The Arctic Incident

Even when the automobile’s windshield came into view, the glass was tinted and the shadows beyond were deep. Holly felt her heart rate increase at the sight of Fowl’s automobile.

The car wound along the avenue, flickering between the rows of willow and horse chestnut. Holly ducked instinctively, though she was completely shielded from human eyes. You couldn’t be certain with Artemis Fowl’s manservant. Last year he had dismantled a fairy helmet and constructed an eyepiece that allowed him to spot and neutralize an entire crack squad of LEPretrieval commandos. It was hardly likely that he was wearing the lens at the moment, but as Trouble Kelp and his boys had learned, it didn’t pay to underestimate Butler.

Holly set the Neutrino to slightly above the recommended stun setting. A couple of Butler’s brain cells might get fried, but she wasn’t about to lose any sleep over it.

The car swung into the driveway, crunching across the gravel. Butler climbed out. Holly felt her back teeth grinding. Once upon a time, she had saved his life, healing him after a mortal encounter with a troll. She wasn’t sure if she’d do it again.

Holding her breath, Holly set the DoubleDex to slow descent. She alighted soundlessly, aiming her weapon at Butler’s chest. Now there was a target a sun-blinded dwarf couldn’t miss.

The human couldn’t have detected her presence. Not possible. Yet something made him pause. He stopped and sniffed the air. The Mud Man was like a dog. No, not a dog, a wolf.

Holly focused her helmet lens on the weapon, sending a photo to her computer database. Moments later a hi-res rotating 3-D image of the gun appeared in the corner of her visor.

“Sig Sauer,” said a recorded byte of Foaly’s voice. “Nine millimeter. Big bullets. One of these hits you and even magic can’t fix it. Other than that you should be all right, presuming you remembered to wear the regulation above-ground microfiber jumpsuit recently patented by me. Then again, being a Recon jock, you probably didn’t.”

Holly scowled. Foaly was all the more annoying when he was right. She had jumped on the first available shuttle without even bothering to change into an above-ground suit.

Holly’s eyes were level with Butler’s now, yet still more than three feet from the ground. She released the visor seals, wincing at the pneumatic hiss.

Butler heard the escaping gas and swung toward the source.

“Fairy,” he said. “I know you’re there. Unshield or I start shooting.”

This was not exactly the tactical advantage Holly had in mind. Her visor was up, and the manservant’s finger was creaking on his pistol’s hair trigger. She took a deep breath and shut down her shield.

“Hello, Butler,” she said evenly.

Butler cocked his weapon. “Hello, Captain. Come down slowly, and don’t try any of your . . .”

“Put your gun away,” said Holly, her voice layered with the hypnotic mesmer.

Butler fought it, his gun barrel shaking erratically.

“Put it down, Butler. Don’t make me fry your brain.”

A vein pulsed in Butler’s eyelid.

Unusual, thought Holly. I’ve never seen that before.

“Don’t fight me, Mud Man. Give in to it.”

Butler opened his mouth to speak. To warn Artemis. She pushed harder, the magic cascading around the human’s head.

“I said, put it down!”

A bead of sweat ran down the bodyguard’s cheek.

“PUT IT DOWN!”

And Butler did, gradually and grudgingly.

Holly smiled. “Good, Mud Man. Now back up to the car, and act as though nothing’s wrong.”

The manservant’s legs obeyed, ignoring the signals from his own brain.

Holly buzzed up her shield. She was going to enjoy this.

Artemis was composing an e-mail on his laptop.


Dear Dr. Guiney,

Because of your counselor’s tactless interrogation of my little Arty, I have taken him out of school for a course of therapy sessions with real professionals in the Mont Gaspard Clinic in Switzerland. I am considering legal action. Do not attempt to contact me, as that would only serve to irritate me further, and when irritated I generally call my attorneys.

Sincerely, Angeline Fowl



Artemis sent the message, allowing himself the luxury of a small grin. It would be nice to watch Principal Guiney’s expression when he read the electronic letter. Unfortunately the button camera he’d planted in the headmaster’s office could only be accessed within a one-mile radius.

Butler opened the driver’s door, and after a moment slipped into the seat. Artemis folded the phone into its wallet. “Captain Short, I presume. Why don’t you stop vibrating, and settle into the visible spectrum?” Holly speckled into view. There was a gleaming gun in her hand. “Really, Holly, is that necessary?” Holly snorted. “Well, let’s see. Kidnapping, actual bodily harm, extortion, conspiracy to commit murder. I’d say it’s necessary.” “Please, Captain Short,” smiled Artemis. “I was young and selfish. Believe it or not, I do harbor some doubts over that particular venture.”

“Not enough doubts to return the gold?”

“No,” admitted Artemis. “Not quite.”