the Mud Man who's kidnapped me?!"
"Hardly. He hates being called Art so I do it to piss him off. The only reason I'm here now is because the prat did something to Baya and killed my computer!"
Holly buried her face in her hands, oblivious to what she had just been told.
"This is all my fault…"
"How?"
"I… I told him everything… I didn't want to. He… he gave me…"
Unable to get the words out, Holly rolled up her sleeve and showed Jack the puncture wound on her arm. Jack shook her head. Artemis was border-line evil, but this just wasn't his style. Plus, she had seen Baya give him a copy of the Book.
"Holly you can't blame yourself. Artemis just doesn't…"
The door opened. Juliet appeared, still wearing her sunglasses.
"Jack, come with me."
"Juliet, that overgrown brother of yours…"
"Did his job. You were trying to hit Artemis, remember?"
"Badger me not with details."
"Just get up. Please."
Jack stood and followed Juliet. They left Holly in her cell, but Jack gave the elf's hand a squeeze first.
"Artemis wants me to interrogate you. He said you know the elf and about fairies and he wants to know why. Jack, you're my best friend so I'd rather just ask you and you tell me the truth."
"You wouldn't believe it. Hell I barely believe it."
"Jack… Jackie. There's an elf in the basement and even more of them in the yard. I'm not sure there is much I wouldn't believe now. Just tell me the truth."
"Actually, odds are there are more sprites in the yard than elves. You wanna know the truth? Alright then. But I hope you're ready for this. When I was four I was kidnapped from my American orphanage and taken to Haven, the capital of the fairy world. From there I was given fairy magic. Doctor Robin Goodfellow and Vern Howler raised me. The sprite where Fowl got his information was Rob's house keeper. She became an alcoholic when she was sent here for being an accomplice to the experiment."
"Wait… why do I know that name? Robin Goodfellow?"
"Also known as Puck from Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. It's required reading in most schools. May we move on? I was part of an experiment. The theory was that humans were inherently good. So I was taken to live among the People and raised as a pixie. I had a slight point added to my ears and a brow implant to make it slightly wider. The experiment was a success, but it was also highly illegal. Uncle… I mean, Dr. Goodfellow and Vern are in prison and I was shipped to Dublin."
"Why didn't they send you back to your parents?"
"No one even knows who they are."
"Why Dublin? Why not go back to America?"
"Foaly did some research and thinks one of my parents may be from the area. Besides, there's more magic here."
"So how did you meet the elf?"
"You make her sound like an animal."
"You know I don't mean to."
Jack ignored her friend's apology.
"Holly was my neighbor. She's like a sister to me."
Juliet was torn. Jack was her friend, but Artemis would be furious if she just let her go. She glanced at the camera and casually turned so her back was to it.
"Jack I'm about to disobey my orders, but you have to help." Jack said nothing. She knew as well as Juliet that Artemis was probably watching them. "I want you to hit me hard just below my left ear. It'll knock me out and then you can get out of here."
"I'm not going anywhere without Holly," Jack said barely moving her lips.
"I can't let you take her and neither can she. Artemis put her eye ball orders not to leave."
"D'Arvit."
"You even know their language."
"Of course I do!" Jack grunted irritably. "I grew up with them!"
"Come on, Jack we haven't much time."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Jack acted like she was walking away. Juliet grabbed her arm and Jack swung at her hitting the spot Juliet told her. The sixteen year old was down in a flash. But she wasn't out. Jack couldn't bring herself to hurt a friend, especially when she was trying to help.
"Just lay there a while. I'll figure a way to stop Art." Jack's lips didn't move as she spoke.
"You can't."
"Shut up. Yer unconscious, remember?"
Artemis hit the intercom button.
"Butler, be advised, Jack has escaped custody. Juliet is down, but appears fine."
"Ten-four. Can you see her on camera?"
"Yes. She's heading to the trophy room."
Butler changed his course. He was not in a hurry because he had already handed over all the stolen LEP weaponry.
A repeating crashing sound made Juliet finally decide to sit up again. She headed for Holly's cell at once. The elf was crashing her bed into the floor.
"What are you doing? Trying to knock the house down?"
"I'm hungry and I'm tired of waving at that stupid camera. Where's Jackie? I wanna see her."
"Don't get your pant… or whatever in a twist. And I can't let you see Jack."
"Why not?"
"She got away. Knocked me out and ran off. And you should know that Jack is my best friend. This isn't easy."
"Oh I can see how this is so inconvenient for you!" Holly's voice was dripping with sarcasm.
"What do you fairies eat?" Juliet snapped back.
"Fruit and vegetables. And be sure to wash them. I don't want any of your poison in my blood."
Butler came up behind Jack. Her ears quivered ever so slightly. She spun around, but it was too late. Butler grabbed her around the middle and slung her over his shoulder as if she were a doll. Somewhere deep in her brain Jack could not help be amazed at the man's strength. However, her anger smothered the thought and she beat his shoulder with her fists, which did as much good as trying to chop down a large tree with a herring.
"Put me down you ape!"
"I'm under orders. And you hit Juliet."
"Oh I didn't either. She let me go. We just play acted so Arty wouldn't know."
Butler showed no emotion. He was glad that his sister was okay, but if Artemis found out what Juliet had done he would be very, very cross.
"Artemis wants you at the negotiations."
"Butler you can't think this will work!"
"Artemis hasn't been wrong yet."
"Well he is now!"
Butler took her to the conference room where he tied her to a chair.
"Butler, please."
Butler hesitated then placed his hand on hers, though his hand covered most of her lower arm. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Artemis's voice on the intercom.
"Butler we have a guest. I'll show him in. You get up here and police the surveillance camera."
"On my way."
"Butler please!"
But the manservant left without another word, but his mind was racing.
Soon Jack was joined by Artemis and Commander Root. Artemis received yet another surprise as Root rushed to Jack's side.
"Jack! Are you alright? Where's Holly… er, Captain Short? Is she alright?"
"She's in a concrete cell. She's pissed and disheartened, but fine."
"How do you know each other?" Artemis asked. His tone was calm but it was more of a demand than question.
"That doesn't concern you," Root growled.
"Commander don't!" To Artemis she said. "I've told Juliet everything. She'll give you a full report later. If yer still around to hear it that is."
Root smiled lovingly at Jack, as if he were a doting grandfather. Then he noticed the ashtray on the table. He lit a fungus cigar as he sat.
"Maybe you aren't a complete barbarian after all."
"Humph!" Jack snorted.
Artemis shuffled his notes like a news anchor.
"Here are the facts as I see them," the lad said. "I have the information and means to expose your world, so anything that I ask would be a small price to pay."
Jack began spewing swear words in both Gnomish and English.
"Quiet Jack," Root scolded mildly. He blew several smoke rings before saying, "So what? You'll post it all on the internet?"
"Not at once. Not with the time stop in place that is."
Root choked on a lungful of smoke. Their ace in the hole, gone! Jack too was flabbergasted.
"How did you…?!"
"Quiet Jack," Root repeated. He turned back to Artemis. "Well, if you know about the time stop then you know that you are completely cut off from the outside world. You are, in effect, powerless."
"Let's save some time here. I grow weary of your clumsy bluffs. In case of abduction, the LEP sends a crack team to get back what's been lost. You have done so. Then you enter negotiations. If no solution can be found within eight hours, a bio-bomb is detonated. Contained of course, by the time field."
Root chewed violently on his cigar butt.
"You seem to know a lot about us. I don't suppose you'll tell me how?"
"Correct."
Suddenly Root shot a piercing glare at Jack. Her eyes grew wide under his stare and she shook her head fiercely.
"No! I'd never tell this sadistic cretin about the People. I didn't even know he knew about us…" Her face fell slightly and Artemis saw the perpetual sadness etched into her stunning eyes. "I mean, you until I came here and saw Holly in her cell."
"Miss Mannheim did not inform me on the ways of the People."
Root listened to Artemis, but pretended not to. He touched Jack's hand, barely.
"I know you wouldn't tell sacred secrets," He whispered in Gnomish so Fowl wouldn't hear. "Forgive me."
"What's to forgive?" Jack whispered back.
Artemis cleared his throat loudly. Root smashed his cigar out.
"Alright then, Fowl. What are your demands?"
"Demand. Singular."
He slid a notepad to Root. Jack stretched to see, but couldn't. She bounced in her chair and tried to move closer. Root finally showed it to her.
"A ton of unmarked gold ingots?"
"You cannot be serious," Root said.
"I am."
Jack exploded in laughter. It wasn't so much laughter as a release of emotions.
"You're insane!" she cried. "If you don't release Holly and me… well, Holly at least, the LEP will kill you! Juliet and Butler too! Now I don't know about you, but I kinda like those two even if they do work for you and I don't want to see them hurt!"
Artemis looked like he was ready to smack Jack across the room. Root beat him to it by stuffing a biscuit in her mouth.
"Annoying as she can be," Root said, nursing a bite he had just received from Jack with a single blue spark, "she's right. We do not negotiate. Not really. I'm just here to explain the facts."
Artemis smiled his vampire-like smile. "You will negotiate with me, Commander."
"Really? What makes you so special?
"I am special, because I can escape the time field."
Jack choked on her biscuit. Root hit her on the back several times.
"Impossible!" she cried, but Root stuffed another biscuit in her mouth before she could say anything more.
"It can't be done. Stop biting me!"
Jack tried to speak, but couldn't through the biscuit.
"It can be done. Trust me, I haven't been wrong yet."
Root tore the front sheet off the notepad.
"I'm going to have to think about this."
"You have seven and a half hours."
"Master Fowl, you haven't given us very much to trust you with. Why don't you give us Jack on good faith?"
Unfortunately, Jack had swallowed her biscuit. Before Root could shove another in her mouth, she said, "Because there is no good in him! He's an uncouth, manipulative, conniving little prat!"
"I have some questions for Jack."
Root stiffened.
"Torture?"
"I did not say that," Artemis said with a smile. "I merely have some questions for her."
A vein in Root's temple seemed ready to burst.
"Julius," Jack said in Swahili, "I'll be alright. Go."
Artemis was intrigued by her gift of tongues.
"I'll see myself out," Root growled.
"You do that. But remember, none of your people can enter this manor as long as I am alive."
Root touched Jack's cheek. As he left, he realized how slippery Artemis Fowl was. However, the Mud Boy was making a big mistake. He was assuming that Root would play by the rules. You don't get commander stripes from playing things by the book. Time for some unorthodox action.
Root decided to bring in a kleptomaniac dwarf, named Mulch Diggums. Holly managed to escape from her room after breaking through the floor, planting her acorn and mesmerizing Juliet into thinking the blank wall was a television showing twenty four hour wrestling. The dwarf broke into Fowl Manor and recovered the copy of the Book Artemis had procured. But not before…
After Root left, Artemis turned to Jack.
"You sick, depraved monster!"
"I am not a monster, Jackie."
"YOU KIDNAPPED MY SISTER!"
"She's your sister? You are half elf then?"
"Of course not! I'm human. I told everything to Juliet. Ask her. Now either untie me or piss off so I can escape."
Artemis was sure to have eye contact.
"You cannot leave this house."
Jack rolled her eyes.
"Whatever. You act like I have to follow rules. At least Holly can move around her room!"
Artemis left the room. At once Jack began squirming and moving to loosen the ropes that bound her to the chair.
"And to think some people find this kinky," she muttered.
A crash came from beyond the door. It could only mean one thing. Fowl's plan was going wrong somehow. The good guys had returned.
"Hey! I'm in here! Yo! I'm in the library!"
Mulch wagged a finger at a moaning Butler.
"No one takes a body blow from Mulch Diggums and walks away."
"Hey, convict," Root said through Mulch's ear piece, "get out of there. That Mud Man took on an entire retrieval squad."
Mulch gulped and backed away. He ran down the stairs. When he reached the end, he ran into Holly Short.
"Captain Short?"
"Mulch?"
"Hello!" Jack called from the next room. "Hey! I could use a little help in here! Julius! Holly!"
"Jack!"
Holly grabbed Mulch's shoulder and pulled him into the library with her.
"Holly!"
"It's okay Jack. I'm here. Diggums, can you chew through these ropes?"
"Can dwarf gas knock out a seven foot giant?"
"Just do it!"
He hesitated.
"No way. She's human!"
"Do it convict!" Root yelled into Mulch's ear piece.
"Diggums, this is Jackie Mannheim," Holly said.
"Really?" Mulches eyebrows went up. "But what about Spelltropy?"
Jack's eyes lowered and she sniffed. Holly placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Jack doesn't have Spelltropy and never did. I don't care what some fairies think. Just untie her. And then, take her with you."
"No way!" Jack cried as Mulch bit off the ropes. "I owe little Arty a smack down!" Jack hesitated and asked. "Where's Juliet?"
"She's in no danger. I mesmerized her so she thinks she is watching twenty four hour wrestling."
Jack smiled and touched the elf's hand.
"Thank you. She's not like most humans, Holly. A bit on the violent side, yes, but she's a good person."
"We aren't out of the woods yet. Jack, they are going to blue rinse the house and I don't know if Commander Root can help you considering you're…"
"Human, I know. I can take care of myself, Holly."
Holly Short wished she could believe Jack, but time was too short to dwell on it.
"Fine. Mulch, go. Jack…" She couldn't finish the statement.
"I'll be okay, Holly." Jack was usually clam. That was one of the signs… "But be careful. Butler took out an entire retrieval squad on his own."
"The equipment?"
"Art's office I assume."
"Interesting…"
Holly faded out of sight as a grin spread across her face. Mulch was tempted to stay. There was nothing better than watching a Recon jock go to town on a bunch of humans, but he had an escape to attend to. He burrowed his way to a family of rabbits, plucked out his iris cam, put it on the rabbit and killed the critter.
"Sorry friend," Mulch thought. Then he screamed, "Cave in! Help!" Then nothing. The bio scans from the iris cam read no pulse or breathing. To the world, Mulch Diggums was dead.
Fowl was not pleased with the happenings, but all was not lost. Captain Short was still his prisoner and time was still on his side. The only X factor was Jackie Mannheim. He would have to find a way to get her out of the house as well. Hopefully Artemis could convince Commander Root to take her, as the elf seemed to have a grandfather type affliction for the girl. If that failed he would have to find a way to take her with him, which could be difficult as she did not trust him.
Just as Argon and Cumulus discovered a way into the house, Commander Root discovered he was suddenly no longer making the calls. Cudgeon had spoken to the Council and was in charge. And he was sending in a troll.
"People told me you would stab me in the back, but I didn't listen. I was a fool."
"This is not about us, Julius. It's about the mission. This troll is our best chance of success."
"It's a dumb animal for heaven's sake!"
"I guarantee you those humans will be begging us to come rescue them."
"And what about Holl… my officer? There is also another hostage in there!"
"The Mannheim girl is hardly worth the trouble. She should have been mind wiped in the first place considering…"
"Jackie had nothing to do with the Spelltropy outbreak and you know it!"
"As for your officer, it is a chance I… the Council is willing to take. Now get the hell out of my way!"
"The credit is all yours, Commander."
"See you tomorrow," Foaly called after Cudgeon. "You'll be taking out my trash!"
Root laughed.
"Hit that back stabber where it hurts, Foaly. Right in the ambition. Now, lobby all my supporters on the Council. I want that gold ready when Cudgeon's plan doesn't work."
Holly scaled the great stair case. It was anyone's guess where Jack had run off to. Butler ran down the hall calling for his sister. Holly had to smile. Don't worry. She's having the time of her life. Holly squeezed into the office where Artemis sat, confidence apparently still intact.
"Hello, Captain."
Holly ignored him as she searched for a Neutrino 2000. She found a helmet instead mostly because Jack had appeared out of no where and was holding one out to her. Apparently the girl still had enough magic for a shield. The child's face was pale.
"You need to hear this."
Holly put on the helmet as Artemis said to Jack, "I didn't see you come in."
"Of course not, moron. I was shielded."
"Holly," Foaly's voice said on the helmet. "Take cover! Cudgeon is sending a troll!"
"Something I should know?" Artemis asked.
"Oh no…"
"It's rude to ignore your host, you know."
"Enough is enough!"
Holly swung around and pulled back her fist. Artemis did not flinch. Why would he? Butler was always there in time to…
And that was when he saw Butler on the security video running to the basement.
"That's right, Mud Boy. You're on your own."
With that Holly whacked Artemis right in between his eyes.
"Oof!" Artemis collapsed on his rear end.
"Oh yes! That felt good." She strapped on a helmet. "Foaly, it's Holly."
"Thank the gods! Take cover! They're sending a…"
"I know. I heard."
"You hit me," Artemis said in surprise.
"That's right and there is more where that came from. So stay where you are if you know what's good for you. If you're a good boy, I'll buy you a lollipop when I get back."
"Holly…?"
"Jack, you stay here too."
"But…"
The elf was gone. The door was shut. Holly shot the latch with her blaster, melting the door closed. That way Jack at least wouldn't be killed by a troll. The elf forced herself not to think of the bio bomb. Or Jack's lack of concern for the bio bomb. It was as if the girl wanted… Holly shook her head.
One crisis at a time.
Jack turned to Artemis, who was still on his rear end. She offered him her hand. Stunned by her kindness he took it and she helped him to his feet.
"Thank you. I must say, Jack, you took me by surprise. I wouldn't expect you to be nice to me after…"
Jack punched him in the nose sending him back onto his bottom. She then tried the door only to burn her hand on the metal. She was sealed in with the one person she hated more than anyone else to keep her company. Great. Just great.
She looked at the security camera screen and paled.
"Juliet!"
Artemis grabbed the radio.
Butler did not have time for his sister's mesmer induced fantasy world. He slung her over his shoulder and started for the office.
"Butler, pick up," Artemis called on the radio. "Lollipops!"
"Say again? I thought you said…"
"Never mind. Get out of there! Take cover!"
The military jargon did not sound right on Artemis's tongue.
"Take cover?"
"Yes!"
"Butler please!" Jack's voice called next. "You've got to get Juliet out of there! A troll is coming!"
Butler looked for a place to hide, but the hall offered nothing, so he ducked behind a suit of armor. The front door exploded. As the troll lumbered into the room, Butler felt something he had not known since childhood. Fear.
The creature sniffed the air an immediately turned to Butler's hiding place. It jumped at him and Butler drew his Sig Sauer and fired two shots to the chest and three between the eyes. But evolution had caused dense bone growth in the skull so, while the shots hurt, they did not kill the beast. The troll brought his hand back and swiped it across Butler's chest. Had they been one floor up the creature would have heard Jack screaming.
Butler felt cold pain as the Kevlar tore half a millisecond before his flesh. He knew at once it was a fatal wound. His lung was gone. Juliet, still under the mesmer did not flinch. Holly dove and planted her heels into the beasts head. This did little else than annoy the creature who swatted her away. Holly then flashed it with the high beams of her helmet, but they were off line. She head butted the creature which turned her lights on, temporarily blinding the troll. Holly was swatted into the wall. Her magic would heal her, but her hand landed on Butler. Amazingly, the human male was still alive.
Holly focused and let her magic go to him.
Butler woke, which was surprise unto itself. Then he saw the blue sparks dancing on his chest. He looked at Holly who was crumpled next to him. He pulled away and jumped to his feet. He was more than alive. He was as strong as he was when he was a twenty five year old vying for the attention of a bar maid in Germany. (Good times, dangerous as they were, but more on that in a later tale.) He pulled on the suit of armor next to him, took the mace and turned the creature as it started for Juliet.
Root and Foaly watched in amazement. Artemis and Jack were flabbergasted and could not have torn their eyes from the security screen if they had wanted to. Not that anyone would have given up the chance to see what they were witnessing.
"I'll show you what happens to someone who lays a hand on my sister!"
He took the mace and hit the creature between the shoulder blades. It whirled around but was wary. It had been hurt.
"I warn you," butler said evenly and firmly. "I am armed and will use deadly force if needed."
"Can that thing understand him?" Artemis asked Jack.
"No, but it doesn't need to. It's the tone that's important."
"Step away from the female. Easy now."
The troll roared, but Butler did not waver.
"Yea. Real scary. Now just back out to the door like a good whatever you are."
The troll snorted, miffed by the reaction.
"One step at a time. Nice and slow."
The troll hesitated. Butler struck. He swung the mace for a devastating upper cut. The troll lashed out, but Butler had already moved out of the way. He found his gun and unloaded the rest of the clip into the creature's skull. The beast still did not die but it was badly wounded. Most would feel bad, but Butler had seen too many people mauled by injured animals. Butler changed magazines and placed the gun beneath the creature's chin.
"Let's see how much bone you have here."
"No…" gasped Holly. "Don't."
Butler paused. Juliet was alive. Every synapsis screamed at him to pull the trigger. But Juliet was alive.
"You owe me human."
"Fine, Captain. Fortunately I'm in a good mood."
Butler grabbed the beast and thrust it into the yard.
"And don't come back!"
"Amazing," Root said.
"Tell me about it," agreed Foaly.
"Art," Jack said. "You better add two extra zeros to that man's next pay check."
"Don't worry. I will." Artemis grabbed the radio. "Commander Root, I am assuming you are monitoring all channels."
"Fowl, this is Commander Root. What do you want?"
"I would like to inform you that in spite of your attempted betrayal, I am still willing to negotiate."
"The troll had nothing to do with me. It was done against my wishes."
"The fact is it was done. You have thirty minutes to comply with my demands or I will leave to time field and not take Captain Short or Jackie Mannheim with me."
"WHAT?!"
Jack aimed another punch, but this time Artemis ducked. He held up a hand to silence her, but she had given up anyway. She knew Artemis was no fool. There was something more to this. If only she could figure out what.
Not that it mattered, a darker portion of her mind thought.
"You're deluding yourself, human," Root said. "There is no way to escape."
"Are you willing to risk the lives of your officer and a civilian on your hunch?"
When Root responded there was a twinge of defeat to his voice.
"No. I am not. You'll have your gold."
Artemis smiled. The commander was a good actor. Artemis settled into lotus position where he remained. Jack took the opportunity to pocket a blaster and two hand held computers.
"How will you do it Art?"
"A magician never reveals his secrets. Besides I know your concern is not for me, but Juliet."
"And Butler. He just saved Holly. I swear if they die, I will kill you."
"An empty threat and we both know it. If they die, then I will be dead as well."
Butler put three rounds into the door frame. While the door was steel, the frame was porous stone like the rest of the manor and crumpled like chalk. Master Artemis was waiting calmly in the swivel chair and Jack was sitting on the floor next to him entertaining herself by using blue sparks to levitate small books. The books dropped as she looked up at him.
"Nice work, Butler."
"Thank you, Artemis. We almost lost it for a minute there. If it weren't for the captain."
"We saw it, Butler," Jack said softly.
"Healing. One of the fairy powers. I wonder why she did it."
"So do I," Butler agreed softly. "We certainly didn't deserve it."
Jack did not argue but did say, "It's our… their nature."
"Keep the faith, old friend," Artemis said. "The end is in sight. Soon, Jackie and Captain Short will be safely home and we will have the funds to launch our more tasteful enterprises."
"I know. It's just…"
He stopped when he remembered Jack was still in the room but she wasn't listening. (Butler noticed she was wiping away a tear.) Artemis understood Butler's sentiment. Holly had saved them both and yet he was still holding her for ransom. To a man of honor like Butler, it was almost too much to bear.
"The negotiations are over. No harm will befall Captain Short." He looked at Jack and added, "You have my word."
"Like that's worth much. What about Juliet?"
Butler looked at Artemis his expression demanding the same thing.
"She is in no danger."
Jack left the room in a huff, not believing what she was told.
"The fairies will just give us the gold and leave us in peace?" Butler asked.
"No. They will detonate a bio bomb."
Butler started to question, but stopped. There was more to the plan. When he was ready to know, Artemis would tell him.
"I trust you Artemis."
"I know you do."
The responsibility of that trust was etched on the boy's face.
Root used the tranquilizer in his finger to knock out Cudgeon, who had just lost command. No one could prove it wasn't an accident.
"Load up the gold onto the hover trolley. Any trouble and I'll feed you your wings," he barked at Chix Verbil. To Foaly he said, "I want that bio bomb launched the moment Jack and Captain Short are clear. Let's bring them home."
Unknown to those around him, Root's heart stung because he knew Jack would not be allowed to return underground. He was only offering her shelter for the bomb then leaving her on the surface. Alone. Again.
Holly was hovering above everyone.
"Have you old them about the bio bomb?" she asked Artemis.
"Your concern would be touching if it extended to myself. Everything is going according to plan."
"The troll was according to plan?" Jack cried. "Butler nearly dieing? Was that according to the plan?"
"A small blip that is irrelevant to the over all scheme."
Holly turned to Butler.
"Please listen to reason!"
"If Artemis says it's possible than it is."
Another idea came to Artemis.
"Captain Short, I would like a word with you in private."
Artemis led the way to the hall.
"Captain how much would I have to pay for a wish?"
Holly glanced at the trolley.
"What do you have to bargain with?"
Holly and Jack returned to base camp with half the gold. Holly and Jack were not happy that the bio bomb was about to detonate, but try as they might Root would not be dissuaded. All they could do was watch from the below ground monitors.
Butler was surprised that Artemis had returned half the gold. Artemis said it was for the fairy's service. No need to discuss the wish.
Butler knew something was up as he was handed the champagne flute. He could taste the tranquilizer. He would have had plenty of time to sap Artemis's neck before the effects hit, but he did not. There was no need to cause Juliet grief in her final moments. The three sank to the floor.
Root ordered a team into the house, but no one got far before magic sickness kicked in. As amazing and impossible as it was, Artemis Fowl was still alive!
Mulch, for his part in he tale is not over, waited or the guards to be distracted before helping himself to several bars of gold. Then he went back underground.
Jack ran inside the moment the time field collapsed. Her heart sank went she saw Juliet on the floor.
"Juliet!"
She rushed to her friend's side and felt her wrist. The pulse was strong and steady. Jack went to Butler next. His pulse was steady as well. She patted his cheek lightly. After a moment he began to stir.
"Butler, it's Jack. Come on. Wake up."
"Jack?"
"Yea, it's me. Juliet is still asleep. I wanted to get her on the couch but she's too heavy. I need help."
Butler scooped his little sister into his arms and lay her gently on the couch. Jack touched his arm as if testing to see if he was solid.
"I don't believe it… You're okay."
"I can't believe it either."
Jack saw the murderous look in his eye as Butler cast his gaze upon his employer who was coming to.
"Artemis?"
"Father?"
Artemis opened his eyes and saw Butler and Jack before him.
"Artemis, you're awake."
"Ah, Butler. It's you."
He ignored Jack as he sat up. He swayed, expecting Butler's arm to steady him, but the manservant did nothing. Juliet was still sleeping.
"Just sleeping pills, Butler," Artemis said. "Harmless."
"Explain yourself."
"Not now Butler. I'm feeling a bit…"
"Artemis, my sister was almost killed. Explain yourself at once."
Artemis knew he had overstepped his boundaries.
"I did not tell you about the sedatives because you would have fought them. It was imperative that you go to sleep at once."
"Why?"
"Sleep was the only way to escape the time field. The theory was if one was asleep, they would continue with the normal flow of time. The camera in Mother's room proved me correct. She vanished when the time stop began."
"What if she hadn't?" Jack demanded.
"Then I would have surrendered at once and consented to a mind wipe."
He paused so Butler could process the information.
"Well, am I forgiven?"
"Hardly!" Jack said, but the question had not been directed at her.
"Yes, Artemis," Butler said as he smiled at his sister's snoring. The smile was gone in the next second. "But never again. Fairies are too… human."
"I agree. We shall restrict ourselves to more tasteful matters." Jack snorted so Artemis consented. "Legal, I cannot promise."
Another voice joined them.
"Arty?"
Artemis felt his heart stop momentarily. He ran past Jack nearly knocking her to the floor, however, Butler placed a hand on her back to keep her up right. Angeline Fowl was descending the stairs. He had almost forgotten how graceful his mother was. Jack was yelling obscenities in French as she stormed out the front door, but Artemis did not care. He had gotten the wish he had paid for. He ran into his mother's outstretched arms.
"I'm so sorry, Arty."
"For what?"
"Everything. It's time to stop living in the past. Arty… what has happened?"
The woman's eyes took in the damage.
"Remodeling. The door way was riddled with damp."
It was clear his mother was not fooled. "I see. What of school? Have you decided on a career? And who was that girl that just left? She did not look very happy."
"Just one of Juliet's friends. Everything is alright, Mother."
Yes, everything was alright again.
Excerpt from Jackie Mannheim's computer journal: encrypted
I'm not sure what to think now. Artemis is an ass, I know that. Seeing that he had regrets was nice to see. At least I know he's human and not a complete monster. While I know Artemis did want his mother back to health, I doubt his asking Holly to heal his Mrs. Fowl was completely selfless. Social Services have been investigating him for a month now. It was only a matter of time before he was put into care like me.
I think Artemis is intending to continue exploiting the People for as long as he can. Fortunately, I think Butler will not allow him to try again. He is a man of honor. It's what I like about him and Juliet. Seeing Butler fight that troll was amazing beyond words. I wish I could be that strong for my family… but I don't have a family. I don't belong here.
Do I belong anywhere?