Scientists report one possible dark-matter interaction in an underground xenon detector, then place the invisible particle in charge of confirming itself. The lab builds a witness box, records an empty chair as “consistent with dark matter,” and schedules repeat testimony that never appears. The result grows stronger each time nothing happens, until researchers rule that the only disqualifying evidence would be finding something visible.
- ✓ fast_story — validated draft ready for editorial review
- ✗ fast_editorial_review — escalate · clever_only · review 20232ms · Evidence gate: secondary mechanism arrives after the midpoint.
- ✗ fast_rewrite — timeout · 141188ms used / 141166ms allocated