Is there anywhere in particular the captain wants us to go? As a pilot Alex would be inclined to head for the flight deck. Maybe the sensor array as a second choice.
Also, just a thought, but wasn't this ship supposed to be carrying a huge quantity of platinum? Platinum is silver in color. Is it possible that either the flecks are really platinum and not paint, or that the platinum they thought they were carrying was just painted bars?
Another question could be what kind of paint it is. Industrial? Of the sort you would paint a ship with? Or something else? Is anything else around her painted that color? (Keep an eye out as you move through the ship.) Also, why would it melt? I know it is the black and even the heat of our bodies warms it remarkably, but does paint usually melt? Melt into what, exactly? Wet paint? Something we can take back to the Destiny and test?
And, of course, what the heck is the paint doing throughout the ship? (Or at least two rooms so far)