[Once more, he hisses in pain when he comes to again. John looks around in confusion, then examines his own hands for signs of wood or pinked flesh from gripping something hard.]

It's not me doing it.

['Good. What else?']

It... hit me after I mentioned the quantum chips and the ghosts?

['What does that tell you?']

It wouldn't be them... because they just ignored people unless they were trying to hide the chips?

[Mary nods and makes a 'keep going' motion.]

So, it's something else. Part of the data collective? They can interact with us.