"I found an old glass lantern as well," Alexis says as she offers Chip a prosaic battery-run lantern.
"Kerosene," Chip offers, "but this will work great, thanks, Alexis."
"I helped too," Sari pipes up, and Chip smiles at her.
"Thank you, too," he says solemnly, and Sari beams. He flicks it on and the lantern light chases the shadows back towards the corners as the basement lights up with a soft, white glow.
"That's much better," Alexis says, satisfied, and Chip hums his agreement.
"We'll just put this on a table. Alexis, if you could get that folding table and set it up, please?"
The radio in Chip's lap is making angry crackling sounds, and he balances the lantern on his armrest to free up his hands to fiddle with it. Sari takes the lantern and holds it high so the light shines on him; Chip nods his thanks and starts working the knobs.
Alexis heads to the back and wrestles the table forward; it's big and awkward but thankfully lightweight as she manhandles it back to the circle of light. She sets it up just as Chip gets to a working station.
"—not a prank," the announcer says, and Chip sets the radio on top of the table beside the lantern Sari had just put down. "Attacks have been reported all over the world just before satellite feeds went down. Besides Chicago, we have confirmed attacks in New York City and Los Angeles. Overseas, London, Paris, Tokyo, Seoul, and Hong Kong were all confirmed as well, and possibly Brussels, Sydney, and Rome. Beyond that, we just don't know."
"Fucking giant alien robots," another announcer says. "Yeah, yeah, no swearing on the air, but if any situation called for this kind of language…"
"The National Guard rallied a defense, but…"
"They fucking shot them out of the sky!"
Alexis looks over at Sari. "I'm not really sure she should be listening to this…"
Sari puffs up. "Don't worry, I'm a big girl. I've heard lots of bad words at Dad's labs."