Disclaimer: NMEC's (Not Mine Eoin Colfer's)

Yeah, I finally got around to attempting the 10 Song iPod Shuffle Challenge but I've hit a slight hurdle - I can't seem to stop typing once I've started. That means that you're all lucky (or unlucky, as the case may be) and instead of getting 10 drabble-length pieces, you get 10 oneshots.

This one is set during Holly's 3 year disappearance (during AF: TLC) and loosely inspired by Missy Higgins' song Steer (though the plot bunny did grab the idea and run!)

The colours at his fingertips were hypnotic. Greens, blues, violet. Sea spray misted along his visor, pixelating the map displayed across the gel screen. Trouble could feel nature's magnetism tingling in his veins; the need to dive out of the sky and place his hands on the earth. It was impossible to concentrate beyond the panorama before him. Every fairy could feel that strange pull; some more than others.

After their separation from the surface, elves became the most nature-loving clan among the fairies. It was easy for dwarves and sprites to feel the pulse of the earth as their treasured elements, the soil and air, were in abundance below ground. Elves, however, were not bound to one element like the other families. Some, like the late Julius Root, held plant life closest to their hearts. Trouble's affinity was for water and he knew his friend, Holly Short, treasured the surface dwelling animals above all else. It was another reason why there were so few elves in recon; they were highly emotional creatures and their unbreakable bond with nature could be a distraction on missions.

"Haven to Kelp, come in Major Seaweed."

Trouble felt almost glad that Foaly had interrupted his musings, almost.

"What is it, centaur?" he growled, wiping the haze of salt water from his helmet mid-flight. This time, he was careful to disable the virtual controls in his gloves before doing so. On his first mission with the new virtual controls, Foaly, in his infinite wisdom, had forgotten to warn the Major about the need to tap the 'off' button before making any wildly generous movements. Trouble liked the ocean, but he hadn't expected to go careening off into the peak of a roiling, white-capped wave. All the gear was waterproof but Trouble still came back with hypothermia from his dunking in the Atlantic Ocean; Sool had not been impressed.

"We have a problem. You could almost call it…," the suspicious pause caught his attention; Foaly was about to hint at something serious, "...Trouble below ground."

There was a moment for the Major to frown over the odd inflection on what would normally be a joke. His thoughts, however, were interrupted by a wince as the mail tone reverberated through his helmet. He turned the sound down with his wrist computer while opening the email from Police Plaza. Multi-tasking was nothing new to the trained LEP operative so, despite the fact he was male, he still had a few brain cells left over to contemplate the abruptly serious pitch of Foaly's voice. Something was going on; something Foaly couldn't talk about over an open radio frequency. He quickly scanned through the email, his breath quickening with every line.

To: All LEP Officers, Council Members and Support Staff

From: IA Chairman and LEP Commander Ark Sool

Subject: Future Operations

Under the jurisdiction of council law 63.1.4, version 3: All 'off the books' actions are to be ceased, immediately. This ruling includes the so-called rescue missions for the island of Hybras and all associated demons, mud persons and civilians. These activities are a waste of taxpayer gold and police time. Any individual found guilty of continuing these operations will face immediate expulsion from the LEP and further legal action upon their removal.

The demons did not come to the Peoples' aid during the battle for the surface; they were the cause of our subterranean banishment. Why should the LEP expend its limited resources to save traitors? Let them perish in the name of our exiled forefathers.

Ark Sool

IA Chairman and LEP Commander

"You're communications are being monitored?" Trouble guessed, closing the memo and sending it directly to the junk folder.

"Yes, but the pony-boy has some tricks in his tail," the centaur whinnied. "My paranoia after the Koboi incident is about to pay off."

"Be careful, Foaly. Which shuttleport would you recommend I use on my way underground?"

"Hmm…E1 has a sparkly, top-of-the-range sub-sonic shuttle lying around in the landing docks. It would be such a shame if that went missing."

Trouble laughed, reactivating the virtual controls for his wings. "One crime, coming right up! I'll be down in 30 minutes tops. Would you be so kind as to block all communications to my helmet for the time being?"

"It would be my pleasure."

Foaly shut off the comm-link as the Major extended his wings from their automatic hover-cycle with a flick of his wrists. The light from the ocean sparkled along their edges as Trouble fired them up, sweeping low along the foaming water to gain speed. Behind his visor, the grin on his face was tinged with a slightly feral quality. Major Trouble Kelp, the golden boy of the LEP and Sool's most trusted officer, had a rebellion to organise.

So, do you want more of these? Less? Do you want Holly in the next one? Does my version of Trouble match your idea of his character? What shipping would you like to see in these? Any plot ideas? Songs? I'm up for recommendations!

Also, I would love to know how you think my writing is going (I'm trying to improve on my old stuff) The incentive for comments will be...an update (if that's what you'd like :P)