Чужой
I
CaptainDallasnow,heappearedlazywhilebeingthebestorganizedofall.Norwashelackinginimagination.Hisbeardwasproofofthat.Nobodytookabeardintothefreezers.NobodyexceptDallas.Itwasapartofhispersonality,he’dexplainedtomorethanonecuriousshipmate.He’dnomorepartwiththeantiquefacialfuzzthanhewouldwithanyotherpartofhisanatomy.CaptainoftwoshipsDallaswas:theinterstellartugNostromo,andhisbody.Bothwouldremainintactindreamingaswellaswhenawake.
Sohehadtheregulatorycapability,andamodicumofimagination.Butaprofessionaldreamerrequiresadealmorethanamodicumofthelast,andthat’sadeficiencythatcan’tbecompensatedforbyadisproportionatequantityofthefirst.DallaswasnomorerealisticprodreamermaterialthanRipley.
KanewaslesscontrolledinthoughtandactionthanwasDallas,andpossessedfarlessimagination.Hewasagoodexecutiveofficer.Neverwouldhebeacaptain.Thatrequiresacertaindrivecoupledwiththeabilitytocommandothers,neitherofwhichKanehadbeenblessedwith.Hisdreamsweretranslucent,formlessshadowscomparedtothoseofDallas,justasKanewasathinner,lessvibrantechoofthecaptain.Thatdidnotmakehimlesslikable.Butprodreamingrequiresacertainextraenergy,andKanehadbarelyenoughforday-to-dayliving.
Parker’sdreamswerenotoffensive,buttheywerelesspastoralthanKane’s.Therewaslittleimaginationinthematall.Theyweretoospecialized,anddealtonlyrarelywithhumanthings.
