Listen, this is a rather fast update, (I don't like waiting for months to update), but I'm not sure when I'll be able to update again. Things are getting busy, and I'll probably be moving in another month. (Again. I've moved twenty-three times already)

I'm doing wonderfully with the chess tournament, and my story in progress, so I'm feeling quite cheerful.

Disclaimer: Not mine, But I'll pretend. (this story is under the sole ownership of Eoin Colfer, who has kindly allowed his work to be copied, if not so perfectly.)


Holly worked up her courage. Julius hadn't seemed so angry this morning, and opened the door to his office.

"What is it Short?"

Holly swallowed, staring numbly at Julius. "Sir?"

He glared at her, snipping off the end of his cigar with his teeth. "Yes, what is it Short?"

Holly hated how he used her name to make her seem small, and unimportant.

"I—"

"I haven't got all day Short, in case you haven't noticed!" His bark matched his face. Definitely angry.

Holly hesitated. This was her chance. To tell him that she did not even want to try. To sidestep the miserable hurt that would come with his rejection. But she couldn't bear to see the triumph in his eyes, nor to hear the smirk in his snide remarks. Or to see them talking in the lounge, only to fall quiet as she entered.

She shook her head slightly. "I'm sorry, sir. It's not that important now."

Julius spun in his chair, watching her out of the corner of his eye. Slowly, Holly reached for the door.

"It's about the position, isn't it Short?"

Holly stopped.

"You'll get a fair test Short."

"But you wouldn't pass me," she whispered. "Not even if I were better than the men. And I know I'm not Julius. I know I'm not. But I wish you wouldn't hate me so much… I don't see what I've done. It's not so much the job, as it is you. I'm just not good enough. For you; the job doesn't really matter. I'm sorry I'm not perfect. I try."

Julius looked up. "No Short. No you don't. You've never really tried for me. Never your best. I don't want most of your effort Short. I want all of it. If, and note the if, you ever gave it your all, you would make it. You would at least have a good chance. The problem is you Short. You're sorry for yourself. I don't have time for that."

The Holly who had first come through his doors might have made a snappy comeback. Not now. She merely twisted the door handle, and stepped out, with a weary: "Yes, sir."

There was no chance, and she knew it.

Julius was moving out at the end at the end of the month. Two weeks from today, he would take the top five, and anyone else he wanted to consider on a little trip. With him, would be five other commanders, all too ready to critique on poor style and judgment.

Holly wondered if she cared.


Artemis Fowl knew all this now. It was a week until the test. Which gave him plenty of time to plan. Vinyáya, a Council member; five other commanders, including Julius; and some of the LEP's best men would be up for grabs. Who they were, he didn't know, but it didn't particularly matter. What mattered was the ransom, and technology.

Mulch had been well paid, and was now living in luxury, planning his next holdup. He had declined the honor of participating in Artemis's plan, but promised not to tell.

Juliet, would of course, help him to execute his plot. And then, Artemis Fowl, would be very rich indeed. Multi-billionaire status was poor in comparison to what he could be. Heavens forbid that Artemis Fowl should even be suppressed.


Holly slipped onto the shuttle, sinking back on a chair in the rear, and resting her head in her hands. She did not feel well today. Headaches, back pains. Trouble was right. She was dying. She didn't have her fire anymore. Maybe Julius was right. Maybe she didn't deserve the job, because, just maybe, she wasn't giving him her all.

She blocked out the excited chatter in the front, curling up in a tight ball, as though trying to protect herself from invisible enemies.

Trouble interrupted, sliding into the seat across from her, with a careless laugh.

"What's the matter Holly? It's beautiful up top today, it'll be fine."

Holly shut her eyes. "I can't Trouble. I can't. I feel sick. I'll look like an idiot. I—"

He touched her shoulder. "No you won't Holly. Listen to me, come on, really listen."

Holly opened her eyes, allowing him to pull up her chin. "It will be okay Holly. You must believe that. If you don't, you will be as bad as you think you will. Stop worrying."

Holly rubbed the back of her neck. "I can't Trouble. I know you will though, and I'm happy for you. Honestly. And I'd much rather obey you, than Julius. Today is not my day. You know that." She met his eye for an instant. "You know I'm not as good as you."

Trouble said nothing. Holly liked that about him. He was not a braggart, but neither did he deny it, and say that you were so much better when you both knew he was.

He just let it go.

She tilted back her head, staring at the ceiling, and wondering when the last few would get here. "Do you have any magic left Trouble? I mean that you don't need?"

Again he touched her shoulder, watching a gentle flow of sparks disappear into her.

"Thank you," she whispered. "You don't have to help me when we land Trouble. I understand. Please… please don't. Don't help, don't be nice, don't do or say anything until we're back. Please? I know it sounds rude, but I don't think I can take—"

He nodded. "No, I know what you mean." He drifted off for a moment, and then asked, "Are you sure you couldn't do it Holly? I'm only going to say it one more time, so please don't get angry, but— sometimes, I think you could do it, could make it, could be the best, if you tried just a little bit harder. You are trying hard; I know that. But it seems like, when you first had the job, you had a little more of something in you. It gave more drive. You did so much better. But it's just not there anymore."

Holly bit her lip, and nodded. "I know."

"Whatever it was Holly… try and find it again. If just for today. It would make things better."

Holly looked at him tiredly. "It was… hope, I think. It made me love my job. Made me stumble on like a blind fool. It made everything worth while when it wasn't."

Trouble stood as someone called his name. "Yeah. Hope. Try and have a little hope today Holly." His eyes met hers sorrowfully. "It might be your last chance."


I am basically breaking the rules here. I've included a non-interesting chapter:) (so sorry!)

I'll try to update as soon as possible, but give me some time. (Reviews are deemed encouraging to faster updates, whether you believe me, or not.)

Tell me what you think should happen next in particular. I have something, so don't worry that it will take forever, but if it's really good, I might decided to take off in that direction. Who knows?