The Scientere and the Captain's Case

What happens when a crazy inventor discovers a shiny metal case floating outside her space station? The Scientere Exremus is always looking for inspiration for her inventions so she hauls the item in. And it stands to reason that such a curious bit of space trash would have a homing beacon. The case itself is actually very valuable to Cpt. Dasho of The Galleum. That lost item will bring essential relief to the captain's pressing problem and she desperately wants it back. Their meeting poses an interesting question that only rigorous science can answer.