PART 4
Riker rolled over to try and shield his body from the "wake-up call" he was receiving from Cattivo's guards.
"Wake up! The Captain wants to talk to you," one of them said, and delivered another kick to Riker's already bruised body.
"Alright, alright!" he shouted, getting gingerly to his feet. Not moving fast enough for the two guards, Riker was rewarded with a quick jab in the back by the point of a phaser gun. He turned half way around and glared at them. They simply sneered back.
Once on the bridge, Riker glared at Cattivo, not saying anything.
"So Captain…what would you say to a little trip over to Ulmaarin?" said Cattivo from his chair in the center of the bridge.
"What's there?" Riker asked, wondering where he was going with this.
"Oh…nothing much. Some Ulmaarins, the device…" he answered matter of factly.
"How do you know that?" Riker asked stolidly. Riker showed no outward signs of distress at this mans words.
"Well, for starters, we've been monitoring your communications with the Enterprise."
"What do you want with me?"
"You're the most crucial element in this. If it's going to work, we have to have your full cooperation. We beamed you over here just before we blew up your pathetic excuse for a starship. I figured I'd ask you for the device first, knowing you wouldn't tell me. I was hoping you'd cooperate freely."
"And when I didn't?"
"I threw you in the brig. Besides, I wouldn't be an evil genius if I didn't do that to you at least once. But seriously, if you don't cooperate with me, Captain Riker, I will destroy the Enterprise like I did your ship," Cattivo said, he face void of any emotion.
"Where's Deanna?" Riker asked, clenching his fists at his sides.
"Hmm? Oh, her…How should I know? I assume she and the rest of your bantam crew are in as many pieces as your hunk of junk is."
Riker screwed his eyes shut, concentrating as hard as he could on a single word, forming the letters in his mind. Imzadi. He felt her grasp onto the word, heard her reply: I'm here. Riker opened his eyes, looked to Cattivo who was watching the viewscreen, and smiled.
