When his eyes opened at first, he didn't recognize the room. Sanchez mentioned they were relocating, but he was too weak to stay awake for the process.
The space was dark. It was another hospital from the looks of it: sterile, clean, and quiet. In the corner, he recognized two figures whispering in hushed conversation.
"He's no better than when you saw him last." Sanchez said, speaking to Riker. "But he isn't any worse. I suppose we should be grateful."
From his end, Riker wasn't sure how to feel. He left Aurora shortly after the last attack. Tess was still with the nurse, and the Lab was short another member. Granted, Breccia could hold the fort, but there was a great deal of nerves leaving the island unattended.
What if there's another attack...
He recalled his conversation with Breccia, and her mention of how she should've been the one to go on the mission.
It was horrible no matter who was involved, but...
What if it had been her...
He clenched the hands that were in his pockets. He'd give Donna a call once he had a chance, in order to check on things.
"I heard about what happened..." Sanchez spoke quietly, taking notice of the Boss once he woke.
"Stotler tell you?" Riker was soft when speaking. The last thing he wanted was for his nerves to bubble over and make a show. Being uneasy was one thing. As of late, however, he could hardly sleep. He was a taunt rope worn away to its last frayed thread. "I've called a halt to all activity off the island. I brought any men from the mainland back in. Its best we huddle together and figure things out. They can pick us off if we spread."
"Perhaps it'd be best if we pulled support from there all together." Sanchez said.
"I never said-"
"You can barely run the place in your current condition."
Riker knew Sanchez was trying to be helpful. He was from a different time, he had seen the Organization fall before. The last thing he'd want was to pick up the pieces for a second time. Regardless, hearing Sanchez's flippant tone when it came to shutting the Aurora facility down lit a flame to his temper. "I'm managing fine." He said this through clenched teeth.
"Not from the looks of it." Sanchez continued, making things worse. "If we have to make cuts, it'll be the first to go. The other executives have made mention of it too-" This was the final straw.
"So the three of you are talking behind my back?" Riker snapped. "Is that what you do in your spare time while our enemies pick us apart?"
Had it been Kelly or Stotler, this is where the conversation would've ended. They'd have likely stepped back and given Riker a chance to breath.
Sanchez, on the other hand, was prideful. He wasn't one to back down unless forced. "Listen boy, I'm thinking ahead. Maybe you should put your anger down long enough to see that."
"When I have everything I've worked hard to obtain questioned, I have the right to be angry."
"And you don't think I feel the same way?" Sanchez said, gruff but not as ragefull. "I've seen the lowest it can get and I don't want that again. You claim to care but your quick to flip your lid the moment your ego is called into question."
If that's how it looked, that wasn't what Riker was intending. The stress of his position plus everything that had been plopped in his lap doused his fuse and Sanchez's lecture lit the match. "Two days ago, an entire search team was wiped out. One of my lab assistants was dragged off and assaulted. Since you know so much, please tell me how I should react to that."
Sanchez watched him, his gaze without emotion. After a while, he pursed his lips. "...Getting tangled up in useless emotions...you can grow up all you want but you're still a child."
Riker's next reaction was to reach out and seize the old man by the collar of his shirt.
It wasn't done with thought. It was automatic, as if his emotions had quashed all logic.
What would have been the biggest mistake of his career was thwarted by two factors: One being Arlia, who sensed the oncoming danger and clasped onto his free arm.
And, of course, the Boss calling from the bed.
"That's enough!" Pressing a button and pulling the bed into an upright position, his voice snapped both men to attention and put an end to the drama.
"Sir I was-" Not thinking, Riker attempted to defend himself and received the usual response.
"You'll speak when I tell you to, boy." His Grandfather turned to Sanchez next. "For such a smart man, your idiocy amazes me." Sanchez's earlier arrogance had all but melted away, leaving a nervous man in its place. "Had I no care for you, I'd have let him follow through." Despite his emaciated state, The Boss pointed towards the door. "Leave us."
Sanchez bowed his head. "Yes sir..."
As soon as he left, Riker took the reprieve to release the rage coursing through his system. Instead of Sanchez, the wall got the brunt of his rage. He wheeled back and slammed his fist into the surface of the west wall. At the time it seemed like the best way to relieve his aggression, but the pain that followed spoke otherwise. There was a resonating crack as the second knuckle dislocated. After which, a sharp, intense pain shot into his shoulder.
Pulled from the haze that once controlled him, Riker stepped away from the decent sized crack he made in the cheap plaster. Glancing down at this hand, he noticed a sudden swelling and felt a deep regret for what he had done. (He also realized just how hard he would've hit Sanchez had he not been stopped.)
Still a child.
He clenched his jaw.
Only a child would lose his mind...
What Sanchez said was true.
He didn't deserve his position. He was a weakling, a spineless idiot who let stress tare him down.
Turning back to face the verbal lashing he was sure to get, he swallowed his nerves and fear. "I suppose..." He started, the throbbing in his arm now more noticeable. "It's best if I resign my position at this point." If he really cared about the organization, he'd do everything he could to help. Clearly, being where he was wasn't best.
The Boss narrowed his eyes . In spite of this, it was impossible to read his expression. "Step closer." Straightening his posture, he waited until his Grandson stood directly beside him before continuing further. "So, this is how it's going to be?" He asked, waiting for an answer and receiving silence. "My entire life's work cast aside because my Executives can't get along?" A raspy cough came next, causing the aging man to gasp in an attempt to catch his breath. Taking a few deep inhales (as deep as he could get), he sighed. "Perhaps Sanchez was right. You are a child." When Riker looked away he snapped his fingers. "You come to my room, cause a scene and then tell me you want to walk away. Child indeed. Only children would be ungrateful for the life I've given you! I'll be lucky if I last the year and this is how it ends?"
"N-no sir." Riker managed a couple words. He wanted to explain more but knew it would only make things worse. "I meant no disrespect-"
"That's what you gave me." The Boss said. "You might as well have spit in my face." Crossing his arms, he took notice of the painful swelling in Riker's hand. "You've never dealt with your anger like you should...how do you expect to earn respect after I'm gone?" When he given no response he added: "Well?"
Riker heard after I'm gone and took a shaky breath. "I'll likely die before any of them respect me." Kelly and Stotler, while civil and willing to acknowledge his strength, looked to him as older siblings would a little brother. And Sanchez...well...it was obvious what he thought. "I doubt that will change with whomever you choose to take your place." He half expected another scolding, as he knew that wasn't the best answer. Instead, there was a deafening silence.
It was so tense Riker felt a sharp ringing in his ears.
"Whomever I choose?" The Boss repeated the last part, as if he hadn't heard correctly. "You say that as if I haven't chosen already. I chose years ago...and when the time comes that he stops punching walls, I'll take him seriously."
Having barely been able to handle all that had come his way, the new prospect just foisted on him left Riker wanting for an explanation. "What do you mean-"
His mind took the revelation and ran with it, frightening him more.
Taking over?
I can't...I can barely deal as is...
"Sir I don't deserve... I... I can hardly handle everything right now-"
"You wanted to resign, I have a new position for you."
"I'm not ready." All Riker could hear was the thunderous thumping of his frantic heart. If his Grandfather thought dropping this kind of bomb on him would help, he was mistaken.
Pointing to the chair seated next to his bed, the Boss ordered once more. "Sit." Like a child in fear of punishment, the other man obeyed, sitting and clenching into the legs of his pants. "If the thought ever crossed my mind that you weren't prepared, I wouldn't have said." He placed his hand upon his grandchild's head. "You don't say when you're ready. I do." Though his words were terse, his grip was gentle. "It's your job to earn their respect, and you will with time. Don't question my motives otherwise."
Riker swallowed. "Yes sir."