I can subpoena procurement trails. You won't have time, Derek said. His mask was gone enough for everyone to hear the threat underneath. The board must act before market open. Victoria leaned toward the camera.
"Then act carefully, because if you vote to remove me while my aircraft contains attempted homicide evidence connected to an officer of this company, every one of you becomes part of the coverup. " "Silence. " One director looked away, another muted himself. Derek's face darkened. "You are making a mistake. " "No," Victoria said. "I made my mistake when I trusted you. " A sharp beep sounded from the cockpit. Captain Reed looked up.
Main system reset window just opened. If we're going to clear the fault, it has to be now. Caleb grabbed his tools and dropped back under the plane. Victoria light. She was beside him instantly.
Mara recorded everything. Captain, when I say cycle, you cycle only the bus I name. Understood, Reed said. Caleb's hands moved fast now, but not recklessly. He disconnected the first lead, clipped a bypass, stripped a wire with his teeth, and breathed through the pain when a spark snapped across his knuckles.
Victoria flinched. "Caleb light," he said. She brought it back, ashamed of the tremor in her own hand. Above them, Derek was still talking, still poisoning the board, but his voice had become distant. All that mattered was Caleb's hand, the wire, the blinking green eye that refused to die.
Cycle auxiliary bus 2, Caleb called. Reed flipped the switch. The jet groaned. The lights dimmed. The green device blinked faster.
It's fighting the reset, Caleb said. Sweat rolled down his temple despite the cold. Victoria saw blood on his thumb. What happens if it wins? Then you're driving to Seattle.
That's not funny. Wasn't trying to be. The clock on Mara's tablet hit 3:00 a.m. Derek formally called for a vote of no confidence. Caleb reached deeper into the panel.
Victoria, I need your hand. She stared at him. What? Your hand is smaller. Hold this connector apart.
Do not let the metal touch. She dropped to her knees fully. No longer caring who on the board saw her on the floor. Caleb guided her fingers into the freezing machinery. The connector vibrated under her grip alive with power.