[ Ripley doesn't give much of a warning before interrupting. She seems tense, though it's strictly controlled — more giving the appearance of being at attention than nervous. ]

We can't manipulate them if we don't know their motivations. If we try, and we accidentally hand them what they want — then it's game over.

[ Shame nobody's alive to get that joke. ] I've dealt with people like this before. They need information on the ship's current status, and them not having it is the only advantage we have. If they felt they could take the ship by force without compromising their goals, they would have already done it.