Чужой
XII
ParkerandRipleyshouldhavebeensafelysealedinasectionofcorridor..exceptthattheairtightdoorseparatingthemfromtheairlockvestibulehadjammedononeofthemethanecylinders.
Windcontinuedtotearatherasshehuntedforsomething,anything,tofightwith.Therewasonlytheremainingtank.Sheraisedit,usedittohammeratthejammedcylinder.Ifeitheroneofthemcracked,aslightsparkfrommetalbangingonmetalcouldsetoffthecontentsofbothbottles.Butifshedidn’tknockitfree,quickly,thecompletedepressurizationwouldkillthemanyway.
Lackofairwasalreadyweakeningher.Bloodfrothedathernoseandears.ThefallinpressuremadeParker’sexistingwoundsbleedafresh.
Sheheavedthebottleatthetrappedcylinderalasttime.Itpoppedfreeaseasilyasacleanbirth.Thedoorslammedtherestofthewayshutbehindit,andthehowlofdisappearingwindvanished.Confusedaircontinuedtoswirlaroundthemforseveralminutesmore.
Onthebridge,Lamberthadseentheominousreadoutsappearonherconsole:HULLBREACHEDвЂ"-EMERGENCYBULKHEADSCLOSED.Shehitthe’com.
’Ash,getsomeoxygen.Meetmeatthemainlockbythelastofthesealeddoors.’
’Check.Berightthere.’
Ripleystaggeredtoherfeet,fightingforeverybreathintheatmosphere-depletedchamber.Sheheadedfortheemergencyreleasesetinsideeverybulkheaddoor.Therewasastudtherethatwouldslidethedoorback,openingontothenextsealedsectionandfreshair.
