And integrity was a word Emily applied to more than just circuits. Emily confirm, Ben said, already typing his team scrambling. Are you seeing a data anomaly? Is the guidance system compromised? Back on the plane, Emily watched Katherine Harrington pin applying lipstick in her compact mirror.
"The guidance system is fine, Ben," Emily said, her voice clear and carrying. "The human system is compromised. The service environment is hostile, and the crew has lost operational control of the cabin. A passenger has assaulted me and is now occupying my station. I am deeming this aircraft unsafe for operation.
In the aisle, Mark Harrington laughed. Is she kidding? Occupying her station? What are you? A pilot?
Sit down, you lunatic. You're delaying the flight. Ben, I'm invoking section 4. Human factor unpredictability, Emily continued, ignoring him. Ground this aircraft.
Notify Apex executive operations. Notify the FAA and notify Captain Miller. Tell them I am on board and that this plane is not to move under any circumstances. I will not have my company's name on an aircraft that compromises passenger safety before it even leaves the ground. Protocol initiated.
She hung up. William the flight attendant looked terrified. Mom, I I don't know what that means. Please just Before he could finish, his entire reality shifted. A senior flight attendant, a sharp-eyed woman named Sarah, burst through the curtain from the galley, her earpiece in.
Her face was white. William, stop. Step away. She looked at Emily, then at Catherine in 1A. Mom, she said to Catherine, "I need you to get out of that seat immediately.
I will not," Catherine sniffed. "I'm settled, Mom." Sarah's voice was different now. It was the voice of someone who had just been screamed at by the entire chain of command. You don't understand.
The captain has been notified. From the cockpit, the PA system crackled to life. But it wasn't the welcome aboard speech. Captain Miller's voice was tight with a confusion and fury Emily had heard before. This is Captain Miller.
Uh, ladies and gentlemen, we have we have received an immediate non-negotiable grounding order. I I don't have all the details, but this order comes from outside the airline. This is a technical advisory. Flight 719 is grounded. We are not cleared for takeoff.
In fact, we are instructed, everyone, please remain seated. No, wait. The PA clicked off. There was a moment of confused silence. Then a new sound.
The thunkk thunk thunkk of the jet bridge reconnecting to the aircraft. The main cabin door hissed open. Three people entered. They were not passengers. Two were Apex Air executives in crisp suits, their faces ashen.