Chapter 1 Summary

In Knightsbridge, London, Artemis looks forward to his seafood lunch as he waits for his business contact to arrive while his bodyguard, Butler, inspects the restaurant for potential dangers. After Artemis orders his lunch, Jon Spiro enters with his security guard, Arno Blunt. Jon insists on getting down to business immediately, so Artemis presents him with a blue cube which reveals a screen and speakers when he pushes a button, and Artemis explains "this little box can read any information on absolutely any platform, electronic or organic" (page 10). The C Cube, named because it sees everything, will render all other technology obsolete as it is decades ahead of its time. Spiro asks for a test, but as Artemis scans for surveillance beams, he realizes that the fairy technology is picking up LEP technology belowground and will need to be remedied lest it fall...