Disclamer: I do not own Artemis Fowl, so please don't sue.

Excavate

By FairyDragonShadow


Chapter 1 - Two Lives


A young man walked down an alley, causually as can be. His

dark-brown boots made a "click" sound, as each foot came

down on the rocky road. But there was something peculiar -

he had a gun. Two guns at that, with a machine gun

positioned in the left hand, and a double-barreled shotgun

in the right. Both hands had black, finger-less gloves.

Goggles held his long blond bangs up and out of his cold,

merciless eyes. But he smiles slightly, his pace never

changing in the little alley that has barely any light. His

draping, white coat floats after him.

"You, there! Halt!" A soldier dressed in a gray uniform

shouts.

He stops abruptly.

The soldier walks up to the man. "What are you doing

outside the buildings and over the gate? Get back in, NOW!"

Unfortunately, it seemed the soldier had not seen the guns

this young man was carrying. Unfortunately.

The next second, in a blink of an eye, the man had turned,

and had shot the soldier.

"What am I doing outside the gate? I'm freeing myself, low-

ranked imbecile. Never ask Artemis Fowl that again." His

hollow voice filled the atmosphere around them.

And the soldier never did ask him again.



* * *



"But, sir!"

"NO!"

"But -"

"I said NO, Captain Short! I thought being in the LEP for

eight years would teach you NOT to complain or object about

your duty!"

Captain Holly Short thought about opening her mouth, but

decided against it. Commander Root was right. She should go

with any assignment she was given. She sighed.

"Good, now if you understand your job, and don't want to

lose it, get out of here! I'll give you the day off for

today. But next morning, you better show up - or I'll talk

to the Council about you." The commander waved her off.

Holly sighed again. Oh, why oh why?

She walked out the door to her office, and crashed onto

Cudgeon.

"So...I heard you got the most horrendous mission." Cudgeon

said.

"You think?" The sarcasim in her voice was obvious.

"Well? Tell me about it."

"You don't know?"

"I heard something about going up to the Mud People."

"That's bad, but not the worst part."

"What's the worst part?"

"I'd rather not tell. Rumors spread quickly these days."

"So? Just hint me about it."

"Two words. Artemis Fowl. Enough for you?"

"I can guess..."

"Yeah, I have to go up there, locate him, and try to mind-

wipe him. And take away all the things about us. If he

still remembers, or the mind-wipe doesn't work, I'm to

terminate him."

"Kill him? That's harsh."

"Yeah. But he almost killed me, remember?"

"He was using you as a hostage. If he killed you, he would

have to just give up. The People aren't very forgiving,

you know."

Holly thought. The lieutenant was right. But he was so...

cruel to lie to her, decieve the People...picking out the

secret information about them. At least he hadn't told

anyone else. "Still."

Cudgeon shrugged.

After, Holly squeezed through the usual traffic. Good thing

the goblins weren't having a protest or a rampage. She was

tired and angry. Happy that she had the rest of the day

off, the captain lay down on her bed and fell asleep.



A/N: I know, I know! Artemis had different colored hair, he
should be studying about them, blah, blah, blah! Just wait
until I get the story straightened out. And, Please review!
Don't be afraid! I'd love to hear (read) your comments.
Hopefully, I'll get the second chapter up soon...

-FairyDragonShadow

3/1/2002