A lot of these character's belong to Colfer; their names appear in the books if you look hard enough. Garnet Hart was invented by my dear friend JenSpell, whose comments she so often gives. I'm sorry if you don't think the characters have been faithfully represented but I tried my best.

The Innocent Picture

Prologue

Only those with Level 2 clearance may access the files known as the 'Topaz Episode'. These events took place after the Goblin Rebellion but before Artemis' mind-wipe.

Police Plaza, Haven City

Artemis Fowl met Berry Short when he was brought in for questioning regarding goblins and batteries.

The teenager stood up in the LEP interrogation room. 'Is everything settled, then?' He looked from Commander Root to Foaly.

Commander Root waved a hand. 'Captain Short will take you to the shuttle.'

Artemis nodded. 'Thank you.'

Holly stepped out of the room, pausing to glare at the human as she passed. Artemis followed her out of the interrogation room. 'No getting "lost", Mud Boy,' she said sternly. 'I know you're dying to get your hands on fairy technology.'

'Captain Short,' Artemis said, feigning upset concern, 'we're on the same side now. Are such hostilities really necessary?' He didn't mention that he had enough fairy technology to last him a lifetime, what with the stolen Retrieval helmets he had acquired during the Fowl Manor siege.

The unlikely (and unwilling) allies turned a corner and walked right into another fairy coming the other way.

'Berry!' Holly said sternly as the other fairy fell, spilling the coffee and dropping her report.

The other fairy held up a hand. 'Chill,' she said, dabbing at the coffee stain on her shirt. 'It's only coffee. It comes out.'

Artemis watched the two fairies as an argument started in Gnomish. He took the opportunity to study the newcomer. She was younger than Holly with the pointy ears and stature that signalled her out as an elf. Her hair was long and kept out of the way by means of a plait that reached her waist. She seemed a lot more at ease than Captain Short.

The elf felt his eyes on her and smiled, rolling her eyes as Holly carried on speaking. 'Chill,' the newcomer repeated.

She held out a hand towards Artemis. 'My name's Berry Short. Corporal, Traffic Duty, and enjoying it, which is unusual in this job. I'm the little sister of this heroine.'

Artemis shook her hand. 'Fowl. Artemis Fowl. Need I say anything else?'

Berry's smile widened. 'Very movie star-like. What brings you to this dump?'

'Berry!' Holly said again.

'I'm hardly going to release fairy secrets, Holls. Anyway, judging from your report of the Fowl Affair, Art knows most of our secrets.'

Holly took her sister's wrist. 'Corporal Berry Short,' she said in the manner of a commanding officer, 'if you know what's good for you you'll get back to your job.'

Berry sighed. 'Alright, Holly, I'm getting to it. Sheesh.'

She picked up her report, waved to her sister, and smiled sweetly at Artemis. 'See you around, Art.'

Then she left, humming slightly and not looking where she was going, which resulted in a collision with another fairy.

'Siblings,' muttered Holly.