She was still leaning against the wall, breathing hard, her expression twisted. Her head was killing her. When she finally looked up her face was knotted with pain and nausea.

?I need… I need to get to the EEV.?

?Yeah, sure, but first we got to decide what to do about the creature.?

?No.?She shook her head sharply, her eyes watering slightly. ?EEV first… now.?

Aaron watched her anxiously. ?Yeah, okay. No problem. Whatever you say. But why??

?The neuroscanner. I need to use one of the scanners that are built into every cryotube. I don’t know if you’ve got anything similar in the infirmary but it wouldn’t matter if you did. Clemens is gone, and I only know how to operate the instrumentation on the EEV. If it’s still functional.?She winced, bending forward and clutching at her belly.

Dillon took a step toward her, beating Aaron to her side. This time she didn’t object to the hands that helped steady her. She leaned against the big man for support until her breathing slowed.

?What the hell’s wrong with you? You don’t look so good.?

?Side effects from medication Clemens was giving her,?Aaron told him. His gaze narrowed uncertainly. ?I think.? 176

Alan Dean Foster

?Who gives a shit what’s wrong with her??Morse snapped. ?What are we gonna do??

Aaron glared at him. ?You want to hit your back again, you little dork? Shut the fuck up and quit causin’ panic.?

Morse didn’t back off. ?Panic! You’re so goddam dumb, you couldn’t spell it. Don’t tell me about panic! We ought to panic! We’re screwed!?

?Yeah! And who’s fault is it??

?Both of you, shut up!?Dillon roared.

For a moment there was silence as each man glared at his neighbor but did not speak. Eventually Aaron shrugged.

?Okay, I’m out of ideas. What do we do??

?What about the beach??Morse opined hopefully.

?Right,?the acting superintendent responded sarcastically. ?The sun won’t be up for another week, and when it’s down it’s forty below zero outside. The rescue team is ten hours away, so that makes a lot of sense.?

?Wonderful,?Morse grumbled as Ripley turned and wandered off. ?So you just want us to stay here and let this fuckin’ beast eat us for lunch.?

?Get everybody that’s still left together,?Dillon told him abruptly. ?Get ‘em to the assembly hall. Lieutenant, you can-?He looked around, puzzled. ?Where’d she go??

Within the vast unloading bay the Emergency Escape Vehicle rested where it had been left, undisturbed and looking lonely in the flickering industrial gloom. Footsteps echoed along walkways, precise and finite in the metalwalled pit. Faint illumination preceded feet, lighting the way through the semi-darkness.

Ripley stripped down in the cramped quarters, carefully 177

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setting her clothes aside. Naked, she sat down opposite a small keyboard. Several attempts were required before it flickered to life.