The morning brought an unexpected update.
The provisional contract had moved from "under review" to "internal approval in progress."
The Council Moves
The faction that had resisted now had to justify inaction.
"The metrics are undeniable," one advisor said.
"We risk public backlash if we delay further," another added.
Lin Chen observed quietly.
He didn't celebrate.
Acknowledgment was not control.
External Observation
From outside, a shadow watched:
A competitor medical firm
International emergency response analysts
Independent tech auditors
They weren't intervening yet, only observing.
Their interest was clear.
This system could change the rules of authority.
System Insight
[Approval Probability: Rising sharply.]
[External Stakeholder Interest: Moderate to High.]
[Operational Autonomy: Maintainable.]
The system could now justify formal recognition if Lin Chen played carefully.
Dr. Hart's Note
"They're watching every step," she said.
"Any miscalculation, and you become the test case for regulation."
Lin Chen smiled slightly.
"Which is why I won't miscalculate."
The Contract File
A new notification appeared:
"Conditional approval: Terms pending signature. Emergency operational autonomy temporarily granted."
Not permanent.
Not full control.
But tangible.
Closing Thought
Influence often begins quietly.
Contracts, recognition, observers—they all start as temporary alignments.
For Lin Chen, temporary was enough to shape the future.
End of Chapter 87