Chapter 5 - The Cabin and the Cockpit
"We cannot cause a panic," Maya instructed Elena. "Tell him the captain needs an avionics engineer immediately to assist with resetting the main bus. Tell him Davies is down and we need his specific credentials to clear the flight management computer."
"Will he believe that?"
"Arrogant men always believe their expertise is irreplaceable," Maya said. "When he steps through this door, step back and lock it."
Three minutes passed. Outside, the night was ink-black, the ocean a void five miles beneath them. The flight deck remained locked in a manual struggle; Maya’s forearm muscles burned with the strain of keeping the aircraft level without trimming aids, which were currently offline.
The door buzzer sounded. Maya keyed the lock release.
The door swung inward. Marcus Kane stepped through, carrying a slim leather portfolio under his arm. He had the same cold, calculating eyes she remembered from the military inquest eight years ago.
"Captain, I heard you had an issue with the bus—" Kane started.
His voice died in his throat.
Maya turned her head slowly, meeting his gaze.
"Hello, Marcus," Maya said.
Kane’s face lost all its color. "Major Lin... You're dead. You resigned."
May you like
"I did," Maya replied. "And you were supposed to be in federal custody. What's in the portfolio, Marcus?"
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