Artemis Fowl: Operation Rainbow

By Angelic Princess

Disclaimer: Okay ppl, I really, really, suck at summaries, and I've noticed that people with really good summaries get heaps of reviews, so if you've even got this far, please, please, please review! Oh, yeah, and I don't own Artemis Fowl. *pouts* Some guy named Eion Colfer does.

Chapter 1: A Curious Call

ARTEMIS Fowl picked up the phone, after its fourth or fifth ring. No need to hurry or sound desperate, he thought, amused. Just to show who's boss.

"Hello," he intoned, "State your name, status and business. If you are one of those pesky human-advertisements, I suggest you hang up now--or I could trace this line and bankrupt your company with a snap of my fingers.

Someone on the other end of the line laughed, like a cascade of bells.

"Ah, so you're the infamous 'heart-of-stone' Fowl. It's about time," drawled a voice, "the child prodigy."

(Note that since we have last heard of him, Artemis had grown from his thin, awkward, stork-like form into a handsome youth of 18, albeit a pale one. He had learnt his lesson, though, from being too indulgent in a lifestyle, and had been going outdoors and exercising more, at least and no longer looked like a vampire.)

The voice is female, that's for sure, thought Artemis, she sounds like a teenager, maybe around my age. She had a mixed accent…? The voice was confident and clear and somehow even…sweet. There was no other way to explain it.

She spoke again. "So, hotshot, shall we conduct business or no?"

"It depends what kind of business," Artemis answered carefully.

"Hmm, well, I just thought that you might be interested in something called the Diamond Sceptre?"

Artemis, who had been totally unprepared for this, dropped the phone. He pushed a button on the desk and said "Butler, trace this line immediately!", before composing himself and before picking up the phone again. The voice continued talking, and he could practically see the smirk on her face. How could she speak of it so casually anyway?

"I thought so," she confirmed, "And don't bother trying to trace this line. It's secure."

Artemis longed to wipe the smirk off that face, but he couldn't, in case he lost his only lead after more than a year of futile searching and wild goose chases. So instead, he said,

"How do I know that you're not lying? 10 million US currency is a lot of money, and some people will do anything to get it." As he had found out soon enough.

"Are you implying that I may be lying?" she asked, her voice thick with scorn. "In exactly one minute, you will receive a scanned picture of this thing that you are apparently looking for."

"How did you-" started Artemis.

"Never mind how I got your e-mail address," she interrupted. "I have my ways," she added mysteriously, "And if you don't believe me, why don't we meet and settle this once and for all?"

"Of course. So may I have the name of my gracious caller now?" he queried.

"It's Angel. Alicia Angel. You may have heard of us. Don't bother introducing yourself. I already know all about you, Master Fowl. I also know that as soon as we hang up, you are going to do an intensive search on us. You'll be disappointed. We Angel's don't like publicity," said Alicia, "And just because of our name doesn't mean we're soft. I'm only going to say that once. Got it?"

"Shall we set a date and place for the meeting?" said Artemis, completely ignoring her last statement.

"Yes," Alicia said, decisively, "How about Florence, Italy, at the Grande Pizzicato Hotel, two days from now? Or is it too expensive for you?" she taunted.

"Never mind. It's perfect, and remember to bring the goods," answered Artemis, "But remember, if this is a trap, it will be your last. I am not short of defense or weaponry myself."

As am I," she countered, " by the way, does the name Captain Holly Short sound familiar to you?"

Then she hung up.

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Well, how do you like it??? Plz review, review, review!!! ^.~