There it is. Confirmation that Colin's seen through his holograms. "You're the first," Erek says. "My emitters are excellent. Certain life forms with very unique visual cortexes can see through them; I've never bothered trying to fool things like wolf spiders, for instance, with their good vision and eight non-identical eyes. You're the first to have better technology. I'd be interested in the specifics of it."

As for the warning, he does nod acknowledgement of it before countering, "Between the holograms and my speed, I don't expect anyone to land a blow unless I'm completely surrounded. In which case there would also be a convenient barrier to being thrown off the edge." Erek doesn't promise never to go out alone. He probably will, at least sometimes. "I'll be careful, and I'll take company at least the first couple times. I am going out there, though."

He doesn't want anyone fighting to protect him. It skirts awfully close to the edge of his programmed limits, asking someone else to fight to fulfill Erek's goals. He'll take Tobias as a scout, though. A hawk is probably the most useful exploration partner as far as Erek is concerned.