Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex Read Online Free PDF Page B

jaw forward. “Well, my sensors aren’t picking up a thing.”
    “Funny, because my sensors are your sensors,” countered Artemis.
    Foaly clopped a hoof, chipping the ice. “I knew it. Is nothing sacred?”
    Artemis squared his shoulders. “Let’s stop pretending that we don’t spend half our time spying on each other. I read your files and you read the files I allow you to steal. There is a craft that seems to be heading straight for us, and maybe your sensors would spot it if you used some of the same filters I do.”
    Holly thought of something. “Remember Opal Koboi’s ship? The one completely built from stealth ore? Our pet geeks couldn’t detect that, but Artemis did.”
    Artemis arched his eyebrows as if to say Even the police officer gets it. “ I simply looked for what should be there but wasn’t. Ambient gases, trace pollution, and such. Wherever I found an apparent vacuum I also found Opal. I have since applied the same technique to my general scans. I am surprised you haven’t learned that little trick, Consultant Foaly.”
    “It will take about two seconds to sync with our shuttle and run an ambience test.”
    Vinyáya scowled, and her annoyance seemed to ripple the air like a heatwave.
    “Run it then, centaur.”
    Foaly activated the sensors in his gloves and screwed a yellow monocle over one eye. Thus wired, he performed a complicated series of blinks, winks, and gestures as he interfaced with a V-system invisible to all but him. To the casual observer it would seem as though the centaur had inhaled pepper while conducting an imaginary orchestra. It was not attractive, which was why most people tended to stick with hardwired hardware.
    Twenty seconds more than two seconds later, Foaly’s exertions ceased suddenly and he rested palms on knees.
    “Okay,” he panted. “Firstly, I am nobody’s pet geek. And secondly, there may be a large unidentified space vehicle headed our way at high speed.”
    Holly instantly drew her weapon, as though she could gun down a spaceship that was already falling on them.
    Artemis rushed toward his Ice Cube, arms outstretched maternally, then literally stopped in his tracks as suspicion filled his heart with heat.
    “This is your ship, Foaly. Admit it.”
    “It’s not my ship,” protested Foaly. “I don’t even have a ship. I come to work on a quadricycle.”
    Artemis fought the paranoia until his hands shook, but there seemed to be no other explanation for the arrival of a strange ship at this precise time.
    “You’re trying to steal my invention. This is just like the time in London when you interfered in the C-Cube deal.”
    Holly kept her eyes on the skies, but spoke to her human friend.
    “I saved Butler in London.”
    Artemis’s whole frame was shaking now. “Did you? Or did you turn him against me?” The words he spoke disgusted him, but they seemed to push through his lips like scarab beetles from the mouth of a mummy. “That’s when you made your alliance against me, wasn’t it? How much did you offer him?”
    For a long foggy breath, Holly was speechless; then, “Offer him? Butler would never betray you. Never! How can you think that, Artemis?”
    Artemis glared at his fingers as if he half hoped they would reach up and strangle him. “I know you’re behind this, Holly Short. You have never forgiven me for the kidnapping.”
    “You need help, Artemis,” said Holly, tired of talking around the problem. “I think you may have a condition. It might be something called the Atlantis Complex.”
    Artemis stumbled backward, knocking against Foaly’s hindquarters. “I know,” he said slowly, watching his breath take form before him. “Lately, nothing is clear. I see things, suspect everyone. Five. Five is everywhere.”
    “As if we would ever do anything to hurt you, Artemis,” said Foaly, patting the hair Artemis had ruffled.
    “I don’t know. Would you? Why wouldn’t you? I have the most important job on Earth, more important than