If humans are so narrow-minded, commented Holly, Im surprised that you want to be one of them.
Opal passed through the arch. Well, I would prefer to be a pixie no offence, Artemis but the fairy People are shortly to be wiped out. I shall be seeing to that personally as soon as I have dropped you off in your new home. In ten minutes well be on our way to the island, watching on the shuttle monitors while you two get torn apart.
They proceeded through the theme park, past the first hemisphere, which contained a two-thirds scale-model of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Several of the hexagonal panels had been ripped out and Artemis could see the remains of the model through the gaps. It was an impressive sight, made even more so by the scores of shaggy creatures scrambling up and down the pyramids slopes.
Trolls, explained Opal. They have taken over the exhibits. But dont worry, they are extremely territorial and wont attack unless you approach the pyramid.
Artemis was beyond amazement at this point, but, even so, the sight of these magnificent carnivores preying on each other was enough to speed his heart up by a few beats. He paused to study the nearest specimen. It was a terrifying creature, at least two and a half metres tall, with grimy dreadlocks swinging about its massive head. The trolls fur-matted arms swung below its knees and two curved, serrated tusks jutted from its lower jaw. The beast watched them pass, its night eyes glowing red in their sockets.
The group arrived at the second exhibit, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. The hologram at the entrance displayed a revolving image of the Turkish building.
Opal read the history panel. Interesting, she said. Now why do you suppose someone would name a male child after a female goddess?
Its my fathers name, said Artemis wearily, having explained this a hundred times. It can be used for girls or boys, and it means the hunter. Rather apt, dont you think? It may interest you to know that your chosen human name, Belinda, means beautiful snake. Also rather fitting. Half of it, at any rate.
Opal pointed a tiny finger at Artemiss nose. You are a very annoying creature, Fowl. I do hope all humans are not like you. She nodded at Scant. Spray them, she ordered.
Scant took a small atomizer from his pocket, dousing Holly and Artemis liberally with the contents. The liquid was yellow and foul-smelling.
Troll pheromones, said Scant, almost apologetically. These trolls will take one whiff of this and go absolutely crazy. To them, you smell like females in heat. When they find out youre not, theyll tear you into a thousand little bits, then chew on the pieces. Weve had any broken panels repaired, so theres no escape. You can jump in the river if you like the scent should wash off in about a thousand years. And, Captain Short, I have removed the wings from your suit and shorted out the cam foil. I did leave the heating coils after all, one deserves a sporting chance.
A lot of use heating coils will be against trolls, thought Holly glumly.
Merv was checking the exhibits entrance through one of the transparent panels. OK. Were clear.
The pixie opened the main entrance with a remote. Distant howls resonated from inside the exhibit. Artemis could see several trolls brawling on the steps of the replica temple. He and Holly would be torn apart.
The Brill brothers propelled them into the hemisphere .
Best of luck, said Opal, as the door slid shut. Remember, youre not alone. Well be watching you via the cameras.
The door clanged shut ominously. Seconds later, the electronic locking panel began to fizzle as one of the Brill brothers melted it from the outside. Artemis and Holly were locked in with a bunch of amorous trolls, and they smelt like females of the species.
The Temple of Artemis exhibit was a scale model that had been constructed with painstaking accuracy, complete with animatronic humans going about their daily business as they would have been in 400 BC. Most of the models had been stripped to the wires by the trolls, but some moved jerkily along their tracks, bringing their gifts to the goddess. Any robot whose path brought them too close to a pack of trolls was pounced on and torn to shreds. It was a grim preview of Artemis and Hollys own fate.
There was only one food supply: the trolls themselves. Cubs and stragglers were picked off by the bulls and butchered with teeth, claws and tusks. The pack leader took the lions share, then tossed the carcass to the baying pack. If the trolls were confined here much longer, they would wipe themselves out.
Holly shouldered Artemis roughly to the ground. Quickly, she said. Roll in the mud. Cover yourself, smother the scent.
Artemis did as he was told, scooping mud over himself with his manacled hands. Any spots he missed were quickly slathered by Holly. He did the same for her. In moments the pair were almost unrecognizable.