A/N: More action, more explosions, more violence. Oh, and something really important that happens at the end. Enjoy!

-Kio

Chapter 9; Outnumbered

LEP Forward Operating Base, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia

The atmosphere in the shuttle had been bleak. Galadhon had spent most of the journey in calls, either organising the evacuation of the FOB, or with K'Azir, explaining the increasingly desperate situation in Russia. Holly hopped out of the shuttle as soon as it touched down, one goal on her mind.

I want to see Artemis. He'll make me feel better.

She ignored the voice of reason that told her that he still wouldn't remember her, which would likely only make her feel worse. She ignored Foaly's warning that he wasn't yet the same Artemis she remembered, and set off to find him.

Holly had only heard snippets of Galadhon's conversation on board the shuttle, but it was enough for her to know roughly what was going on. The present Opal Koboi was going to be accompanied back to Haven by the rest of the LEP forces, where she would later be picked up by Atlantean shuttles and returned to the Deeps. Until the evacuation could begin, her guard in the FOB would be doubled.

There was no reason that it wouldn't work. Apart from the voice in the back of Holly's head telling her that Opal was coming, and that whatever they did, it wouldn't be enough.

We were supposed to have every advantage. Even Artemis said so.

She shook her head, trying to clear the negative thoughts. Artemis would be in the command building; she was sure of it. She just needed to reach him. She wasn't sure what comfort she was expecting from him, just that she was expecting something.

There was no warning for the attack. One moment, the world was still, the next, sinister silhouettes of former humans dominated the mountains around the LEP base. Opal Koboi was doing the one thing that the LEP had never even considered she would do – she was going to fight them head on.

The myriad of advanced sensors had picked up nothing. According to the screens in the command building, there were no heat signatures closing in on them. No heartbeats. But the base was alive with shouts of enemy contact, and the night was lit up with gunfire.

The formers surged down the mountainside towards the FOB. It was only as they drew closer that the LEP forces realised quite how many there were. Hundreds. Maybe even thousands. A few of the defenders were already starting to panic, abandoning their posts to avoid the seething mass of creatures rushing towards them.

It quickly became clear to the LEP forces that their neutrinos were having no effect – the figures simply absorbed the laser bursts and kept coming. The mounted plasma cannons were more effective. Unlike the neutrinos, which fired a soft laser burst designed to stun, the cannons fired balls of superheated high-energy plasma that ignited on impact.

The resultant explosions were capable of tearing apart several former humans each, inflicting heavy casualties on the horde, but the creatures were still coming thick and fast. It wouldn't be long before they got into the camp.

The entire base was on alert. Some officers had immediately grabbed a weapon and gone to defend the exterior; others were busy equipping themselves with some more serious firepower, explosives being the preferred option. Several of the remaining shuttles were already preparing to launch so they could provide overhead fire support.

The shuttle that had delivered Holly and what remained of her team was already flight worthy and so was the first in the air, climbing to about fifteen meters off the ground and laying down fire. But the former humans were coming from all sides – there was no way for the LEP pilot to target them all.

It wasn't long before the first formers reached the outer defenders. The mounted plasma turrets were difficult to aim at close range, and the gunners had no way to intervene as their exposed comrades, many of them armed only with neutrinos, were literally torn apart. The casualty rate was high and immediate.

By this time, two more shuttles were airborne, joining the first in providing air support. The pilots' radios were already alive with chatter as they agreed between themselves who would cover which area of the camp.

With three heavily armed attack shuttles helping to coordinate the defence and the arrival of reinforcing LEP officers, now fully equipped from the armoury, the tide of formers making it to the base began to subside. But there were already a good number inside the camp itself, causing havoc and killing anything in their path.

Several of them headed straight for the rest of the grounded shuttles, intent on preventing them from launching. It was an easy target – the engineers were focused on preparing the shuttles for flight, and they weren't well armed. They didn't stand a chance against even a few of the creatures, let alone the twenty or so that were headed for them.

One of the shuttle pilots realised what was happening and swung his craft around to assist, but he was just a hair too late to take a safe shot – there were too many friendlies near his targets.

"D'Arvit," he swore under his breath.

But as it turned out, it wouldn't have mattered. On the ground, some of the engineers were turning around to face the oncoming formers. One already had his neutrino sidearm drawn. He didn't think. He simply saw the monstrosities running at him and acted out of fear.

He fired.

It was a mistake. Anyone will tell you that lasers and aviation fuel aren't a good mix. His shot missed its target, instead meeting a stack of fuel barrels. The resultant fireball engulfed not only several of his comrades, but also the nearest grounded shuttle, immediately detonating its payload.

The chain of explosions continued to the other shuttles like a sickening domino effect, blasting apart anything in its path. There wasn't much left by the time the flames began to die away; the LEP fleet lay smouldering, completely destroyed. There would be no evacuation, and only three shuttles to provide air support.

At least the formers didn't survive the inferno.

Holly was torn. A large part of her wanted to rush to the frontline and help fight off the wave of former humans, but her rational side insisted that it wouldn't help. She had no weapon besides a neutrino that she already knew was useless, and she wasn't exactly in the best physical condition at the moment.

But the logic didn't stop her feeling guilty as she continued towards the command building, away from the action. Away from her dying comrades.

The LEP communications being broadcast over her helmet speakers were a mess to say the least. Mostly it was just screams and yells for help, but there were genuine attempts to coordinate a defence as well. Not that it made easy listening.

"Looks like the medical centre has been overrun," said a calmer voice. Holly guessed it was one of the pilots, using his aerial position to convey information. "Those things are all over it. Preparing to fire; danger close. Anyone still alive in there, please acknowledge."

The background chatter continued over the airwaves, but Holly didn't hear anyone saying they were still alive in the medical centre. Anyone inside was either dead or too badly wounded to respond.

"I repeat, any personnel still in the medical centre, please acknowledge." The pilot paused again, his digital crosshair hovering over the overrun medical centre. "If you're still inside, your service will be remembered."

Holly felt the ground shake as the salvo of rockets annihilated the makeshift hospital. Heard the earthshattering sound as the superheated plasma ignited, ripping apart metal and flesh like paper.

If you're still inside, your service will be remembered.

She felt sick to her stomach. Her military side knew it made sense – the risk of friendly fire made eliminating the formers already inside the base difficult, so the pilot had chosen a target crawling with enemies that was unlikely to contain any LEP officers. At least, any surviving LEP officers.

But unlikely wasn't good enough. As she made her way across the camp, Holly couldn't help imagining a fairy trapped in there, wounded and alone, being killed by their own.

Trying to push the image to one side, Holly continued fighting her way through the sea of chaos to the command building. Pushing her way in, she quickly identified Galadhon and went over to him.

"Sitrep?" she asked.

The other captain barely spared her a glance. "Bad. Very bad. I don't think we can hold the base – we have to get Opal out of here before she's compromised."

Holly nodded, understanding immediately. Whatever those creatures really were, there was no doubt in her head that they were the creation of past Opal, here to free her future self.

"She's under guard?"

Galadhon nodded distractedly. "Got some officers outside, but I'm not sure they'll make much difference if those things reach her. I was going to have someone inside to watch her, but I haven't got around to it yet and we're short on numbers-"

"I'll go," interrupted Holly, glad of the opportunity to feel useful. "I'll take Artemis and watch him too," she added, noticing the human boy sat in a corner, looking highly uncomfortable with the situation. "I doubt he'll be much use here."

Grateful for the offer to get the Mud Boy out of his way and have eyes on Koboi, Galadhon gave another quick nod before heading off to continue desperately trying to organise the defence.

"Artemis," Holly called urgently. "With me."

The human didn't need telling twice. Holly's was the only friendly face in the chaos. And while Artemis had been told about the incredible adventures he and Holly had been on, that was a very different thing to being able to remember actually experiencing them. Right now, he felt like he was only two days old, and he was in the middle of warzone.

There was no way around it. Artemis Fowl was scared. He was trying to hide it, but the truth was etched in his eyes for all to see.

Allowing himself to be led to the exit of the command building, away from the computer banks and the hubbub of activity, he asked Holly where she was taking him.

The elf tried to respond, but the sudden noise as they stepped out into the night stole away her words. The organised defensive perimeter had completely fallen apart at this point, and the whole camp had descended into a battlefield. Fighting was everywhere, and the sounds of shouts and explosions were almost deafening.

"Sorry?" shouted Artemis above the din.

"Opal!" Holly yelled back. "We're going to watch Opal."

The elf toyed with the idea of visiting the armoury to collect something with a little more power than her neutrino, but she thought better of it. Even if there was something usable left there – which seemed unlikely – getting there would be dangerous, especially with Artemis completely unable to defend himself. It was more important that they get to Opal and watch her in case her past self used the battle as a distraction to attempt a subtle rescue. That kind of smoke and mirrors stunt was exactly her style.

Yes, said a cynical voice in her head. Opal is the one you're worried about. I'm sure your haste has nothing to do with wanting to get Artemis to safety.

"Quiet!" she hissed to herself, the noise of battle easily drowning out her voice.

They kept low as they crossed the battlefield, moving as quickly as they could while doing their best to avoid stray fire and hoping that a former human didn't decide to interrupt their relatively short journey.

Despite the danger, Artemis couldn't help looking out into the action around him. His eyes locked onto a distant silhouette, floating a few metres above the ever-increasing mass of former humans. He could just about make out a female figure and pointed ears. Opal Koboi.

As if knowing she was being watched, Opal chose that moment to act. She summoned her magic, feeling the power surge down her arm into her open hand, forming a crackling ball of electricity. Fighting to keep hold of the energy in her hand, she aimed at one of the hovering shuttles and let go.

The lightning bolt arced across the sky, striking the shuttle head on and exploding against the front of the cockpit. The blast killed the pilot instantly and disabled most of the shuttle's major systems. The metal teardrop careered to the side, slamming into one of other shuttles before crashing to the ground. The shuttle it had collided with followed a few moments after, landing only about twenty metres away from them.

Artemis stood stock still, staring at Opal with a mixture of shock and awe.

"Come on, Artemis," Holly shouted, grabbing his arm. But before they could get going again, the remaining payload of the crashed shuttle near to them ignited, a series of brilliant explosions that lit up the night. The shockwave knocked both Artemis and Holly off their feet.

Sweating from exertion and the heat of burning plasma, Artemis tried to pull himself to his feet. He glanced around for Holly, but the elf was already up and yelling at him to follow her. At least, he assumed she was. He couldn't hear anything over the ringing in his ears.

Ignoring his blurring vision, Artemis staggered towards her. Everything around him was fire and combat; it struck him that he felt even more alone than when he had first awoken, stuck in the middle of a warzone, surrounded by destruction. He knew that the LEP were no friends of his, not really, and Opal's army would kill him on sight. He was completely on his own.

Apart from Holly.

He kept the elf in vision as he fought to keep pace with her. The journey felt like it lasted a lifetime, but eventually they stumbled out of the worst of the chaos, out of the smoke and flames, into the centre of the base. The building containing Opal's cell stood directly ahead of them, surrounded by a small screw of LEP guards. Weapons were trained on Holly and Artemis the moment they came into view.

Artemis was already too scared to be further worried by this development. He fell to his knees, taking gasps of clean air.

"Stand down!" Holly was shouting. "This is Captain Short, now lower your weapons."

Somewhat reluctantly, the defenders did as they were told. Holly reached out and grabbed Artemis's wrist, pulling him towards the building. One of the guards made to block them from entering, but Holly shouted him down. She was a Captain, after all, and Galadhon had approved her request to take Artemis and watch Opal. Technically.

It was only once inside, with the sounds of battle somewhat muted, that Holly paused to take stock. Next to her, Artemis was slumping against the wall, obviously exhausted. It seemed as though his adrenaline was running out, and the strain of running through a battlefield was catching up with him.

"Holly," he said, his voice shaking slightly. The elf didn't blame him; she was a professional police officer, and she was a little shaken herself. Despite all her years in the LEP, Holly had never experienced anything quite like the hell outside. And Artemis didn't even remember their other adventures. He didn't remember all the impossible things they had survived together. Right now, he was just a boy miles out of his depth.

"It's OK, Artemis," she said softly, reaching out and taking his hand in hers. "I'm here." She gave his hand a little squeeze. "It's normal to be scared, but we'll be fine. You might not remember, but this isn't the first time we've been in a tight spot."

Artemis shook his head. "It's not that." He smiled weakly. "OK, it is partially that. But there's something else. I can't really explain it, but I think something bad is going to happen."

Holly raised an eyebrow. "Really? What gave you that idea?"

"I don't mean Opal. I think something else bad is going to happen."

The elf frowned. "I don't understand."

"Neither do I," replied Artemis, attempting a nervous smile. "At least, not really. Call it a bad feeling."

Holly's frown deepened. It wasn't like Artemis to place much stock in feelings. He generally thought they were irrational.

Sensing her confusion, Artemis made to change the subject.

"So," he asked. "What happens now?"

"Difficult to know. Hopefully the LEP can repel the former humans, but in the meantime, we need to keep an eye on Opal." She motioned him to follow her deeper into the large structure, through claustrophobic passageways, towards Opal Koboi's cell. "Come on."

"Wait a minute," said Artemis as he started after her. "Former humans? Can you elaborate a bit?"

Holly shrugged and carried on moving. "Not easily; I don't pretend to understand what they are."

"But you called them former humans."

"They attacked me and Galadhon when we went to scout out Opal's exchange point. They look like humans, but different. Like something corrupted them. And according to Foaly's scanners, they had no heat in their bodies and no heartbeats. It was like they weren't alive."

"That's not possible. Dead things don't move."

Funny, thought Holly bitterly, that's exactly what one of the fairies with me said. He's dead now.

But out loud she didn't say anything. She just shrugged again.

"Interesting," observed Artemis. "You don't agree." He raised an eyebrow at her. "I don't suppose zombies are well known to the People and you just forgot to mention it?"

The elf treated him to her most scathing look. "Don't be ridiculous. There's no such thing as zombies."

This time it was Artemis's turn to shrug. "I was just thinking that they fit your description of the former humans."

The boy adopted a contemplative look as they reached the centre of the structure and stopped before Opal's cell. The whole place was eerily empty.

"Why isn't there anyone here defending her?" he wondered aloud.

"They wouldn't stand a chance against those creatures inside," answered Holly. "They're fast, and strong. And immune to most of our close quarters weapons. Any defenders would be overpowered in seconds in these narrow corridors."

"Then why are we here?"

"Someone should keep an eye on Koboi." Holly spat the name. Even if Artemis hadn't known about the history between the two of them, it would have been hard not to notice Holly's hatred. "Plus, I wanted you in the best defended location. If Opal gets her hands on you after you humiliated her at Fowl Manor…"

The elf didn't finish the sentence, but Artemis could guess the kind of things Opal would want to do to him. Though he didn't remember the pixie, he did remember the stories Holly had told him about her. Opal Koboi seemed to be about as deranged and sadistic as they came.

The elf tried to collect herself. When she spoke again, it was with the same iron determination that made her such an excellent police officer, but try as she might, she couldn't quite hide the fear in her eyes.

"I won't lose you again. Whatever it takes, I won't let it happen."

She half expected Artemis to make a sarcastic comment, to mock her for her vulnerability – certainly the old Artemis would have done. But the boy in front of her just cocked his head, a curious expression forming on his face.

"You really care, don't you?"

Holly was shocked by how surprised he seemed. "Of course I care."

The boy frowned. "Why? From what you told me, all I've ever done if cause you problems."

"Because…" She stopped, whatever reason she had been going to give dying in her throat. She tried again, but the only explanation that occurred to her was the truth. She realised that she couldn't avoid it forever. "Because I l-"

A sound from behind them made her spin, her neutrino already in her hand and ready to fire. If a former had manged to get in, she knew the weapon would be useless, but against anyone else, it would remain highly effective.

A girl wrapped in figure-hugging black combat gear stepped out of the shadows. A human girl, with the unmistakeable cross of twin swords strapped to her back. Surprise briefly flitted across her pretty features as she noticed Holly and Artemis, but then her eyes narrowed.

"There wasn't supposed to be anyone here apart from Opal." She spoke perfect English, but the Russian accent was undeniable. It was exactly as Holly remembered. "You two really do delight in causing people inconvenience, don't you?"

Holly wasn't interested in trading insults with the Russian girl. She just levelled her neutrino at her and flicked the setting up a few notches, hatred in her eyes.

"Natalya," she spat. She looked her opponent up and down, her gaze resting on the gun strapped to Natalya's leg. "Go on," she added, smiling viciously. "Give me a reason to hurt you. You know I want one."

Artemis closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. His vision had started to blur again, and a vicious headache was setting in. It was almost as though his grip on reality was starting to slip. He opened his eyes and tried to take in what was going on, but his gaze was inexorably drawn to the Russian girl. The more he looked at her, the more the real world seemed to drift away from him.

Doing his best to hold onto reality, he reached out a sweaty hand, stabilising himself against the wall. There was something terrifyingly familiar about the Russian girl.

But there was something more than that. That strange feeling at the back of his mind was growing more intense again. He still couldn't explain it. It was like there was something in his head that didn't belong there. Like something that wasn't part of him had latched onto his mind, and now it was getting stronger. Now it was starting to hurt him.

As though something inside him was screaming.

That girl, he thought, closing his eyes in a desperate attempt to focus. I know her. I've seen her before.

But where? A single word from the conversation she was having with Holly pierced the mental haze separating him from reality.

Natalya. The girl from his dream. The girl that Holly had told him about. The girl that had been working with Amber.

Disjointed images flashed through his mind. Natalya hurting Juliet. Natalya hurting Holly. Natalya shouting at him. And there was a voice, too. A Russian voice whispering to him. It took a moment for him to realise it was inside his head.

Submit to me.

Artemis felt dread worming its way deep into his consciousness.

Submit, the voice repeated. Submit to me.

"No," Artemis muttered, feeling the madness attacking his mind. It's her, he realised. Somehow, this is all because of her.

Oblivious to Artemis's internal struggle, Holly was still focused entirely on Natalya, her grip on her neutrino not wavering.

"How did you even get in here?" she asked.

Natalya's eyes flicked between Holly and Artemis, her expression calculating.

"I walked in. It's amazing how unobservant people can be when there's a battle to be fought. I hardly even had to kill anyone."

"Your weapon," said Holly. "Draw it from its holster and drop it. Slowly. Any sudden movements and I shoot, understand?"

Glaring daggers at the elf, Natalya nodded. She knew the drill. Taking care to move slowly, she did as instructed, using her thumb and little finger to pull the Sig Sauer 9mm handgun out of its cradle. She opened her grip, letting the weapon clatter to the floor. The sound echoed eerily in the silence.

"Good girl," said Holly, loading her voice with condescension. "Now, kick it towards me, and we can have a nice little chat. There are a few questions I'd like to ask you, such as how exactly you are alive."

Natalya reached out a foot and kicked the gun away from her, but instead of skidding towards Holly, it came to rest at Artemis's feet.

"Why don't you ask him?" She nodded in Artemis's direction. Still using the wall for support and visibly shaking, the boy didn't even seem aware of what was going on. "Oh, of course. He doesn't remember anything, does he?"

Holly furrowed her brow. "How do you know about his memories…?" She kept her weapon trained on Natalya, but looked more closely at her human friend. "Artemis? Are you alright?"

He didn't respond, but it was obvious that he wasn't. Holly turned her attention back to Natalya.

"What have you done to him?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, but the fury in it was unmistakeable.

The Russian girl just shrugged, her superior smirk back in place. "I was rather hoping not to have to reveal this ace so early, but I suppose it is unavoidable."

"Don't play games with me," warned Holly, her hands starting to shake slightly as she gripped her weapon even tighter.

Natalya ignored her. "Fowl," she called dispassionately. "Pick up the gun."

The words seemed to permeate the mist shrouding Artemis's mind, calling him back to reality. For a moment he seemed confused, but then his eyes rested on the Sig Sauer pistol at his feet. Without thinking, he stooped down and picked it up with trembling hands.

"Artemis, what are you doing?"

The boy gave no indication that he had heard Holly's words, or if he had, that he cared. He just stood there, staring at the gun in his hands without really seeing it.

Natalya smiled. "Good." She nodded at Holly. "Now kill her."

The elf gave a nervous laugh. "Don't be ridiculous." But as she spoke Artemis a quick step forward and pointed the gun at her chest.

"Artemis…?" There was fear in Holly's voice now. "What in Frond's name do you think you're doing?"

"I said kill her," ordered Natalya, growing frustrated with the delay.

"Artemis," whispered Holly. She was vaguely aware that she needed to act, that she should stun Natalya and, if necessary, Artemis as well, but her brain didn't seem to be working properly.

All she could think of was the face in front of her. A face she had thought she would never see again. And now, the face of a man pointing a gun at her. But even as he prepared to end her life, Artemis's expression was colder than she had ever seen. Utterly devoid of any emotion, as though he didn't even know what he was doing.

She realised that she was crying. She didn't know how long she had been. Nor did she want to. The tears on her cheeks were unwelcome. She tried to move, but her body wasn't responding.

"Artemis," she begged "Please…"

Down the barrel of Natalya's pistol, Artemis looked at the elf before him. Her pleading eyes. Her tears. She seemed familiar. The thought cut through the haze separating him from reality. His eyes widened, as though really seeing Holly for the first time.

"Holly?" he asked softly.

The elf smiled through her tears. "Yes, Artemis. It's me."

"Very touching," interrupted Natalya coldly. "But ultimately irrelevant. Artemis, shoot her. Now."

Artemis frowned, fighting the voice inside his head telling him to do exactly as Natalya instructed.

"Why?" he asked. It was a genuine question, directed more at his own mind than anyone in the real world. "Why does she have to die?"

"It doesn't matter!" Natalya shouted. "Because I say so, isn't that enough? You don't get to question me. You obey."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

Artemis clenched his teeth, his grip on the Sig Sauer now visibly shaking. His resistance was clearly hurting him.

"I. Said. No."

Natalya opened her mouth to voice her indignation, but Holly spoke first.

"You know," she said. "You do really do disgust me. I didn't think much of you before, but working with Opal Koboi? I didn't think that even you would sink that low. Wasn't Amber psychotic enough for you?"

A look of hatred flashed across the Russian girl's face. "Work with her…?" She shook her head. "Never mind. It doesn't matter what you think of me. Fowl. Kill her."

Artemis focused every shred of his sanity on trying to resist the voice in his head screaming at him to pull the trigger, but even as he fought to keep his finger still, he could feel it begin to pull back. Feel the pressure between skin and metal increasing.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Head!" he shouted. He could feel desperation setting in. He focused on Holly's face, sensing memories hidden deep within his mind struggling to break free.

"Kill her. Do it."

He closed his eyes, trying to shut out the darkness fighting to dominate him from within. Splintered images started to flash through his mind. Shattered memories.

He was standing over the unconscious form of an elf in a muddy field, noticing how pretty she was. It took him a moment to realise it was Holly.

Now she smiling at him, and he was holding a coin with a perfect hole in the centre. The coin he had found in his pocket upon awakening. It was still warm.

"Keep it," she was saying. "To remind you that deep beneath the layers of deviousness, there is a spark of decency. Perhaps you could blow on that spark occasionally."

Artemis grimaced in pain as his mind tried to process the images, tried to reconcile the fond memory of Holly with his newfound need to kill her.

Holly was smiling at him. "Yes, Artemis. This is goodbye, for the last time."

Now she was crying. Crying because her long-time mentor and friend, Julius Root, was dead. Murdered by Opal Koboi.

Now she was holding his head in her hands, gazing into his eyes. His now mismatched eyes. And he was looking back, seeing a perfect mirror of his own eyes in hers.

Now she was crying again, but this time it was for him. She leaned over him, her tears dripping onto his shirt. "Of course I saved you. I couldn't do without you."

The tirade of fractured memories continued to grow, all melding into one stream of data.

"You cannot escape! Don't you understand?"

"Your father. Is he like you?"

"Now we're even."

"Give yourself a few years. You'll get there."

"Nobody's that perfect. That's how I knew."

"Aren't we allowed any secrets?"

"I remember. You saved me."

"Extinctionists! Artemis, you didn't. That's horrible."

"No. I'm lying. Not nice, is it?"

"Twelve again, are we?"

"I'll hate you for whatever reason I want."

"You talk about that monster like he's another person. Don't kid yourself – that person is you."

"You're not alone. You have me."

Artemis blinked away tears, desperately trying to shut out the pain. To disregard the voice demanding that Holly die. To break Natalya's dominion over his fragile mind. But he was fighting a losing battle. He was no longer in control.

"Because I love you."

He pulled the trigger.

A/N: I'm sorry about the cliffhanger. Actually, no, that was a lie. I'm not sorry. I'm evil like that.

Mwahahaha.

Did Artemis really just shoot Holly? And if Natalya isn't working with Opal, just what exactly was she doing trying to get into her cell? Find out next chapter! Also, as Artemis began regaining his memories here, the next chapter will include a flashback of the end of Winter of Decay, except from Artemis's point of view, including an explanation of how exactly he managed to escape the Nebula Facility.

Well, anyway, the end of this chapter was pretty exciting to write, and I would love to hear what you thought ;) It's a little abstract in places, so I played around with a few different concepts and memories, but I like the way it ended up. Bonus points if you recognised all of Holly's lines that Artemis remembers (although I would forgive you for not recognising the last few, as they're from Winter of Decay.).

-Kio