E93, Arctic Shuttleport
The Arctic Station had never been high on the fairy tourist list. Sure, icebergs and polar bears were pretty, but nothing was worth saturating your lungs with irradiated air.
Holly docked the shuttle in the only serviceable bay.
The terminal itself resembled nothing more than a deserted warehouse. Static conveyor belts snaked along the floor, and low-level heating pipes rattled with insect life.
Holly handed out human overcoats and gloves from an ancient locker.
"Wrap up, Mud Boys. It's cold outside."
Neither boy needed to be told. The terminal's solar batteries had long since shut down, and the ice's grip had cracked the walls like a nut in a vice.
Artemis immediately grabbed the dark fur coat thrown to him, raising an eyebrow at Alex who seemed to opt for a pale white poncho-shaped one. It was a poor choice as it looked to be thinner than the others.
Holly tossed Butler his coat from a distance.
"You know something, Butler, you stink." She said as Artemis attempted to help his flailing brother, whose head seemed to be too big for the neck hole.
The manservant growled, ignoring a distinctly Alex-like chortle next to him. "You and your radiation gel. I think my skin's changed color."
"Don't worry about it. Fifty years and it'll wash right off."
Butler buttoned a Cossack greatcoat to his neck.
"I don't know why you're getting all wrapped up. You've got the fancy suits."
"The coats are camouflage," explained Holly, smearing rad gel on her face and neck. "If we shield, the vibration makes the suits useless. Might as well dip your bones in a reactor core. So for tonight only, we're all humans."
Alex saw Artemis frown and he knew why. If the fairies couldn't shield, it would make rescuing their father much more difficult. His brother's still-forming plan would have to be adjusted.
"Less of the chat," growled Root, pulling a bearskin hat over his pointed ears. "We move out in five. I want everybody armed and dangerous. Even you two, if your little wrists can support a weapon."
Artemis selected a fairy handgun from the shuttle's arsenal. He jacked the battery into its slot, flicking the setting up to three. Meanwhile, Alex just stared blankly at the selection; he didn't like guns. Seeing his indecision, Artemis passed him a flare gun; it wasn't much in the way of firearms but he imagined it would be the only thing his brother would be comfortable carrying. Then he turned to Root.
"Don't worry about me, Commander. I've been practicing. We have quite a stash of LEP weaponry at the manor."
Root's complexion cranked up a notch. Alex wasn't sure whether to facepalm or elbow his brother in the stomach.
"Well, there's a big difference between stunning a cardboard cutout and a real person."
Artemis smiled his vampire smile. "If everything proceeds according to plan, there will be no need for weapons. The first stage is simplicity itself; we set up a surveillance post near Vassikin's apartment. When the opportunity arises, Butler will snatch our Russian friend and the six of us can have a little chat. I'm sure that he will tell us everything we need to know under the influence of your Mesmer. Then, it will be a simple matter to stun any guards and rescue my father."
Root pulled a heavy scarf over his mouth. "And what if things don't go according to plan?"
Artemis's eyes were cold and determined.
"Then commander we will have to improvise."
Alex noticed Captain Short shiver slightly, and he knew it had nothing to do with the cold. He understood that. When their father first went missing Alex's denial of his highly-likely death was every bit as strong as Artemis's—only he was six, so there was a bit more yelling involved. But it was different now, three years later. It wasn't that he didn't want his father back, it was more like he was willing to just let things lay.
Artemis, however, was much more stubborn.
AN: Sorry, again, for the long delay. I got waylaid by school and, now, work. Good news-I'm working on the 'Russia' chapter and I'll hopfully have that finished up and ready to post very soon.