The Arctic Incident Read Online Free PDF Page B

redder than a baboon’s behind. “An even greater pity the Atlantis Convention outlawed truth drugs. Otherwise we could pump this convict full of serum until he sang like a drunken Mud Man.”
    The commander took several deep breaths to calm down before his heart popped.
    “Right now, we need to find out where these batteries came from, and if there are any more in the Lower Elements.”
    Holly took a breath. “I have a theory, sir.”
    “Don’t tell me,” groaned Root. “Artemis Fowl, right?”
    “Who else could it be? I knew he’d be back. I knew it.”
    “You know the rules, Holly. He beat us last year. Game over. That’s what the Book says.”
    “Yes, sir, but that was a different game. New game, new rules. If Fowl is supplying power cells to the B’wa Kell, the least we can do is check it out.”
    Root considered it. If Fowl was behind this, things could get very complicated very fast.
    “I don’t like the idea of interrogating Fowl on his turf. But we can’t bring him down here. The pressure underground would kill him.”
    Holly disagreed. “Not if we keep him in a secure environment. The city is equalized. So are the shuttles.”
    “Okay, go,” the commander said at last. “Bring him in for a little chat. Bring the big one, too.”
    “Butler?”
    “Yes, Butler.” Root paused. “But remember, we’re going to run a few scans, Holly, that’s it. I don’t want you using this as an opportunity to settle a score.”
    “No, sir. Strictly business.”
    “Do I have your word on that?”
    “Yes, sir. I guarantee it.”
    Root ground the cigar butt beneath his heel.
    “I don’t want anyone else getting hurt today, not even Artemis Fowl.”
    “Understood.”
    “Well,” added the commander. “Not unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

CHAPTER 3
GOING UNDERGROUND
Saint Bartleby’s School for Young Gentlemen
    Butler had been in Artemis Fowl’s service since the moment of the boy’s birth. He had spent the first night of his charge’s life standing guard on the Sisters of Mercy maternity ward. For over a decade, Butler had been teacher, mentor, and protector to the young heir. The pair had never been separated for more than a week, until now. It shouldn’t bother him, he knew that. A bodyguard should never become emotionally attached to his charge: it affects his judgment. But in his private moments, Butler couldn’t help thinking of the Fowl heir as the younger brother he had never had.
    Butler parked the Bentley Arnage Red Label on the College Avenue. If anything, the Eurasian manservant had bulked up since midterm. With Artemis in boarding school, he was spending a lot more time in the gym. Truth be told, Butler was bored pumping iron, but the college authorities absolutely refused to allow him a bunk in Artemis’s room. And when the gardener had discovered the bodyguard’s hideout just off the seventeenth green, they had banned him from the school grounds altogether.
    Artemis slipped through the school’s gate, Dr. Po’s comments still in his thoughts.
    “Problems, sir?” said Butler, noticing his employer’s sour expression.
    Artemis ducked into the Bentley’s wine-colored leather interior, selecting a bottle of still water from the bar.
    “Hardly, Butler. Just another quack spouting psychobabble.”
    Butler kept his voice level. “Should I have a word with him?”
    “Never mind him now. What news of the Fowl Star ?”
    “We got an e-mail at the manor this morning. It’s an MPG.”
    Artemis scowled. He could not access MPG video files on his mobile phone.
    Butler pulled a portable computer from the glove compartment.
    “I thought you might be anxious to see the file, so I downloaded it onto this.”
    He passed the computer over his shoulder. Artemis activated the compact machine, folding out the flat color screen. At first he thought the battery was dead, then realized he was looking at a field of snow. White on white, with only the faintest shadows to indicate dips and