Чужой
XI
Parker’sabetterappliedmachinistthanevenhethinksheis.’HenoticedtheexpressiononAsh’sface.’Somethingthematter?’
’You’vemadeyourdecision.It’snotmyplacetocomment.’
’You’rethescienceofficer.Goaheadandcomment.’
’Thishasnothingtodowithscience.’
’Thisisnotimetohedge.Saywhat’sonyourmind.’
Asheyedhimwithgenuinecuriosity.’Whydoyouhavetobetheonetogo?Whydidn’tyousendRipley?Shewaswilling,andshe’scompetentenough.’
’Ishouldn’tevenhavesuggestedanyonebutmyself.’Hewascheckingthefluidlevelontheflamethrower.’Thatwasamistake.It’smyresponsibility.IletKanegodownintothealienship.Nowit’smyturn.I’vedelegatedenoughriskwithouttakinganyonmyself.It’stimeIdid.’
’You’rethecaptain,’Ashargued.’Thisisatimetobepractical,notheroic.YoudidtheproperthinginsendingKane.Whychangenow?’
Dallasgrinnedathim.Itwasn’toftenyoucouldcatchAshinacontradiction.’You’rehardlytheonetobetalkingaboutproperprocedure.Youopenedthelockandletusbackintotheship,remember?’Thescienceofficerdidn’treply.’Sodon’tlecturemeonwhat’sproper.’
’It’llbeharderontherestofusifweloseyou.Especiallynow.’
’YoujustmentionedthatyouthoughtRipleywascompetent.Iconcur.She’snextinlineofcommand.IfIdon’tmakeitback,there’snothingIdothatshecan’t.’
’Idon’tagree.’
Theywerewastingtime.
