2 years of development, a failsafe system designed to expose bias in real-time. It monitored passenger treatment patterns across airlines looking for statistical anomalies that suggested discrimination when activated Phoenix could take control of any aircraft running Skylink software. It was designed for extreme circumstances. Corporate accountability when normal channels failed. Victoria had never used it until today.
She entered her authorization codes and watched as Phoenix came online. Every system on Flight 847 was now under her control. She started with something subtle. Blake Morrison's entertainment screen flickered off, then displayed a message. Service temporarily unavailable.
Please contact flight crew. Blake pressed the call button. Ashley appeared within seconds. My screen isn't working. I'll reset it for you, sir.
Ashley pressed buttons on Blake's armrest panel. The screen remained dark. I'm sorry, Mr. Morrison. Let me get our technical specialist. Lisa Anderson emerged from the galley.
She was the junior flight attendant barely 6 months on the job. She'd witnessed the seating incident and felt uncomfortable about it, but hadn't spoken up. What seems to be the problem? His entertainment system won't start, Ashley explained. Lisa examined the seat.
She checked connections, rebooted the system, tried manual overrides. Nothing worked. I'm not sure what's wrong, Lisa admitted. The hardware looks fine. This is ridiculous, Blake said.
I'm paying first class prices for economy service. We'll compensate you for the inconvenience, sir. Compensation? I need entertainment for a 7-hour flight. In row 34, Victoria typed another command.
Blake's reading light began flashing on and off in a slow hypnotic rhythm. "Now what?" Blake called Ashley back over. "It's probably just an electrical issue," Ashley said, though her voice was less confident. Victoria waited 5 minutes, then executed her next command. Blake's seat began reclining and returning to upright position in slow mechanical cycles.
Okay, this is getting ridiculous, Blake announced to the entire cabin. I demand to speak to the captain. Sir, the captain is preparing for departure. I'm sure we can resolve this. You've had 20 minutes to resolve this.
The seat is malfunctioning. The screen is broken and the light is having a seizure. Move me to a different seat. Ashley looked around first class. Every seat was occupied.