The Box With a Past [Suspicions, Not Answers]

[Calm, observant voice:] The box sits in the corner Unchanged Unmoved Unbothered Bammer inside it Like nothing is strange [Dry, unimpressed voice:] We are inspecting the box Again My tail is already exhausted [Expressive tail voice:] “It has markings. Old markings. Concerning markings.” [Quiet crew voices:] Look at the edges The wear The faded print Is that… reactor freight code? Or just scratches? [Slow, oblivious voice:] It’s my box Box good [Calm, observant voice:] He pats the side Gently Proudly Like it is a familiar friend Not a potential hazard [Dry, clinical voice:] These symbols They resemble shipment identifiers Fuel‑crate identifiers Possibly Maybe Unconfirmed [Expressive tail voice:] “It should not resemble anything. It is a box.” [Uneasy crew voices:] Was it storage? Cargo? Maintenance? A transfer crate? A reactor crate? No one knows [Slow, literal voice:] It was there I sat in it It felt right [Calm, observant voice:] He offers no explanation No history No origin Just comfort Just certainty [Dry, gently sarcastic voice:] We are analyzing a box While the cat inside it Is completely unconcerned [Expressive tail voice:] “He does not care. He will never care.” [Speculative crew voices:] If it was a fuel crate Should we classify it? Should we test it? Should we report it? [Slow, honest voice:] It is my box Box good Box simple [Calm, observant voice:] The markings fade The corners fray The mystery deepens But the box remains Exactly what Bammer believes it is [Dry, weary voice:] We have learned nothing Absolutely nothing My tail is filing a report anyway [Slow, content voice:] Box good I stay here [Soft ensemble voices:] Box inspected Past uncertain Cat certain