Чужой
V
Hishandhadalmostmadecontactwhenhenoticedthegrey,equallymotionlesscreatureinsidethehelmet,envelopingKane’shead.Hepulledbackhisgropinghandasifburnt.
’What’sthematter?’wonderedLambert.
’Watchout.There’ssomethingonhisface,insidehishelmet.’
Shewalkedaroundthegap.’Whatis..,’thenshegotherfirstglimpseofthecreature,neatlysnuggedinsidethehelmetlikeamolluscinitsshell.’Oh,Jesus!’
’Don’ttouchit.’Dallasstudiedthelimpformofhisshipmate.Experimentally,hewavedahandatthethingattachedtoKane’sface.Itdidn’tbudge.Bracinghimself,readytojerkbackandrun,hereachedtowardit.Hishandmovedclosetothebase,thentowardtheeyebulgeonitsback.Thebeasttooknonoticeofhim,exhibitednosignoflifeexceptaslowpulsing.
’Isitalive?’Lambert’sstomachwasturningslowly.Shefeltasthoughshe’djustswallowedalitreoftheNostromo’shalf-recycledwastes.
’It’snotmoving,butIthinkitis.Gethisarms,I’lltakehislegs.Maybewecandumpitoffhim.’
Lamberthurriedtocomply,paused,andlookedbackathimuncertainly.’HowcomeIgetthearms?’
’Oh,hell.Youwanttoswitch?’
’Yeah.’
Dallasmovedtotradeplaceswithher.Ashedidsohethoughthesawonefingerofthehandmove,eversoslightly,buthecouldn’tbesure.
HestartedtoliftunderKane’sarms,feltthedeadweight,hesitated.’We’llnevergethimbacktotheshipthisway.YoutakeonesideandI’lltaketheother.’
’Fairenough.’
