Artemis Fowl: A Call for Help

Chapter 34

Fowl Manor
Artemis,
I have decided that I will trust you. If you ever need help with anything, I will do my best to be of use. After all, I do owe you. My mother is apparently fine. I'm enjoying a normal life. Thank you.
-Jade
That was the last email from Jade. Good, Artemis thought. That's exactly what needs to happen. He emailed back.
Jade,
I'm glad you have come to that conclusion. I might be needing your help very soon. When that opportunity arises, I will have more to say.
-Artemis
And so that issue was put to rest. Only about five-hundred left to go.
Lower Elements
"What do you mean it's gone?! The creature could not have gotten out!" Root yelled.
"I don't know. One of our workers told me." Foaly said defensively.
"You're kidding, right? Next thing you know, Opal isn't gonna be in her cell either!"
"You might be right." Holly muttered.
"What?" Root asked. "What do you mean?"
"Well, that was Opal's creature..."
"You better not be right." Foaly said, "I completely understand the logic and it is very possible. It would probably be a good idea to send a few officers down, just to make sure."
"I'll go." Holly volunteered.
"No! If anyone is going it won't be you. If Opal really is out of her cell and you show up, you are dead. She obviously wants to kill you." Root replied.
"Fine." Holly conceded.
"I can go," Trouble said.
"Same goes for you," Root replied. Trouble visibly sulked. That made Holly fell a lot better.
"I'll go recruit some of our other best officers. Be on high alert. You guys just hang tight." Root turned to Foaly. "Foaly, you do the best you can at monitoring Police Plaza. All of Haven, if you can, too."
"No problem." Foaly walked across the room and sat down in front of a computer. Holly and Trouble just stood there, unsure of what to do.
"Is there anything we can help you with?" Holly asked Foaly.
Foaly laughed. "Oh, no. Neither of you could possibly help me with this.
"Okay then," Trouble said. "We won't ask again." Holly and Trouble stood here for what felt like forever. The only sound was the clicking of Foaly's keyboard.
Meanwhile
The creature advanced along the narrow passageway, silently. The dim light provided ample cover. The passageway stretched on, going down all the while. I hope there's no guards, the creature thought. The journey took forever. At last, the creature paused a few feet away from an occupied cell. The only occupied cell. A guard leaned lazily on the door. Possibly asleep. Worst guard ever.
The creature tensed, preparing to fight. It sprinted the few feet noiselessly. It swiped the gun from the guard's holster before he even woke up. The frightened sprite jumped backward when faced with the creature. The creature lashed out with one powerful fist. It connected solidly with the sprite's temple. He crumpled to the floor.
The creature crouched over him, finding his access pass for the cell. It was some type of scanner, and the creature fit the card into place. The door swung open with a hiss. The creature had also taken the guard's flashlight, which he switched on. Inside, a pixie sat on a metal bench.
"You've come," it said. "Nice work. Now we have to get out of here."
"Yes, Miss Koboi, we do."
"Don't look directly at me!" Opal whisper-yelled. "It's bad for my skin."
The creature lowered its head. "Sorry, Miss Koboi."
"Do you have our escape route secured?"
"Yes." The creature had been forced to knock five LEP officers unconscious.
"Fabulous." Opal said, clapping her hands together like a delighted child.
"Shall we go?" the creature asked.
"Yes." Opal rose from the bench.
The creature walked ahead, making sure that nobody was coming. Soon, they reached the end of the passageway. The creature took a sharp left, into a tiny walkway. It opened up into a large cavern of sorts. The walls were of stone, natural stone.
A large rock sat low on the edge of the floor. The creature clawed at it, pushing it. The stone made a terrible grinding sound as it was slowly moved. With great effort, the creature managed to push it a foot away from where it had previously rested. A hole was now visible in the floor.
Opal climbed down into it first. The creature followed quickly, carrying the flashlight. They traveled through pipes and tunnels. Abruptly, the tunnels ended and there was a small door on their right. Opal opened it and stepped through the doorway. Opal smiled. She now stood inside the lobby of Koboi Labs.
Opal was already planning. Revenge. It will come for you, Fowl. And so will I...