The emergency lighting sputtered to life outside of the NCO Club, bathing the corridor in a soft glow, and casting darkened shadows where the luminescence failed to reach.
VanTedly threw his hand up in the air joyously. "We're saved!", he exclaimed, falling to his knees and placing his face on the cold tiles of the floor.
Lt. Scott helped the ensign to his feet. "Perhaps we should look for the others", he suggested.
"Don't you think we should sing Kumbaya, or something first?", VanTedly said, still reverently beholding the dim light.
"I don't believe we have the time right now", Number Two replied, "the emergency back-up won't last forever." As if to emphasize his point, the lights flickered momentarily, but remained on.
"Maybe you're right", the ensign remarked with uncharacteristic somberness. "Can we call them on the radio?"
"I believe so", the lieutenant answered, "but I don't want to burden the power supply by utilizing the communications system."
"No problem", VanTedly said, "I've got just thing." He cupped his hands and put them to his mouth. "Coooowaaaah....cooowaaah..."
Number Two looked at him skeptically. "What are you doing?""Bird calls", VanTedly commented casually, bringing his hands to his mouth again.
The lieutenant opened his mouth to reply, then closed it without comment, shaking his head miserably. VanTedly resumed his aviary crooning as the Number Two moved away from him down the corridor.
"Wait!", the ensign cried, running behind him, "don't leave me here alone."
