Artemis’s head was spinning. What had just happened in the last ten minuites? Everything was proceeding according to plan before he was suddenly caught in a hi-tech crossfire and he had just escaped with a girl with pointed ears.

“Who are you?” Artemis asked Holly.

“Just a moment, Artemis. I’m a bit of a tight spot here, in case you haven’t noticed.” Holly growled as she aimed her Neutrino at the LEPretrieval, specifically missing the vitals. The Neutrino 3000 was frankly, a disapointment. The Neutrino’s auto-lock program did the aiming for her. There was no challenge in just pulling the trigger. However, this was an emergency and she had no time to be choosy.

“Ugh. It’s no use. They will just keep coming. The locator in my suit will alert them to our location if we run and if If I shut off the suit, so will the cam foil. We’ll be visible to the mud men” Holly grunted.

Artemis got a sudden brainwave. “Raise me up to your chest”

Holly’s eyes narrowed. She was suspicous, but did as she was told.

Bleep. Bleep. “There. I have disabled the locator signal. Impressive hardware…”

“Finally! Now you might want to hang on to your lunch” Holly smiled as she kicked up dust behind her as a smokescreen.

“What? What do you mean by hold on to-” Artemis couldn’t finish his sentence as their sudden acceleration forced the words back into his throat.

“Ugh. Artemis, would you stop wiggling? I’m not Butler. I’m having trouble carrying down your weight” Holly groaned.

“Very well, but I expect an ample explanation after we disembark, Captain” Artemis frowned. “Huh?”

“Yes! I think your memory is finally starting to slowly come back!”

They landed in a cham pod that was used as a hideout for dwarf smugglers two years previously.

“Now, about that explanation…”

Holly started and didn’t stop until night fell. Artemis did not appear amazed. He had just accepted the facts as his brain processed them.

“So now this “Opal Koboi” is seeking revenge against everyone who overthrew her plot the last time?” Artemis closed his eyes as he summed up the facts. “and you were framed?”

“Precisely. We know what we’re up against and you have the brains, I could use your help in defeating Opal…” her voice trailed off. Artemis Fowl did nothing for nothing. She didn’t have anything to bargain with. However, this could be a different Artemis from the one two years ago…

Artemis thought for some time before replying: “Well, it does look like I have no other choice… you did save my life. And we’re on the run from a same enemy. I guess we could call this a truce” His own words amazed Artemis. Normally he would have asked for substantial compesation, but his inner conciousness had drove him not to for some reason. He held out his hand. Holly smiled as she accepted it.

“Thank you Artemis” Holly kissed him on the cheek and laughed as Artemis turned ALMOST as red as Root used to be.

Ha ha! I couldn’t help adding the last part even though I almost detest romancy stuff! R,R,&R!

Some other stories by Star Jinin:

• Short Update!
• Beautiful Lie
• The Unknown Audience
• Reason to Live
• Death Note