Trouble Kelp

Trouble Kelp is a character from the Artemis Fowl series of books. He is not a major character in the first book, but becomes more prominent throughout the series. He has a whiny younger brother known as Grub Kelp.

Character Background

Captain Trouble Kelp is the commander of LEPretrieval One, the Lower Elements Police's elite task force roughly analogous to a human Special Operations Force in Artemis Fowl, as the LEP are the only military/paramilitary force in existence among the fairies. It is said that is was every little fairy's dream to grow up and join the elite Retrieval Squad and don their coveted stealth-black suits, although, for all their training and experience, they are brought down quite easily by the human Domovoi Butler. He is mentioned throughout the series, and becomes first a Captain, then a Major, and finally Commander of LEPrecon.

Trouble is famous for choosing the name 'Trouble' at his manhood ceremony upon acceptance to the Lower Elements Police Academy. His name prior to his manhood ceremony is not mentioned. In Book 1 he is ranked a Captain, but at some point between the events of Book 3 and 4 he gets promoted to the rank of Major. He becomes a Commander in Books 5 and 6 in replacement of Ark Sool, a gnome. He is known for having a somewhat 'gung ho' attitude.

Appearances

In Artemis Fowl, Trouble leads LEPretrieval One into Fowl Manor, but was brought down by Butler along with the rest of his squad. Trouble was the second casualty in Butler's counter-assault. He returns to the house after the bio-bomb has been released to check for bodies, though he does not get much further in than the doorway, having been struck with sorcerery sickness, a side effect of entering a human dwelling without invitation.

In Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident, Trouble takes command of the LEP forces during Root's absence. He is seen with his brother stuck in a photo booth during the B'wa Kell uprising. They make a run for it into the emporium, where Trouble order the remaining forces to retreat - something he had never done before. He also arrives in Chute E37 in time for Holly to show him the batteries which the goblins have smuggled in.

In Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code, Trouble briefly discusses his brother Grub with Holly Short during a lockdown of Haven. He is also mentioned casually throughout the book.

In Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception, Trouble is an LEP Major, promoted from his previous rank of Captain. In the beginning of the book, he is described by Commander Root as a more hands-on Major, which "might be what the force needs." He also secures chute E37 for Holly Short and Julius Root to enter. At the end of the book, Trouble is sent in a supersonic attack shuttle to apprehend Holly Short. He is given orders to shoot her down from Ark Sool, but refuses, instead giving her a chance to explain things to the LEP.

Trouble Kelp does not appear in the fifth book, Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony.

Trouble has also appeared in the mini-story "LEPrecon" in The Artemis Fowl Files, and nearly loses his magic after being kidnapped and brought unwillingly into a human dwelling during an above-ground initiation for Holly Short. He risks his own position in the LEP when he defends Holly's unauthorized actions to rescue him and Commander Root.

In Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox, Trouble Kelp is promoted to the rank of Commander, replacing Ark Sool because he wanted to let all the demons die on Hybras and was fired for betraying the LEP. He was in charge of pulling Opal Koboi out of the wreckage at the end of the book with the help of a Dwarf, Furty. Upon realising that Opal has vanished he called Foaly and told him to relay a message to Holly, that her weekend off would have to be cut short.

In Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex, Trouble Kelp contacts Holly, Artemis and Foaly in Iceland officially forbids them to investigate Turnball's renegade space probe but implies that they should. He is shown to be extremely hostile against Artemis (possibly jealous), and has once been on a date with Holly.