Secondary Program License

Story so far

Quasar explains during the Borant negotiation that the sixth floor is where most secondary programs go to die, and only a limited number are granted licenses to continue after the floor collapses. Orren states the standard rule: licenses are granted by AI decision, not until the end of the floor, and awarded by lottery when multiple programs are eligible.

Quasar counters with subsection 674, paragraph five or six, of the secondary program amendment — a showrunner running at lower-than-expected profits may grant emergency use to a single program. Orren concedes it's a very old rule, but notes the program must agree and pay Borant an extra twenty percent. The kua-tin admin accepts, on condition the arrangement is never spoken aloud, since one mention negates it. What the license buys is the equivalent of a third season and the right to send elites to the ninth floor — a coveted reward not every secondary program receives.

Role

The regulatory prize Carl's negotiation is built around, and his leverage over a showrunner's incentives.

Relationships