Чужой
VII
Hiscallhadbeenpromptedbytheconditionofsomethingelse.
Dallasfoundthescienceofficerinthecorridoroutsidetheinfirmary,hisnosepressedtotheglass.Hewasstaringin,lookingaroundasthecaptainapproached.
’What’sgoingon?’Ripleyhadsuddenlyappearedattheotherendofthecorridor.HergazeswitchedrapidlyfromAshtoDallas,backagain.’Iheardoveranopenmonitor.’
’Listeningin?’Dallaseyedhercuriously.
Shemadeaface.’Nothingelsetodoonthisboat.Why?Youobject?’
’No.Justcurious.’Helookedthroughthethickglassintotheinfirmary,spoketoAshwhennogreatrevelationmanifesteditself.
’Well?’
’Kane.’Thescienceofficerpointed.’Lookcloselyathim.Allofhim.’
Dallasstared,squinted,thennoticedwhatAshwastalkingabout.Orrather,hedidn’tnoticeit.
’It’sgone.’Afastinspectionoftheinfirmaryshowednosignofthealien.Kaneremainedmotionlessonthemedicalplatform.Hischestroseandfellsteadily.Heseemedtobebreathingnormallyandwithouteffortdespitetheabsenceofthealien.Lingeringinspectionshowedwhatlookedtobetinyblackdotsscatteredaroundtherimofhisface.
’Hasitplantedsomethingonhim?’Dallastriedtoshyawayfromtherepulsivethought.
’No.’Ashspokepositively,andDallaswaswillingtobelievehim.Hehadtobelievehim.Anyway,thepersonneldossierssaidthatthescienceofficer’svisionwasthesharpestonboard.
’They’reindentations,notrises.I’dguessthey’resuckermarks.’
