Чужой
V
Shechoseherwordscarefully.’Ifweletitin,theentireshipcouldbeinfected.’
’Damnit,thisisn’tagerm!It’sbiggerthanmyhand,andplentysolid-looking.’
’Youknowquarantineprocedure.’Hervoiceexhibitedadeterminationshedidn’tfeel.’Twentyfourhoursfordecontamination.You’vebothgotmorethanenoughsuitairremainingtohandlethat,andwecanfeedyouextratanksasnecessary.Twenty-fourhourswon’tproveconclusivelythatthething’snolongerdangerouseither,butthat’snotmyresponsibility.Ijusthavetoenforcetherules.YouknowthemaswellasIdo.’
’Iknowofexceptions,too.AndI’mtheoneholdingupwhat’sleftofagoodfriend,notyou.Intwenty-fourhourshecouldbedead,ifheisn’talready.Openthehatch.’
’Listentome,’sheimploredhim.’IfIbreakquarantinewemayalldie.’
’Openthegoddamnhatch!’Lambertscreamed.’TohellwithCompanyrules.Wehavetogethimintotheinfirmarywheretheautodoccanworkonhim.’
’Icant.Ifyouwereinmyposition,withthesameresponsibility,you’ddothesame.’
’Ripley,’Dallassaidslowly,’doyouhearme?’
’Ihearyouloudandclear.’Hervoicewasfulloftension.’Theanswerisstillnegative.Twenty-fourhoursdecon,thenyoucanbringhimin.’
Withintheship,someoneelsecametoadecision.Ashhittheemergencyoverridestudoutsidethelock.Aredlightcameon,accompaniedbyaloud,distinctivewhine.
DallasandLambertstaredastheinnerdoorbegantomovesteadilyaside
