Chapter 84 A Theory Ahead of Its Time

“How could this be?” Chen Shaotian was deeply puzzled by the situation. He turned to the person beside him and asked, “Is this a normal condition for someone in a coma? Do most comatose patients experience this level of heightened brainwave activity?”

The subordinate immediately shook his head. “Absolutely not! The reason people fall into comas is, in most cases, due to trauma or extreme exhaustion, triggering the body’s self-repair mechanisms.

From a medical perspective, a coma is defined as a complete loss of consciousness, a serious clinical condition. It occurs because the patient’s cerebral cortex function is impaired. The main signs are loss of consciousness and voluntary movement, along with diminished or absent responses to external stimuli.

Of course, comas are classified by severity: mild, moderate, severe, and deep coma.

But regardless of severity, patients will not exhibit extremely active brainwaves, and their responses to external stimuli are weak or even nonexistent.

For example, if you prick a comatose patient with a needle, someone in a mild coma might show a pain response, such as frowning. But for those in a deep or profound coma, even if you were to smash their hand with a hammer, they wouldn’t react at all.

Perhaps my example is exaggerated, but it’s the truth.

Yet none of the current comatose patients exhibit these typical signs. Before you arrived, we ran some basic experiments. Not only do they show intense brainwave activity, but even the slightest touch from the outside prompts a reaction. Please wait a moment—I’ll demonstrate.”

With that, the man activated the intercom to the next room. On the other side, a medical researcher nodded, picked up a needle, and pricked a comatose patient’s arm. Remarkably, before the needle even touched him, the patient’s arm flinched as if avoiding the threat, and when the needle pierced his skin, he struggled to withdraw his hand.

But with his limbs restrained, he could not resist—his face, however, clearly contorted in pain.

“You see? Before you arrived, we merely placed them on stretchers without restraints. We only secured them after medical personnel were injured by their violent reactions during examination.

What’s even stranger is that although their eyes are closed and they appear comatose, they seem to perceive their surroundings as if fully conscious.

You saw it yourself—even before the needle touched him, the patient’s arm already moved away, as though he sensed it coming. It’s unbelievable.

Coupled with their highly active brainwaves, I suspect their sensory perception and reactions are greatly enhanced—far beyond normal human limits.”

“What do you think caused this? Is it those objects taken from the corpses?” Chen Shaotian asked gravely, clearly realizing the matter was beyond ordinary understanding.

The subordinate looked puzzled. “To be honest, we don’t know. At first, we thought those objects might have affected them, since all their comas were induced by the green light emitted from them.

Afterward, we studied those small objects, but on the research instruments, they showed no detectable signs. Infrared, ultraviolet, electromagnetic waves, optical detection—none yielded any reaction, as if the objects didn’t even exist.

Of course, it could be our equipment here isn’t sophisticated enough. Perhaps if we could bring them back to the lab, we’d get different results. Maybe we should—”

Chen Ding’an waved his hand. “There’s no need. Even if we brought them to the lab, I suspect the result would be the same. The technological level of these things, or rather, their physical and chemical properties, don’t fit any system we know. It’s as if the laws they operate under are not of our world—they follow an entirely different scientific framework, making it impossible for us to study them no matter how hard we try.”

“Huh?” The subordinate was baffled. “Not of our world’s laws? What do you mean?”

Chen Ding’an sighed. “Although you’ve achieved much in your scientific field, you shouldn’t devote yourself entirely to it—take time to watch some movies or read comics now and then.

Let me give you an example: You and I both know that everything on Earth must obey Newton’s First Law, as well as Darwin’s theory of evolution, or the astrophysical principles of the universe.

But for these things, Newton’s First Law and other scientific theories simply don’t apply. They operate by other rules. For instance, we know all objects are affected by gravity—smaller masses are influenced by larger ones, like how an apple falls from a tree due to Earth’s gravity.

But this theory doesn’t hold for these unknown entities or objects. Perhaps they follow not gravity, but anti-gravity! The apple, instead of falling, would be flung away from the ground, repelled rather than attracted.

It’s like black holes—many scholars believe the laws inside black holes are entirely unlike those we know. Not even light escapes. In my opinion, perhaps black holes shouldn’t exist in our world at all. Maybe they’re intrusions from outside our universe, and because of that, we still can’t fully understand their nature or mechanisms.”

The subordinate stared at Chen Ding’an, dumbfounded. “Your theory is truly science fiction, but it’s amazing—an extraordinarily advanced idea.”

“You’re a scientist—you should know that science begins with bold hypotheses and careful verification,” Chen Ding’an smiled. “I’m just proposing a possibility. The actual answer is for you professionals to discover. What I say isn’t necessarily true.”

“Still, your thinking is impressive!” The subordinate couldn’t help but flatter him. “If that’s the case, shouldn’t we be more eager to bring these things back for research?”

But Chen Ding’an shook his head. “If my guess is right, and these things operate by a different set of rules, do you really believe we can achieve results with our current scientific framework?

At the very least, we’d need to know some of their basic principles. Otherwise, relying on luck to make discoveries could take generations with no progress.

We humans are already set in our ways of thinking, especially you researchers. The fact that you never considered my theory is proof enough.”

His subordinate nodded, full of admiration.

“One more thing!” Chen Ding’an continued. “With such a major incident here at Kestarl, even though the state has entrusted me with full responsibility, I must report it to the authorities and hand over all these objects for their handling.

Only with their approval can I bring them to the lab for study. These protocols are necessary and must be followed.

The state trusts me, but I can’t abuse that trust or treat it as a license for recklessness—that would be unjustifiable in every sense.”

“I see!” The subordinate understood. “You’re right—after all, the state has supported our company for years. It’s only proper. Should we package these objects for transport?”

Chen Ding’an thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Let’s not move them yet. Have everyone in the room come out. Even though the green light hasn’t reappeared, to avoid unnecessary casualties, it’s best if everyone withdraws for now.

But the researchers will have to endure some inconvenience—send them to the quarantine room for now. We still don't know if these things are radioactive or contagious, so it’s best to be cautious.

Once the authorities arrive, we’ll use a robot to demonstrate what you’ve observed, and let them decide how to handle the objects, the bodies, and the comatose patients.”

The subordinate nodded and went out to give the orders.

Chen Ding’an gazed intently at the object retrieved from the corpse in the opposite room, muttering, “What on earth is this? I thought it was some advanced alien technology, but now it doesn’t seem so.

And what attacked those security guards? What is Phantom Company really up to? And that man... could it really be him?”

After staying in the room for a while, Chen Ding’an heard voices outside, followed by a knock at the door.

“Come in!” he called, and the door opened.

Seeing who entered, Chen Ding’an broke into a broad smile. “So you actually came in person? What’s this—found the time to inspect things yourself today?”