The building had been abandoned for six years.
Once a private oncology clinic.
Then quietly shut down after a "regulatory restructuring."
To Lin Chen, it was perfect.
---
[System Log: Location Evaluated.]
[Structural Integrity: Acceptable.]
[Visibility Index: Low.]
[Jurisdictional Overlap: Fragmented.]
"Outside the system," Lin Chen said softly.
That was exactly where he needed to be.
---
Foundations
He walked through the empty halls alone.
Cracked tiles.
Dust-covered counters.
Outdated equipment abandoned in place.
Most doctors would see decay.
Lin Chen saw infrastructure.
---
[System Log: Independent Medical Node — Initialization Available.]
[Minimum Requirements: Power, Data Isolation, Personnel.]
Personnel.
That was the hardest part.
---
The First Recruit
He made one call.
Not to a board member.
Not to an investor.
To a surgeon who had been blacklisted three years ago for refusing to falsify trial results.
Dr. Evelyn Hart.
She arrived within an hour.
---
"You're either insane," she said, looking around the empty clinic,
"or you know something no one else does."
Lin Chen handed her a tablet.
Footage from the auction.
Vitals.
Before-and-after neural scans.
Her breath caught.
"This is impossible."
"No," Lin Chen replied.
"It's just unapproved."
---
Terms
"I don't offer salaries," Lin Chen said.
"I offer outcomes."
She studied him carefully.
"And the cost?"
"Autonomy," he said.
"And silence."
She didn't hesitate.
"When do we start?"
---
[System Log: Personnel Acquired — Senior Surgical Authority.]
[Node Stability: +15%.]
---
Power Without Permission
Within forty-eight hours, the building came alive.
Power rerouted through private grids.
Data isolated from national networks.
Supplies delivered without invoices.
Every rule followed.
Every loophole used.
---
The first patient arrived at dawn.
A child.
End-stage organ failure.
Denied transplant priority.
Unprofitable.
---
Dr. Hart hesitated.
"This case will draw attention."
Lin Chen nodded.
"That's the point."
---
The First Miracle
No press.
No announcement.
Just results.
Six hours later, organ function stabilized.
Twelve hours later, recovery indicators exceeded baseline.
---
[System Log: Public Outcome Event — Pending.]
[Probability of Exposure: High.]
Dr. Hart stared at the monitors.
"They'll come for us."
Lin Chen was already removing his gloves.
"Yes," he said.
"And they'll bring patients."
---
A New Equation
By nightfall, three more cases waited outside.
By morning, seven.
Not referrals.
Rumors.
---
[System Log: Independent Medical Node — Operational.]
[City Control Progress: 19%.]
[Consortium Strategic Concern: Elevated.]
Lin Chen looked out through the window as the city woke.
"They trade in scarcity," he thought.
"I trade in results."
---
End of Chapter
---