Chapter Eight: Demands
Sool put the mobile to his ear, completely aware of the fact that everyone n the room were holding their breath and were gazing at him. He was also aware of how primitive the phone was, it was nothing compared to the technology the People had below ground. They didn't even have a video link.
'Hello?' Sool asked the mysterious caller.
'Who is this?' asked the person on the other line.
'This is Commander Sool of the LEP, who's this?'
'I'm Becky,' the girl replied and at this, Yetty gave a yell for Becky to hear but was quickly silenced as a gag was shoved into her mouth. 'Wait, did I just hear Yetty yell, where is she anyway?'
'She's here with me,' replied Sool, being deliberately evasive.
'Can I speak to her?'
'Not at the moment.' Sool gave a deathly glare to Yetty as she fought with her handcuffs. 'Stop that,' he hissed at her so Becky wouldn't hear him. 'Now then, I guess you have rung because … Yetty, is it, and Mr Fowl have gone missing from your party at the beach. That is because we have them here and you won't get them back unless you do as I say. Is that clear?'
'Yes. Can I speak to Artemis?' asked Becky in a voice barely above a whispered as she realized what had happened.
'Certainly, just keep it short.'
Sool placed the phone against Artemis' ear since he could not hold it for himself as he was still handcuffed. Becky's panicked voice sounded in his ear.
'Arty, are you all right?' she asked in a voice that sounded like she was on the edge of tears.
'Oh yes I'm fine,' he said, his voice layered with the usual sarcasm, 'I'm just held captive by an inalienable megalomaniac who thinks he's the best commander of the LEP, but I know that he will never be as good as Root…' Artemis was cut off as the phone was removed from his ear. There was a smack as Sool slapped Artemis across the face again.
'Never mention that name in my presence Mud Boy or I will kill you,' Sool hissed.
Artemis winced as he opened his mouth to check the damage Sool had caused. 'Please Commander, if you had wanted to kill me and Yetty, then we would already be dead,' Artemis replied with the customary sardonic grin which infuriated Sool even more. He turned away from the boy, completely forgetting that Becky was still on the other line of the phone.
Meanwhile, Becky and Yetty's other friend were all listening to the conversation as she had put it on speakerphone. They all listened intently as they heard Artemis and Sool exchange threats and winced as they heard Sool slap Artemis. Becky gave a small sob at that point and turned to Romeo for comfort, which he tentatively gave her. Sool's voice was heard again as he spoke into the phone, addressing Becky and her friends again.
'Now then, about my demands. First, I would like you to meet me at Fowl Manor at 6 pm tomorrow afternoon where I would like all of your friends and you to submit to a mind-wipe. Second, I want all of your files, including the books, which portray Artemis and the fairies, to be brought with you so they can be destroyed. These demands cannot be negotiated and I will kill Miss Yetty and Mr Fowl if you do not comply.' After those words had left his lips, Sool terminated the link. His licked his lips in satisfaction; oh how he could not wait to wipe the People from Artemis' mind even though he had cheated it before but Sool figured he was smarter than Root. Artemis looked up at Sool with a smirk playing across his lips.
'I do not believe I have ever given you permission to enter my home, Commander, or hadn't you thought of that?'
'Of course I thought of it,' Sool snapped, 'But that will not be the case for lone. You see, I have twelve hours with you until 6pm, and I can do anything I want during that time.' Sool smiled and the sight of it sent shivers down his spine. He knew that Sool was telling the truth and didn't dare to think what might befall him during those hours. But hen again, Artemis thought, maybe I could benefit if I invited them in. He could feel the beginnings of a plan formulate in his mind and his vampire grin flitted across his face.