Чужой

           Itwasdouble-walled,andsavefortheairlocks,itwasthetightestcompartmentontheNostromo.

           Thedoorslidbackslightly.AshlookedtoDallas,whonodded.Againthecontrolwastouchedandthedoormovedanotherfewcentimetres.Nowitwasopenenoughforamantoslipthrough.Dallaswentinfirst,followedcautiouslybyRipley.Ashenteredlast,quicklyhitthestud,shuttingthedoorbehindthem.

           Theystoodclosetogetherinfrontofthedoor,scanningtheroom.Stillnosignofthealien.Dallaspursedhislips,blewasharpwhistle.Thatfailedtostirthecreature,butitdidmakeRipleygiggleabitunsteadily.

           Keepinghiseyesonthehiddenplaces,Dallasstartedtowardanopencabinet.Itwouldmakeanexcellenthidingplace.Butcloseinspectionoftheinteriorshowedonlymedicalsupplies,neatlyarrangedandundisturbed.

           Iftheyweregoingtotrytotrapthecreaturewithsomethingotherthantheirhands,theyneededsomethingsolid.Dallaschosethefirstsuitablysizedobjecthesaw,astainless-steelalloytray.Asheturnedtocontinuethestalk,hewasquiteawarethatifthecreaturefeltsufficientlythreatened,itcouldmeltitswaythroughthetrayaseasilyandeffortlesslyasitcouldDallas’shands.Buttheweightwascomforting.

           Ashwasinspectingthefarcorneroftheinfirmary.Ripleygrewboredstandingnexttothedoor.Sheclosedit,walkedin,andlookedbeneaththeplatformholdingKane,thinkingthecreaturemighthaveattacheditselftotheunderside.