The memories were not all proud ones. I kidnapped Captain Short. I imprisoned Holly. How could I have done that?
He could not deny it any longer. This was all true. Everything that his eyes had seen was real. The fairies existed and his life had been intertwined with theirs for more than two years. A million images sprouted in his consciousness, rebuilding electric bridges in his brain. They strobed behind his eyes in a confusing display of colour and wonder. A lesser mind than Artemiss might have been utterly exhausted, but the Irish boy was exhilarated.
I know it all now, he thought. I beat Koboi before, and I will do it again. This determination was fuelled by sadness. Commander Root is gone. She took him from his People.
Artemis had known this earlier, but now it meant something.
There was one other thought, more persistent than the rest. It crashed into his mind like a tsunami.
I have friends? thought Artemis Fowl II. I have friends.
Artemis emerged from the bathroom a different person. Physically, he was still battered, bruised and exhausted, but emotionally he felt prepared for everything that lay ahead. If a body-language analyst had studied him at that moment, they would have observed his relaxed shoulders and open palms and would have concluded that this was (psychologically speaking) a more welcoming and trustworthy individual than the one who had entered the bathroom an hour earlier.
The shuttle was parked in a secondary chute, off the beaten track, and its occupants were at the mess table. A selection of LEP field ration packs had been torn open and devoured. The biggest pile of foil packs was stacked in front of Mulch Diggums.
Mulch glanced at Artemis and noticed the change immediately. About time you got your head in order, grunted Mulch, struggling from his chair. I need to get into that bathroom urgently.
Nice to see you too, Mulch, said Artemis, stepping aside to allow the dwarf past.
Holly froze, a sachet of juice halfway to her mouth. You remember him?
Artemis smiled. Of course, Holly. We have known each other for over two years.
Holly jumped from her chair and clasped Artemis by the shoulders.
Artemis. Its great to see you. The real you. The gods know we need Artemis Fowl right now.
Well, hes here and ready for duty, Captain.
Do you remember everything?
Yes, I do. And first of all, let me apologize for that consultant business. That was very rude. Please forgive me.
But what made you remember? wondered the elf. Dont tell me a visit to the bathroom jogged your memory.
Not exactly. Artemis held up the computer disk. I gave this to Mulch. It is my video diary. He was supposed to return it to me on his release from prison.
Holly shook her head. Thats not possible. Mulch was searched by experts. The only thing you gave to him was the gold medallion.
Artemis angled the disk so that it caught the light.
Of course, groaned Holly, slapping her forehead. You passed off that disk as the gold medallion. Very clever.
Artemis shrugged. Genius, actually. It seems merely clever in hindsight, but the original idea was pure genius.
Holly cocked her head. Genius. Of course. Believe it or not, I actually missed that smug grin.
Artemis took a breath. I am so sorry about Julius. I know our relationship was a rocky one, but I had nothing but respect and admiration for the commander.
Holly wiped her eyes with the heels of her hands. She said nothing, just nodding. If Artemis needed another reason to go after Opal Koboi, the sight of the elfin captain so disturbed was it.
Butler ate the contents of a field ration pack in one
mouthful. Now that were all reacquainted, we should try to track Opal Koboi down. Its a big world.
Artemis waved his fingers dismissively. No need. I know exactly where our would-be murderer is. Like all megalomaniacs, she has a tendency to show off.
He crossed to a plastic computer keyboard on the wall, calling up a map of Europe.
I see your Gnommish has come back to you, sniffed Holly.
Of course, said Artemis, enlarging part of the map. Opal revealed a little bit more of her plans than she knew. She let two words slip, though one would have been sufficient. She said that her human name was to be Belinda Zito. Now, if you wished to lead the humans to the fairy People, who better to have adopt you than the renowned billionaire environmentalist Giovanni Zito?
Holly crossed the shuttle deck to the screen. And where would we find Mister Zito?
Artemis tapped a few keys, zooming in on Sicily.
At his world-famous Earth Ranch. Right here in Messina Province, he said.
Mulch stuck his head out of the bathroom. The rest of him was mercifully hidden behind the door. Did I hear you talking about a Mud Man named Zito?
Holly turned towards the dwarf, then kept right on turning. Yes. So what? And for heavens sake close the door.
Mulch pulled the door so only a crack remained. I was just watching a bit of human television in here, as you do. Well, theres a Zito on CNN. Do you think its the same person?
Holly grabbed a remote control from the table.