"It's about time," Adah said.
All of them were back in the Genesis 2. Some posters had been added to the interior to make it look less dead and depressing, however the lack of lighting gave it the same vibe of an abandoned theme park which perhaps made it feel even more haunted.
"Thankfully, they have locks," Cain said. He was standing next to the left back room. Both of them had been left unopened up until now, and it was about time that changed according to all of them.
"I'm not even sure if I want to know what's back there. I mean, what if it was an alien dad we buried and his alien family was sleeping in the back room?" Miriam stated.
"Then all of the alien family will be in one big grave together," Asher grimly said. Miriam made a sad face and Adah began trying to comfort her as Cain fiddled with the lock of the room to the right of the hallway.
It took a tiny bit longer then usual for them to open the door. Cain slowly began to slide it open and PJ stuck her arm with her phone in. The phone was recording and had the flashlight on so they'd know what was in there before they stuck their heads in longer.
PJ was relieved that when she drew her arm back into the lobby it was in one piece. She ended the recording and showed everyone else.
"It's just a room with a bunch of boxes, it seems. They also have another button-array with a mirror," PJ described for anyone who couldn't see the phone screen.
"I don't think its worth going in," Adah said. "Let's move on."
"Exploring an alien spacecraft isn't enough for you? Gee, have some respect for new Genesis," Asher remarked.
"So this is your ship now?" Adah laughed.
"If no one disputes it, sure," Asher replied, not getting that was a joke.
"I dispute it. We're led by the people," Cain said, and PJ chimed in by whistling the Soviet anthem. Asher buried his face in a hand.
"I agree. Not with Asher being leader, but I don't think that'll be very interesting. We're running out of daylight - our parents will want us to be home soon," PJ told them.
Asher crossed his arms, "Fine, but we'll have to go into it soon."
Cain crept up to the lock on the second door and began to fiddle with it.
"I think we should choose another person soon," Adah said.
"Already?" Asher inquired.
"Yes. School's fast approaching, so we need to kinda wrap things up," Adah told him.
Asher narrowed his eyes. "Wrap things up? Once again, this is a spaceship. You fail to realize the magnitude of it all."
"Maybe that wasn't the best reasoning, but another reason is what if whoever stole the device comes back?" Adah asked. PJ wished she could record the blissfully innocent look on her face.
"I'd hate for that to happen," PJ said. Asher shot her a look and PJ could tell he thought she was going to break their cover. I can handle it! You don't have to treat me like a kid, the blonde girl thought.
Cain finally broke through and they repeated the procedure from last time. When PJ took her phone out, everything looked different. It was a room full of what looked to be sinks overflowing with ivy.
"Alien plants!" Asher cooed. "They look like they're still living. There must be a system on here meant to sustain them!"
He pried the doors open and stepped inside. It was even colder there than the main area. There was light in here, unlike the rest of the ship. It was faint and looked like the ones you would find in a laser-tag arena. It made all of their clothing look like they were glowing.
Asher suddenly doubled over, clutching at his sides. "Asher! Are you okay?" Adah asked as Asher fell fully to the floor.
"Air," Asher breathed. "Fresh air."
"You'll have to get up the ladder," Adah said.
"PJ, can you -- help me with that?" Asher asked.
"Yes," PJ said, her eyes widening. Asher has already gone through the first 10 hours - he shouldn't be sick again!
She helped him up to the roof of the ship.
Adah peered up and asked, "Asher, do you think its an allergic reaction?"
"Yes," Asher lied.
"Okay, we'll seal that room off," Adah said. "Don't be concerned for the plants. They'll still be able to live in those conditions, as you said."
When she had disappeared through the hallway, PJ inquired, "What is it really?"
"I think my body's rejecting it. The DNA. It might be too different to human DNA," Asher told her.
"What did you choose?"
"I can't say," Asher said, looking away.
"What do you mean? Do you not know what you got?" PJ asked.
"No, I just wanted to be bold and chose something. I was so dumb," Asher sighed.
PJ seized him by the shoulders. "Tell me already!"
"Alright. Fine. I chose a hawk," Asher admitted.
"A hawk of all things? Why?"
"I wanted better eyesight. Surely you haven't noticed, but these glasses are no longer prescription." He took off his glasses and said, "No change at all. Can see everything so much better."
PJ flicked a curl of her hair. "Well, thats a dumb reason."
"Almost as dumb as thinking choosing an animal would enhance your IQ?" Asher teased.
PJ crossed her arms and fell silent.
Asher cleared his throat. "Well, anyways, since Adah will be getting a device in a matter of days our plan will have to be much sooner than anticipated."
PJ's eyes widened. She'd been thinking on her own recently, and only now everything clicked. He knew he had a crush on her, and used that to his advantage. Well, it was a good thing that the talk with Cain she'd had at sunrise had helped clear her head.
"No," she stated.
Asher blinked. "What?"
"I don't want to do this," PJ told him.
"After everything I've done?" Asher hissed. He sounded truly hurt. "I've been doing this for not just you and me, but for everything. This could change everything."
But what if it changes for the worst? PJ thought, but after hearing the tone of his voice, the pure hurt he felt, she felt a tiny bit of pity for him.
"Fine," she said, looking away. "I'll do it."
"Okay," Asher said, sounding satisfied. "We'll have to strike when Adah's sick. So in two nights. Be prepared." He sung that last part, and PJ had not just a sinking feeling, but a drowning feeling.