Чужой
IV
’Lookslikeanentrance,’Kanesurmised,handsonhipsashestudiedthegaps.’Maybesomebodyelse’sideaofanairlock.Youseetheinnerhatchopeningsbehindthese?’
’Ifthey’relocks,whythreeofthemsoclosetoeachother?’Lambertregardedtheopeningswithsuspicion.’Andwhyaretheyallstandingopen?’
’Maybethebuilderslikedtodothingsinthrees.’Kaneshrugged.’Ifwecanfindone,I’llletyouaskhim.’
’Funnyboy.’Shedidn’tsmile.’I’llbuythat,butwhataboutleavingallthreeopen?’
’Wedon’tknowthatthey’reopen.’Dallasfoundhimselffascinatedbythesmooth-lippedovals,sodifferentfromtheNostromo’sbulky,squarishlockentrances.Theseappearedmouldedintothefabricofthehullinsteadofhavingbeenattachedlaterinconstructionwithawkwardweldsandseals.
’Astowhytheymightbeopen,iftheyindeedare,’Dallascontinued,’maybethecrewwantedtogetoutinahurry.’
’Whywouldtheyneedthreeopenlockstodothat?’
Dallassnappedather,irritated.’HowthehellamIsupposedtoknow?’Headdedimmediatelyafter,’Sorry..thatwasuncalledfor.’
’Noitwasn’t.’Thistimeshedidgrin,slightly.’Itwasadumbquestion.’
’Timewegotourselvessomeanswers.’Keepinghiseyesonthegroundandwatchingforlooserock,hestarteduptheslightinclineleadingtowardtheopenings.’We’vewaitedlongenough.Let’smoveinside,ifwecan.’
’Mightbesomeone’sideaofalock.’
