Fabula
S2E22 · Shades of Gray
S2E22
· Shades of Gray Flashback

Quinn Overpowers and Silences Riker

In a sudden escalation of Quinn's sickening hospitality, the admiral goads Riker into inspecting a briefcase of delicate tendrils, then uses inhuman strength to seize and brutalize him. Quinn disables Riker's resistance—crushing his arm, throwing him into a wall, and delivering repeated knockout blows—cutting off the First Officer's call for help. Functioning as a violent turning point (and within a flashback), the attack both physically incapacitates Riker and isolates him, dramatically raising the stakes for any rescue and exposing Quinn's predatory nature.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Quinn’s grip clamps onto Riker’s arm with impossible force, crushing pain through muscle as he smirks about 'vitamins.' Riker strains to break free and fails.

wariness to pain

The room detonates into violence: Quinn flings Riker into a wall, snaps kicks across his chin, and shrugs off a full-power punch before hammering him with a double backhand. Riker’s confidence drains as he recognizes the inhuman advantage.

defiance to helpless disbelief

Riker claws for a lifeline, opening a channel to security, but Quinn’s final strike cuts the call and drops him unconscious. Rescue hope evaporates into blackout.

hope to defeat

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3

Not present onstage; implied state would be alertness and procedural readiness until the call is severed and response is obstructed.

Referenced by Riker as the recipient of an emergency call; implicit readiness is interrupted when the transmission is cut off by Quinn's knockout blow, leaving the team unable to act in the immediate moment.

Goals in this moment
  • To receive Riker's emergency call and respond rapidly to secure the scene.
  • To protect personnel and contain any biological threat aboard the ship.
Active beliefs
  • Starfleet security protocol will be followed when an officer requests assistance.
  • Quick intervention can prevent escalation of onboard threats.
Character traits
procedural (implied) latent responder (implied) authoritative institution (implied)
Follow Engineering Security …'s journey

From professional curiosity to alarmed and pained; his confidence collapses into desperation as he struggles to free himself and summon help before losing consciousness.

Enters Quinn's quarters, notices the briefcase and questions Quinn, steps closer to inspect, resists physically when grabbed, cries out in pain, fights back—striking Quinn, attempting to call security via his communicator—then is knocked unconscious by a final blow.

Goals in this moment
  • To identify and secure the unknown specimen and follow Starfleet protocol (summon science).
  • To escape Quinn's sudden assault and call for security assistance.
Active beliefs
  • Unexplained biological specimens must be examined by Starfleet science and contained.
  • Senior officers (like Quinn) are not likely to assault him without reason, making the situation initially confusing.
  • He can rely on shipboard support (security) to respond to an emergency call.
Character traits
curious suspicious protective of procedure physically resilient authoritative
Follow William Riker's journey

Cold, pleased and detached — an almost clinical enjoyment of dominance; the surface courtesy conceals malicious intent and a triumphant satisfaction in inflicting pain.

Seated, then rising to meet Riker; manipulates the slightly ajar briefcase as bait, goads Riker verbally, then physically overpowers him—grabbing and crushing his arm, throwing him into the wall, and delivering multiple disabling blows while speaking menacingly.

Goals in this moment
  • To incapacitate and isolate Riker physically.
  • To assert control and advance whatever agenda the life-form/Quinn serves (conversion/possession).
Active beliefs
  • The specimen prefers/control of a particular host and Riker is the appropriate target.
  • Brute force and intimidation are effective means to achieve his objective.
  • His senior rank and composure will disarm suspicion until violence is executed.
Character traits
predatory manipulative physically domineering calmly malicious performative civility
Follow Gregory Quinn's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Quinn's Alien-Infected Briefcase

A compact, service-worn briefcase sits slightly open on Quinn's sofa with delicate, writhing tendrils visible. It functions as the bait and catalyst: Quinn uses it to lure Riker close, to provoke curiosity and to mask the parasitic threat until the violent ambush unfolds.

Before: Slightly ajar on the sofa in Quinn's guest …
After: Remains in Quinn's possession in the room (still …
Before: Slightly ajar on the sofa in Quinn's guest quarters, under Quinn's control and presented as a scientific curiosity.
After: Remains in Quinn's possession in the room (still the focal object), its tendrils revealed and implicated in the assault though not physically altered onstage.
Geordi's Portable Communicator (Handset)

Riker strikes his communicator in a desperate attempt to summon Enterprise security. The device bridges the private violence to shipboard authority, but the transmission is cut off mid‑call when Quinn delivers the knockout blow, rendering the lifeline ineffective.

Before: In Riker's reach/hand or at his communicator position …
After: Transmission severed mid‑call; the communicator falls silent as …
Before: In Riker's reach/hand or at his communicator position and functional, ready to access shipboard communications.
After: Transmission severed mid‑call; the communicator falls silent as Riker is rendered unconscious and the message to security is incomplete.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Quinn's Guest Quarters

Quinn's private guest quarters provide a civilized, claustrophobic stage for the ambush: a sofa, small table, and low ceiling create a confined battleground where polite hospitality is weaponized. The intimacy of the space magnifies betrayal and prevents immediate outside intervention.

Atmosphere Oppressively intimate and tense — a calm surface ruptured by sudden violence; quiet enough that …
Function Battleground and trap for the private assault; a location that isolates Riker from immediate aid …
Symbolism Represents institutional betrayal and the corruption of private trust; a domestic veneer hiding parasitic menace.
Access Private guest quarters — typically restricted to invited visitors and senior officers; not publicly accessible …
Low sofa and compact table anchoring the room. Slightly opened briefcase on the sofa revealing tendrils. Confined space that amplifies physical blows and muffles calls for help.

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

No narrative connections mapped yet

This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph


Key Dialogue

"RIKER: "Ready for your tour, Admiral?""
"QUINN: "It won't like your science officer. It likes you.""
"RIKER: "Riker to security. Emergency --""