"Artemis, do you think they'll have a problem with us being here?" The large man looked around uneasily, something he didn't often do. Although he had weapons concealed everywhere and hardware from a fairy helmet was giving his eyes extra abilities, he wasn't completely at home with the ideas of interfering with the fairies on their turf.
"No. We have a legitimate case. After all, one of their fairies stole from me. No one steals from me without paying a hefty price in return. Although, after he's punished I think it'd be to our advantage to hire Mister Diggums as part of the Fowl staff." Artemis smiled a smile that would send shivers down the back of the Grim Reaper himself. It didn't help that he was wearing equipment from a fairy helmet as well; he had a hood over his head to hide the bizarre wires and lenses, as did Butler. But everything about Artemis was unnerving, from his quick eyes to his manicured fingernails and his handmade loafers made you want to shiver. The hooded sweatshirt looked ill-placed on Artemis but he waited with patience. Checking once more for a pair of sunglasses in his pocket.
So there they waited, near the entrance to E1. It was only 4 o'clock; the fairies wouldn't be out until dark. Artemis settled back and started eating some quail eggs and considering whether or not Fort Nocks would be worth breaking into. Butler caught up on some reading of Weapons of the 21st Century.

By the time Holly emerged from the pod, it was nearly dark above ground. She got an above ground Visa. Normally a lengthy procedure but a few threats exchanged between her and the gnome at the desk and she held a Visa in her hand. Holly had insisted that she needed to replenish her magic supply, which in truth was very full, but all the same it was a full moon and so the excuse was plausible. She'd perform the Ritual anyway, a fairy could always use more magic. Holly checked everywhere she could think of within the terminal; there was no sign of Aquarius or his captors. Holly had put the blackout suit on that was best to wear for above ground jaunts. She waited until she knew the last rays of the sun were gone. Shielded (using magic to vibrate at a frequency undetectable to human eyes) Holly emerged above ground in a field. Against regulations, she took off her helmet and swallowed several lungfuls of fresh, if not completely pollutant free, air. Unbeknownst to her, she was clearly visible to two humans.
"There's our fairy." Artemis stood up and left his hiding place and put the sunglasses on over his fairy hardware, Butler traveled closely behind him. Artemis walked with elegance and a smug expression. He didn't say anything until he was a few feet from Holly, who without the special features offered by the goggles he was wearing would merely have appeared as a slight haze. "Hello, Captain Short. So we meet again."
"It better not be you behind this, Fowl," she growled.
"Behind what? I assure you, Captain. I am the victim here."
"What are you babbling about, criminal? I've got to go rescue a hostage. Probably two hostages." She scowled.
"One of your kind has stolen from me. An acquaintance of yours as it happens. Mulch Diggums. I was merely waiting here for a friendly face with which to report this crime to. I feel it's necessary to go back underground and see the Commander immediately." He smiled.
Holly pressed a button on the Hummingbirds and rose until she was eye level with Artemis. "The Commander's not in, may I take a message?" she asked coldly. She had no time for this; besides, whenever this Mud Boy got involved in something there was usually serious trouble.
"Not in? Kidnapped. He's one of the hostages and you are searching for him. Would you care for our assistance? I'm sure Butler and I could find him and we'd gladly help. For a price of course."
The last thing she wanted was Fowl to be involved, but odds were he'd be useful and she really didn't want him underground or hanging out by the fairy fort either. "I guess I'll have to keep an eye on the two of you. Wouldn't want more trouble around here. What's your price?"
"The capture of Mulch Diggums."
"Don't you think we're already trying that?"
"When he's captured, bring him to me. I have a score to settle."
Holly chuckled. "He broke into Fowl Manor?"
"Yes. And look at this memorandum he left." Fowl took out a note left in the safe Mulch hand visited and handed it to Holly.
The note was written in Gnomish, Holly's native language; it still disturbed her that the Mud Boy had learned to read it as well. The translation ran thus: Miss me? Catch me if you can, if not, you'll notice something else is missing.
"Well, what does it mean? We've checked every room, we know what's missing and what isn't."
"So what is missing?"
"Some LEP weaponry and a helmet, two bars of LEP gold, and a watch belonging to my father."
"In other words, mostly stuff you stole."
Artemis gave an expression of mock indigence, "Stole? Never. That crack Retrieval Squad the LEP sent were asking for trouble. Of course they had to be relieved of their weapons; and that gold was mine, fair and square. But how can you still be sore over that? It was two years ago."
"You kidnapped me and held me for ransom."
"I was young. Besides, I'm a criminal; crime is what I do. Although I don't deal with hostages any longer." He raised his voice. "Butler, it seems we have a job to do." And some thinking to do as well, thought Artemis. She must be worried if she was willing to accept help, especially our help.