Thank you to all reviewers, and I'd like to take this moment to answer some of your questions.

Izzie, there will not be a romance if I can help it. Not in this story at least. Joey's main function in this story is to say 'How you doin'?' and that's it. Newt can be found in the first Artemis Fowl book; he's breaking up a riot outside Spud's Spud Emporium.

Hitokiri Takushi, thank you very much.

Dormouse, I forgot about that. Maybe Berry was named Berry and she wanted to stick with it. I don't know, you'll have to ask her yourself.

Now on with the story!

Chapter 2: Semi-Precious

Koboi Labs

To the Koboi parents, Topaz turned out to be everything they'd ever dreamed of. After Opal had dashed their hopes by taking everything to the extreme, Topaz was like a breath of fresh air. She was reasonably pretty, quite clever, polite, and about as stubborn as a wet flannel. The Koboi parents were sure that Topaz would be everything they expected in a daughter.

They were, actually, right. Topaz gained her History of Art degree and married a rich young pixie whom she had met at university. Topaz was the perfect daughter.

Unfortunately, Topaz grew up with the headstrong Opal Koboi, who delighted in torturing her little sister. Topaz went through life with the vague feeling that she was doing something wrong; after all, why would Opal make those comments if they weren't true?

For poor, deluded Topaz thought that sisters should be best friends, that they should help each other out when they were in trouble, and never lie. This theory probably would have worked if Opal Koboi had not been anywhere in the equation.

Topaz's husband was killed during the B'wa Kell uprising. The younger Koboi sister had taken over his part of the fern shop and painted over his name above the door. Why didn't she sell the fern shop? Because she needed money. The Koboi parents had left what was left of their fortune to Topaz, but it still wasn't enough. Topaz Koboi needed money, and fast, because she was going to prove that, for once in her life, she could do something better than Opal.

Topaz Koboi picked her way delicately through Koboi labs. Bits of broken machinery littered the floor and the majority of the computer screens on one wall had several laser burn marks on them.

'This place is incredibly dusty,' Topaz said as she sneezed again. 'It's amazing how it accumulates.'

Her companion, Gravel, grunted. Gravel was a dwarf of few words.

Topaz nudged a cracked hard drive with her foot. 'We're going have to clean up this place, if our guards are to get around.'

Gravel grunted again.

Topaz glanced up at the plasma cannons sitting gloomily in their holsters, like forgotten puppies in a pet shop. 'To think that despite all Opals' security measures, she was defeated by two trigger-happy elves, a Mud Man with the brains of a mountain and a child who could barely run ten metres without panting.'

Gravel said, 'There was a dwarf.' That was quite a lengthy sentence for him.

'Ah, yes,' Topaz said as she ran her hand along the wall. 'The gritsucker, nothing personal Gravel.'

The pixie sighed and turned to face the plasma screens. 'We shall not be defeated by them. Are all the plans in place?'

Gravel grunted for the third time.

'Good. Oh, and would you please buy some more cat food while you're out? I'm afraid I've almost run out and my little darlings aren't the most patient of creatures.'

Police Plaza, Haven

'Another one for you, Marilyn,' Berry said, roughly pushing the goblin prisoner towards the custody desk.

Captain Marilyn Emrald, the second in command to Commander Mercury, nodded. 'Name?' she said to the goblin.

'The B'wa Kell will have power!' the goblin hissed.

Marilyn sighed and reached for a digi-pen. 'Is that one word or several?'

After a few minutes with the goblin prisoner Berry returned to Nettie, whose cheeks were flushed with excitement of her first actual police chase. 'That was amazing, corp, wasn't it?' the pixie said eagerly.

Berry thought about. 'Not as nerve-wracking as some chases I've been in,' she said, 'but quite interesting nonetheless.'

'When he went onto the rooftops, I thought we'd lose him!'

'Yes, it was quite lucky that van was there.'

The younger Short sister listened patiently as the pixie rambled on, finally managing to say, 'Let's go to the cafeteria, shall we?' when Private Hart paused for breath.

Holly was in the cafeteria, gazing gloomily into her mug of coffee.

Berry put on her best cheerful face and sat down opposite her sister. 'Cheer up, cap,' she said. 'It might never happen.'

Captain Short looked up and glared at her sister. 'You always say that, even though it doesn't make much sense. How do you know I'm not gloomy about something that has happened?'

'Then I'd say "Cheer up, cap, it's already happened."'

'Amazingly, that doesn't make me feel any better.'

Then Holly noticed Nettie and groaned. 'Oh dear,' she said. 'I hope you realise what you've gotten yourself into, Private.'

Nettie smiled so widely it was almost scary. 'Only the most exciting job under the world with the best corporal ever puppy-walking me!'

'You should start a fan club, Bez.'

'I really should, shouldn't I?'

A few more moments passed in silence while Nettie went to buy herself a sandwich.

'So what is wrong, Holls?' Berry asked as soon as the pixie was out of earshot.

Holly sighed and returned to staring into her coffee. 'Root has teamed the two of us up for an above ground assignment.'

Berry blinked in surprise. She and Commander Julius Root were not exactly the best of friends so it was unusual that he would think her good enough for a Recon job.

'What about Operation Mop-up?' Corporal Short asked. 'I can hardly leave Nettie to handle goblins on her own. I mean, today she tried to take one on by kneeing it. A wonderful move, but doesn't quite have the same effect on a goblin, seen as they lay eggs.'

Holly shrugged. 'Root thinks he can spare me, and I'm sure Mercury won't mind losing you for a couple of nights.'

You don't know Mercury, Berry thought darkly.

'So what does this job entail?' she asked.

'We have to shadow someone; you know, see what they're up to, take note of the people they're with. It's a bit like an obo, except you follow a person and don't watch a certain place.'

Berry considered this. She'd spent several of her work days in the bag of a police van, waiting for CID to ask for back-up. Doing the same above the surface didn't sound too bad. Plus, she wouldn't have to spend the hours listening to her colleagues trying to beat each other at poker.

'Who are we shadowing? A rogue dwarf gone surface? Is it Mulch Diggums? Holly, if we're going to be shadowing Mulch Diggums, tell me now, because I really don't want to have to spend much time in the vicinity of him and his behind…'

Captain Short smiled slightly. 'No, Berry, we are not following Mulch.'

'There's a relief. Who is it, then? A grounded sprite? A disgruntled elf? A mad pixie? Or is it something else entirely?'

Holly shifted uncomfortably.

The beginnings of realization dawned on Berry. 'His name doesn't begin with A, does it?'

Holly glanced around to make sure that no one else was listening in on the conversation and nodded ever so slightly.

Berry punched the air. 'Yes!' she shouted.

'I don't know what you're so happy about,' Holly grumbled.

'I don't see why you're not! Come on, Holly, this will be great! You and me and Artemis and Butler versus some evil genius dude…'

Holly's head snapped up. Her eyes searched every single one of Berry's features, half hoping that her sister really was just trying to wind her up. 'What makes you think the Mud Boy isn't the evil genius?'

'He promised you that he'd be a nice Mud Boy.'

'So? You promised me you wouldn't mess with science project back in high school and that didn't stop you blowing up poor Hughston, did it? Ever heard of lying?'

Berry smiled and leant back in her chair, putting her hands behind her head and looking utterly relaxed. 'That's why you're so angry.'

'Why? What?'

'You hate being lied to, and Master Birdie did so. You want to settle the score.'

'I do not!' Captain Short spluttered.

'You do, Holls. I've known you all my life and I know what makes you angry. Blowing up Hughston is one of them.'

Holly's pager beeped. She glanced at it, drank the last of her coffee, and stood up. 'Come on, Bez,' she said. 'Duty calls.'

As they were heading to Root's office, Holly said, 'Master Birdie… I shall have to remember that.'

Commander Root looked at the sisters as they stood to attention in his office. When they were standing next to each other their differences became as clear as a troll against a white wall. Holly, the epitome of efficiency, her uniform neat and ironed, (Root had a suspicion that was actually Berry's handiwork; Holly was not known for her domestic abilities), hair cut back in a crew cut to keep it out of her eyes. Berry, the picture of innocence with her sparkling eyes and hair plaited into two bunches.

At least the patrol uniform looks pretty much like the Recon one, Root thought. If Berry were dressed in a Traffic uniform she would resemble a walking road sign: not exactly the most inconspicuous of guises.

'Corporal Short –,' Root began.

'Sir!' Berry saluted.

'Great. Well done. You have been selected to work with Captain Short on a mission of great importance. Not only will this be of great importance to the people but it will also decide whether or not you are ready to work in Recon.'

'Sir!' Berry repeated.

'I hope for your sake that you do well. Your task is to follow one Artemis Fowl. Make a note of the people he talks to and the places he goes but under no circumstances are you to make contact, do you understand?'

'Sir!'

'Do you understand, Short? I used to be a corporal myself; I know how flexible the phrase "sir" can be.'

'Understood it perfectly, sir.'

'Will you follow the orders?'

'Of course, sir. I'm a Short, sir.'

Root sighed. 'Yes, that's what worries me. Head along to the Operations' Booth and Foaly will give you your equipment. Captain, a word, please?'

Berry left the office and Holly looked at her boss. 'With all due respect, sir, I still think it's a bad idea to send Berry.'

Root shrugged. 'She's the best corporal we have. Her flight score leaves a little to be desired but apart from that she's nearly as good as you are, Holly. She passed her stealth test with flying colours.'

Holly blinked. 'She did?'

'Yes, Captain. Perhaps you should pay more attention to what lies beneath your sister's innocent façade.'

This surprised Holly even more. Root rarely offered advice on sibling relationships. Probably because it reminded him too much of his brother, the traitor Turnball Root.

'Look after her, Holly,' Root continued.

'Don't worry, sir,' Holly said. 'I will. It's been built into my system.'

Operations' Booth

Foaly looked up as Berry entered the Operations' Booth. 'You've worked here for seven years,' the centaur said, 'and yet you still think my office is on the other side of the building.'

Berry smiled and sat down in one of the swivel chairs. 'It's not as if I ever get much opportunity to come in here, though, do I?'

'No,' Foaly admitted. He swished his tail and trotted over to a bench where he'd placed several items. 'Standard issue: helmet, with live video feed – so be careful what you say, because we'll be recording – and all those other inventions of mine that are so useful. Also a gun – don't look so excited, Bez, it's just a Bug Blatter.'

'Are you saying I shouldn't get excited because of that?' Berry said. 'A Bug Blatter's my gun of choice!'

The Bug Blatter was possible the least lethal of weapons. It fired a small pellet of goo that enlarged on contact with air and encased the target creature entirely. The goo was entirely porous and even allowed a small amount of movement; however it was laser-proof, fire-proof and even bullet-proof nowadays.

'Just place your thumb on the pad and the gun will code itself to you,' Foaly instructed.

Berry did so. After a few moments her name flashed on the pad and the gun lit up. 'Do you think these safety precautions are really necessary?' the younger Short sister asked.

'The Council thinks so,' Foaly said, 'and I'm inclined to agree. Your gun cannot be fired by anyone else and any shots are registered in your helmet computer. If this ever comes to a Tribunal, that information could save you career.'

'Or destroy it.'

'There is that.'

Foaly then picked up a set of wings. 'These are Hummingbirds, so be careful, Short. Don't attempt any tricks.'

Berry gingerly took the wings. 'Can't I just walk?' she pleaded. 'You know I can't steer these things.'

'Sorry, Berry, they're what you get.'

Berry grumbled as she put the wings one. 'I never feel right with these things on my back,' she muttered. 'Makes me feel like I'm back at school.'

'I do have something that you could use instead of the wings. They're only much use when it comes to hovering, really, but you might prefer them.'

'That'll do fine. I can fly in a straight line, but diving or anything is way beyond my abilities.'

'They're prototypes, so they may have a few teething problems…'

Foaly brought a pair of boots out from one of his many cupboards. They were made of a dark brown material and looked incredibly lightweight.

Foaly showed Berry the bottom of the boots. 'Anti-gravity field,' he said. 'The boots create a sort of gravitational void beneath them, so it's not really a good idea to use them when you're hovering above someone. They'll take you up to about ten metres; anything beyond that and you need the wings.'

'How do I activate this anti-gravity field?'

'Simple. You tap twice with the heel and once with the toe on the left boot. To deactivate, tap twice with the toe and once with the heel on the right boot. Got that?'

'Yup. So how do I steer?'

'It's all in the way you point your feet. You'll get the hang of it.'

Berry put the boots on and was about to test them out when Holly arrived. Foaly gave Captain Short her helmet and Neutrino 2000 before informing the sisters that the next shuttle from E1, Tara, left in about ten minutes.

'Come on, Bez!' Holly called as she started to run through Police Plaza.

'Keep your hair on,' muttered Berry. She gave Foaly the thumbs up before following Holly out into Haven.

'This should be good,' Foaly said as he turned to his computer screens.