Villa Éco

When Myles received the notification from Nanni that Artemis was calling, he was already at his computer. This made the decision to accept the video call much easier.

"Good evening, Doctor Fowl." Myles nodded curtly at the video screen. "I take it your opting to utilize video as well as audio indicates a subject of some importance."

"It does," replied Artemis. Usually, Artemis protested to Myles' use of his title, but apparently the elder Fowl had bigger concerns, today.

"That will be a nice change of pace, then." Honestly. The doctor could drone for minutes at a time about the most mundane things. Like pebbles in space.

Artemis frowned on the screen. "Yes, well, as you must know, different individuals find different topics to be important. Though from what I have been told of your exploits this past week, we are on the same page in this case."

Myles conceded the point by casting his eyes ever so slightly downward. "Very well. Proceed."

"I hear that your situation was caused in no small part by a duke's desire to extend his lifespan."

Myles perked up. This was indeed of utmost interest to him. So, he had to be sure he wouldn't be caught violating probation, so to speak. "For hypothetical's sake, let us proceed under the assumption that this is a topic which I have interest in," Myles said, "And that, consequently, I do not wish others to hear of it. If this were the case, one would wonder as to the strength of your encryption software in the Interstellar's communication hub."

Artemis smirked, unphased. Myles found his older brother's confidence comforting, though of course no living soul must ever know this. "Believe me," began the older Fowl. "I had the same thought. So I designed a new system expressly for this conversation last night as I slept. I personally installed it into the AE-35 unit this morning. Tell me what you know about the viability of Lord Teddy's ambitions vis-à-vis extended lifespan."

Artemis had proceeded directly to the point, for once. How refreshing. Myles cracked his knuckles. "To put it in layman's terms-"

"There's no need for that," Artemis interrupted. "It's just us."

Myles confirmed with his glasses that Beck was indeed on the beach reading out loud to a seagull some mundane book about pigeons and buses. None of the house's security systems were detecting the presence of shielded fairies. "Very well. I believe that the duke's ambitions are irrefutably achievable, and not only that, but with some amount of honing, I believe the method is also consistently repeatable."

On the screen, Artemis nodded approvingly. "I heard from the LEP that the primary agent is troll venom. Is that safe? And, also important: does it require harming the troll?"

Myles nodded. "I understand your concerns. However, with some work, the troll venom can be extracted without harming the subject, and, as you well know, penicillin was derived from mold, something that is ordinarily unhealthy. And yet it is life-saving. I believe the same shall come to pass with this situation."

"Good," replied Artemis. Something in his voice seemed unusually hopeful, raw, as if this were a matter of life and death to Artemis. Myles chalked this up to the fact that it was literally a matter of extended life and/or death. A fellow like Artemis couldn't be blamed for being in awe of the subject. "How many years do you project we can extend lifespans by?"

Myles had anticipated this query. "I can say with complete confidence that the human lifespan is extendable to at least 200 years. The duke in question had already achieved 150 though stone age methods. In addition, via my digital information leverage, or, as the world governments call it, 'hacking,' over the past two days, I have uncovered evidence that the duke had previously located a specimen of human life in the four to five hundred year age range."

Artemis gasped. Obviously, he was taken aback by Myles' brilliant hacking skills.

Myles paused, noticing what appeared to be moisture gathering in his brother's eyes. Odd. If Artemis were sick, that could be a problem. "Is there a glitch in the AE-35 unit, Doctor? Your face appears moist."

Artemis ducked out of view for a count of three, and reappeared with dry eyes once more. "Negative, brother mine. My eyes, and the communication hub, are fine. It was simply due to Butler, adjusting the humidity controls unbidden. All is well. This news is monumental."

Myles nodded understandingly at the humidity situation. His own permanent companion was all too fond of adjusting climate controls without permission or consultation. It was most undesirable, especially when attempting to conduct scientific experiments that required precise atmospheric settings. What's worse, it could give Myles migraines. "Acknowledged. Might I inquire as to your sudden interest in expanding your lifespan? Spending five years in space is certainly not consistent with that goal. Has something changed?"

Artemis breathed deeply, apparently collecting his thoughts. Shameful. A Fowl should always know what to say in any situation. "Yes, Myles," said Artemis. "Something has changed. When I was told about the potentially centennial duke you encountered, an old, abandoned aspiration of mine suddenly became viable again."

Myles approved. "I approve," he said. "That is most scientific of you, brother. Allowing new information to bring old projects to the forefront again, that you had previously filed away until further progress was made in a certain area."

Artemis shrugged, a most un-scientific, casual gesture that Myles disapproved of. Oh, well. Not everyone was perfect like Myles. "Well, it's the truth," explained Artemis. "And then, with the possibility on the table, I called an old associate to see if they were still interested in the venture."

Myles frowned. "An associate? I pass no judgement on your company as yet, brother, but historically speaking, yours and Father's associates have both tended towards the unfriendly."

"Trust me, brother," replied Artemis, smiling fondly. "This associate is one I trust with my life."

Myles peered suspiciously at Artemis' image on the screen. "We have very few of those."

"And this is not something to be proud of, Myles. But you'll understand when you're older."

Myles was outraged. "I am outraged!" he protested. "There is nothing I am currently incapable of understanding. My intelligence surpasses one hundred per cent of people both older and younger than myself."

Artemis laughed. "On the planet currently, maybe. But remember, not everyone is on the planet."

Myles felt betrayed. "Mother once told me that she thought I was the most intelligent person to exist. Surely that included you."

Artemis appeared to consider what he was about to say (more proof he was less intelligent, obviously) before deciding on something barbed, but not a mortal wound. "I'm sure Mother also told you that you were the most handsome," began the older genius. "And yet Beckett exists before our very eyes. Tell me, what did the IQ test actually say?"

Myles was flabbergasted at his brother's insolence. To imply that Beckett was more aesthetically pleasing! The very thought of it! "170," he declared triumphantly, arms crossed.

Artemis genuinely laughed. It was degrading. Myles considered ending the call right there. "Only 170? Tell me, brother," began Artemis. "You haven't been blending your brain smoothies every day with a steel blender blade, have you?"

Myles paled. "Yes…"

Artemis shook his head in mock pity. "I'm so sorry, but I thought you knew."

Myles was panicked. "Knew what?!"

Artemis' picture began to fizzle out. "Got… use…" and then he was gone.

Myles exploded. "Use what?! What am I supposed to use?! Brother!" But it was no use. Artemis was gone.

It was at that moment that Beckett returned to the house, to find his brother screaming at a black screen. "Silly Myles," chided the boy. "What a simpleton."

Space

Artemis had to hold his sides, he was laughing so hard. Butler was beside him in the co-pilot chair, looking somewhat amused as well. To Butler, this was akin to roaring laughter.

Artemis finally calmed himself. "As amusing as that was, it may also have been the most important phone call of my life."

Butler raised an eyebrow. "You trust Myles' assertion that eternal life is possible?"

Artemis shook his head. "Not eternal, per se. Simply long enough to make everything worth it. If there's anything Myles is, it's methodical. If he says extra centuries are viable, there's no way the two of us working together can't make it work. And with my brief call to Holly, confirming she still carries the torch, every second we spend speeding to Mars is a great amount of time and resources wasted." He threw a switch on the console. "Strap in, old friend. I'm initiating all-stop."

"You're slamming on the brakes."

"That's what I said, yes."