Чужой

           Leaningbackandbracinghisfeetagainsttheverticalwall,hewasabletowalkdownward.

           Holdinghimselfmotionless,heswitchedonhislightbar,pointeditdown.Itshowedhimtenmetresofdull-colouredmetalbeforedissolvingintonothingness.

           ’Hotterinhere,’hereported,afteracursoryinspectionofhissuit’ssensoryequipment.’Mustbewarmairrisingfrombelow.Couldbepartoftheenginecomplex,ifthat’sstillfunctioning.Weknowsomething’ssupplyingpowertothattransmitter.’

           Kickingawayfromthewallandplayingoutcable,hestarteddowninearnest.Afterseveralminutesofrappellinghiswaydowntheshaft,hestoppedtocatchhisbreath.Itwaswarmer,andgrowingmoresothefartherhedropped.Thesuddenchangesputaburdenonhissuit’scoolingsystemandhebegantosweat,thoughthehelmet’sownunitkepthisfaceplateclear.HisbreathingsoundedloudtohimwithinthehelmetandheworriedbecauseheknewDallasandLambertcouldhear.Hedidn’twanttobecalledbackup.

           Leaningback,heglancedupwardandsawthemouthoftheshaft,aroundcircleoflightsetinablackframe.Adarkblotappeared,obscuredoneroundedge.Distantlightglintedoffsomethingsmoothandreflective.

           ’Youokaydownthere?’

           ’Okay.Hot,though.Icanstillseeyou.Haven’thitbottomyet.’Hesuckedinadeepdraughtofair,thenanother,hyperventilating.Thetankregulatorwhinedinprotest.’Thisisrealwork.Can’ttalkanymorenow.’

           Bendinghisknees,hekickedawayfromthewallagain,letoutmorecable.