- While the Enterprise hosts negotiations for control of a stable wormhole, Troi forms a personal relationship with an opposing negotiator, unaware of his true being.
- The Enterprise hosts diplomatic negotiations while in a stable orbit around the planet Barzan, which is badly dependent on external supplies, for control of the one thing which would render it truly viable: a single stable wormhole, perfect for travel all the way to a distant quadrant. Federation delegate Seth Mendoza is informed by Data that the technologically backward Barzanians' observations are fallible, the wormhole may actually prove instable; Data and Gordi test it themselves, to determine its real value. Counselor Deanna Troi falls madly in love with a mysterious sherpa, Devinoni Ral; after sharing his bed, she realizes he shrewdly uses his empathic abilities to read and play into his opponent's emotions, wrestles with the ethics, and must decide whether to use her own...—KGF Vissers
- The Enterprise is hosting a number of delegations who are negotiating the purchase of a newly discovered stable wormhole, the first of its kind known to exist. Among the bidders is the handsome Devinoni Ral who immediately catches Counselor Troi's eye. He is a master negotiator and Will Riker finds himself negotiating on behalf of the Federation when the assigned negotiator falls ill. Deanna falls madly in love with Dal but begins to doubt his ethics when she learns he is an empath and is using his abilities to manipulate the the negotiations. Meanwhile, Data and Geordi travel through the wormhole and conclude that it may not be as stable as advertised.—garykmcd
- The Enterprise hosts diplomatic negotiations while in a stable orbit around the planet Barzan, which is badly dependent on external supplies. The Barzans have discovered a single stable wormhole, perfect for travel all the way to a distant GAMMA quadrant. This is their first natural resource. They plan to offer to the wormhole for bidding to ensure the survival of their own planet. It takes a century of travel at warp 9 to reach the GAMMA quadrant and the wormhole covers the same in a few seconds. The Barzan planet is inhospitable to most other life forms, and hence the Enterprise has been requested to hold the bidding process. Barzan is represented by Premier Bhavani (Elizabeth Hoffman). Federation is in bidding contest with the Caldonian, represented by Leyor (Kevin Peter Hall). The Chrysalians are represented by Devinoni Ral. Devinoni is a negotiator, who represents different clients in various types of negotiation situations. The wormhole occurs every 233 mins and might be due to radiation build up in the accretion discs. The Ferengi enter the negotiations as well, with Daimon Goss (Scott Thomson) representing their interests.
Federation delegate Seth Mendoza (Castulo Guerra) is informed by Data that the technologically backward Barzanians' observations are fallible, the wormhole may actually prove unstable; Data and Gordi test it themselves by sending a manned probe inside the wormhole, to determine its real value.
Data and Geordi themselves go in the Federation probe, while Ferengi decide to send their own probe, led by Dr Arridor (Dan Shor). Data finds that after going through the wormhole, they are only 70,000 light years away in the Delta Quadrant (but 200 light years away from the GAMMA quadrant where they were supposed to be). They are getting strange readings and Geordi suggests they move out right now. But Arridor won't listen to him.
Meanwhile Goss uses a compound made from his own blood to induce allergic reactions in Mendoze and he is taken out of the negotiations for several days. Riker has to take his place at the table. Counsellor Deanna Troi falls madly in love with a mysterious Sherpa, Devinoni Ral (Matt McCoy); after sharing his bed, she realizes he shrewdly uses his Empathic abilities to read and play into his opponent's emotions. He admits to Deanna that he is part Betazoid.
Devinoni uses his Empath abilities to embed thoughts & feelings in other people, who come to think and recognize those feelings as their own. For example, he makes Leyor believe that the administrative requirements of the wormhole will be beyond the capabilities of the Caldonians and makes them withdraw from the bidding. He then makes Leyor make a deal with him & the Chrysalians he represents, regarding the Trillium 323 deposits on one of the planets in their sector.
Then Devinoni adds the Trillium deposits thus acquired to bid for the wormhole with the Barzans. Devinoni shares how he manipulated Leyor with Deanna, who finds it unethical. Devinoni then tries to use his sexual encounters with Deanna to unsettle Riker. But Riker is unfazed. he says he would support Devinoni if he can bring happiness to Deanna. Deanna wrestles with the ethics and must decide whether to use her own.
Ferengi's Goss starts firing at the wormhole as he feels that Barzan's have not negotiated in good faith and have already made a secret deal with the Federation. Picard destroys the missiles launched at the wormhole. Devinoni uses this opening to negotiate the wormhole control for the Chrysalians. Bhavani and Devinoni reach the bridge of the Enterprise. Devinoni tells Goss that Chrysalians have control of the wormhole and give Ferengi free access in exchange for convoy privileges.
Deanna reveals to the bridge that Devinoni and the Ferengi staged this drama to engage Enterprise in battle and to play on the peaceful nature of the Barzans to get them to sign up with the Chrysalians. Now Data and Geordi come back and report that the other end of the wormhole is unstable and shifts positions periodically. It is worthless.
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