Chapter 2

Fowl Manor, Ireland

Artemis drummed his fingers impatiently on his desk. Holly sat next to him in a chair large enough for her to curl up like a cat in. Butler stood behind them polishing his gun. The impatience on all of there faces was evident as they stared at the blank computer screen in front of them.

“What time did you say that he would be contacting us?” Artemis turned to Holly as he asked the question. He already knew the answer, he was just bored.

“Three minutes ago Artemis, you know that.”

Suddenly the computer screen burst into life and Foaly’s face appeared on it.

“What took you so long?” snapped Artemis.

Foaly sighed. “What with the crisis above ground I’ve been stuck in a board meeting.”

Artemis paled. If there was a crisis then how come he didn’t know about it?

Foaly seemed to sense Artemis’ confusion and simply said; “Turn on the news.”

Butler was the first to reach the TV and as he turned it on the news update began.

“Last night at around 3am a series of bombs hit Britain leaving almost 60% of people there homeless. The bombs design was unrecognizable and truly unique as the explosions only affected man made materials such as bricks, mortar and other building materials. This new design also meant that the people had no warning prior to the attack. Luckily no one was killed though a number of people were trapped under the ruins of the homes for several hours before rescue services could reach them. Scotland Yard’s only comment was that they believed it to be the attack of a very advanced terrorist group, although, as yet no one has come forward with to claim for the attack.

Over to Jim who is live on one of the worst affected streets in England.”

It flashed to a small, pale man standing amongst ruble, small fires and emergence service crews.

“Thank you Liza, well I’m here in Chelmsford on the worst affected street in all of England. Not a single house is left standing and the roads were so badly destroyed that it took rescue crews nearly two and a half hours to get here. The last inhabitant of the street is just being taken to a ambulance now, she appears to be unconscious but I don’t think that there is anything else the matter with her.”

The screen flashed to a red headed girl being carried to an ambulance .

Artemis switched off the TV and turned back to Foaly.

“How can I have not known about this?”

“Well the LEP didn’t really want to admit that we need your help and the English government have been trying to keep it under raps. But something this big is hard to hush up.” Foaly looked uncomfortable.

“Foaly there’s something that you are neglecting to tell me, why didn’t the LEP want me to know and why do you need my help?”

For a moment Foaly didn’t reply. He shuffled his feet hooves and looked awkward. “Because the bombs used on the attack were stolen LEP technology. The opposite of a Bio Bomb. This bomb doesn’t effect natural material, only man made. The ones used in the attack have been altered even further so that the only effect building materials and we.. we..”

Holly picked up where Foaly was unable to say it.”We don’t know how they did it.”

Artemis smiled his vampire smile and asked;” Did you have anything in mind or is it up to me to plan?”

Holly smiled, a few years ago Artemis would have demanded payment for this sort of assistance and now he hadn’t even asked what would be involved before agreeing to help. Foaly noticed this as well and said; “Do my ears deceive me or did Artemis Fowl II just agree to help someone with no reward? I might faint!”

“Ha ha Foaly, your a riot. I’m bored and this sounds like the perfect challenge to test my genius on. Also my parents would wonder where the extra money had come from.” Artemis finished glumly.

Holly turned to Artemis.

“Ok Artemis. I hope your feeling hospitable. You will be volunteering your house for some of the evacuated children to come and live in. Foaly will ensure that these children will be ones living in the houses that were worst hit by the bombs. They might have noticed something.”

For the first time since the meeting had started Butler spoke. “ Will you be able to convince your parents Artemis?”

“Defiantly,”said Artemis. “ They are always complaining that I don’t have anyone my own age living near by.”

“OK Artemis. Holly will fill you in on the plan but for now I have to go and tell Commander Kelp what the situation top side is.”

And with that the screen went black again.

Holly turned to Artemis.

“Ok Artemis. I hope your feeling hospitable. You will be volunteering your house for some of the evacuated children to come and live in. Foaly will ensure that these children will be ones living in the houses that were worst hit by the bombs. They might have noticed something.”

For the first time since the meeting had started Butler spoke. “ Will you be able to convince your parents Artemis?”

“Defiantly,”said Artemis. “ They are always complaining that I don’t have anyone my own age living near by.”

Some other stories by Kcool:

• Update to AF and the goddess of fire
• Updated: Artemis Fowl and The Goddess of Fire

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