Artemis Fowl: the time paradox

his expensive upholstery.

Though it took barely five minutes to reach the compound, Artemis was glad of the thinking space. By the time the Land Rover was cleared through the reinforced gates, he had any wrinkles in his strategy straightened out and he’d used the spare two minutes to plot one of the romance novels he occasionally wrote under the pseudonym Violet Tsirblou.

A guard with bulk to match Butler’s waved them through underneath a walkway arch in the four-metre-high wall. Artemis kept his eyes open on the way in, noting the armed guards patrolling the ten-acre compound, and the position of the generator hut and the staff quarters.

Information is power.

The residential chalets were built in the style of Californian beachouses, flat roofs and plenty of glass, clustered around a man-made beach, complete with wave machine and lifeguard. There was a large conference centre in the middle of the compound, with a scaffold-clad spire jutting from its roof. Two men were perched on the scaffolding, putting the finishing touches to a brass icon on the spire’s tip. And even though most of the icon was wrapped in canvas, Artemis could see enough to know what it was. A human arm with the world in its fist. The symbol of the Extinctionists.

Kronski’s driver parked in front of the compound’s grandest chalet and the doctor led the way inside wordlessly. He flapped a hand towards a hide-covered sofa, and disappeared into his bedroom.

Artemis was hoping for a shower and a change of clothes, but apparently Kronski was too upset for courtesy, so Artemis was forced to tug at the collar of his itchy shirt and wait for his host’s return.

Kronki’s reception lounge was a macabre space. One wall was covered with certificates of extinction, complete with photographs of the unfortunate animals and the dates on which the Extinctionists managed to murder the last one of the particular species.

Artemis browsed the photo wall. Here was a Japanese sea lion, and a Yangtze river dolphin. A Guam flying fox and a Bali tiger.

All gone forever.

The only way to see these creatures was to somehow build up enough momentum to travel faster than the speed of light and go back in time.

There were further horrors in the room, all labelled for educational purposes. The sofa was upholstered with the pelts of Falkland Island wolves. The base of a standing lamp was fashioned from the skull of a western black rhinoceros.

Artemis struggled to maintain his composure.

I need to get out of here as quickly as possible.

But the faint voice of his conscience reminded him that leaving would not mean that this place no longer existed, and selling the strange creature to Kronski would only draw more people to it.

Artemis conjured a picture of his father in his mind.

Whatever it takes. Whatever I have to do.

Kronski entered the room showered and wearing a flowing kaftan. His eyes were red-rimmed, as though he’d been crying.

‘Sit down, Ah-temis,’ he said, gesturing towards the sofa with a hidebound fly swatter.

Artemis eyed the seat. ‘No. I think I’ll stand.’

Kronski sank into an office chair. ‘Oh, I get it. Grownup sofa. It’s difficult to be taken seriously when your feet don’t touch the ground.’

The doctor rubbed his eyes with stubby thumbs, then donned his trademark glasses.

‘You have no idea what it’s been like for me, Ah-temis. Hounded from country to country because of my beliefs, like some common criminal. And now that I have finally found somewhere to call home, now that I have persuaded the committee to meet here, I lose my trial animal. That lemur was the centrepiece of the entire conference.’

Kronski’s voice was steady and he seemed to have recovered himself since his breakdown at the leather souq.

‘The Extinctionists’ committee members are very powerful men, Ah-temis. They are accustomed to comfort and convenience. Morocco is hardly convenient. I had to build this compound to entice them down here, and promise a big opening to the conference. And now all I have to show is a shining hand.’

Kronski brandished his hand, which was largely slime free, but did seem to glow faintly.

‘All is not lost, Doctor,’ said Artemis soothingly. ‘I can provide you with something that will rejuvenate your society and make it globally relevant.’

Kronski’s frown was sceptical, but he leaned forward, arms slightly outstretched.

His face says no, thought Artemis. But his body language says yes.

‘What are you selling, Ah-temis?’

Artemis opened the gallery on his phone, selecting a photograph.

‘This,’ he said, passing the phone to Kronski.

The doctor studied the photograph and the scepticism in his eyes grew more pronounced.

‘What is this? Photo manipulation?’

‘No. Genuine. This creature is real.’

‘Come on, Ah-temis. What we’ve got here are latex and bone implants. Nothing more.’

Artemis nodded. ‘That’s a fair reaction. So you don’t pay until you’re satisfied.’

‘I already paid.’

‘You paid for a lemur,’ Artemis countered. ‘This is an undiscovered species. Possibly a threat to mankind. This is what the Extinctionists are all about. Imagine how many members will clamour to donate to your church when you uncover this threat.’

Kronski nodded. ‘You put together a good argument for a ten-year-old. How much do I pay?’

‘You pay five million euro. Non-negotiable.’

‘Cash?’

‘Diamonds.’

Kronski pouted. ‘I won’t pay a single stone until I verify the authenticity of your product.’

‘That’s fair.’

‘That’s mighty accommodating of you, Fowl. How do you know I won’t double-cross you? After all, I’m pretty sure that you had a hand in whatever happened back at the souq. Payback is fair play where I come from.’

‘You might double-cross me, Damon. But you won’t double-cross Butler. You are not a stupid man.’

Kronski grunted, impressed. ‘I got to hand it to you, boy. You have all the angles figured. You present ’em well too.’ He stared absently at his glowing hand. ‘You ever think it strange, Ah-temis, how a kid like you winds up going eyeball to eyeball with an old crook like me?’

‘I don’t understand the question,’ said Artemis truthfully.

Kronski clapped his hands and laughed. ‘It delights me, Ah-temis,’ he said, ‘that a boy such as you exists. It makes my day.’ The laughter stopped suddenly, as though cut off by a guillotine. ‘Now, how soon can I inspect the creature?’

‘Immediately,’ replied Artemis.’

‘Good. Well, text your man to come hither. Let’s say it takes him thirty minutes to get here, another ten to clear security. We can meet him in the grand lodge in one hour.’

‘I said immediately,’ said Artemis, clicking his fingers. Butler stepped out from behind a curtain, a Kevlar duffel bag under one arm.

Kronski squealed briefly, then rolled his eyes in frustration.

‘I can’t control that… Ever since the koala in Cleveland. It’s so embarassing …’

File and save, thought Artemis. Koala in Cleveland.

‘Anyway,’ continued the doctor, ‘how did he get in here?’

Butler shrugged. ‘I came in the same way you did, Doctor.’

‘You were in the Land Rover,’ breathed Kronski. ‘Very clever.’

‘Not really. More lax on your part than clever on ours.’

‘I will remember that. Do you have the merchandise with you?’