It was just another routine day at the observatory, sifting through data and decoding hash codes when something caught my eye. Nestled in the corner of one of the satellite dish bases was a rifle, propped up against the wall as if forgotten by its owner.
My first instinct was to panic - what on earth would a firearm be doing here? But then curiosity got the better of me. I cautiously approached it, noting every detail from afar before finally mustering up enough courage to touch it.
The metal felt cold and heavy in my hand, an unsettling juxtaposition to my usual tools of trade like telescopes and star charts. Who could have left this here? And why?
As I inspected it further, trying to make sense of this bizarre discovery, a million questions raced through my mind. Was someone planning something sinister? Or perhaps they were simply careless with their belongings?
I couldn't shake off an uneasy feeling that lingered in the air around me. It's not every day you stumble upon a gun while studying celestial bodies millions of light-years away.
But despite everything screaming at me to alert someone or get rid of it immediately, I found myself strangely drawn towards keeping it close by - almost as if having this unexpected companion gave me some sort of power or protection.
I know how ridiculous that sounds coming from someone who spends most days lost in thoughts about galaxies far beyond our reach. Yet there was an undeniable thrill coursing through me as I held onto that weapon - like stepping into a world completely different from anything astronomical equations could ever explain.
So now here I am with more questions than answers: What do I do with this gun? Should I tell anyone about finding it? And most importantly, what does its presence mean for us astronomers peering into space each night?
For now though, all these uncertainties will have to wait as duty calls once again back inside those walls filled with stars waiting patiently for their stories to be told...