Blue and Hazel

An: I don't own Artemis Fowl.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Holly gave Stout, the newest addition to their team, a sideways glance. She had no personal problem with him. He was a good officer. The younger fairy was a professional for the most part and was always eager to work. Unfortunately, for Holly he had been copy and pasted into their private operation. Marsh Stern knew of Griffith's kidnapping but he didn't exactly know who and she wished to keep it that way. She wanted to at least get face to face with Artemis. If she was going to persuade him or find out the truth she had to have alone time with him.

"Wow," Stout stated completely in awe. "These computers are so powerful looking."

Foaly snorted. "Looking? They don't just look powerful for your information, Stout. They are powerful. These computers keep the headquarters in sync and protected."

Stout mouthed another 'wow' before turning his attention to some inventions laying upon one of the lab tables. Foaly raised a brow as he turned to Holly. He leaned in closer to make sure his statement was away from prying ears.

"Tell me again why we have eager fairy with us these days?" he asked with a huff.

She smiled softly. "Just something Commander Stern insisted. Apparently, Stout, has proven himself very reliable and useful in these situations and he wanted him to be a part of this."

"Holly, you do realize he is on traffic duty?" he asked with a firm disbelieving look. "How would he know anything about recon or anything beyond directing traffic?"

Holly smiled with a strain. "I don't like this either but as long as we keep the commander happy I am certain he wouldn't think to look too carefully into our work."

Foaly leant back in his specially customized chair and nodded. He understood their situation. Despite their new team member they had to continue with their secret search.

"Plus, it looks like Scout is here for the gadgets," she remarked as she turned to survey his expression of fascination. "I think he won't notice a thing."

Foaly nodded as he turned back to the screen. The centaur bit his lip as he scanned his computer for any new information on Artemis. He had spent all his time trying to find out Griffith's whereabouts as well as Artemis and Opal. Wherever Opal and Artemis were Griffith would be there.

"Artemis is known for his advance intellect," Foaly shared in a hushed tone. "Now, if we know him he possibly created many firewalls to keep us out of his network. If we can maybe find a moment of weakness in the barrier we should be able to pin point any abnormal activity in cyberspace."

She frowned. "How do you plan to get a hold of his past video calls? We do have a number but how do we know it isn't connected to just that one location? He could have moved. I know for certain he wouldn't remain stationary. He must know we are looking for him?"

"Of course he knows we are looking," Foaly beamed. "But he doesn't know how far we've come. As long as he thinks we are still navigating in the dark he will grow smug and arrogant and give us our moment. All we need is a tiny break in the system. Possibly network maintenance, daily computer bug checks? We just need a second where the security will have to be down for updates."

Holly nodded. "I think I understand you. So you think if Artemis goes to reset his security wall we should be able to hack him?"

"Yes, my computer has gathered many different familiar signatures all tied to Artemis over the past," he grinned with a proud grin. "Call my computer an Artemis tracker if you will."

There was a loud obnoxious clatter like the sound of metal scratching against the floor's surface. Both friends turned to their right and spotted one of Foaly's technicians and Stout. Stout had a guilty expression upon his face while the tech looked ready to throttle the male.

"Everything okay over there?" Foaly asked as he eyed one of his team members.

The tech opened his mouth to divulge the whole incident to his supervisor but Stout slapped his hand over his mouth.

"It is okay here, Foaly," Stout announced. "I was just checking out this cool new tech you have developed for the LEP! Anything interesting with Griffith's case?"

Foaly shook his head. "We only know Vincent may be a part of the entire mess. We are simply looking into his background which I am sure would be too boring for a man of action like yourself. Unless you wish to read about his life in university and look at his social page. I must confess it is quite interesting. He has taken an excessive amount of self- photos. Ah, he went swimming with the dolphins one summer how quaint."

Stout dismissed the offer. "I'll just learn about the new tech. Call me when things get exciting."

Foaly shrugged. "Suit yourself. Vincent Fran is a lively character."

Stout didn't respond. Foaly grinned before he turned back to the screen. Holly watched intently as the centaur worked. In the background Stout was asking the poor technician a plethora of questions. Holly giggled to herself. It had only been a few days since Stout joined the team. At first it was daunting for the team. The fairy had snooped around every piece of business they had. It had been lucky that nothing important about Artemis had been exposed to the new member.

After a few more days they were able to find ways to distract Stout. Foaly started telling a different technician each day to stay behind to work on a new project. Truth be told Foaly didn't need the extra help. He just wanted Stout to be mesmerized by the technology. Their excellent plan was working better than they thought it would. Now, they had no worries when it came to Stout's presence.

Holly's attention went back to the soft whirring sound emittingfrom the computer. They waited patiently for anything new. Suddenly a bright green dot appeared on the screen. It shone bright before blinking in and out.

"We got him."

Holly smiled as she pointed at the blinking green sphere on a vast black screen.

"Right there," Foaly poked at the screen to enlarge the image.

Loading the information required a bit of time. Foaly began to multitask and casually scanned the news on the surfaceground. His eyes widened as he saw one particular news report.Holly was aware of his shock and was instantly on alert.

"French Ambassador's young daughter goes missing from bedroom late at night, no leads," Holly read the headline with a shake in her voice. "It says this kidnapping took place in Washington."

"What have you done, Artemis," Foaly whispered as he began to skim through the article.

The computer beeped. There was new informationavailable for analysis. He opened the location and was able to obtain the coordinates. Another crash sent the tech genius out of his seat. His eyes grew wide at the sight of dark thick black goop blanketing the lab tech, the floor, and Stout. Stout rushed over to them looking shocked. Foaly gritted his teeth before joining hisemployee. Holly laughed as she watched Foaly shake his fists in aggravation. Scraps of metal and black goop covered the table where the tech stood shaking with rage.

"Foaly, let me help you," she smiled as she joined her friend and his employee. "I am sure the stain can be removed."

Holly was in a great mood and didn't mind how rude Foaly was being as he explained the extensiveness of the damages.They knew exactly where Artemis was. There were only a step away from ending this mayhem.

Stout wasn't completely clueless. He knew as soon as he joined Holly and Foaly that he would never be invited freely into their secret conversations. After all he expected to be ignored. He was glad they underestimated his stealth. Every action, everyembarrassed smiled, every guilty expression had been thoroughly planned. For four days straight he created this false image of naivety and incompetence. It was fun to act out such a role. He wasn't a LEP officer he would have joined the high ranking actors and actresses.

He offered his services to the frustrated fairies and centaur but was greeted with Foaly's anger. He had made quite a mess. The smirk he wished to display was easily suppressed. It wouldn't do to have them catch on to his clever scheme. He bid the occupants of the lab a formal good bye before he exited. After Foaly cursed him one more time he calmly walked to the commander's office.

Inside he was greeted with yet another annoyed expression. He quickly pushed the improper greeting aside. He slapped a piece of napkin upon the commander's desk. He watched Stern analyze the numbers before a large grin formed upon the commander's face.

"Good work, Captain Stout," Commander Stern congratulated. "We have them."

Stout wanted to place this very moment down in his memoryforever. The very moment where Commander Sterncongratulated him and promoted him to captain. Commander Stern leant back in his seat with the same expression of happiness on his face. Stout couldn't help but share the commander's joy. They had them indeed.

Hey wonderfuls! Here is another installment. Oh no! Stout? What have you done? Looks like the story is nearly reaching the end? How do you like Stout's acting skills? Anyway, so much great support! I want to give special thanks to reviewers:

StarlightGilgalad, thanks for the review. Poor Girl indeed. I bet he is wondering. Don't worry you will find out soon. Thanks for the support.

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Thanks everyone for the support! Thanks once again to the reviewers, favorites, followers, and those dropping by. The next chapter is 89% of the way done. Thanks again.

Until Next Chapter

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