'Listen here, human,“ began Sool, but Butler growled and the words withered in the commander's throat. The gnome stepped quickly behind the larger of his officers. ”Send them home. Now.“
The officers drew their sidearms, aimed, and fired. A tranquilizer pellet stuck to Artemis's neck, dissolving instantly. The officers hit Butler with four, not taking any chances.
Artemis could hear Holly protesting as his vision blurred like an Impressionist painting. Like The Fairy Thief.
'There's no need for that, Sool,“ she said, catching Artemis's elbow. ”They've seen the chute already. You could have returned them conscious.“
Sool's voice sounded as though he were speaking from the bottom of a well. “I'm not taking any chances, Captain, I mean, Miss Short. Humans are violent creatures by nature, especially when they are being transported.”
Artemis felt Holly's hand on his chest. Under his jacket, she slipped something into his pocket.
But he couldn't ask what, because his tongue would not obey him. All he could do with his mouth was breathe.
He heard a thump behind him.
Butler 's gone, he concluded. Just me left.
And then he was gone too.

The Opal Deception, Chapter 10