They're personal. And they're completely under my control. Blake's mouth opened and closed without sound. You see, Mr. Morrison, I don't just understand computer systems. I designed them.
Skylink Dynamics. We provide navigation software for this aircraft. For most aircraft, actually. Isabella Fairmont's face went white. That's impossible, is it?
Would you like me to prove it? Victoria touched her tablet screen. Every light in the aircraft dimmed to emergency levels, then slowly brightened to full illumination. Or this. She touched the screen again.
The seat belt sign flashed on and off in sequence, creating a wave of light from front to back. Or this. The captain's voice came over the intercom, but the words were clearly not his. Ladies and gentlemen, we are currently under the command of passenger Victoria Hayes, CEO of Skylink Dynamics. Please remain calm while we resolve this extraordinary situation. Captain Mendoza burst from the cockpit, his face a mixture of confusion and alarm.
What the hell just happened to my PA system? Victoria looked up at him calmly. Hello, Captain Mendoza. I'm Victoria Hayes. I believe we need to talk.
The captain stared at her, then at her tablet, then at Blake Morrison, who was now sitting in his malfunctioning seat, looking like he'd seen a ghost. Ms. Hayes, are you telling me you have control of my aircraft? I'm telling you that I have control of the systems that keep your aircraft flying, which for all practical purposes means I control your aircraft. “That's… unprecedented.” Yes. “Illegal, possibly.
Necessary, absolutely.” Sophia Martinez's live stream had exploded to 15,000 viewers. Comments poured in faster than she could read them. She's a CEO. Omg. Plot twist.
Drag him queen. Is this real someone? Call the news. Victoria addressed the captain directly. I don't want to hurt anyone, Captain Mendoza.
I want to make a point about how people are treated when others think they don't matter. She turned to Blake Morrison. Mr. Morrison, you have a choice. You can apologize for your behavior, acknowledge that you were wrong, and commit to treating people with respect regardless of how they look. Or you can continue to insist that you did nothing wrong.
And if I choose option two, Victoria's smile was calm and terrifying. Then we continue flying in circles until you change your mind. I have enough fuel for 6 hours of holding patterns. How's your schedule looking? Blake looked at Isabella Fairmont.