the gravel outside, the backwash of its maneuvering engines sending dirt and rocks flying. Moments later heavily armed men and women were rushing toward the facility’s main entrance.

From within the lock Aaron watched them disembark, a broad smile on his face. They had smart guns and armor piercers, thermoseeking rails and rapid-fire handguns. They knew what they’d be up against and they’d come prepared. He straightened his uniform as best as he could and prepared to pop the lock.

?I knew they’d make it.?He raised his voice. ?Hey,!; over here! This way!?He started to activate the lock mechanism.

He never got the chance. The door exploded inward, six commandos and two medical officers rushing through even before the dust had settled. All business, the commandos spread out to cover the lock area. Aaron moved forward, thinking as he did so the captain in their midst was a dead ringer for the dead android that had been on the lieutenant’s lifeboat.

?Right, sir,?he announced as he stopped in front of the officer and snapped off a crisp salute. ?Warder Aaron,

137512.?

The captain ignored him. ?Where is Lieutenant Ripley? Is she still alive??

A little miffed at the indifference but still eager to be of help, Aaron replied quickly. ?Right, sir. If she’s alive, she’s in the mold. They’re all in the leadworks with the beast, sir. Absolute madness. Wouldn’t wait. I tried to tell ‘em-?

The officer cut him off abruptly. ?You’ve seen this beast??

?Right, sir. Horrible. Unbelievable. She’s got one inside her.? 211 3 211

?We know that.?He nodded tersely in the direction of the commandos. ?We’ll take over now. Show us where you last saw her.?

Aaron nodded, eagerly led them into the depths of the complex.

Ripley and Dillon continued retreating into the mold until there was ceramic alloy at their backs and nowhere else to stand. A grinding of gears caught her attention and her head jerked back. Overhead she could see machinery moving as the refinery responded inexorably to its programmed sequence.

?Climb,?she told her companion. ?It’s our only chance!?

?What about you??Dillon spoke as the alien entered the back part of the mold, forced along by the massive piston.

?It won’t kill me.?

?Bullshit! There’s gonna be ten tons of hot metal in here!?

?Good! I keep telling you I want to die.?

?Yeah, but I don’t-?

Soon the alien would be on top of them. ?Now’s your chance,?Ripley shouted. ?Get going!?

He hesitated, then grabbed her. ?I’m taking you with me!?He shoved her bodily upward.

Despite her resistance he managed to climb. Seeing that he wasn’t going to go without her she reluctantly started to follow suit, moving in front of him up the side of the mold. The alien turned away from the piston, spotted them, and followed.