The bonfire blazed beautifully as the sun was setting in this strange land. This was the first time the group had dared the outdoors outside of their arrival and survival trips back to their destroyed plane. That and the burials of the deceased crews of both aircrafts.
Air Force Pilot "Cameron Scott" and Sargent Malcolm Brand had collected wood from the debris all around them to build their fire. Tonight they would feast on the prehistoric bird at their disposal. Much better than survival rations supplied by the U.S. Government.
"How's our Thanksgiving Dinner coming?" Ruby Goddard stepped from the Ganthorian ships entry steps.
Cameron had been crouched over a fashioned rotisserie making certain his bird wasn't going to be wasted or burnt. He looks up at his Commanding Officer who had changed her clothing. Her uniform and wife beater no longer fashionable. Now she wore a black t-shirt and gray jeans. No shoes upon her feet. Only a shoulder holster with a hand gun dangled over her chest. Her fiery red hair pinned back into leather braid with long pins slipped through as if an Asian art form.
"You clean up nice Colonel. No disrespect." Cameron notes.
"Would be cleaner if that bath hadn't come from a wet wipe and a bottled water. We need to figure out a water source before we get too depleted." She points out as her stride reaches them.
Malcolm stands up from his seat which consisted of what was left of Jack's makeshift stretcher. He offered it to Ruby along with a prepared plate of Pterodactyl and pork in beans. An unfolded hanky is used to dust off her seat in gallant fashion.
"This isn't a date Malcolm. No need to be so charming."
"Habit, Boss. Raised to be polite. Bird's tasty. Least we won't starve."
Ruby sits down and a plastic fork at her disposal to taste her dinner. After a few moments to savor it she puckers, "Compliments to the Chef. Gamey but not bad."
Cameron nods, "Maybe I'll open up a restaurant out here. Call it "Cam Goods!" He enjoys a chuckle from the group.
"Where's Elle and the others?" Ruby asks.
"Elle's still sleeping. Jack went exploring in our boat there. James is locked away and reading the alien handbook. Sophia I'm thinking doesn't need to eat our bird here. Heck I don't think she even pisses anymore." Malcolm sighs.
"Let's give her time to adjust. We keep an eye on her and her little friends. Not certain I trust them just yet. She's young and impressionable. I'm not even sure her Mom has any control over her as a ghost. She's just here."
"Still freaks me out Ms. Ridge. I keep singing the Ghostbuster's theme under my breath."
adds Malcolm.
"I knew you were a Ray Parker, Jr. fan." Cameron jests.
"There you go again you racist bastard." Malcolm scoffs with a wink toward Ruby to inform her that he was teasing himself.
With a troubled groan Ruby finished her meal.
Inside the spaceship Elle Franklin was waking from a fevered dream. She had isolated herself away to rest and gather her thoughts on her current situation. Fear crept in slightly before she finally passed out.
As her eyelids fluttered open in the darkness she reached out with her butane lighter and lit a candle she had in her bags. The glow of the flame eased her senses. Until she looked over at her other hand. The flickering light brought out the many facets of her diamond flesh. As she predicted the rash of evolution moved higher up her arm. It was now over her left shoulder and surrounding her throat. Reaching behind her with her good arm she felt the diamonds moving straight down her spine to her pelvic region. There was no discomfort at all. Merely an adjustment of lifestyle. She could still function as normal and her diamond fingertips could actually move they would any other day.
Running her diamond palm over the flame she felt nothing however. She then took the risk of her good hand attempting a burn. It indeed felt hot yet her minor burns healed as fast as they occurred.
Digging through her bag she found a small compact mirror and looked at her face. Her eyes sparkled more than usual. Going from their natural brown to crystalline then back. In the candlelight her crystalline eyes displayed a glare on the walls of her room. Wherever she looked it illuminated.
Haunted yet amazed all the same she decided to stand up and stretch. She felt really good. Almost like she could run a mile.
"Well Beyoncé! I put a ring on it all by myself. Now look at me."
The chuckle faded fast as she again dug through her bag for a photograph of she and whom she thought was her soulmate, " Darius Grover Wright". Defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts turned High School Athletics Coach. She could only sigh at her misfortune. And his. They were lost to each other forever.
Putting the picture away safely she changes her attire, adopting her Colt's Jersey and a pair of white shorts. It was a good memorial in her mind. She then stepped out into the hallway.
Xander darted past her on his way to James she presumed. She would be wrong as the dog left the craft to join the fire outside. In her walk she was joined by Jack who had also changed clothing. He now wore a navy blue t-shirt with his rank insignia's pinned to it.
"Uniform's ruined. Arm's missing." He attempts to joke about his misfortune when he notices her left arm and throat, "You okay?"
"Never better. Doesn't hurt. Brings out my eyes."
He smirks awkwardly, "Speaking of eyes."
"I know. They seem to phase back and forth indecisively. As long as I don't go blind I'm good." She smiles.
"Brave soldier." He salutes her.
She returns the respect with a wink. Together they stepped outside to join the party.
Deeper within the spacecraft Sophia sat Indian style on the floor. She had found her own domicile away from everyone. It was a move that helped her find peace within herself. Her new friends singing within her created a form of meditation. Something she never knew existed. It did keep her mind off of the whole time lost situation.
In front of Sophia drifted her Mother's spirit Madigan Ridge. She too had left the building. Her eyes went solid white and it was as if she was trying to communicate with someone. You could see her stressing features even in her ghostly form.
After ten minutes both women revive and feel a sense of inner peace.
"That was incredible Guys. Thank you." Sophia grins giddily.
Her Mother crosses her arms as if shivering, "Someone keeps calling me. I can't quite make it out though. Is it God?"
Sophia shrugs, "I don't know. Is God real?"
In her mind Sophia hears a unanimous chatter.
"Oh wow! They say Absolutely. Higher power created us all. He is a She they say."
Maddy frowns, "The voice I hear is not a female. I cannot believe that God is a woman."
