想象类记叙文写作 — 英语填空题

在想象类记叙文写作中，为使科幻故事的叙述符合逻辑且画面感强，常用过去进行时渲染背景、一般过去时推进情节。请根据该原则补全下文：The lab was unusually quiet that night. While I ___ (check) the time-travel device, the screen suddenly lit up, and a message from the year 2150 ___ (appear) before my eyes. （用所给动词的适当时态填空，按顺序作答）