Artemis Fowl_ The Arctic Incident - Eoin Colfer [70]
Mulch had done a sterling job of breaking down the pipe’s contents. But the recycling had to go somewhere. Mulch, in fairness to him, chewed every mouthful thoroughly to avoid too many lumps.
The raiding party struggled on grimly, trying not to think about what they were actually doing. By the time they caught up with the dwarf, he was clinging to a ridge, face constricted in pain.
‘What is it, Mulch?’ asked Root, concern accidentally slipping into his tones.
‘Geddup,’ Mulch groaned. ‘Geddup rih now.’
Root’s eyes widened with something approaching panic. ‘Up!’ he hissed. ‘Everybody up!’
They scrambled into the tight wedge of space above the dwarf. Not a second too soon. Mulch relaxed, releasing a burst of dwarf gas that could have inflated a circus tent. He rehinged his jaw.
‘That’s better,’ he sighed. ‘Lotta air in that soil. Now would you mind getting that beam out of my face. You know how I feel about light.’
The commander obliged, switching to infra-red.
‘OK, now we’re up here, how do we get out? You didn’t bring your cutter, I seem to remember.’
The dwarf grinned. ‘No problem. A good thief always plans on a return visit. See here.’ Mulch was pointing to an area of titanium that seemed exactly like the rest of the pipe. ‘I patched this up last time. It’s just flexi-bond.’
Root had to smile. ‘You are a cunning reprobate. How did we ever catch you?’
‘Luck,’ replied the dwarf, elbowing a section of the pipe. A large circle popped out, revealing the hundred-year-old hole. ‘Welcome to Koboi Labs.’
They clambered into a dimly lit corridor. Loaded hover trolleys were stacked four deep around the walls. Strip lighting operated with minimum illumination overhead.
‘I know this place,’ noted Root. ‘I’ve been here before on inspection for the special-weapons permits. We’re two corridors across from the computer centre. We have a real chance of making it.’
‘What about these DNA stun cannons?’ enquired Butler.
‘Tricky,’ admitted the commander. ‘If the cannon’s onboard doesn’t recognize you, you’re dead. They can be programmed to reject entire species.’
‘Tricky,’ agreed the manservant.
‘I’m betting they’re not active,’ continued Root. ‘First, if this place is crawling with goblins, they hardly came in through the front door. And second, if Foaly is being blamed for this little uprising, Koboi will want to pretend they had no weapons, just like the LEP.’
‘Strategy?’ asked Butler.
‘Not much,’ admitted the commander. ‘Once we turn the corner, we’re on camera. So down the corridor as fast as you can, hit anything that gets in your way. If it has a weapon, confiscate it. Mulch, you stay here and widen the tunnel, we may need to get out fast. Ready?’
Holly extended a hand. ‘Gentlemen, it’s been a pleasure.’
The commander and manservant laid their hands on hers. ‘Likewise.’
They headed down the corridor. Two hundred goblins versus our three virtually unarmed heroes. It was going to be close.
INNER SANCTUM, KOBOI LABORATORIES
‘Intruders,’ squealed Opal Koboi delightedly. ‘Inside the building.’
Cudgeon crossed to the surveillance plasma screen.
‘I do believe it’s Julius. Amazing. Obviously your hit team was exaggerating, General Sputa.’
Sputa licked his eyeballs furiously. Lieutenant Nyle would be losing his skin before shedding season.
Cudgeon whispered into Opal’s ear. ‘Can we activate the DNA cannons?’
The pixie shook her head. ‘Not immediately. They’ve been reprogrammed to reject goblin DNA. It would take a few minutes.’
Cudgeon turned to the four goblin generals. ‘Have an armoured squad come up behind and another one from the flank. We can trap them at the door. There will be no way out.’
Cudgeon stared raptly at the plasma screen. ‘This is even better than I’d planned. Now, my old friend, Julius, it’s my turn to humiliate you.’
Artemis was meditating. This was a time for concentration. He sat cross-legged on a rock, visualizing the various rescue strategies that could be utilized when they returned to the Arctic. If the Mafiya managed to set up the drop before Artemis could reach them,