Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Artemis Fowl. Those go to Eoin Colfer.

To Kinns911: Thank you for the very nice review. I'm flattered.

Note: Alexis and Artemis simply kissed, and Alex (Alexis' brother) videotaped it and put it on the Internet. That's it, so far (wink).

Chapter 8: Horse Sense and Ingots

En route from Fowl Manor, to Chute Terminal E1

Foaly was a very unappreciated centaur. No statues were erected in his honor, no Foaly Day in Haven once a year, and only five chapters in The Greatest Inventions Underground were dedicated to his inventions. All he had to show for it was a vast amount of wealth, quietly collected from his salary. He didn't live a very luxurious lifestyle, and his bank accounts showed it. On rare occasions, he would plunder his accounts, trying to raise funds for some new invention prototype. It had been a very long time since he'd done that, a few decades at least. For that he was fortunate, for otherwise the plan he was concocting with Artemis might not work so smoothly.

"Now, once we arrive at the fairy fort, we'll rent a shuttle for ourselves," Foaly simply stated. Butler cast a glance back at the centaur.

"That must be expensive," Butler said, his voice low, "or illegal."

"What? No, it won't be a problem," Foaly whinnied. He flicked his tail. "Besides, it's the only option since I'm suspended. I can't simply borrow an LEP shuttle."

"Actually Foaly, I have a few doubts," Holly piped up. "It is really expensive, and I'm not exactly capable in helping pay…" Holly trailed off, not needing or wanting to finish. Bad enough that Artemis was helping them and putting himself into danger. No need to inform him on her financial status.

"I can afford it on my own," Foaly said, his voice pitched with slight irritation. "I'm not just paid with carrots, as you seem to think Holly."

Mulch couldn't hide his interest. "How much do you make?" His comment was meet with a few glares from all around the Bentley. "Hey, I just want to know if pony boy can really pay the price," Mulch said innocently.

Foaly sighed, and told them the figure. Even Artemis, who in his vast knowledge didn't know what was considered a large salary in Haven, was impressed by the large number. He saw Mulch and Holly, each bearing identical expressions of shock on their faces. It was defiantly a substantial amount.

"I take it that you can afford this private shuttle," Artemis said, trying to break the silence that filled the car. Amazing, he thought. Once, I would have demanded silence to think and now I insist on banishing it. It is so different having friends.

The sounds around the car slowed, and soon the group was climbing out. Artemis was surprised at his own excitement. The first time he had traveled underground in Tara, it had been under the influence of the mesmer, the second time, he wasn't even sure if he had traveled through Tara. He had been knocked unconscious by Opal Koboi, and the route he took down was unknown to him. This would be his true first time traveling through E1 without being unconscious or mesmerized. He looked forward to it.

"Artemis, you and Butler will wait here, until the last possible moment. Dawn is approaching, so there might be more fairies trying to get on the next shuttle home. If we're lucky, they might already be gone," Holly suggested, noticing Artemis' downcast look. He would rather not rush through the shuttle bay, but he knew that he would have to. He looked to Butler, and the manservant nodded. No doubt Butler had already guessed his charge's thoughts. Immediately, Artemis felt a slight feeling of remorse. Where he would simply be jogging to the shuttle, Butler, most likely, would have to be doubled over. Shuttle ports hadn't been built for Mud Men, especially not those of Butler's size.

Foaly trotted over to a holographic bush and disappeared, followed by Holly and Mulch. Artemis leaned against the car. He wondered how long it would take for a private shuttle to be prepared. Butler was at the back of the car, pulling the secret floor off the trunk to reveal his stash of weapons. After a moment, Artemis joined him.

"What are you planning on bringing?" Artemis queried. For Butler, the weapons were quite meager, nothing special or extremely destructive. Then again, Butler could simply be the weapon. Even though he had gained nearly fifteen years in a day, he was still in near peak physical condition.

"Well, I believe she never said 'No weapons', so we can bring all of this, if it makes you comfortable," the bodyguard said, checking his arsenal. He glanced at his young charge. "Or should we pack light?"

"Unless Koboi has disarmed all fairy weaponry again, which I doubt, we shouldn't need that much. But just in case, bring enough for the whole party." Artemis looked back to the bush. "Should it take this long?"

"It seems pretty standard Artemis," Butler replied, looking up at the hidden entrance. "They most likely have to check Foaly's account, his DNA, just regular security. I'm not sure how common it is for one to rent a private shuttle in a spur of the moment type situation. They might even have a waiting period."

At this, the boy genius spoke. "As long as it isn't more than three days. Already, we're on thin ice, as they say."

"What does that mean?" Butler asked. "Your parents will simply believe that you're out for the day if they call. Once they're back, we'll simply say that you went to the spa."

"It isn't my parents I'm worried about Butler. The Vanderbelts, no doubt, are wondering where their daughter has disappeared to. Unless they were mesmerized or mind-wiped. And that seems like too much effort for one Mud Girl." he paused for a moment. "I wonder how they even found out," he murmured.

Before Butler could try to reassure Artemis, Mulch's head appeared from the bush. "We're ready for you," he said grinning. Patiently, he waited for Butler to collect his chosen weapons, and led them to the shuttle. As they walked, with a rather brisk pace, Artemis quickly admired the structure of the giant space. Perhaps it had been built for Mud Men to come into. Butler could stand upright, without grazing his head. There were buildings in Dublin that Butler had to stoop down to simply enter. The architecture was amazing, until Artemis noticed some scaffolding around some sections of the port. He looked ahead, and saw the shuttle that Foaly had rented. He was instantly reminded of the Atlantian Ambassador shuttle that Commander Root had commandeered. As he entered, he saw that it lacked the gold plating that the other shuttle had. This one was simpler. Nevertheless, it was still quite fancy, and Artemis could only wonder how much it really had cost Foaly.

"Everybody, strap in!" Holly called from the pilot's chair. Both humans did as they were told, and sat down next to Mulch, who was already sitting comfortably in his chair, eating a few carrots. With a chuckle, Butler noticed that he had seated himself next to the refrigeration system. All Mulch had to do was reach and he had all the shuttle's food at his disposal. Foaly was strapped in at the back. Artemis studied his face. There was no hint of anger or irritation, and Artemis was surprised. Obviously, his quadruped friend was richer than he thought, if his account could afford something as luxurious as this.

With a slight shake, the shuttle started up. Butler was anxious. He wondered how long it would take to reach Haven, and where Foaly intended on taking them. He knew that until Holly could set a course and came back, Foaly wouldn't start his briefing.

After a few moments, Holly came back to the lounge area. Sure enough, that was when Foaly got up, and started discussing his plan.

"Okay. If I'm correct, this rescue will be very quick. The kidnapper said she was a pixie when she was explained why she was recording her ear. And, from Mulch's information, she is in some sort of organization. I can think of one major pixie society," Foaly explained. "The Sisterhood of the Pixies. It is the one place that Opal could still find allies. I think somewhere in the Initiation rites they must claim loyalty to their fellow Sisters."

"I thought I recognized the outfit," Mulch murmured. "Being the ladies man that I am, I think-" Holly threw him a look.

"Well, a thief never knows when a disguise will come in handy," Mulch admitted. He grinned slyly as Holly looked away, and winked at Artemis and Butler. The manservant rolled his eyes.

"Do they have an outlet with a mosaic ceiling? One that stands out more than others?" Artemis questioned.

Foaly and Holly exchanged a glance. "Actually, no. Most of the building have high ceilings. Still distinguishable, but nothing famous. Except," Foaly took a breath, "some of the larger meeting places have their own shuttle ports. Mainly for Sisters to get to the surface for 'bonding' and performing the Ritual."

"It would be easy enough to search," Holly said, "but only female pixies are allowed in. Other women can visit there, but there are absolutely no men allowed."

"Then Opal broke the rule if she transported Major Kelp to one of the buildings," Butler started, but before he could finish, Artemis interrupted.

"I think I understand," he said, throwing an apologetic look Butler's way. "If these people are the last protecting Opal, she wouldn't dare betray them. Maybe. Instead, you believe that she is holding them in one of the shuttle ports, correct?"

"Even though their headquarter security is tighter than a gnome's wallet, they had to allow guys to maintain the shuttles," Mulch said, finally picking up what everyone else had realized. "And everyone knows what the ceiling of a shuttle port looks like."

"Exactly. That means we can get into one of their shuttle bays, and hope it's the right one," Foaly said. "There are seven in the Haven area that are our best bet. They practically have their own chute. That's where we're heading."

"So, it is still a game of time and chance," Artemis said.

"The only other problem," Holly said, "is that as soon as we reach the first landing bay, and start our search, Opal is going to know that we're on to her, and that we're coming. We'll have to capture her quickly."

"I think that was her plan," Artemis said quietly. The group shifted uneasily. "Think about," Artemis continued. "She still wants revenge. And she knows how to do it. For her, it is a win-win situation. If she recreates the Goblin Rebellion , which I suspect she is doing due to the reemergence of the B'wa Kell, and it succeeds she won't be able to go to jail, because there will be no prisons or LEP. If we get to her before the trial, what can you do to her? Simply say 'We beat you again'? Since her trial is approaching, any of you fighting her will simply win her sympathy at the trial. How would a jury react, to hear that the 'poor defendant' was beaten by an ex-LEP officer, an ex-convict, and a centaur that has been rivals with her for years? It won't look good for you in the case. That is why she has one of her minions claiming to be behind the kidnappings. Besides the fact that they're in the Sisterhood, they might have no outside relation, no connection." Artemis stopped, regaining his breath. "Unless we have concrete evidence that Opal is connected to the kidnapper, we can't touch her. It would seem like cruel revenge to the courts."

Looking at the faces of his companions, Butler realized that Artemis had hit the nail on the head.

I hope you enjoyed that! And if it's too long, sorry.