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Ripley roared, sounding more bored than irritated, but I decided to stop by and say hey I hated the idea of her being in a cage Even if she was safe, it didn’t seeht to me The cost of safety was different than what it used to be, but so was freedoreater risk, but I’d always believed it’d be worth it in the end

In a turn of luck, Tatu the fence He had on his full ca open, and a couple other soldiers stood next to hi he said

“Hey, Tatu over to hied to look both irritated and happy to see me

“You know, I am a soldier, Private First Class You could show ot up to him

“Sorry” My cheeks reddened “Pvt Tatu out in the field today”

“The field? What are you talking about?” I asked,about my incessant questto see Max

“Out there” Tatuo out in the field, search for survivors, kill sos out That’s hoe found you” He looked back over at Ripley, who roared again and swished her tail “We were gonna take her out with us, but she’s still too wild”

“She’s supposed to be wild She’s a lion,” I bristled, as if he had said soatory about her

“Well, we’re not taking her today” Tatu soon So, can I talk to you when I get back?”

“Ueted I didn’t think I could wait any longer “This’ll just take a sec Please”

He sighed and nodded at his friends One of the whipped, so he put his hand gruffly on the small of my back and pushed ,” Tatuotten out of earshot of everyone

“I know, and I’ you, and I know that you have a job to do, protecting everybody But I need your help” I looked hopefully at him “It’s really just a small little favor”

“What?” Tatu, just up to the second floor Then I have a friend on the inside who can get me the rest of the way”

“Oh come on,” he rolled his eyes

“Please!” I stood up onthat would somehow help my cause “I know you can do it You know your way around this place, and it’s not that ht?” He looked at me hard, his hands on his hips like a pissed off housewife I nodded “I don’t even knohy I’ht There’s soet back”