Чужой

           Hecutoffinmid-sentence,thoughtsofBrettchokingoffanydesireforconversation.

           Dallasraisedthenozzleofhisflamethrower.’There’saductopeningintothebackofthelocker.That’showitgothere.’HeglancedoveratParker.’Yousurethesethingsareworking?’

           ’Imadethem,didn’tI?’

           ’That’swhatworriesus,’saidRipley.

           Theymovedforward.Thetearingsoundscontinued.Whentheywerepositionedjustoutsidethelocker,DallasglancedfromParkertothedoorhandle.Theengineerreluctantlygotagripontheheavyprotrusion.Dallasstoodbackacoupleofsteps,readiedtheflamethrower.

           ’Now!’

           Parkerwrenchedopenthedoor,jumpedbackoutoftheway.Dallasthumbedthefiringstudontheclumsyweapon.Astartlinglywidefanoforangefirefilledtheentrancetothefoodlocker,causingeveryonetodrawawayfromtheintenseheat.Dallasmovedforwardquickly,ignoringthelingeringheatthatburnedhisthroat,andfiredanotherblastinside.Thenathird.Hewasovertheraisedbasenowandhadtotwisthimselfsohecouldfiresideways.

           Severalminuteswerespentnervouslywaitingoutsideforthelocker’sinteriortocoolenoughforthemtoenter.Despitethewait,theheatradiatingfromthesmoulderinggarbageinsidewassointensetheyhadtowalkcarefully,lesttheybumpintoanyoftheoven-hotcratesorthelockerwalls.

           Thelockeritselfwasatotalloss.Whatthealienhadbegun,Dallas’sflamethrowerhadfinished.Deepblackstreaksshowedonthewalls,testimonytotheconcentratedpoweroftheincinerator.