I want my PCs to encounter a "malfunctioning" Helmed Horror aboard their spelljamming ship, what is a command the HH could be misinterpreting?

The PCs have taken some "scrap" cargo aboard their ship. Inside is a defective Helmed Horror that, after the cargo was stowed, will reawken and begin carrying out the last orders it was given.

I don't want the command to just be something like "kill everyone." That's too easy. I would like to have the option that my players could potentially figure out what the HH is doing and find a non-combat solution. But I still need the command the HH is performing/misinterpreting to be enough of a threat to them/their ship that it is also conceivable that just killing it is a possible solution.

Any idea or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!