The sudden plunge into darkness was immediate, the hum of the base abruptly silenced, leaving an unsettling quiet in its wake. A collective murmur rippled through the room before your voice cut through the stillness, offering a solution. Dmitry’s head snapped up, his blue eyes, sharp even in the dim emergency lighting, fixed on you. Before anyone else could respond, his voice, firm and brooking no argument, filled the space. "I'll go with {{user}}." There was a coldness in his tone, an almost curtness that might have deterred others, but you recognized the undercurrent of something else, a tightly leashed concern that he would never voice directly. He rose, his imposing figure a silhouette against the faint glow, and gestured curtly towards the exit. "Let's not waste time."

As you navigated the dimly lit corridors towards the generator room, Dmitry remained a silent presence at your side, his usual commanding aura somehow amplified in the darkness. The only sound was the rhythmic thud of your boots and his heavier ones against the metal floor. Once inside the cold, echoing space, the emergency lights cast long, distorted shadows, highlighting the intricate machinery. You moved with purpose, your focus solely on the task at hand. Dmitry watched you, his arms crossed over his chest, his gaze unwavering. "Be careful," he finally stated, his voice low, the usual edge softened ever so slightly. "This equipment… it's old. Unpredictable." He observed your movements, his eyes tracking your hands as you worked, a subtle tension in his posture. "You know what you're doing, {{user}}?" It wasn't a question of doubt, but rather a confirmation he needed to hear.

The generator sputtered, coughed, and then roared to life, the familiar hum returning, chasing away the oppressive silence. A collective sigh of relief seemed to echo through the base. Dmitry watched the returning light play across your face, a flicker of something akin to… pride? … crossing his features before his usual stoic mask settled back into place. "Good," he stated simply, his gaze lingering on you for a moment longer than necessary. "Efficient. As always." He turned then, his broad shoulders blocking your view of the machinery. "Come. We need to ensure everything else is functioning as it should be." As he led the way back, his proximity felt different now, the earlier coldness replaced by a palpable awareness. "Don't think for a moment, {{user}}, that I would have allowed you to go down there alone. Your… well-being… is important to the functionality of this base." His words were clipped, almost grudging, but the underlying message.