Чужой

           Everymuscleinherbodytensed,readytothrowherclearatthefirstsightofthetinyinvader.Shewasn’tdisappointedwhentheundersideoftheplatformprovedtobeunoccupied.

           Straightening,sheconsideredwheretosearchnext.Shebrushedagainstabulkhead.Somethingsolidandunyieldinglandedonhershoulder.Herheadjerkedaroundandshefoundherselfstaringatlongskeletalfingersandadullgreycabochonofaneye.

           Somehowshegotoutasinglescream.Hermusclesspasmedandshetwistedawkwardly.Asshedidso,thecreaturetumbledheavilytothedeck.Itlaymotionless.

           DallasandAshhadcomerunningatherscream.Nowthethreeofthemstoodgazingatthemotionlessshapelyingamongthem.Thefingerswereclenchedtight,uncannilylikethehandofadeadman,whichitstillresembledmorecloselythananythingelse.Onlytheextrafingers,thetail,andthedull,lidlesseyebroketheillusion.

           Ripley’srighthandrestedontheshoulderwherethethinghadlanded.Shewasgulpingairratherthaninhalingit,theadrenalinslowlyleakingfromhersystem.Shecouldstillfeelthealienweightonher.

           Sheextendedabootedfoot,proddedthehand-shape.Itdidn’tmoveorresist.Inadditiontothedullnessofthesingleeye,itsleatheryskinlookedshrunkenanddry.Shenudgeditwithherfootagain,turningitover.Thetubelaylimplyagainstthepalm,almostcompletelyretracted.

           ’Ithinkit’sdead.’Dallasstudiedtheunanticipatedcorpseamomentlonger,thenglancedatRipley.’Youokay?’

           Tongueandlarynxwereforcedintoaction.