Trouble checked his moonometer. One hour. One hour, Holly, I'm coming. Like it or not.

Holly knew she was being monitored by Fowl. She wasn't sure how long he'd stay in the room but that was part of his plan, he could leave and she'd never know. Holly turned her helmet to the third frequency channel. "Trouble? Trouble, are you there? Respond."
Trouble couldn't believe it. "Holly? Is that you?"
"No, it's Root. Of course it's me. What's the situation?"
"I don't know. I was hoping you'd tell me."
"We got a lead last night but dawn came and we had to get going."
"Where are you, Holly?"
"Fowl manor."
"Fowl manor! Are you crazy, Holly? Honestly. What are you doing there? If any of those Mud Men hurt you, I'm going to-"
"Relax, Trouble. Hold yourself together, Commander. I told you this morning. I had to go to Fowl's house because the sun was coming up. They sent me to a room with a monitor so I could see if anyone was coming. I slept for a long time, I was tired. When I woke up Fowl was downstairs having a party. Unfortunately he bugged my room and found out when I snuck out to go check out the files in the office. Everything was pass-coded. I figured it out though but I didn't get a chance to look at the file. Fowl called the big guy into the office. Took my weapons and forced me into the cell. Let me keep the helmet though."
"I swear, as soon as it's dark I'm going to go in there and-"
"You can't get in here. Dwellings are sacred. Remember what happened last time?" Fairies couldn't enter Mud Man homes without an invitation, last time Trouble and some others had tried they vomited, it was some sort of allergic reaction.
"I remember," he growled.
"So sit tight. I think Fowl's going to let me out when the sun goes down. I'll get away then. We'll meet halfway on the road, about ten klicks from Tara."
"Okay."
"So what's the situation underground?"
"The way I've heard, the ambassador is looking for a neck to ring. I think he chose my brother's." Trouble laughed. "Grub, was with him the last time I checked anyway."
"So, I'll meet you there. Don't forget to shield."

"I'm not that stupid, Holly. You think I'm a goblin or something? Don't forget the anti-shield filters."
"I won't. Someone's coming. I'll talk to you later. Try and get in touch with Foaly."
Artemis Fowl entered the room. There was less than a half an hour 'til sundown. "Shall we get down to business?"
"Business? The way I see it I'm a prisoner. Again. I thought you gave that up."
"Oh, I did. You're not a prisoner. Just-"
"Just a guest you're keeping locked up?"
"Exactly. Now as to business, we agreed that I help you recover Commander Root and, what did you say the other one's name was?"
"Aquarius."
"Ah, yes. I help you find the Commander and Aquarius, you hand over Mister Diggums when you find him. I think it's fair. If you disagree I shall be happy to find a way to contact the Lower Elements and offer you in exchange for Diggums, or a thousand pounds of 24 karat gold; their choice of course."
"You're bluffing."
"Am I? People's lives hang in the balance; can you risk the possibility that I am telling the truth? Are you willing to gamble their lives on it?"
Holly knew the answer and so did Artemis. She couldn't and wouldn't risk their lives. Holly's own father had died over twenty years ago, when she was barely sixty. Root had been sort of like a father figure since she started at the LEP. As for Aquarius, the poor kid, he didn't ask to get dragged into any of this. "I don't have a choice. It's a deal." Holly shook hands with Artemis. "You realize how ridiculous you look in those glasses, don't you?"
Artemis glared at her, but of course she couldn't see him through the dark lenses. "I look less ridiculous than I would if I was subjected to the mesmer."
"Butler and I will be back for you when the sun goes down. You'll get your toys back, but you're coming with us."
Holly beckoned him closer with her finger.
He leaned in to see what she wanted. That's when she ripped off his glasses and punched him in the nose with so much force that he went sprawling on the floor.
She gave a satisfied grin and snapped the glasses in half. "That's for trying to take my helmet, this is locking me up down here and taking my gun. Nobody messes with Holly Short."
Artemis tried to stand and compose himself. "I'll see you at sundown."
Holly smirked; his nose was already starting to swell. Beating up pompous Mud Boys was so much fun.

Artemis went to consult Butler, Butler usually intervened before punches landed so Artemis did not now know exactly what to do. He found Butler in his study.
"Butler? What do I do about this?"
Butler looked up at him and Artemis could have sworn that Butler thought the situation was comical.
"Now how did that happen?"
"I went to go talk things over with Captain Short."
Butler had to hand it to the elf, she had spirit.
"So what do I do about this?" Artemis pointed to his nose.
"Come down to this kitchen and we'll get some ice on it. The guests are gone. Your parents are at a cocktail party; they'll be back late."
"Good." Artemis followed Butler downstairs. Juliet was in the kitchen.
She laughed as soon as she saw Artemis. "What happened to you? Did you get beat up by the fairy?"
Artemis glowered at her.
Juliet giggled.
Butler looked at his sister and said, "Get him some ice, sis."
"Oh, alright."
Butler and Artemis sat at the table.
"We are going to release Captain Short's weaponry to her, though I daresay she's dangerous enough without it, we will drive back along the road we were on this morning until we reach that well and we'll go in the direction of our last lead. It's that simple."
"As simple as all that?" Butler handed him the ice.
"Yes."
"If you say so. Sundown is in 6 minutes. I suggest we get moving. I'll go get the weapons."
"Fetch some helmets too. I'll get Captain Short."
Butler told him, "You keep that ice on."
Juliet looked over. "Can I come, Arty?"
"No, Juliet. This is dangerous. Stay here. We're going to go rescue some hostages."
"I want to come."
"No."
"You're not nice."
Artemis left, still clutching the ice to his nose. That girl was irritating sometimes. He entered the cell in the basement.
"Holly? The sun is down. We should be leaving."
Holly burst out laughing at the sight of Fowl. He didn't look quite as composed as he usually did. "What's the matter, did you get beat up by a fairy?"
"Captain Short, it is after sunset and we'd best not waste time if we want to help your friends."
Holly straightened up. "You're right. This is no time for games. Get outta here, I'll be along in a minute."
Artemis raised his eyebrow slightly, indicating that he wished to know why.
"I want to talk to somebody. Now, out!" She made as if to punch him again and he exited quickly. Holly turned on her helmet. "Foaly? Foaly, come in."
"I'm here, Holly. What is it? Did you talk to Kelp, is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine. He should be traveling to the destination you set shortly."
"Good. I'm preparing to exit Fowl manor now."
"We hope to see you below ground again shortly with Root and Aquarius."
"Thanks for the support. Over and out." She left the room, Fowl and Butler were by the front door; Butler was heavily armed with Mud Man and fairy weaponry, Artemis had a fairy helmet was holding Holly's wings and weapons.
The three walked out to the car, leaving an angry Juliet muttering to herself in the kitchen. Butler sat in the front seat of the Bentley, Artemis in the passenger's seat, and Holly in the back.
Artemis looked back and noticed Holly pressing buttons on her helmet. "What are you up to?"
"Trouble will be along this road, waiting."
"I assure you, Captain, there won't be any trouble here."
"I'm not talking about trouble as in difficulties, I mean Commander Trouble Kelp. Butler knows him better as the leader of Retrieval One."
Butler grinned, they'd crossed swords (so to speak) once upon a time ago; it hadn't ended well for the Retrieval squad.
"Oh."
Holly stared out the window. Then she saw something that made her heart freeze. "Butler, stop the car, now."