Chapter 2- Returns, Departures, and Creations

Artemis decided to shake off that eerie feeling that selling to Skylar was a mistake by listening to some of his favorite composers on his iPod (Even genii need iPods, especially Artemis Fowl. His apps included various scientific pieces and actual thermal vision.) He lounged in his classic recliner, quite pleased, and thought about how his parents were enjoying themselves.

I'm sure Skylar will be pleased with that technology, he thought. After all, it's made with the same nuclear technology as his own-

Hang on. Nuclear technology. What the fairies use.

"Oh, God," Artemis gasped. "I'm so stupid." He had to alert the People, but how? Holly's communicator was damaged in the time portal. He had no other direct communication through phones, unless he expected to talk on their Operator line or their pizza delivery service. The only device left to use was…

"Spiro's bane," he thought, "The C-Cube."

He dashed to his room to grab the scientific wonder, what he kept to remind himself. He typed in his 16-digit access code, the replacement to the Eternity Code. When the video screen popped up, Artemis activated the contact list.

"Lower Elements. Operation Booth at LEP headquarters."

After a few moments, there was finally an answer from Artemis' favorite centaur, Foaly.

"Gods above, Artemis," Foaly quizzically commented, "how did you reach my extension?"

"Hello, Foaly," Artemis greeted. "To answer your question, it was the C-Cube that got me to you."

"The device that almost destroyed Haven?"

"The very same. However, I didn't call to chat. I have bad news." Artemis wiped sweat off of his forehead and continued. "I'd like to report something on Damian Skylar."

Artemis could hear the clicking of a keyboard--as well as see it--as Foaly did a search on this name. "Skylar, Skylar," he mused. "Okay. This man is an overnight entrepreneur in computer software. His technology is strikingly advanced. No real police encounters, aside from an incident where he was with the wrong group of people at the wrong time. This man is gold." Foaly scratched himself and added, "You know, I received some test tech to experiment with. The technology is actually familiar."

"I'm off to England, Foaly," Artemis hurriedly said. "Send in Holly as soon as possible to Westminster."

"Artemis," Foaly warned, "Commander Kelp doesn't want any officers out unless it is actually an emergency. We can't just send people out for grudge matches or practical jokes." "Trouble" Kelp was the newest commander of the LEP, replacing the recently discharged gnome Ark Sool and the not-as-recent Julius Root, now deceased. "Just let me know what the problem is and I can decide if it's important."

Artemis took a deep breath before responding.

"Damian Skylar is exporting fairy tech," he said.

"The whole of England is shocked to see that Damian Skylar, the technology mogul, has declared bankruptcy. Skylar Software has laid off every last employee, and Skylar is now missing. Further details await as…"

Here Skylar turned off his Magnavox and smiled. He was hiding inside the one place nobody would look: his 'abandoned' building. As he reached into his pocket to pull out the gun, he chuckled.

"Finally," he said. "After all these years I will have what is rightfully mine. Me. Damian Skylar."

With that, he opened fire on his stock of computers and modems.

Instantly, wires and gears dislodged themselves from the plastic casings. The computers were unplugged and yet still glowing a diabolical shade of blue. Cell phones vibrated before growing wires as if they were legs and crawling towards the ever-growing mound of mechanical monstrosity.

These machines were alive.

The mound adjusted itself into a cone-shape and began to spin. Once the point reached the floor, the metal seared through the concrete with battery acid. Deeper it went, acting as a drill to the center of the Earth. But, possibly, not that deep.

"Yes!" Damian cheered, "Yes!" Then he fiddled with the controls of the gene gun. "Just one last piece to drop into the puzzle, now."

He turned the gun on himself and fired.

…To Be Continued