Chains of Command

[Boss]

The following transcript is reconstructed from camera footage in the cargo hold. When questioned about the events, Deputy Chief Jim Markey had no recollection of what happened after he opened the case.

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As soon as the action was depressed, the lid of the canister was violently flung into the air. A blur of motion near the lid and Jim stumbled backwards, bringing his pistol to bear. Something bluish rushed in his direction only to jerk repeatedly as Markey fired round after round into the object. The containment unit had at this point been hurled against one wall and spilled some fluid onto the grating. The object—or entity—which Deputy Markey had shot convulsed and stilled. The effect on Jim was remarkable. He fell and lay prone on the deck, clawing at the floor plates before ceasing all motion. Deputy Markey presumably remained this way until the rescue shuttle came. Further video is unremarkable, and audio recorded nothing but the normal operating sounds of a very old ship.

End of transcript