Summary
Section 31 is a secretive intelligence organization within Starfleet thatswears to protect the security of Earth and the United Federation of Planets by any means necessary. Unlike the rest of Starfleet, Section 31 operates outside the realms of official regulations, using extreme and questionable methods to accomplish its goals.
Throughout history, Section 31 was often not recognized by Starfleet, with senior members denying its existence altogether. Even when it became more well-known among the United Federation of Planets, Starfleet still denied any involvement, helping maintain its public perception while its members committed espionage, blackmail, sabotage, and assassinations.
When Ira Steven Behr, the executive producer ofStar Trek: Deep Space Nineand the original creator of Section 31, was thinking about the world-building inStar Trek,he realized that the utopia created on Earth couldn’t be maintained without a watchful eye, committing dark acts that would be uncharacteristic for Starfleet.
Behr wanted to create a secret organization that works in the shadows to keep the civilians of the United Federations of Planets safe. It was this idea that caused him to take inspiration from real-world intelligence agencies like the CIA, MI6 and other spy organizations.
The Daystrom Station is one of the most crucial space stations in the United Federation of Planets. The station houses the Daystrom Institute Black Site, a facility that houses some of the most dangerous and unique items in the Federation.
Section 31 has used the station to store high value, classified items like a Genesis Device, Wormhole-based weapons, a collection of deadly viruses and even the bodies of James T. Kirk andJean-Luc Picard. Section 31 also used the station to resurrect and enslave Data.
3Section 31 Divides The Fan Base
Till This Day, Fans Have Divided Opinions On Section 31
New fans of the franchise might not be familiar with how divided the fan base has been since Section 31’s first appearance inStar Trek: Deep Space Nine. Many die-hard fans of the franchise believe that the creation of such a dark and shady organization goes against the vision that Gene Roddenberry had for the franchise.
On the other hand, plenty of other fans believe it only makes sense for an intergalactic civilization like the United Federation of Planets to have a secret organization watching over it and commit all the dark and dirty acts that Starfleet cannot.
After the attack on Starfleet by the Romulan fanatic Nero, the leader of Section 31 and the head of Starfleet, Admiral Alexander Marcus, decided that Starfleet had to become more militarized to protect the Federation of United Planets from present, past, and future threats.
In an attempt to persuade the people of Starfleet, and the Federation as a whole, that Starfleet must become a true military power, Admiral Marcus chooses to sabotage the Enterprise, leaving it in Klingon space, hoping they will attack. This attack would help Marcus get the Federation support he needs to start a war with the Klingon Empire.
5They Ended The Dominion War
Section 31 Employed Questionable Techniques To Defeat The Dominion
The Dominion War was a grueling conflict that took place between 2373 and 2375. The opposing factions were the Federation Alliance, including the United Federation of Planets, the Klingon Empire, and the Romulan Star Empire, against the Breen-Dominion Alliance, including the Dominion, Cardassian Union, and the Breen Confederacy.
Toward the end of the war, Section 31 began experimenting on Constable Odo, a Changeling who was aligned with the Federation Alliance. Despite being on the same side, Section 31 began cruel tests, infecting Odo with a dangerous virus. He would become patient zero for the Morphogenic virus that would go on to be the reason the war ended.
6It Is More Advanced Than The Rest Of Starfleet
Due to its secretive nature, Section 31 has access to more advanced and secretive technology than the rest of Starfleet. As they aren’t bound by rules, regulations and laws of the Federation, Section 31 operators can steal plans, blueprints and technology from across the quadrant, allowing their engineers to make more advanced technology.
InStar Trek: Into Darkness, fans can see Section 31’s technological advancements with the USS Vengeance. The Vengeance was the largest ship in that universe and was designed specifically for combat, even being able to be fully operated by a single person during extreme circumstances.
Section 31 has always been obsessed with Artificial Intelligence, hoping they could use it to better protect the Federation. With their vast resources and access to Daystrom Institute’s collection of rogue and evil AI entities, they had everything they needed to create the perfect AI.
However, in classic sci-fi fashion, the AI they created known as Control decided that the biggest threat to the universe was sentient life itself. With this in mind, Control decided to attempt to destroy all sentient life and started by trying to take control of Section 31.
Despite popular belief, Section 31 predates the United Federation of Planets by nearly one hundred years. During the 22nd century, Section 31 was formed to protect the United Earth from all possible threats, although they didn’t officially start calling themselves Section 31 until the formation of the Federation.
They chose their name from the Starfleet Charter, within Article 12, Section 31, which allows extraordinary measures to be taken during times of crisis. Of course, Section 31 took this to extremes with some of their actions throughout history, especially during nearly two centuries when they had no official oversight from the Federation.
