Quiet Coup — Devinoni Sows Doubt in Leyor
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Devinoni Ral initiates a strategic conversation with Leyor, subtly questioning the Caldonians' involvement in the negotiations.
Leyor responds defensively, prompting Devinoni to flatter Caldonia's commitment to research while planting seeds of doubt about administrative burdens.
Devinoni exploits Leyor's hesitation, directly addressing the administrative demands of wormhole management, visibly sensing Leyor's growing trepidation.
Leyor admits his trepidation, confirming Devinoni's successful manipulation as he prepares to steer the conversation towards withdrawal.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Confident, predatory calm—externally warm and solicitous while tactically calculating how to shape Leyor's policy choice.
Devinoni Ral moves conversationally close, flatters Leyor, listens for a micro‑tell, then pivots to soft statistical prediction and concern to amplify Leyor's doubt; he frames administrative risk as persuasive leverage.
- • Induce Leyor to publicly acknowledge trepidation and consider Caldonia's withdrawal.
- • Conceal Chrysalian advantages (including the Trillium transfer) while delegitimizing Federation bargaining position.
- • Leyor's scholarly temperament makes him susceptible to guilt/administrative-burden arguments.
- • Small, believable statistics and personal concern will be accepted as objective rationale by cautious delegates.
Self-assured but briefly irritated when rejected—primarily focused on social advantage rather than diplomatic subtleties.
Goss is at the bar, loudly attempting to charm a woman; he is rebuffed and she walks away, his boisterous distraction providing background color but not interfering with Devinoni's conversation.
- • Win the woman's attention and social advantage at the bar.
- • Maintain a visible presence to position himself as an assertive negotiator elsewhere.
- • Charm and showmanship translate into leverage in social and political spaces.
- • Opportunistic advances are worth pursuing even in mixed company.
Uneasy and inwardly anxious—attempting to balance scholarly duty with fear of administrative burdens and political consequences.
Leyor sits off-duty, sipping juice, hesitates under Devinoni's friendly pressure; his eyes betray an emotional 'tell' that Devinoni reads, after which Leyor admits feeling trepidation about administrating the wormhole.
- • Avoid committing Caldonia to an action that could cause harm or administrative overload.
- • Speak honestly for his nation's cautious position without appearing cowardly or obstructive.
- • Scholarly institutions like Caldonia should not be forced into hazardous administrative responsibilities.
- • Public admission of concern is an acceptable diplomatic posture and may protect Caldonia from greater risk.
Casual and mildly curious—present but disengaged from the political exchange between Ral and Leyor.
Off-duty crew members populate Ten-Forward as passive background; their low-level presence normalizes the setting and allows principal actors to hold a private-seeming negotiation in public space.
- • Maintain normal social routines aboard the Enterprise.
- • Provide unobtrusive witness to onboard interactions without interference.
- • Ten-Forward is a social space for relaxation, not a place for high-stakes political confrontation.
- • Crew should not involve themselves in foreign delegations' business.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Leyor's small glass of pale juice functions as a behavioral prop: he sips it while listening, and Devinoni reads micro‑motions around the glass (finger placement, hesitant sipping) as an emotional 'tell' that signals Leyor's internal unease and invites targeted persuasion.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Caldonia is invoked contextually as Leyor's homeland and ideological anchor; its scholarly, risk‑averse character frames Leyor's caution and makes him a credible vessel for withdrawal rhetoric.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Devinoni's manipulation of Leyor leads to the Caldonians' withdrawal from negotiations."
Key Dialogue
"DEVINONI: To be honest, I was surprised to see the Caldonians here at all, Leyor..."
"LEYOR: You must think Caldonia very insular, Mister Ral."
"DEVINONI: Well, scholars don't always enjoy administrative demands..."