Чужой
III
AssoonastheylefttheprotectivebulkoftheNostromo,thestormwasabletosurroundthemonallsides.
Shestopped,disgusted,andoperatedsuitinstrumentation.’NowIcan’tseeagoddamnthing.’
Ash’svoicesoundedunexpectedlyinherhelmet.’Turnonthefinder.It’stunedtothedistresstransmission.Letitleadyouanddon’tmesswithitI’vealreadysetitmyself.’
’It’sonandtuned,’sheshotback.’YouthinkIdon’tknowmyownjob?’
’Nooffence,’thescienceofficerresponded.Shegrunted,stalkedoffintothemists.
Dallasspoketowardhisownhelmetpickup.’Finder’sworkingokay.Yousureyou’rereceivingusclear,Ash?’
Withinthescienceblisteronthelowerskinoftheship,Ashswitchedhisgazefromthedust-obscuredfiguresmovingslowlyawaytothebrightlylitconsoleinfrontofhim.Threestylizedimagesstoodoutsharpandclearonthescreen.Hetouchedacontrolandtherewasaslightwhineasthesciencechairslidanotchonitsrails,aligninghimpreciselywiththeglowingscreen.
’Seeyourightnowoutthebubble.Readyouclearandloud.Goodimagingonmyboardhere.Idon’tthinkI’llloseyou.Mistisn’tthickenoughandtheredoesn’tseemtobeasmuchinterferencedownhereonthesurface.Distresssignalisonadifferentfrequencysothere’snodangerofoverlap.’
’Soundsgood.’Dallas’svoicesoundedunnaturalovertheblisterspeaker.’We’reallreceivingyouclearly.Let’smakesurewekeepthechannelopen.
