Чужой
IV
’Wesimplycan’tsparethepersonnel.Withyouandme,plusParkerandBrett,we’vegotminimumtake-offcapabilityrightnow.Threeoff,fouron.That’stherules.That’swhyDallasleftusallonboard.Ifyougorunningafterthem,forwhateverreason,we’restuckhereuntilsomeonecomesback.Iftheydon’tcomeback,noonewillknowwhat’shappenedhere.’Hepaused,added,’Besides,we’venoreasontoassumeanything.They’reprobablyfine.’
’Allright.’Sheadmitteditgrudgingly.’Iconcedeyourpoint.Butthisisaspecialsituation.Istillthinksomeoneshouldgoafterthem.’
She’dneverheardAshsighandhedidn’tdosonow,buthegavehertheimpressionofamanresignedtohandlingaHobson’schoice.
’What’sthepoint?’Hesaiditevenly,asthoughitwerethemostobviousthingintheworld.’Inthetimeitwouldtakeoneofustogetthere,they’llknowifit’sanoperativewarning.AmIwrongoramIright?’
Ripleydidn’treply,simplysatstaringdullyatAshonthemonitor.Thescienceofficergazedsteadilybackather.Whatshecouldn’tseewasthediagramonhisconsolemonitor.Shewouldhavefounditveryinteresting..
