The core-ejection tube was a component of the nuclear drives of early Earth starships. Its sole purpose was to eject the nuclear reaction core in case of a catastrophic emergency. With its high levels of radiation, it was one of the more uncommon (and usually avoided) ways of entering a spacecraft. Lee Strong and his boarding party used the passenger liner Fragrant Blossom's ejection tube to enter the ship in 250 PD. (HHA6.1: BTB)