Чужой
XIII
’LastIsawofhimhewasslinkingaroundthemess,sniffingatAsh’sbody,’saidLambert.
’Golook.Wedon’twanttoleavehim.Westillhaveenoughhumanityinusforthat.’
Lamberteyedhercompanionwarily.’Nodeal,Idon’twanttogoanywhereonthisshipbymyself.’
’Alwaysdislikedthatdamnuppitycat,’Parkergrumbled.
’Nevermind,’Ripleytoldthem.’I’llgo.Youtwoloaduptheairandfood.’
’Fairenough,’Lambertagreed.SheandParkerloadedupoxygencanisters,headedfortheshuttle.Ripleyjoggedtowardthemess.
Shedidn’thavetohuntlongforthecat.Aftersearchingthemessandmakingcertainshedidn’ttouchAsh’sdecapitatedform,sheheadedforthebridge.ShefoundJonesimmediately.HewaslyingonDallas’sconsole,preeninghimselfandlookingbored.
Shesmiledathim.’Jones,you’reinluck.’
Apparentlythecatdisagreed.Whenshereachedforhimhejumpedlithelyofftheconsoleandwalkedaway,lickinghimself.Shebent,followedhim,coaxingwithhandsandvoice.
’Comeon,Jones.Don’tplayhardtoget.Notnow.Theotherswon’twaitforyou.’
’Howmuchdoyouthinkwe’llneed?’Lambertstoppedstackingboxes,lookedoveratParker,andwipedahairfromherface.
’Allwecancarry.Wedon’twanttomaketwotrips.’
’Forsure.’Sheturnedtorearrangeherassembledstack.Avoicesoundedovertheopencommunicator.
’Goddamnit,Jones,comehere.Herekitty..cometomama,kitty.’