Чужой
III
DallascheckedoutKane’shelmet,KanecheckedLambert,andsheperformedthesameserviceforthecaptain.Theyexecutedthistripartiteplaywithutmostseriousness,thespacefarers’equivalentofthreeapesgroomingoneanother.Automaticregulatorswereengaged.Soonallthreewerebreathingtheslightlystalebuthealthyairfromtheirrespectivetanks.
Dallasusedaglovedhand,activatedthehelmet’sinternalcommunicator.’I’msending.Doyouhearme?’
’Receiving,’announcedKane,pausing,toboostthepoweronhisownpickup.’Youreadmeback?’Dallasnodded,turnedtothestillsullenLambert.
’Comeon,Lambert,’Dallassaid,tryingtocheerher.’Ichoseyouforyourabilities,notyoursunnydisposition.’
’Thanksfortheflattery,’shereplieddryly,’andthanksfornothing.Whycouldn’tyouhavetakenAshorParker?They’dprobablyhavelovedthechancetogo.’
’Ashhastoremainonboard.Youknowthat.Parkerhasworktodobackintheengineroomandcouldn’tnavigatehiswayoutofapaperbagwithoutinstruments.Idon’tcareifyoucursemeeverymetreoftheway.Justmakesurewefindthesourceofthatdamnedsignal.’
’Yeah.Wonderful.’
’Allright,we’reset,then.KeepawayfromtheweaponsunlessIsayotherwise.’
’Youexpectingfriendlycompany?’Kanelookeddubious.
’Hopeforthebestratherthantheworst.’Hethumbedthecommunicator’sexteriorsuitcontrols,openedanotherchannel.’Ash,youthere?’
ItwasRipleywhoresponded.
