That mattered too.
Maya was not interested in absolution.
She wanted accuracy.
“What would make it easier next time?”
Chloe thought.
“A clear escalation path.”
“Crew resource management technically allows challenge.”
“But captains still control careers indirectly.”
“How?”
“Reports.”
“Trip assignments.”
“Reputation.”
Maya nodded.
There.
Culture.
Again.
“What happens when a flight attendant disagrees with a captain about passenger removal?”
Chloe smiled bitterly.
“Depends on the captain.”
Wrong answer.
Systems should not depend entirely on personality.
Maya opened her notes application.
Started writing.
Chloe stared.
“You’re doing this now?”
“Yes.”
“Aren’t you exhausted?”
“Yes.”
“Then why?”
“Because I’ll remember the emotion later and forget the operational detail.”
Chloe almost smiled.
“You really are the CEO.”
Maya looked toward her.
“Unfortunately.”
They both laughed.
The flight settled.
Seattle disappeared behind clouds.
At 11:00 Eastern, Northstar Atlantic issued its announcement.
VANGUARD AERO HOLDINGS COMPLETES CONTROLLING INVESTMENT IN NORTHSTAR ATLANTIC AIRWAYS
Maya’s phone exploded.
Messages.
Journalists.
Board members.
Employees.
Her mother.
Her brother.
Marcus.
Then social media alerts.
The airplane Wi-Fi made everything worse.
A passenger video had already leaked.
Thirty-eight seconds.
Captain leaning over Maya.
Threatening police.
Jacket being pulled away.
Maya telling him to call corporate legal.
Then executives arriving.
The clip ended before explanation.
Perfect internet fuel.
Headline:
NORTHSTAR CAPTAIN THREATENS WOMAN MINUTES BEFORE AIRLINE OWNERS ARRIVE
Another:
PASSENGER TURNS OUT TO BE NEW AIRLINE BOSS AFTER PILOT ORDERS HER OFF
Maya groaned.
Richard looked toward her screen.
“Bad?”
“Predictable.”
One headline appeared:
PILOT TRIES TO KICK BLACK BILLIONAIRE OFF HER OWN AIRLINE
Maya closed the browser.
Richard asked:
“Is that inaccurate?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“It is not my airline.”
He looked confused.
“Your firm owns fifty-eight percent.”
“Exactly.”
She smiled slightly.
“Northstar is a corporation.”
“Employees.”
“Creditors.”
“Minority shareholders.”
“Customers.”
“Aircraft lessors.”
“Calling it mine is emotionally satisfying and legally sloppy.”
Richard laughed despite himself.
“Finance people really are impossible.”
“You said you work in finance.”
“That’s how I know.”
Maya smiled.
For the first time since boarding, tension between them eased.
Then Richard became serious.
“I should probably tell my firm what I did.”
Maya looked over.
“Why?”
“The video.”
“My name may come out.”
“Maybe.”
“I don't want them learning from social media.”
Maya nodded.
“That seems wise.”
Richard hesitated.
“Will Vanguard contact them?”
“About you?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
He looked surprised.
“Why not?”
“Because you were another passenger.”
“You behaved badly.”
“You apologized.”
“This is not an employment matter for me.”
Richard stared.
“That's… generous.”
“No.”