“Abbreviate,” snapped Artemis.
Foaly’s eyes dipped, unable to meet Artemis’s. “The cure occurred naturally. Many creatures contain important pharmacopoeia and act as natural magic enhancers. But because of human activities, more than twenty thousand of these potentially lifesaving species are made extinct every year. Opal developed a simple syringe gun to extract the cure for Spelltropy without killing the donor animal.”
Artemis suddenly realized why Foaly couldn’t look him in the eye. He cradled his head in his hands.
“Oh no. Don’t say it.”
“Opal Koboi found the antidote in the brain fluid of the silky sifaka lemur of Madagascar.”
“I always knew,” moaned Artemis, “that this would come back.”
“Unfortunately, the silky sifaka is now extinct. The last one died almost eight years ago.”
Artemis’s eyes were haunted by guilt.
“I know,” he whispered. “I killed it.”
CHAPTER 4
MONKEY’S UNCLE
Fowl Manor, Almost Eight Years Ago
Ten-year-old Artemis Fowl closed the file he was working on, put his monitor to sleep, then rose from his study desk. His father would arrive momentarily for their meeting. Artemis Senior had confirmed the appointment that morning by internal mail, and he was never late. His time was precious, and he expected his son to be ready for their morning talk. Artemis’s father arrived promptly at ten, leather greatcoat swishing around his knees.
“Minus fifteen in Murmansk,” he explained, formally shaking his son’s hand.
Artemis was standing on a specific flagstone before the fireplace. He was not actually required to stand in this spot, but he knew his father would sit in the Louis XV chair by the hearth, and Artemis Senior did not like to crane his neck as he spoke.
His father lowered himself into the period chair, and Artemis enjoyed a quiet moment of satisfaction.
“The ship is ready, I take it?”
“Ready to sail,” said his father, excitement flashing in his blue eyes. “This is a new market, Arty, my boy. Moscow is already one of the most commercial cities in the world. Northern Russia will inevitably follow.”
“I gather Mother is not very pleased with your latest venture.”
Recently, Artemis’s parents had been arguing late into the night. The conflict in their otherwise happy marriage was over Artemis Senior’s business interests. He controlled a criminal empire that had tentacles from the silver mines of Alaska to the shipyards of New Zealand. Angeline was a dedicated conservationist and humanitarian, and believed that Artemis Senior’s criminal activities and ruthless exploitation of natural resources set a terrible example for her son.
“He will grow up just like his father,”Artemis had heard her say one evening, through a little radio bug he’d planted in the aquarium.
“I thought you loved his father.”
Artemis heard a rustling of material as his parents embraced. “I do. I love you more than life. But I love this planet too.”
“My love,” said Artemis Senior, so gently that it was difficult for the bug to pick up his voice. “The Fowl finances are in a delicate state right now. What capital we have is locked up in illegal ventures. I need one big deal so that I can begin the transition to completely legitimate businesses. Once we have some blue chip stock under our belts, then we can save the world.”
Artemis heard his mother kiss his father. “Very well, my pirate prince. One big deal, then we save the world.”
One big deal. A shipload of tax-free cola for the Russians. But more important, a pipeline of trade into the Arctic. Artemis suspected that his father would find it hard to abandon this pipeline after a single deal. There were billions to be made.
“The Fowl Star is fully loaded and ready for her voyage,” Artemis’s father informed his son later during their scheduled meeting in his study. “Remember, the world cannot be saved with good intentions alone. Leverage is needed, and gold is leverage.”
Artemis Senior pointed to the Fowl crest and motto, carved into a wooden shield above the fireplace.
“Aurum est potestas. Gold is power; never forget that, Arty. Until the greens have wealth behind them, no one will listen.”
Young Artemis was torn between his parents. His father embodied everything the family stood for. The Fowl dynasty had flourished for centuries because of their dedication to wealth, and Artemis had no doubt that his father would find a way first to increase their fortunes and then turn his attention to the environment. He loved his mother, but the Fowls’ finances must be saved.
“Someday, control of the family business will fall to you,” Artemis Senior told his son, standing to button his greatcoat. “And when that day comes, I will rest easy because I know you will put the Fowls first.”