Icy walls climb, climb, climb; at first to their ankles, continuing on a steady upward slope to their knees, waists... She can place a hand at either side and press as if she were a rat in a maze. To escape would mean to jump hurdles over these slippery barriers; easer said than done.

She's up ahead. Waiting.

Ripley breathes vexed air through gnashed teeth. "She picked a damn good place to do it. I don't suppose an axe to the face would do any good?"