What probably happened to Leyton?

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I think of the ones we've met. But every Starfleet admiral we meet is usually up to something nefarious.

Forrest never was. He was always a good guy.

Even in the Mirror Universe.

 

[The Wormhole]

That seems absurd for a supposedly secret organization.

And yet, the novels did go an establish that nearly every Admiral we've seen in the 24th century shows are connected to Section 31. We know from the show Admiral Ross was, and TATV implied Pressman was. Then the novels step in and say that Nechayev, Jellico (who is an Admiral in the novels), Paris, Nakamura are all connected to Section 31 as well, and that's just off the top of my head. Leyton is the only one we saw on screen who is specifically stated to have no connections with Section 31 at all.

 

[Damian]

And yet, the novels did go an establish that nearly every Admiral we've seen in the 24th century shows are connected to Section 31. We know from the show Admiral Ross was, and TATV implied Pressman was. Then the novels step in and say that Nechayev, Jellico (who is an Admiral in the novels), Paris, Nakamura are all connected to Section 31 as well, and that's just off the top of my head. Leyton is the only one we saw on screen who is specifically stated to have no connections with Section 31 at all.

Some connections were more cursory, or more informal connections. Sometimes just for a single purpose.

There were some other admirals with no connections. Admiral Akaar, for one, not only was not connected, but he was actively trying to bring them down. Admiral Riker too.

It is interesting Leyton had no connections to Section 31 in the novels. But...at the same time what he pulled would be much too obvious and overt for Section 31. In their own twisted way they felt they were protecting the Federation. They obviously would have no problem taking out a President they felt was a threat to the Federation, like Min Zife, but once that was done, I can't see them approving of a military style Starfleet takeover of the government, or even putting a Section 31 agent in office. Sloan said it himself. Their job was to protect the Federation so it can exist as it was intended. Not run it. Section 31 probably would have seen Leyton as a serious threat, and had he not been stopped they probably would have taken action eventually to take him out.

It seemed by the 24th century Section 31 had become more active. They obviously tried to influence Starfleet to take certain actions they felt were for the protection of the Federation. Sometimes, perhaps, the admirals might not have even been aware of Section 31's influence. I imagine Section 31 would prefer to influence things indirectly and get what they want without ever revealing who they really were. A 'helpful suggestion' that got what they wanted would probably be their preference.

 

[The Wormhole]

There were some other admirals with no connections. Admiral Akaar, for one, not only was not connected, but he was actively trying to bring them down. Admiral Riker too.

I was more referring to Admirals from the show. Akaar was introduced in the novels, and Riker was promoted in the novels. Then again, I guess I did include Jellico, and he too was promoted in the novels.

It is interesting Leyton had no connections to Section 31 in the novels. But...at the same time what he pulled would be much too obvious and overt for Section 31. In their own twisted way they felt they were protecting the Federation. They obviously would have no problem taking out a President they felt was a threat to the Federation, like Min Zife, but once that was done, I can't see them approving of a military style Starfleet takeover of the government, or even putting a Section 31 agent in office. Sloan said it himself. Their job was to protect the Federation so it can exist as it was intended. Not run it. Section 31 probably would have seen Leyton as a serious threat, and had he not been stopped they probably would have taken action eventually to take him out.

Quite true. If Section 31 felt Jaresh-Inyo had to be removed from office, they would have done so in a manner that allowed for another politician to become President. Either one who had the necessary mentality to do what they felt necessary, or one who was directly under their influence. They would not have allowed a Starfleet officer to illegally seize control of the government.