Chapter 8 - The Verdict
The atmosphere in the executive boardroom was thick with finality. The twelve board members sat motionless, awaiting the new CEO’s ultimate judgment.
Maya stood up and walked to the front of the mahogany table, looking directly at the two disgraced employees standing before her.
“Captain Thomas Arrington,” Maya declared, her voice echoing clearly. “Under Section 4, Paragraph 12 of the Global Skyways Executive Bylaws, effective immediately, your flight status is permanently revoked. You are terminated from employment with Global Skyways Aviation for gross misconduct, abuse of authority, and severe safety policy violations.”
Arrington looked as if he had been struck by lightning. “Terminated? You can’t terminate me! I am represented by the Air Line Pilots Association! We will file an immediate grievance and lawsuit!”
“You are welcome to file whatever you wish, Thomas,” Legal Counsel Sarah Jenkins replied calmly. “However, given the footage of your conduct today alongside the unearthed FAA documentation regarding your Atlantic flight infraction, the union has already been briefed. They have informed us they will not contest this termination. Furthermore, Global Skyways is officially reporting your safety log falsification directly to the FAA for license review.”
Arrington’s face drained of color entirely. Loss of his job was one thing—the revocation of his pilot's license meant the end of his career in aviation forever. He sank into a chair, staring blankly at the floor, completely broken.
Maya then turned her attention to Brenda Vance.
“Ms. Vance,” Maya said. “Your employment with Global Skyways Aviation is also terminated, effective immediately. Furthermore, a full audit will be conducted into the Midwest Regional Operations office to investigate nepotism and management oversight failures.”
Brenda sobbed openly, unable to utter a single word of defense.
“You both assumed that seat 2A belonged to someone who didn't deserve to be there,” Maya said softly, looking down at them. “The truth is, I earned that seat through hard work, education, and resilience. But more importantly, every single human being who buys a ticket on this airline deserves safety, dignity, and respect, regardless of what seat number is printed on their ticket.”
May you like
Maya looked at the security guards standing near the double doors. “Escort former Captain Arrington and former Flight Attendant Vance from the building immediately. Collect their badges and uniforms.”
The guards stepped forward, politely but firmly guiding the two weeping, shattered individuals out of the boardroom. The heavy mahogany doors clicked shut behind them.
