"You? God forbid!"
"Look, hothead, cool down. If you get tossed off of Ertene, then what?"
"I made an oath to protect Ertene."
"You made an oath never to return."
"I also made an oath never to tell. Also one previous to tell Terra of anything I discover."
"Do you suppose that Ertene will believe anything you tell them once the truth of your broken oaths are known?"
"They needn't know. I—am Elanane."
"We can put a stop to that," snapped Thomakein.
"I think that I can stop you first."
"No doubt," said Thomakein easily. "The Terran methods of hand-to-hand fighting are devastating. But you'll never conceal your victory."