Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Artemis Fowl Series, be it characters or plot, I do not own it, so please do not sue me. ;;
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Chapter One
The Donation of the Genii
U.N. Meeting Room 325: London, England
Artemis drummed his fingers in the one of the many U.N. meeting rooms. The circular table was almost empty as the twelve other scientists lagged behind on tours. There were four from the United States of America (whom Artemis was not looking forward to working with, as Americans, in his experience, had all been… difficult), four from the United Kingdom, two from France and two from Australia. Each member of the Protectorate was represented in the science division, although some very minutely, like Ireland; Artemis was the sole Irish representative. The others began to file in, some still asking questions about the U.N.. Artemis was also the youngest one by far, he realized once again. It was nothing new to him, he was always the youngest but many times, the most intelligent, and even mature. He stopped drumming his fingers and folded his hands in front of him on top of the lid of his laptop. The moods of the other scientists quickly sobered once they glanced at the young occupant of the table.
Most had heard of Artemis Fowl II. Although physically diminutive with a frail frame, the cold charcoal eyes and bloodless lips intimidated even the strongest of men. Many had read his works, most of which had been posted under pseudonyms until he reached the appropriate age (he had now since claimed all of these). And most new of the general air of the Fowls: wealth and power. Artemis was renown for his Robin Hood crusade, in which he swiped stolen art and silently deposited it to the rightful museums. Although he never admitted, and was never charged, with the thefts of and returns of such works of art, it was known.
The other scientists sat down around the table, and the United Nations delegate joined them. The scientists were mostly middle-aged men already balding, but there were four middle-aged women dressed modestly in turtleneck sweaters and button-up blouses among the others. Artemis was reminded of his own wife Madeline, who liked to wear sleeveless turtlenecks and knee length skirts all year round and almost always wore her long hair in a bun which she only took down for bed. Artemis shook his head to clear his mind, rubbed his temple and checked on his computer.
"Greetings gentlemen, and women, please, if you would be so kind as to give me your attention," the delegate called over the rather small amount of chatter. He cleared his throat as all eyes turned to him. "Greetings, you have been called here for a very special reason. You are all considered the most brilliant of your respective countries," he stated. Artemis stole a glance around the table, noting some appreciative nods and straight faces rapt with attention. He then returned his eyes to the delegate. "We are in the dreaded third World War, and it threatens to be a new type of war. Of course we have begun to rely on technology, with our planes, submarines, etcetera, but now the course of the war depends on our scientific strengths!" Artemis noted that the delegate spoke without reading notes. "It has been confirmed that our adversary, the Empire, does indeed have atomic bombs. This could be disastrous, think of it, a nuclear war! Only two atomic bombs have been used in real combat, but it is edging towards reality that atomic bomb raids could become a reality," the delegate paused for a question.
"Sir, with all due respect, how many atomic bombs? They are hard and expensive to create, even harder to transport. It is unlikely that they will become commonplace," one of the French scientists asked.
"Exactly, that is why you are here!" the delegate swiftly pounded his hand on the table, making most of the jittery scientists jump. "The Protectorate cannot afford to have to go into nuclear war; we want you to create a better weapon, something stronger than the atomic bomb, something more cost efficient. That is your duty," he stated and the scientists stared at him incredulously.
"You've got to be kidding," one of the Australian scientists scoffed.
"Something stronger than the atomic bomb? There is the Hydrogen Bomb, but that requires incredibly high temperatures to detonate," one of the scientists from the U.K. waved his hands as he spoke. Artemis folded his hands and brought them up to his mouth, and resting his elbows on the table he rested his head as he thought.
"We want you to make something more powerful than any known nuclear weapon," the delegate insisted and another of the scientists from the U.K. shook his head.
"That is impossible! The nuclear bombs deal with the structure of atoms, you can't go any farther than that!"
"You're awfully quiet, Ireland. What do you think?" one of the two American women asked as she leaned back in her chair. Artemis did not move.
"I think… that the atomic bomb is an overall inefficient weapon. It destroys massive amounts of matter, yes, but it costs more than it puts out. It was a horrible surprise and was indeed the main reason for Japan's surrender at the end of World War II but now that both sides have atomic weapons, it seems that we will kill each other before either of us gets the chance to negotiate a treaty. It also has horrible side effects, such as the radiation. Perhaps we should work on fine tuning this weapon before we move onto the next," Artemis spoke with a clear voice and he looked around the table, making eye contact with every one of the occupants.
"Do you have any ideas?" the delegate asked and Artemis flipped open the lid of his computer.
"I do. A very vague idea, but it is better than most else I am hearing," he stated as he typed a few commands into his computer. He turned it around so the rest could see. "We have already begun to use nuclear power; now, if we can only refine it we can revolutionize the militaries gun to use molecular charges instead of bullets. These guns won't ever run out of ammunition as the power source is nuclear and will only need to be changed every few hundred years," Artemis was quickly cut off.
"And expose our troops to the radiation and heat of the reactions within the gun? Never," another of the scientists from the U.K. shook his head.
"Let me finish please," Artemis scolded. "There are ways to keep it contained, but if you are not comfortable with my atomic ideas, I have others," he quickly shut his computer in mid-demonstration and pulled it back towards him. Several of the other scientists leaned back, quite distressed by the fact that Artemis had stopped sharing the very interesting wmv of an nuclear reaction. "Which I will not expose here," Artemis discreetly nodded to the cameras recording their every move and word.
"Ah, well then, each of you will be expected at the base at a specific time, our men will come to pick you up; that is all," the delegate finished, and the crowd began to rise and chatter started. Artemis glanced around annoyed before putting a hand flat on the table, commanding the delegate's attention.
"Pardon me, did I hear you say that we will be expected at the base?" he asked and the delegate turned a questioning stare towards the young genius.
"Yes, that is where you all will be working, of course," the delegate stated. Artemis shook his head and his vampire-like smirk edged its way onto his pale face.
"Did I not mention that I only work in my laboratory? I told the Irish officials it was a condition that must be met," Artemis said in a low voice.
"I'm sorry professor, but you have no say in the matter," the delegate's face hardened.
"Excuse me?" Artemis growled while his spine stiffened.
"You were donated to the Protectorate's Scientific Division by Ireland; it is a requirement of any nation in the Protectorate," the delegate explained and Artemis' flattened hand clenched.
"Donated," Artemis repeated flatly. Artemis Fowl never got mad, that would mean he would lose his composure, and that never happens. "I was donated?" he asked in a very civil voice for the situation. The rest of the scientists had already left.
"Yes, all of you scientists were chosen by your respective government to be the brightest, most creative and capable of the population. You are all Genii."
"Genii," Artemis repeated, but then went silent.
"You are expected to be at the base by 21:00 a week from now; you will be picked up between now and then by Protectorate men. Please be ready to leave any time between now and then," the delegate then stood up out of his chair and left Artemis to be the sole occupant of the room. Artemis' slender eyebrows were furrowed in thought as he silently slipped his laptop into its carrying case and stalked out of the room just as the guards came to escort him out. He barely paid any attention as he went through the U.N. security only coming out of his daze when they wanted to check his computer. He was through the security soon enough.
Artemis tried to form a reassuring smile for a waiting Butler, but failed horribly. Artemis hated being forced to do anything, especially in working for someone; he worked for himself. He slid into the back of the limo and Butler closed the door behind him. Artemis did not even notice as Butler got in the passenger side of the front and signaled the driver to go on, he was too busy thinking. Could he really work for the Protectorate? Should he? All these thoughts buzzed around like angry hornets in his head as he recalled the delegate's words. "You are all Genii" he had said.
A ghost of a smirk played upon Artemis' bloodless lips as he stared out the tinted windows. The man had thought himself to be very intelligent, using "Genii" instead of "geniuses". What the man had not known was that there is another definition for the word "Genii". The word "Genii" is a plural noun that appears in Roman Mythology meaning "a guardian spirit" or a guardian-like, servant deity
Artemis shook his head as they approached London's International Airport and made for the private jet hangar. Butler was blessedly silent as they neared the hangar. He made his bomb sweep and opened Artemis' door as the driver retrieved Artemis' things from the trunk. Artemis donned on his black coat and sunglasses. He kept his precious laptop with him as Butler and the driver flanked him as they walked to the jet. He knew no one in his family was going to like what he would have to tell them when he returned to Fowl Manor. He knew Butler would hate it even more, because somehow, Artemis knew that he would have to go alone and put his faith in the Protectorate guards.
As he ascended the stair into his own private jet and Butler followed close behind Artemis wondered what Haven was thinking about now. Foaly was most certainly aware of the New World War, as he loved to peruse the Mud Men's news stations. Artemis also wondered about Holly. He paused near the top step. He had not heard from her in two years, maybe her detective business was getting easier, and she no longer needed his counseling on crime, but he could not help but wonder what she and Foaly would think if he joined the Protectorate and became a military scientist, if he began giving the humans newer, bigger, deadlier weapons, if he began giving them Fairy Technology. Artemis shook his head and proceeded into the plane, his pale face the visage of composure. He thought back again to the delegate and made a mental note to find out his name, he had been a strong factor in Artemis' decision but not the factor. This was a world war. People were dying and he had been called to help.
But… Artemis Fowl II, a servant?
Author's Note: Whoohoo! Another chapter posted within a day of the last! I think that's the first time I've ever done that. And it's all because of a wonderful review. So, lesson here: if you want more... review nicely and make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside so I can write!
As for the actual chapter, I had to do a lot of research on what our little Arty could possibly think up to surpass the Atomic bomb, not an easy feat. Okay, don't worry, Holly, Mulch and Foaly will appear later on, but not for a while. I might sneak them in for a tiny little scene sometime soon, but nothing major. They will be a major factor towards the end though (but they don't join the war, that wouldn't be fair).
Okay, I have to go write an English Paper now... arg, I would rather write the next chapter, but I've already put it off long enough (but after I finish the paper, if I get another nice review I might write more ;-p ). Thanks, and I hope you enjoyed it!
