Unresolved Mysteries
A lonely figure treads scorched earth.
Mulch looked at the wasteland around him. This particular corner of the Underworld was a place he would normally loathe to travel to, even in the best of times. A region inhabited almost exclusively by the Goblin clans; now, forsaken even by them.
Derelict monuments jutting out of the ground, burnt black. Powdery ash littering the landscape as far as the eye could see. Once or twice Mulch came across a Goblin carcass, an experience that sickened him to the stomach. And he thought live Goblins were disgusting….
Hard to believe that here once stood a busy, bustling boomtown. Life here was never pleasant, feuds and fights in all manner of description occurring almost constantly. It was a dreadful, decrepit place then, lawless, anarchic; teeming with inhabitants drawn from the lowest reaches of Underworld society. It is a dreadful, decrepit place now, fallow, deserted; deathly silence everywhere reverberant.
What a difference a week makes.
Something happened here in the past seven days, a disaster of unfathomable magnitude. This was a calamity as pernicious as it was sudden, leaving no survivors in its wake. Though, considering the reputation of its victims, not everyone agreed that this was a bad thing…
He had volunteered to go on a reconnaissance mission. The LEP had their hands full: scurrying about, evacuating more respectable folks living nearby, lest a second tragedy occur. So the thankless task of finding out what exactly had happened in this sorry wilderness fell on Mulch's sturdy shoulders.
Mulch took his assignment gladly, and even insisted that he carry it out alone. He had his hidden agenda, wishing to make the best of this opportunity to reclaim what was rightfully his, and then maybe some booty on the side. Mulch had been robbed recently, and he knew that his belongings would almost certainly resurface here, in this festering den of thieves. Casting a glance at the aftermath of devastation, Mulch wondered why he had even bothered. Surely nothing could survive this catastrophe. Not a soul alive, not a structure left standing. Mulch began to fear that his three pairs of socks and gold nose ring collection would be gone for good. And, perhaps more importantly, that the disc containing the memories of Artemis Fowl would be lost to him forever.
***
Juliet and Artemis stepped out. There were in a small room, barely large enough to hold the limousine they had arrived in. A single stairwell seemed to be the only exit, leaving no indication of how the vehicle had entered. The four walls were tiled with ancient brick; the floor was solid rock and up above them was a magnificent marble dome.
Artemis stared at the limousine in utter amazement. There was no sign of a driver. In fact, there was no sign of a driver's seat. Peering through the dashboard, he could see flashing lights, meters, monitors, and mechanical arms. Fully automated. Artemis let out a low whistle. Whoever took them here had taken the trouble to advance automobile technology ten years in the process.
Artemis probed the walls. Mildew-stained bricks revealed absolutely nothing. No cracks, crevices; no sign of secret panels or hidden doors. How on earth did the car get in?
So many questions left unanswered. The peculiarity of Juliet's sudden illness was doubtless instigated by the enigmatic conspirators. So was the ambulance heist; an ingenious plot for which success was dependent on their ability to tamper with the hospital's emergency hotline. Their methods and identity remained a complete mystery to the young genius. And this frightened him. Artemis was used to being on top of every situation. Now he felt he was facing a power far greater than any he had previously encountered.
"Where are we?" Juliet asked.
"For all I know we're in Malibu."
"Ooh Malibu. You know, I've been there once; it was great! Surf, sand, sun, and not to mention the lifeguards." said Juliet dreamily.
"Juliet, I do hope you realise that we are in mortal peril," remarked Artemis.
"Really? I thought you said we're in Malibu."
"No, Juliet, I mean our lives are in great danger. We are utterly helpless, in the hands of captors who have both the means and the expertise to eliminate us if they so desire. But I think they want us alive, for now at least." Artemis sighed wearily. "I could use some of those anxiety pills."
"Anxiety pills?"
"Your brother was taking them on prescription without my knowledge. He didn't even tell you?"
"Well, I suppose he didn't want us to worry about his health. You can't really blame him."
"Can't really blame him? Juliet, he's the reason we're in this mess. Bodyguards don't take mind-altering drugs without informing their employers; that's gross negligence. In fact, I"-
Juliet gave him a sharp slap.
"Artemis, what's gotten into you?" she thundered. Artemis always had the knack of getting under the skin, but he was never this mean, especially not to her brother.
"What's gotten into me? I think it was your right palm…" Artemis deadpanned, still reeling from the powerful blow. He realised he had probably deserved it and putting all the blame on Butler was unfair. Artemis knew he was not himself, but then again who was? When had Juliet become so high-strung, or Butler so careless? Artemis muttered an apology, but was then interrupted by heavy footsteps.
"Dear me, up in arms already?" came a voice deep within the stairwell. Soon, there emerged a well-built man with Slavic features looking about thirty years of age: with dark hair, piercing eyes, and determined posture. Alongside him scurried a smaller fellow, whom Artemis guessed was probably South American in origin.
"We left two adolescents in an enclosed space for three hours without supervision. This is not the worst thing that could have happened." Remarked the small man, displaying a cheeky grin.
Artemis and Juliet glanced at each other, neither knowing what to make of the sudden appearance of their captors.
"Oh, forgive me, where are my manners?" said the other man. " Introductions are very much in order. My name is Antiochus Grimm, and this is my assistant, Sergio."
"Charmed." Said Artemis, unenthusiastically.
"And you must be Artemis Fowl. We are so privileged to have you here as our special guest."
Artemis was beginning to find the false pleasantries rather unnerving. He considered, for a brief second making a break for it down the stairs. He shook his head. What exactly would that accomplish?
"And who is this lovely lady?" Grimm asked, as he approached Juliet.
"Juliet Butler." Replied Sergio "She's the… Senõr?"
Artemis made a quick glance at Grimm's features. His face was contorted in an expression of abject horror: pale, eyes widened, lips quivering. He stumbled back, as if from shock and then quickly regained his composure. Juliet, for her part just looked puzzled.
"Juliet Butler. Yes, of course. Thank you Sergio." Grimm continued, as if nothing at all had happened. Artemis furrowed his brow. The matter was getting more curious than ever.
"I suppose you'd both like to know why you are here."
"Actually, what I'd like to know is the direction of the bathroom. A three-hour journey with no toilet breaks? What were you thinking?" asked Artemis in jest.
Grimm ignored him. "I had sought the honour of your presence in order to assist me in the pursuit of a particular interest of mine… "
A sinister smile emerged as he paused for dramatic effect.
"…Fairies."
***
Mulch clambered into the caverns. The smog outside was worsening so he sought shelter in the caves. Perhaps he would also find some bounty here; after all, it was not uncommon for those pesky Goblin raiders to hide their haul deep under the earth.
His eyes perked up as he spied a faint glimmer from within the darkness. Perhaps his visit here was not in vain after all. Mulch scrambled into the lower reaches.
To his surprise and dismay, the source of the light was not gold. Rather he found, huddled around a soft flame, shadowy figures in heated discussion.
Survivors? No, these folks were too large to be Goblins. They were too large to be fairies of any sort. Were they human? Surely no humans would manage to venture this deep into the Underworld under the fairies' noses? Did they- whoever they were- have anything to do with the strange occurrences here? Mulch hid behind a rock as he strained carefully to hear their conversation.
"… But I'm sure you would all agree, gentlemen that the operation was a huge success." Proclaimed one of the cloaked figures, apparently the leader. The rest responded with murmurs of approval.
One dissenting voice spoke up. "Not entirely. There is still the matter of Artemis Fowl."
Mulch gasped. What did Artemis Fowl have to do with anything?
"It has all been taken care of." Came the leader's dismissive response.
"But we have reports that-"
"Your reports are absolute twaddle. And may I suggest, Clavius that in the future you show proper respect to the Seer of the Illuminati." interrupted the leader, sharply.
Clavius backed down. "Yes, my Liege. I seek mercy."
"Granted. Moving on: Mulbridge, I note with dismay that your Scavengers have turned up nothing of interest."
"As was only to be expected, my Liege. You have to consider the location; we were never likely to locate any targets." Mulbridge answered. "But I'm sure all of the treasures we have here count for something."
Treasures? Mulch peered carefully past the rock. Sure enough, on the cavern floor precious gemstones of all shape and size were strewn about, almost carelessly. Doubtless these were collected from the hidden fortunes of the unfortunate Goblin rogues. One particularly large emerald lay invitingly on the ground, not far from Mulch's hiding place. Mulch reached greedily for the gem, and found it slightly out of his reach. He tried once more, eyes gleaming, stretching as far as his stocky arms would allow. The inevitable happened, as – to his horror – his feet slipped. Mulch came tumbling down and found himself at the feet of the mysterious figures. There was a moment of startled silence, finally broken by the chilling voice of the Seer.
"It appears we have a visitor."