The message arrived in Lin Chen's secure inbox.
No signature.
No stamp.
Just a file marked "Provisional Agreement – Review Only."
Opening the Terms
Lin Chen read slowly:
Limited operational authority
Outcome-based evaluation
Mandatory reporting intervals
No formal override of council decisions
A provisional contract.
Not approval.
Not restriction.
Somewhere in between.
Dr. Hart's Observation
"They're testing the waters," she said.
"Not fully trusting you… but recognizing your results."
Lin Chen nodded.
"Exactly. They're buying time—and giving us opportunity."
The System Insight
[Contractual Risk: Moderate]
[Operational Flexibility: Sufficient]
[Public Legitimacy: Increasing]
Not perfect, but workable.
Lin Chen's Counter
He didn't reject.
He didn't sign immediately.
Instead, he amended:
Retain emergency decision autonomy
Publish outcome metrics publicly
Independent verification of results
Minimal concessions.
Maximum legitimacy.
Sending the Amendment
The file was returned with a cover note:
"Amendments noted. Awaiting internal review. Any further changes will require formal discussion."
Lin Chen smiled faintly.
"This is how leverage works," he said.
"They grant just enough to bind themselves."
The Quiet Strategy
Dr. Hart asked,
"What happens if they delay?"
Lin Chen leaned back.
"We continue proving value.
Contracts follow results—not the other way around."
Closing Line
A provisional agreement didn't mean security.
It meant recognition.
And recognition was the first step to control.
End of Chapter 85