Author's Note: Thanks again for all you reviews, keep it up.
RaevanDawn: Holly and Artemis get together, but it isn't anything really major. Nothing more than kissing. I know the romance novel was definately not Artemis, which is why I had him play it off as a mystery. But I figured that Holly might be into those kind of books and since Artemis is there and bored, why not?
Sweetdeath04: Thanks
me, obviously: I know, Bough goes through a little bit more in this chapter, but not much. If you like Holly/Arty, just wait for the next chapter:)
jeweljade: I have microsoft word but it only picks up some spelling errors, not really any grammar mistakes. So I try and do my best finding them.
StickyWicket: Yes, they do get together.
OperaGustus and ShadowMagicks: Thanks
Chapter Eleven: The Oaks
Oliver and Ivy Oak had been married for around twenty years now. They hadn't always gotten along, but one thing had always kept them together. Their shared hatred of the LEP. They both had grudges against the Lower Elements Police, Oliver because he was a criminal and Ivy because her father had been killed by them. They had met about twenty one years before, and it didn't take long to figure out that they both wished for revenge.
However, just because they could be considered dangerous, didn't mean that they were smart. In fact, it had taken them those twenty years too come up with, what they thought was a genius plan. This so called 'genius plan' was to keep kidnapping LEP officers until there was no more LEP, then they would rule the city. Of course there were many flaws in this plan, but Oliver and Ivy refused to see them. They were extremely proud of their success so far and figured that soon, Haven would be theirs. In fact, possible the only intelligent move they had made so far was to hire that mercenary army using the stolen money formerly belonging to Ivy's father. This new army of theirs would become their own police force when they ruled Haven. Oliver and Ivy were proud of their army and how they had managed to not leave behind a single clue for the LEP to follow. They would have gone on believing that too, if not for the fact that they had recently caught Corporal Bough. Which is unfortunate for the LEP and Artemis, but by now they're used to nothing going exactly as planned.
But back to Oliver and Ivy. The two elves were sitting in their office, with a tied up Corporal Bough facing them. Ivy sat poised as elegantly as she could in her chair, meanwhile Oliver was getting up to pace. Bough was watching them both defiantly and also wearily.
"One more time, do the LEP have any plans I need to know about?" Oliver growled. Bough still stayed silent, except for an exasperated sigh that escaped him. He had no intention of telling these two anything. Oliver seemed to realize that. He walked over to the door and called for his hired bodyguard, Rodney. Rodney, a dwarf, came in and handed something over to Oliver at his request. Bough watched curiously, and felt the dread begin to creep in. Oliver came back grinning.
"I see you're not so brave now." He said, noticing Bough's worried expression. "You know what this is?" Oliver asked. Bough stayed silent. He knew.
"Tell him Oliver. Get rid of that cocky attitude." Ivy said smirking.
"Yes, Ivy dear. Now, Corporal, this is called truth serum. There have only been a few people who have made this and Rodney was able to get his hands on some. You've given me no choice but to use this on you. It is illegal, but I don't think you're in any position to arrest me." He chuckled. Bough watched as he pulled out a needle and filled it with the serum. As Oliver walked toward him, Bough began struggling to get free, but to no avail. Suddenly, Rodney appeared next to him and held him down. Bough bit his lip as the serum was injected. Oliver watched him for a few minutes before starting the questioning. "Okay, are the LEP planning anything?"
"I don't know."
Oliver sighed. "They don't know who's behind it?"
"Not that I know of."
"There, you see Oliver? You're just being paranoid. They have no clue how to stop us. Right Corporal?" Ivy was smiling triumphantly.
"The LEP are getting help to find out who's behind it." Bough said. Ivy and Oliver both frowned.
"Help? Help from who?"
"Artemis Fowl."
"Fowl? The Mud Boy from a couple years ago?" Bough nodded. "D'Arvit! That human's a genius. He defeated Cudgeon and Koboi. Now what are we supposed to do?" Ivy whined. Oliver sat there fuming.
"If the LEP have Fowl helping them, it won't be long until they find us."
"They probably know now." Bough said.
"What do you mean?"
"They sprayed every officer with a locator."
"Locator? But we got rid of your locator." Oliver said, not fully digesting Bough's statement. Ivy got up to whack her husband on the head.
"He just said, they sprayed a locator on them."
"Really? How did they do that?"
"Never mind how they did! We need to get out of here."
Oliver thought about it. "No, we're waiting right here for them. This is our chance to get the LEP all at once. Rodney, take the Corporal away to join the rest of them."
Rodney did so, glad to get away from his idiot employers.
Artemis sat in front in the passenger seat of one of the LEP shuttles. He had grown quite a bit since last time and his head only avoided the ceiling by slouching down. He examined the helmet in his hands before trying it on.
"Amazing, my head can still fit in one of these." He commented to Holly, who was driving. "Barely anyway." He added.
"Surprising. I always thought you had a big head." Holly said smirking.
Artemis cast a sideways glare at her, but she couldn't see because of the helmet. He wasn't sure if she meant it as being stuck up or just literally have a big head, either way, he took offence to it. "I'm going to pretend that I didn't hear that."
Holly glanced over at him and snickered. Artemis heard her and took it off.
"I look utterly ridiculous in this." He complained.
"No, you don't." She lied. He glared at her. "Okay, maybe just a little ridiculous." Holly admitted, smiling.
"Can't you just give me an ear piece and an iris cam?" He asked, almost in a whiny tone. Holly thought about it. It was very tempting to torture him and make him keep the helmet.
"I have a different eye color, remember?"
"Yes, but this time, it's not imperative that my eyes match. We're not going in there to deceive them."
Holly thought about it, but she finally relented under Artemis's constant gaze. With one hand still driving, she used the other to reach into her bag. After a minute of fumbling around, she found the vial and tossed it to him.
"Blue?" Artemis asked, shocked. The vial contained an iris cam but instead of hazel, it was the same color as his eyes. Holly smirked.
"Foaly sent those along for you."
"You mean, you were still going to make me wear that ridiculous helmet for no reason at all?"
Holly grinned and Artemis figured that it could easily be compared to his vampire smile. "Oh come on, the helmet doesn't look that bad."
"Maybe not on you. But do I look like the type to go around wearing police uniforms?"
Holly had to admit that he didn't. She was too used to seeing him in his expensive suits and clothes, so if he were to be dressed in anything else...it just looked weird. Plus the fact that it was a police uniform. It would be too ironic. Crime seemed to suit him too well. "Looks aren't everything you know. I'd prefer you to wear the helmet. I promised Butler I wouldn't let you get hurt. At least with the helmet, you'll be a little safer and better prepared."
Artemis considered it. He had promised Butler too. "Fine, I'll take both." He sighed.
"Good, now here's the ear piece. It also has a microphone, so everyone can hear you. It molds into your ear so only people actually looking hard enough will see it." She gave it to him and he placed it in his ear. Foaly's voice came through right away.
"Technical genius centaur to Mud Boy. Come in Mud Boy."
"Really Foaly, can't you be a bit more serious?"
"Just trying to lighten the moment."
"Well, thank you for the attempt. What do you got?"
"I'm already in the building's security center. Piece of pie by the way."
"Piece of cake." Artemis corrected. Foaly ignored him.
"Anyway, as soon as you get there, I'll feed a loop through all the camera's except for the very front where the distraction's taking place. That way they'll think they're all still working fine and won't get suspicious."
"Excellent, thank you."
"No problem. So are you all ready?"
"I'm not sure about the others, but I suppose we are."
"Okay, good luck. I'll be with you all the way. Sort of anyway. I'll be safe in my booth while your lives are in danger."
"Thank you Foaly. I'm not in the least bit nervous now." Artemis said dryly and took the ear piece out for the time being. A few minutes later, they arrived.
"Okay, should I pull around back or what?" Holly asked.
"Stop here for now and wait for the others. As soon as the Commander gets the mercenaries out, we'll sneak around to the side."
It was only a minute longer before Trouble pulled up next to them with Mulch in the passenger seat and Juliet in the back, slouched so she could fit. She was dressed in black sweat pants and a black shirt with her hair tied up. Artemis himself was garbed in a similar outfit that the fairies had somehow provided him. It was a definite switch from his usual attire. They all got out of the vehicles just as a little more than half a dozen LEP shuttles pulled up. Root got out of the first one, as well as Butler and six other LEP officers who got out of the back. Soon, all of the vehicles were unloaded and Root was barking orders. Artemis, Holly, Mulch, and Juliet stood off to the side while the LEP quickly set up whatever they could, including dumpsters and sandbags for them to hide behind while shooting. Butler also helped them with whatever he could. When they were all done and in position, Root and Butler went back over to where Artemis and the others still stood.
"You ready then?" Root asked. All of them nodded.
"So what's your plan Commander?" Artemis asked.
Root shrugged. "Don't really have one. You need a distraction, so we'll get you one."
Artemis clearly didn't like that idea and it showed on his face but he didn't say anything about it. "Well, good luck then." He said before turning to Butler. The two moved off to the side.
"Artemis, be careful. Stay close to Holly. Normally I wouldn't let you carry a gun but this time I think it's okay." He handed Artemis a Neutrino which Artemis took carefully.
"You be careful to, old friend. Try not to be too much of a hero." Artemis said, smiling.
Butler chuckled. "I'll try. What about you? Why are you doing this? Somebody else can go instead."
Artemis thought about why he was doing it. There was no question that he would, but why? He couldn't answer that right then. "No Butler. I have too. Besides, I've already memorized the building's layout and you know as well as I do that if there's anybody that could talk their way out fo trouble or come up with a quick plan, it's me."
"Yes, the only problem is that you get yourself into a lot more trouble because of your smart comments." Butler remarked. Artemis frowned. He had noticed that a lot lately too. he would need to be more careful from now on. "But you know that Foaly could send anyone a map of that place. Are you sure that's the only reason?" Butler knew his charge too well. He could also see the answer written on his face but also saw determination. That's when Butler knew that there was no talking him out of it now. He sighed. "Alright then." They went back over to the others. Butler went over and hugged Juliet. "You be careful too. Remember, your job is to only rescue the others and get out. I don't want you practicing any of your new moves if you don't have to."
"Don't worry big bro. I don't plan on going to look for trouble. But any one who does get in my way...I do have this new kick that I'd like to try."
Butler refrained from groaning. He was definitely beginning to regret not going with them.
"Okay, get going to your positions and I'll let you know when you can go." Root said, ushering the four away. Mulch and Juliet snuck around to one side of the building and hid by the exit there. Artemis and Holly went to the opposite side where there was a fire escape leading up the building. They climbed up only far enough to where they weren't easily spotted from the ground. Both teams settled in to wait.
Once he made sure all his officers were in position, Root grabbed the microphone to the loud speaker and stepped forward. "Oliver and Ivy Oak, you are under arrest for suspected kidnapping of thirteen fairies. Come out with your hands up." He waited a few minutes for any type of response. He got none. He repeated it again and waited impatiently. Finally, he heard and saw all of the roll up doors opening. Possibly a little under fifty fairies walked out, guns drawn. "D'Arvit." Root swore. Trouble was right next to him.
"Oh, that's not that many." Trouble said and Root couldn't tell if he was serious or joking around, so he ignored him.
"Put down your weapons and surrender or we will be forced to open fire." Root commanded.
A pixie in front shot his gun, hitting the sandbag about two feet from Root and Trouble. Trouble quickly ducked but Root didn't. he turned an extremely dark shade of red when she saw some of the mercenaries smirking.
"Sir, I think that means they're not surrendering." Trouble said, smirking too. Trouble was the type that loved action, and Root knew he was anticipating a fight
"Thank you Captain Obvious." Root muttered and then turned to Butler, who was a little ways away, loading his gun. "Butler, try not to shoot to kill." Butler nodded. It would be a little bit harder, but he would try. Root placed his helmet on. "Commander to Team A and Team B. Coast should be clear now."
"Roger Commander." Holly said.
"Roger." The dwarf giggled. Root rolled his eyes and zeroed in on Team A. "Captain...good luck. Be careful."
"You too." And she cut the connection. Root sighed. he wasn't sure if he understood Fowl's reasoning or not, about the teams. Holly and Fowl were constantly arguing, and barely seemed to get along as far as he knew. But then again, those two were the most capable of stopping the Oaks; Holly with her skills with a gun and quick thinking on her feet, and Fowl with his brains. Although, it still didn't make since for Fowl to go without Butler. He would debate about it later, because right then, another one of the mercs fired, nearly hitting him. Refusing to duck and be a coward, he stayed up, paying attention this time and gave the order for his men to open fire.
Both teams, after getting the signal from Root were just about to sneak into the separate entrances when they heard the fighting start. It must have been heard from inside the building as well because ten mercenaries went running out each door. Mulch and Juliet dove for cover, narrowly staying out of sight. Artemis and Holly had been making their way down the fire escape when the mercs had come out. Holly had shielded, leaving only Artemis in sight. Luckily they had been in too much of a rush to spot the human right above them. When they were gone, Artemis let out a sigh of relief and Holly unshielded again.
"That was close." She said and Artemis glared at her.
"They could have seen me!"
"Don't worry, I wouldn't have let anything happen to you. My gun was right here." Holly assured him. Artemis still didn't feel any better but kept climbing down.
"What if more come out?" He asked her.
"We'll have to fight them. We don't have time to wait around all day." They reached the ground and quickly made their way to the door. Artemis opened it and glanced in. Right inside the door was a hallway, empty.
"Ladies first." He gestured for Holly to go in. Now it was her turn to glare.
"Some gentleman." She went in. Artemis smiled and ducked in behind her. She stood waiting for him inside. "Which way?"
Artemis recalled the blueprint he had memorized. "I believe it's to the left." He said and they both walked with their guns drawn. After only a few minutes, they came to a point in which the hall branched off into opposite directions. Holly had been walking behind Artemis, keeping an eye behind them. So when he suddenly came to a stop, she ran right into the back of him.
"Oof! Fowl! Why did you stop?"
"This shouldn't be here." Artemis said, frowning. He had the helmet on, as much as he would have preferred to leave it behind, he had brought it anyway. "Foaly? I think you need to update your data."
Holly cringed slightly when he said that. Foaly didn't like anybody telling him that he was wrong or something was not right with his information or devices.
Foaly snorted into the mike. "I highly doubt it." Artemis looked around so Foaly would see through the video feed. "That's not possible." He muttered. "I just got these this morning. The one on the left shouldn't be there."
"Hmm." Artemis looked around and found a small stone that had fallen from the stone walls. He picked it up and tossed it to the left. Two things happened at once. The stone flew about four feet down the tunnel before hitting an invisible wall and bounced right back. Meanwhile, right after the stone had passed through into the hall, a huge metal gate had come flying down which, had they gone down there, they would have been trapped. Foaly and Holly both muttered, "Oh" Then Holly added, "That was close...again."
Artemis turned to her, eyebrow raised. "Yes, we seem to be having quite a few close calls already. I think we need to take more caution. Especially since I'm sure they're expecting us."
"What?" Holly asked, shocked. Artemis shrugged and headed down the right hallway. Holly growled softly and ran to catch up. "Artemis!" She hissed. He put a finger to his lips to silence her.
"We should be nearing where the Oaks are supposedly." He whispered. They stopped right before turning a corner and quietly peeked around. There were two guards standing outside a closed door. Holly pulled out her Neutrino and set it to stun, gesturing for Artemis to do the same. His eyes widened and he leaned down to whisper to her.
"I can't shoot. Do you really expect me to shoot them? What if I miss?"
"If I shoot one of them, the other one may yell or something before I can shoot him." Holly explained.
"But what if I miss?"
"All you have to do is aim."
Artemis reluctantly did as Holly told him and shot as soon as she counted to three. The guard Holly shot, was unconscious immediately, but Artemis's shot had hit the guard in his arm, so he quickly shot again and he fell. Artemis lowered the gun, somewhat shakily, glad that the Neutrino had only stunned him. Holly ran over and dragged the two of them back around the corner. Artemis still stood there.
"Holly."
"What?" She actually looked a little concerned but Artemis wasn't paying attention to that.
"Don't ever make me shoot anyone again please."
Holly sighed. "Come on."
Artemis seemed to pull himself together and walked over to the door. They were just about to decide what to do when five mercenaries came down the hall from where they had come and another seven or so from the other hall. "Great." Holly muttered and pulled out her gun again.
Author's Note: The reason Artemis kind of froze like that after shooting was because I think that it would have been difficult for him to actually shoot someone. I know he has Butler do it all the time, but I know from experience that actually shooting a gun can kind of be hard for some people, so I figured the same would go for Artemis. Plus, in the Eternity Code, when he tells Holly that he's nothing like Jon Spiro because he's a coldblooded killer. Anyway, let me know what you think and send a review.