Чужой
VI
Ash’smindwasfunctioningovertimeunderthepressureofthesituation.’Itmightbeacomponentofaseparatecirculatorysystem,designedtolubricatethecreature’sinsides.Oritmightcomprisepartofaprotectiveinnerlayer,asortofliquid,defensiveendothelium.Itmightbenomorethanthecreature’scounterpartofourownlymphfluid.?
’Wonderfuldefensivemechanism,though,’Dallasobserved.’Youdon’tdarekillit.’
’Notonboardasealedship,anyway.’Ripleymadetheinterestingpointquietly.
’That’sso,’Ashconceded.’WecouldtakeKaneoutside,wherethecreature’sfluidscouldn’tdamagetheNostromo,andtrycuttingitoff,exceptthatwe’refairlycertainit’stheonlythingkeepinghimalive.’
’Oncewecutitoffhimandgotthattubeoutofhisthroat,wecouldfeedhimoxygen.’Ripleypressedthethought.’Athermalwrapwouldkeephimwarm.Forthatmatter,wecouldsetupanairtentwithagroundseal.Lettheliquiddripontothegroundbelowit.’
’Notabadidea,’admittedAsh,’savefortwothings.’Ripleywaitedimpatiently.’First,aswe’vealreadydiscussed,removingthecreatureforciblymightresultinafatalinterruptionoflife-sustainingaction.TheshockalonecouldkillKane.
’Second,wehavenoguaranteethat,uponbeingsufficientlyinjured,thecreaturemightnotreactbySprayingthatliquidalloveritselfandeverythingelseinsight.Thatwouldbeadefensivereactionfullyinkeepingwiththefluid’sdestructiveandprotectivequalities.’
