Chapter Three: Together
Holly Short wasn't exactly a morning person but that day she got up at 7 am without any problem. She automatically followed her morning routine, humming some tune under her breath. Right when she was about to go to the shower, she heard an unusual sound, like a faint typing. Only then she remembered she wasn't alone. She quietly neared Artemis's door and knocked.
"Come in."
"Good morning, Arty. How was your sleep?"
"Productive," he answered, focused on the screen of his laptop.
"When did you get up?"
"About two hours ago."
"At 5 in the morning?!"
"A thought runs too fast. You can't waste time on trying to catch it, you must take it and think forward."
"Huh. Actually I don't cook, so we will be having breakfast in a café nearby."
"No problem. Tell me when you are ready."
When Holly returned twenty minutes later, he was in the same pose. "Let's go. Take your stuff, we won't return here after breakfast."
"I suppose, the Council don't pay you for accommodating me."
"What a strange idea."
"Strange that they must pay you for this or strange that I brought this up."
"Both."
"So what about it?"
"Well, they haven't said a thing about it."
"Then the next question is where I can change my money to yours."
"Artemis, you don't need to - "
"Stop it, Holly. I am 26 years old. I am a grown up man and can pay for my meals, my laundry and my bed."
"Okay, if you say so."
"You eat here every day, I presume?" Artemis asked after they took seats behind a table in a small but cozy café.
"Why do you think so?"
"The waitress didn't give you the menu, but smiled at you like at an old friend."
"Yeah, I always eat here my first meal of the day."
"I understand that I can't count on any luxuries here, but I have a regime I can't ignore. You do have a gym at Plaza, don't you?"
"What do you need a gym for, Arty?"
"What does anybody need it for?"
"You want to tell me that you work out?"
"Perfect deduction. So can I use it two times week?"
"But of course! Artemis Fowl II works out! That will be a sight!" Holly exclaimed between giggles.
"I need it to protect myself. I can't stop even under current circumstances."
"Okay. You'll get your gym. It differs from humans' though."
"I'll work it out. Have you contacted Mulch?"
"He said he was free. We will contact him about concrete meeting place lately. Are you ready to go?"
"Yes, I do. But frankly speaking, I am a bit nervous."
"What about?"
"Foaly's Operational Booth is a sacred place. For both of us. There is equipment I know nothing about. This is quite disturbing."
"Well, you'll work something out," Holly reassured him with a wink.
The trip to the Police Plaza and through numerous white corridors was uneventful. In the booth they were greeted by four young looking elves in silver overalls. The expressions on totally identical faces were far from welcoming.
"Good morning. I see you were notified about my coming here." The elves exchanged looks and snorted. "We can speak this way if you like," Artemis said in gnomish this time. His knowledge of their language didn't leave the elves unimpressed. "I am Artemis Fowl and you are?"
"Winky, Wolly, Wally and Willy," one of them answered.
"First of all I don't care who is who. I understand that you were chosen by Foaly not only because of your high IQ but because you are also a foursome and can share thoughts. I don't care who fulfills my orders if they are being fulfilled. Do we understand each other?"
The foursome nodded, but reluctantly. They remained mute, leaving without comment Artemis's connecting his laptop to the main computer and his quick typing.
"Artemis?"
"Yes, Commander?"
"When are we - "
"In two hours on the very first place of the rock fall."
"I'll arrange transport for you."
"Don't forget my colleagues. We are going to work together. The more heads the better. I'll keep connection through your helmet as usual. Good day, Commander."
'Who does he think he is? Dismisses me like I am some messenger. D'Arvit geniuses.'
After Holly left the 'colleagues' started openly researching the intruder of their little world. He was clearly a Mud Man, what was an insult by itself. On the other hand, Artemis Fowl II wasn't a legend among the People, but he certainly was known in certain circles. Even their teacher mentioned that name several times with respect and even jealousy. So who really was that Artemis Fowl?
So whatever thoughts were running through the brothers' heads, one was clear – Artemis Fowl was the Mud Man who entered Foaly's computer without any problems. Of course, they were obliged to tell him all the access passwords, but… Why should they? He is known to be a genius, he can do it himself. And he did. That made the elves pretty uncomfortable. They and Foaly played a little game from time to time. Foaly challenged them with breaking into his files. No one has succeeded so far, not for the lack of trying of course.
"Now when Commander Short can't hear us, we can talk like men to men," Artemis started, sounding serious. "I am not telling you to completely trust or respect me. I am not here to take Foaly's place, Frond forbids, but I am here to save the People. You are also a part of them. If we will fight each other and not cooperate, the People will stop existing. Any objections?"
"Will you look for him?" one of the elves asked hesitantly.
"No, I won't. At least for the next two weeks. I respect his right for privacy. We'll see how things proceed. Still we can't stop Earth from moving. So, truce?" Artemis asked with an outstretched hand for the handshake. The hand wasn't left hanging. "Now, when we reached a mutual agreement I want three things: data on all earthquakes and rock falls in chronological order with coordinates and exact time; then a 3D holographic model of Haven, earth's crust above it and complete aboveground landscape. Every foot must be covered. If we don't find anything in this area we'll broaden the radius. Thirdly, I want portable Operational Booth (OB) placed in the first place of the rock fall within an hour. There must be one, it must've been used during setting the Time Stop on my manor. Oh, and the last thing - I need a net, a huge one. The larger the better, but at least 3000/3000 feet. It should be positioned high above our first research place."
"And you want this in two hours?" Winky (if it was he) squeaked.
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"It is impossible to do everything so quickly for starters."
"The aboveground part of the model is practically done by myself. I am transferring it from my laptop right now. How much time do you need?"
"At least three hours."
Artemis pushed several buttons and Holly's face appeared on the screen. "The meeting is postponed to one hour. We need more time."
"No problem. How is it going, by the way?"
"It is going."
"In three hours then."
"Indeed." The picture of Holly was replaced by the timetable of earthquakes and rock falls. It was too long for Artemis's liking. "Now to look for some -" Before he could finish the sentence, the ground practically went from under his feet as the earthquake shook the booth from top to bottom. "Some sequence," he finished, standing up. "What marvelous working conditions we have here."
………………
The four elves weren't Foaly's students for nothing, they worked quickly and efficiently – in exactly three hours everything Artemis asked for was done. Now they were ready for the next stage. By transportation device, which looked like a flying Cadillac (the comparison amused Artemis greatly) Artemis and one elf (one more was already in the portable OB) moved to the destroyed part of Haven. Looking on the ruins of the great city displayed on a monitor was one thing, but being among them was a totally different experience. Artemis felt just like the buildings under the enormous rocks – crushed. Crushed by the fatality of the whole situation. Who knew for how many fairies those rocks became tomb stones; how many were left homeless or orphaned. At that very moment Artemis came to a decision - this must be stopped, no matter how mush effort should be made on his part.
"We are here, mister Fowl," Willy announced, stopping the 'car.' It was a big debate in the four elves heads about how to address the Mud Man. Finally, they agreed on the formal and neutral form of addressing.
"Indeed," Artemis drawled, checking out the rafters on which the net was secured. "Our help has already arrived. Perfect. Commander," Artemis greeted Holly neutrally, slightly bowing his head. Someone who had looked more closely at him at that moment would've noticed a small smile on his lips which he tried to hide.
"Hello, there, Mud Boy!" came a grumpy voice from behind Holly.
"Mulch, old friend. Long time, no see," Artemis said, hugging the shabby looking dwarf.
'He stinks like ten trolls put together and Arty hugs him?! He didn't hug me and I am his closest friend,' Holly thought, hurt by Artemis's lack of sensitivity towards her.
"Well, not for long time," Mulch replied with a wink. "Or does any separation between us is long for you, Artemis?"
"You are not funny, Mulch," Artemis scolded him, but with sparks of amusement in his eyes.
"Okay, okay. So what do you need the old Mulch Diggums for?"
"Now we re talking. Common, let's go to our new stronghold. Will you be present during our work, Commander?"
"It is my responsibility," Holly answered in a tone of authority. Two can play the game.
Mulch looked from Artemis to Holly and back, wondering what bug bit them, but then shrugged it off. You can never know when a genius and a LEP Commander are involved.
When they entered the portable OB, which looked like a middle sized trailer, they found two elves already switching on numerous computers and other laser scanning equipment. The purpose of all those preparations was still unknown, because Artemis Fowl II never revealed his plans beforehand.
"I want you to do a very important job, Mulch," Artemis began, putting a helmet onto Mulch's head. "You must dig your way up and go through the ground above us."
"You are not kidding," Mulch stated, already cursing his good will to help.
"Why should I? The tracing device will show your position on the monitor here. I'll direct your movement. Everything you see will be recorded. Your aim is to find anything alien in there. Something that was brought here by natural forces, brought recently. Is the task understandable?"
"The only thing understandable here is that you are crazy! I can be easily buried there. One wrong movement and it will be the end of me! Not to mention you all will be also buried under the rocks."
"That's what the net is for. Everything is under control."
"D'Arvit." With muttering and grumbling Mulch started to dig into a nearby wall, causing a shaking of the surrounding ones. "I still think it isn't a good idea," echoed from the tunnel.
Artemis and Holly returned to the booth and continued to watch Mulch's movements on the monitor.
"What are we doing here?" Holly asked.
"We are looking for a reason of all this, even if it must be clearer on the last place of the rock fall."
"So what are we doing here instead of catching that D'Arvit reason by its tail there?"
"Because, my dear Commander, nothing happens without a reason, at the same time no reason appears without motivation. And this motivation must be right here. What is it, Mulch?" Artemis asked, noticing that the blinking dot on the screen stopped moving.
"There is a huge break here, I can't go any further."
"Very good. Coordinates?" Willy nodded, confirming they were fixated. "Can we scan that area? This can be a clue." On the other monitor appeared a schematic picture of something that looked more like a canyon than a simple break.
"It isn't fresh," Wally informed, looking at the chemical analysis of the soil.
"We will use it as a border then. Mulch, go a bit back and then to the South."
That continued for another three hours. Everyone was already exhausted mostly from the lack of any positive results than from hard work. Mulch was of course tired to indescribable point. Rocks' chewing wasn't exactly a piece of cake. Understanding, that nothing would come from further attempts, Artemis called it quits. But he didn't forget to mention that in three hours everyone minus Mulch must meet on the seventh location.
"That wasn't a good deal for me for sure, Mud Boy. My digestion system is ruined!"
"I hope that's only your assumption in the heat of the moment," Artemis objected lightly. "The deal is always deal. Especially with me." With that said Artemis put a heavy looking bag into Mulch's earth covered hands.
"That's more like it," Mulch said with a grin, showing two rows of dangerously sharp teeth.
"Go home, Mulch. Don't make me sick. I still plan to digest some food today," Holly ushered him. She didn't like the whole Artemis/Mulch situation. They were surely hiding something and she was determined to find out what.
…………………………..
"I always wondered what food is served in your restaurants," Artemis mused, eating with Holly in a small dining place.
"Oh, really… I always thought that you wondered mostly about the contents of our vaults."
"I admit that also was on my mind. Among other things."
"So care to explain what business you have with Mulch?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean. To me it looked like you had met during these five years."
"We had, so what? He wasn't forbidden to contact me. He doesn't follow your laws. We managed some business together. Nothing illegal, I can assure you," he added, noticing Holly's pointed look.
"Let's assume, I believe you."
"Why shouldn't you?"
'Yeh, that's the question of the century.' "Why did you schedule another scanning session for today? We are all completely worn out."
"You can go home, if you like."
"What about the others? The brothers looked totally smashed from retrieving and sorting all that data for you."
"They will change with the ones who remained in the main OB. We agreed on it before I left. So no violating of the fairy rights here."
"Has anybody told you, you are too smart for your own good?"
"Plenty of times. Still it doesn't help me to sort out the current situation."
"How so?"
"Because two separate things are happening and I can't determine if there is any connection between them or not. All this can be caused by a volcano eruption on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean for all I know. Of course, it would be perfect to check everything exactly after another rock fall… But that's dangerous not to mention playing with lives."
"By separate things you mean the rock falls and the earthquakes?"
"Exactly. They don't happen together or one after another, they just happen, leaving no evidence of the cause. Still the earthquakes seem to be more natural and that's why can't be stopped or prevented. We can only make prognosis about when it stops or what will be the range of casualties. Still, I am sure that there are two different causes of destruction, otherwise it is utterly illogical."
"And if it was logical?"
"Then Haven would've been swallowed with the very first blow."
"Oh."
"Call it intuition, but I think you must start to search for someone who wants Haven to be destroyed."
"But there is no one!"
"How can you be so sure?"
"Koboi is out, Spiro died in a car accident two years ago, Hybras was destroyed. Others are mindwiped and simply not capable of such things."
"And Foaly is on honeymoon."
"Don't bring Foaly into this, Mud Boy! You better think of yourself in that list!"
"I am not behind this. I can swear on the Book if you want."
"You wouldn't dare…"
"I wouldn't dare to lie on it for sure."
"I don't believe that you will live after lying to the Book."
"Take it out and we will see."
Holly was taken aback by his seriousness. Artemis Fowl II was never a funny guy, but now he was too serious for the occasion. Was it that important for him to establish his unenvolvment in the tragic events? But still out of curiosity, Holly took out her Book, that grew to its normal size, and put it onto the table.
Without further ado Artemis put his right hand onto the Book and raised his left. "I solemnly swear that I won't harm the People by any means now or in the future. Is this satisfactory?" he asked, looking at a flabbergasting Holly.
"Yeh, quite." 'He hasn't lied. The Book hasn't rejected him. Well, I knew he wasn't behind this, but he also swore about the future… What is the meaning of all this?'
"I think I should proceed with my research. We'll meet at home. How do you call the means of 'transport' we use right now?"
"Caddy."
Artemis smirked. "Why?"
"I don't know. Somebody did it and it stuck."
"Who would've known… I am going around Haven in a Cadillac," he muttered under his breath.
………………………
Holly has been waiting. Has been waiting for five hours already and there was no sign of Artemis at home. Home. It was strange how he, Artemis Fowl II, called home her small apartment, having a grand manor all for himself.
She started to worry. What if something happened? What if another rock fall crushed their OB? But then it would've been reported to her… She was the LEP Commander, not some housewife worrying for her… That sentence mustn't be finished. She was Holly Short for Frond's sake! She was already dialing the number of the main OB when the door cracked open. She instantly shut down the signal and went to the kitchen to mix the Earl Grey for Artemis.
"Good evening, Holly. Something's wrong?"
"Everything is okay. Why do you ask?" Before she heard an answer Holly felt pressed to something firm and warm. "What are you doing?" she stammered, staring at his arms crossed on her stomach.
"I noticed you hurt pout when I hugged Mulch today. When we first met yesterday, you were on duty and any familiarity, especially with me, would've tarnished your reputation as an officer."
"Oh. So we are friends only when I am not on duty?"
"You are always on duty, but you have the right to do anything you want in your own flat."
"But there can be cameras here."
"Are you telling me that I must stop showing any affection towards you and forget that you are my best friend in the whole world? That I have been waiting for five years to just hear you say 'hello' and now I don't even have permission to have a welcoming hug? Your promotion certainly hardened your heart, Commander." The last sentence was full of pain and disappointment.
Before Holly could say something in return, Artemis released her and disappeared in his room.