Hi everyone! So finished my first year of Uni, and hoping to finally get back to writing. I had exams this last term, so really haven't been attempting to write fanfics at all, which I really missed. I also have a confession to make: I wasn't really certain about the details for this fic. I knew where I wanted it to go, and how I wanted it to end, but bridging the gaps is not something I'd planned for, and I've been desperately trying to think of ways to do it.
So yeah, if anyone's still interested in this well, enjoy! HOPEFULLY I can update much more frequently now.
"So what's the plan here?"
Holly had asked the question. They were in Artemis's personal jet, flying to Moscow. Moscow wasn't close to the Yamantau complex, but it was the best place to enter the country considering that they weren't supposed to know where Opal was being held hostage yet. Artemis had received an email telling him to meet at St. Petersburg, so clearly the Russians did not even wish to give him the chance to get anywhere near her, fearful that he might magically snatch Opal from them, as he had done his father. This was going to make it more difficult.
"Firstly we have to do something about the St. Petersburg meet. If the Russians are tipped off they will kill my wife." He swallowed, suddenly very dry in the mouth. "Worse, if we refuse to follow their instructions precisely they will carry out their threat as a matter of course. Reputation is what is important to these people. Which is exactly why they will kill both Opal and I as soon as they get the chance. If they think I've escaped, they will make the most of what they have and-" He cut himself short
"So, what's the plan? We could take out the men they send to St. Petersburg? I could stun them all in an instant."
"No. If they lose communication with the meet group then they will assume they have been attacked, which will break the terms of the so-called exchange."
Holly frowned. "If we go to St. Petersburg, we'll have to either deal with the group or do what they ask. But we can't deal with the group and if you show yourself you'll be instantly killed. What do we do?"
Butler entered the conversation, stepping out of the cockpit: "That's why you're not going to St. Petersburg. I am."
*****
Opal couldn't hold on for much longer. Already her position was becoming unbearable, she felt like there was a great weight being pressed on her, a constant discomfort and pain pushing her, till she felt like she had to stop, to give in utterly.
"I need a wee!" She screamed, startling the dozing guard awake. It wasn't Boris, which was a small comfort. He scowled at her, indicating the gutter in the corner.
"Please." She stared at him, her eyes begging him to help her, and he couldn't help but soften slightly.
"I take you there. I watch you." She nearly protested again, but realised this was the best offer she was going to get.
On her way to the toilet, the young Russian who had looked out for her earlier in the helicopter met them. Though he couldn't have been out of his twenties, Opal could see the marks of a life of organised crime etched into his features, livid scars and cuts patterning his rugged face. He glanced at her as he walked past, then stopped the other Russian. Speaking in Russian, Opal could just about understand them; some remnant of her gift of tongues had seemed to stay with her:
"Sergei. What do you want?"
"It's nearly my shift, yes? Want me to take care of this business?"
The other Russian snorted. "You want to watch this rich whore take a shit, you enjoy yourself. I'm going for a smoke. See you later?"
Sergei smiled slightly. "Sure. Get some rest."
"Ha. You don't have to tell me that." And with that control of her had been handed over. Opal didn't know whether this meant Sergei was a trusted comrade or that the Mafiya members really didn't care about what happened to her, though she suspected the latter. The powerful Russian grabbed her shoulder roughly, though not violently, and steered her through the narrow corridor.
Once inside, he loosened her wrists and shoved her into a cubicle, closing the door behind him. To her surprise the toilet had almost no smell, and she guessed it had never been used. The man pressed against her didn't smell as bad as she might have expected either, the large, muscular body smelling more of tobacco than bodily odour. He crouched down in front of her, bringing their faces level. Opal grimaced and avoided his gaze. She couldn't believe she was being made to do this. She sat on the toilet seat, trembling as she started to pull down her jeans.
"Hey, woah. Stop that." The Russian interrupted her movement with a babble of broken English.
"What?"
"You want to go uh, private?"
Opal was confused. "Of course, but... don't you want to watch?"
If anything he seemed insulted. "Watch? I don't think I understand."
She blinked at him, then rolled her eyes and spoke in Russian. "Yes, I want to go in private, but you're in here!"
His eyes widened as he suddenly understood. "Oh! No, I want to talk to you! Sorry, my English is very poor. You speak good Russian?"
"Yes, good enough. Talk about what?"
He seemed to have lost himself somewhat. He gazed at her for a few seconds before continuing. "I can get you out of here. I'm an undercover agent working for the FSB. I've been working for Britva for years, but when the kidnapping took place I was ordered to come here for you. We did not know who you were when I was sent, but now I have seen you - You are Mrs Fowl, correct?" She nodded slowly. "Then I shall rescue you!"
She looked at him a long time, her heart leaping at the thought of escape from her hell, but at the same time refusing to believe her good fortune. "Why should you want to save me?"
"Your husband is a very powerful man, yes? Call it... an act of goodwill."
"I don't buy it."
"OK, so don't. You might as well come with me anyway though. It's not like you'll be better off by staying here."
Opal frowned, sensing a trap. It was true however, that her situation wasn't getting any better. Unless of course, Artemis was coming to rescue her.
"I'll think about it."
*****
Holly ground her teeth in exasperation, then gave up. "OK, fine. I'm going to trust your judgement on this Butler, against MY judgement." Butler nodded, knowing how difficult it was for a commander to surrender command and responsibility over her team. Artemis too felt slightly guilty for making Holly accept this plan with know information - a younger Artemis would have been pleased to get the obstacle about the way, but instead he gave her a reassuring, genuine smile. She felt the warmth of his gaze on her and ignored it.
"So," he continued, "That's decided then. It will be our task to rescue Opal. Butler will track down and neutralise the team in St. Petersburg. If he can do this before the designated meeting time, we can rescue Opal before they suspect anything, and Butler will rendezvous with us in Yamantau. Any questions?"
Plenty, thought Holly, but she had asked all of her questions once already. She was beginning to feel like a pawn again; it was a long time since she had taken orders from anyone. Still, there was something comfortable about the experience, it felt like she was stepping into a routine. In a way that was true.
"Artemis?" she said, then immediately cursed herself for it. She had fallen back into informality far too easily.
"Yes Commander Short?" He replied, never skipping a beat. She studied his features sullenly, but he showed no evidence that he had noticed the slip. Though she knew he would have done, would even now be allowing this to factor into his equations. What would the mental note in the back of his vast mind say? Former friend shows signs she is already over massive betrayal. Explore possibilities.
Amusing though making fun of Artemis's subconscious was, Holly noticed he was looking at her expectantly. "Can I speak to you alone please?"
He smiled in an overly friendly manner. "Of course Commander. Butler." The manservant nodded and slipped silently out of the door.
"So, what is it?"
As soon as Butler was beyond the sound-proof door, Holly exploded. "What do you think you're doing here, Fowl?! How can you expect me to go into a combat situation on the complete lack of information you have given me?"
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean."
"I'm sure you do! Aside from the St. Petersburg mission, I've no idea why you need me, or any of the LEP here for your rescue plan."
"Why, Commander, you do surprise me. I need the LEP's technical might and a competent officer to comm- to work with."
She ignored the slip: "Don't give me that Fowl. I know your own technical achievements are more than capable of accomplishing the plan you've set out. Opal continues to surpass us in every way, don't think I don't know that. I'm the one who has to sign off the bills for Foaly's counselling for Frond's sake!"
Artemis grinned, enjoying her intelligence and aggression despite himself. Not that he didn't get that from Opal; still, it was nice to have this familiar presence back in his life. It's been too long, Holly, was what he wanted to say. Instead he said:
"Very well, I suppose I had better explain in more detail. Should everything go according to plan, a Fairy operative can do two things for me which I cannot do for myself. The first, of course, is magic - in particular the mesmer and shielding are particularly useful when it comes to infiltrating a secure complex. Secondly, by working with the LEP I have support from a highly trained and experienced field officer," he glanced at Holly, who mentally kicked herself for almost blushing at the compliment, "and of course, from the LEP's technology and surveillance."
She nodded - textbook procedure for an Artemis Fowl mission. "All the same -" she began, but he cut her off.
"On the other hand, plans do not always work out... to plan. If anything were to go wrong, anything at all, and I had not used every possible method available in my rescue attempt - if anything happened and I could have stopped it, I..." He swallowed, blinking heavily. "But that is none of your concern, Commander. You're not here because I persuaded you to help me." He gave her a bitter smile. "This is blackmail, remember?"
Holly bit her lip, and held her tongue.
Edit: Uugh. I had pretty much finished this a month ago, I thought I'd add this quick addendum to excuse myself. Due to many personal issues, including Swine Flu, although I had almost finished this a while back, I've left it for ages. As I said above, I will try and update this more frequently, and hopefully get it finished before I go back to university. As always, thanks for any support, and R&R, whatever you thought of it.