The third was a man in the unmistakable navy blue blazer of an FAA official. Where is she? The lead executive, Robert Strategic, VP of operations, demanded. Sarah pointed, trembling to the front. Robert Strategic saw Emily Vance, standing in the aisle, one leg of her trousers soaked, his heart and his career fell into his shoes.
"Dr. Vance," he stammered, pushing past passengers. "My God, what's what's the issue? The sensor readings are clear. We ran diagnostics.
Emily simply pointed one long, elegant finger at Catherine Harrington, who was now looking rather pale, her lipstick stained compact frozen in her hand. That, Robert, is the issue, Emily said. Your passenger. She assaulted me, destroyed my assigned seat, and is now refusing to move. Catherine, sensing a shift in power, tried to regain control.
This is ludicrous. I'm Katherine Harrington. My husband, Mark Harrington of Harrington Capital, is right here. This woman, she pointed at Emily, is having a psychotic break. She's making up stories.
The FAA official, Agent Franks, stepped forward. He hadn't been on Emily's flight schedule. He was just at the gate to meet her for the LAX summit. Dr. Vance, he said, his own confusion clearing.
Is this why you initiated the protocol? Uh, a seating dispute. Agent Franks, Emily said, her tone professional and cold. Good to see you. I wish it were under better circumstances.
To answer your question, when a passenger can with impunity assault another passenger, destroy airline property, and hijack a firstass seat with the crew standing. By helpless. That is not a seating dispute. That is a complete breakdown in safety and security protocol. My technology, she continued, is designed to compensate for mechanical failure.
It cannot compensate for a command structure that permits chaos. If your crew cannot handle Mrs. Harrington, how can I be assured they can handle a genuine in-air emergency? If they'll let her assault me, who else will they let her assault? My contract is clear, Robert.
The Vance protocol is engaged. This aircraft and by extension your entire fleet of A320 is now grounded, pending a full review of your service and security procedures. The whole fleet? Robert Strategic whispered looking like he was going to be sick. The whole fleet?
Emily confirmed. A collective gasp went through the cabin. Passengers were now all filming the seat stealing story suddenly becoming a fleet grounding international incident. Mark Harrington finally spoke, his voice dangerously low. You can't do that.
You don't have that power. Emily finally turned her full unadulterated attention on him. It was like being targeted by a laser. Mr. Harrington, she said, I am Dr.
Emily Vance, CEO of Vance Aeros Systems. I am the lead signator on the Vance integrated avionics patents. My technology is in this plane's black box, its guidance computer, and its landing gear. I can assure you I have exactly that power. Now, Robert, the captain, the FAA, and I need to have a conversation in the terminal, and they, she pointed at the Harringtons, need to be removed.