Legend of the Cyber Heroes
Chapter 444 - 88: The Situation

Chapter 444: Chapter 88: The Situation

The female scholar named Jessica was rather angry, "This is so unfair to Vigette. That’s not the same protein, it’s an enzyme with a similar structure and the same function! They’re not even expressions of homologous genes! If you study it closely, you can find differences in the sequences..."

Xinyu stiffened slightly.

She knew the name "Vigette."

Not just knew, it seemed like in the last moments before she was captured...

"Enzymes with similar structure and function are indeed not few..." Xiang Shan sighed, "But the enzyme in Ms. Niyaguti’s paper contains a special amino acid. That amino acid, after searching through the entire academic world, appears only in two papers. You know what that means, right?"

Amino acids are a general term for a class of substances. As long as there is an amino group and a hydroxyl group attached to a carbon atom, and there are no ineffective bonds, that substance can be considered an amino acid.

Naturally occurring amino acids already number in the hundreds. And artificially synthesized, who knows how many there can be.

However, the amino acids that make up the human body are only 21 α-amino acids.

But in bacteria, the types of amino acids are really numerous.

In true bacteria, many unknown amino acids to humans exist.

Not to mention archaebacteria.

This is quite normal.

Finding an unknown amino acid in a rarely researched archaebacterial species is not surprising.

It’s not groundbreaking work.

And "aliens having amino acids" isn’t something particularly strange either.

Because carbon is a very stable substance with a relatively high elemental abundance. Nitrogen and oxygen are the same. Not to mention hydrogen, almost the most abundant element in the universe.

Thus, the amino group consisting of carbon and nitrogen, and the hydroxyl group made of hydrogen and oxygen, are very common.

And the conditions to combine these substances together are even more common in the universe.

In 1953, Federation chemists Harold Urey and Stanley Miller conducted the famous Miller-Urey experiment. They established a controlled sealed system, simulating the early Earth’s atmospheric environment. The two chemists introduced hydrogen, methane, and ammonia gas into the experimental apparatus, then released an electrical spark.

In that experiment, they produced a large amount of organic compounds, of which 2% were amino acids.

Although more and more biologists believe that the initial energy to ignite "life" was not from sparks but hydrothermal vents, the Miller-Urey experiment also suggests that the conditions for the origin of life may not be as complex as humans imagined.

And the properties of carbon atoms are definite.

It’s possible for aliens and Earth to have very similar amino acids. This particular possibility depends on conditions like the spectral type of the alien life’s star system, planetary magnetic fields, and others.

Of course, the probability is quite low.

But now, in human society, there are only two projects that mentioned an identical amino acid.

This amino acid was also folded into two proteins with very similar structures and functions.

The heads of these two projects also have an inseparable and complicated relationship.

"Oh my God... you’re not unaware of Orunmila’s work process!" Jessica covered her forehead, exclaimed.

"But even within our group, at least half of the scholars say ’we can’t completely rule out that it comes from the same source’—because everyone knows Orunmila’s work process." Xiang Shan shrugged.

"That’s just an academic rhetoric! The rigor of science. At this time..." Jessica nearly shouted, "At this time everyone should clearly stand... clearly stand..."

"And a very troubling point is, there are already many people who dislike Mr. Yawgmoth within the Federation. Some departments of the Federation’s government have always seen him as a thorn in their side. He also refuses to cooperate with people he dislikes. You understand, right?"

"Those are their idiots! Anyone who has worked with Vigette..." Jessica’s voice gradually faded.

"Would find out he’s a temperamental jerk? Cynical and rather prickly?" Xiang Shan laughed.

"Okay, I admit, sometimes Vigette doesn’t behave well," Jessica looked at Xiang Shan, "but without a doubt he is an excellent scientist. This project needs him."

"I trust this judgment." Xiang Shan nodded, "And I also hate miscarriages of justice. Whether it’s based on personal philosophy, job necessities, or friendship, I don’t want the worst scenario to happen. But now, we just don’t have strong enough materials for negotiation."

Jessica added, "For now."

"For now," Xiang Shan said, "but the problem is with ’for now’. We might not have much time left. At this time..."

Xiang Shan shrugged.

Jessica patted her forehead, signaling she needed to get back to work.

"Alright, don’t overwork yourself. Get a good sleep after exercise, and think about the rest tomorrow." Xiang Shan said, "Right now, I’m actually looking forward to Yawgmoth’s ex-wife suddenly holding a press conference. Rather, if she doesn’t hold a conference soon, she might be controlled under the pretext of ’leaking secrets’."

The situation arose because Zhu Xinyu leaked unpublished research materials from Yawgmoth. This was a serious time, as it might expose the fact that "aliens are in Southeast Asia," subsequently triggering uncontrollable social effects.

At this time, the official response was also "uncontrollable" or "unpredictable."

The longer Ms. Niyaguti held back, the more uneasy the members of the UN Security Council felt.

And if she were to push this matter as a case of "plagiarism," then it would be easier to handle.

Perhaps more scholars would see the material, but then she herself would become the person "who couldn’t discern that this material came from aliens." At that point, Xiang Shan and his colleagues would finally be able to have a dialogue. Having a dialogue would also provide room for mediation.

If Niyaguti and Yawgmoth were willing to jointly release some "clarifying news" to "reverse" the situation and mitigate the social impact, then it would be a win-win for everyone.

But what truly worried Xiang Shan was that there was a reason the FBI was watching Yawgmoth. His past record was indeed quite unrestrained. If his ex-wife turned out to be an extreme character who would spill secrets at the slightest disagreement, then everything would be doomed.

Another female scientist offered to take Zhu Xinyu back to the dormitory. Zhu Xinyu expressed her desire to stay a bit longer. Thus, the female scientist left due to other commitments.

Xiang Shan thought it was a bit awkward to carry the electronic bracelet himself and wondered if he should find someone else to hand it over.

Xinyu was silent for a moment, then asked, "Is this my... my fault?"