Artemis Fowl: The Unpredictable Future

Chapter 19: The Perfect Plan

Foaly rushed over to Artemis' window and looked outside past the blinds. Holly ran to Artemis and helped him back to his feet while Rachel stood by Foaly, looking outside as well. "What the hell is going on out there?" Holly yelled.

Artemis grunted, "It's Fulton. He's found us somehow."

They all turned to look at him, Foaly crossing his arms, "You mean to tell me that the fairy responsible for bringing you here is outside my home, trying to blow us up? That doesn't make sense, I thought you told me he wanted to get the reward gold for Holly?"

Artemis pinched the bridge of his nose, "She's wanted dead or alive." He looked up at her then at Foaly, "If we hadn't contacted you Foaly, he probably wouldn't be hostile towards her at least. Rachel and I are disposable. As are you at this moment. Have you contacted the LEP about Holly's retrieval?"

Foaly cantered over to the fireplace in the middle wall of the living room and stepped on one of the tiles in front of it. A small computer screen flipped out from the mirror hanging above the fireplace. "No, but I'm about to. My house may be a fortress, but it can still only handle so much." He tapped the screen once, "Defense system four-seven-five activate." Nothing appeared to have happened. Foaly narrowed his eyes at the screen, "Defense system four-seven-five... Activate."

Artemis walked up beside him, "It appears they have cut off your electrical supply. They are more professional than I gave them credit for."

Foaly stomped his hooves in anger, "I have back-up generators and back-up generators for my back-up generators! There is no way they could..." He paused for a moment and looked back outside. "That's great... They have a jammer."

Artemis rubbed his temples, "A jammer that disrupts electrical flow? I sincerely dislike being at a disadvantage."

Foaly looked over at Holly who seemed to be... shaking, and noticed Rachel running off to the bedroom, "Captain, maybe you could shield and take out that jammer outside. Then we could get the reinforcements we need."

Holly backed up and wrapped her arms around herself, shaking her head as she looked down, "I can't... I don't have any magic left. I used it all on healings, I-I'm completely spent."

Artemis eyed her curiously. She's terrified. He knelt down in front of her and held her close, talking sternly, "Now is not the time to buckle in the face of danger Captain Short. You were trained to deal with hostiles. You are the absolute best that the Lower Elements has to offer." He pulled back to look into her eyes, keeping his hands firmly on her shoulders "Where is my Holly at? Not even when she was locked in a basement with all of the odds against her, did she give up. That is the Holly we need right now."

A smile slowly crept onto her face as she wrapped her arms around Artemis' neck, whispering into his ear, "Thank you Arty, for the reminder." She snuck a kiss onto his cheek before pulling away, looking up at Foaly, "I don't suppose you have a Neutrino lying around or maybe even a pair of wings?"

"I'm not authorized to have LEP equipment outside of the training buildings." He looked outside of the blinds and sighed, "A few more hits from those primitive explosions would be enough for them to get in."

Artemis groaned, "I have an idea, however, none of us are going to like it. Holly, you should go check on Rachel and make sure she is alright. You should also change out of your pajamas."

She frowned but nodded, "Ok Artemis. I trust you, just don't do anything stupid." She gave him a quick hug before running off into the bedroom.

Foaly trotted over to Artemis' side, "It's something stupid isn't it?" He asked wryly.