Section 31 (Star Trek)


Section 31, in the fictional universe of Star Trek, is an autonomous intelligence and defense organization that carries out covert operations for the United Federation of Planets. Created by Ira Steven Behr for the episode "Inquisition |Inquisition", the organization was intended to act as a counterbalance to the utopian portrayal of the Federation.
Section 31 settings and characters have appeared in dozens of episodes, novels and comics. In 2019, CBS announced a new series was in development about Section 31, starring Michelle Yeoh.

Production

was inspired by a line of dialogue from Deep Space Nine episode "The Maquis |The Maquis" spoken by Commander Benjamin Sisko: "It's easy to be a saint in paradise." Behr said in the 1999 reference companion to the series, "Why is Earth a paradise in the twenty-fourth century? Well, maybe it's because there's someone watching over it and doing the nasty stuff that no one wants to think about." He expressed an interest of exploring what life was really like for those living the fictional 24th century, saying "Is it this paradise, or are there, as Harold Pinter said, 'Weasels under the coffee table'."
The name, Section 31, is explained in the story as being taken from the fictional Starfleet Charter: Article 14, Section 31. The article, according to agents, allowed for extraordinary measures to be taken in times of extreme threat. Such measures included malicious sabotage of enemy installations and technology, biological warfare, and preemptive assassination.
According to Ronald D. Moore there was considerable debate on the origin of the organization, in particular on how the organization was formed and how long ago.
Costume designer Bob Blackman chose the black leather costumes worn by Section 31 agents to appear fascistic. Behr had asked for dark black, severe, hostile looking costumes. In Star Trek: The Human Frontier, Michèle and Duncan Barrett explain that Section 31 agents not wearing Starfleet uniforms or dressed as Federation citizens further enhanced their role as an organization that is not constrained by ethics.

Reception

Writer David Weddle said many fans felt Section 31 betrayed the value system created by Gene Roddenberry, while others were indifferent or intrigued. "Fans would get into these long ethical and political arguments, really struggling with issues like that, which was great to see." Moore replied to criticisms of betrayal saying, "The idea that there's a rogue element within the Federation doing dark deeds outside the normal chain of command is certainly a provocative one."
Actor Jeffrey Combs, who portrayed Weyoun in Deep Space Nine, enjoyed the appearances of Section 31, saying the stories "gave everything a real flair."

Characters

In order of appearance:

Appearances

''Deep Space Nine'' (1998–99)

Novels

Below is an incomplete list of novels which include Section 31 characters and settings:
TitleAuthorDateISBN
A Time to KillDavid MackJuly 27, 2004
A Time to HealDavid MackAugust 31, 2004
Hollow MenUna McCormackApril 26, 2005
Zero Sum GameDavid MackOctober 26, 2010
Plagues of NightDavid R. George IIIMay 29, 2012
Raise the DawnDavid R. George IIIJune 26, 2012
A Ceremony of LossesDavid MackOctober 29, 2013
Collateral DamageDavid MackOctober 8, 2019

''Section 31'' crossover novels (2001–2017)

Star Trek: Section 31 is a crossover miniseries of thematically linked novels featuring Section 31. The series was relaunched in 2014.
TitleAuthorDateISBN
1RogueAndy Mangels and Michael A. Martin
2ShadowDean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch
3CloakS. D. Perry
4AbyssDavid Weddle and Jeffrey Lang

''Enterprise'' novels (2007–2017)

The following Star Trek: Enterprise novels include Section 31 characters.
TitleAuthorDateISBN
The Good That Men DoAndy Mangels and Michael A. MartinFebruary 27, 2007
Kobayashi MaruAndy Mangels and Michael A. MartinAugust 26, 2008
Beneath the Raptor's WingMichael A. MartinOctober 20, 2009
To Brave the StormMichael A. MartinOctober 25, 2011
A Choice of FuturesChristopher L. BennettJune 25, 2013
Patterns of InterferenceChristopher L. BennettAugust 29, 2017

''Section 31'' relaunch novels (2014–2017)

Novels linked to ' and ' relaunch book lines.
TitleAuthorDateISBN
DisavowedDavid MackOctober 28, 2014
ControlDavid MackMarch 28, 2017

Graphic novels

All graphic novels and comics published by IDW Publishing.
IssueIssue DateCollectionDateISBN
Enterprise Experiment, Part 5August 27, 2008Enterprise Experiment, 1November 29, 2008
Mission's End, Issue 1March 25, 2009Mission's End, Vol. 1November 3, 2009
Mission's End, Issue 2April 8, 2009Mission's End, Vol. 1November 3, 2009
Mission's End, Issue 3May 13, 2009Mission's End, Vol. 1November 3, 2009
Mission's End, Issue 4June 24, 2009Mission's End, Vol. 1November 3, 2009
Mission's End, Issue 5July 29, 2009Mission's End, Vol. 1November 3, 2009
After Darkness, Part 1May 29, 2013Star Trek, Vol. 6November 26, 2013
After Darkness, Part 2June 26, 2013Star Trek, Vol. 6November 26, 2013
After Darkness, Part 3July 24, 2013Star Trek, Vol. 6November 26, 2013
The Khitomer Conflict, Part 1September 25, 2013Star Trek, Vol. 7April 1, 2014
The Khitomer Conflict, Part 2October 23, 2013Star Trek, Vol. 7April 1, 2014
The Khitomer Conflict, Part 3November 27, 2013Star Trek, Vol. 7April 1, 2014
The Khitomer Conflict, Part 4December 18, 2013Star Trek, Vol. 7April 1, 2014

''Star Trek Online'' (2010–2015)

Star Trek Online is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by Cryptic Studios. The game has been updated and expanded continuously since its publication in 2010. Updates are organized into episodes which are divided into four to seven missions which are published or updated weekly. All Section 31 missions are introduced by Franklin Drake, a character created for the game.
MissionAvailable
Suspect
SkirmishOctober 16, 2010
Traelus SystemSatellite RepairOctober 16, 2010
Spin the WheelOctober 23, 2010
What Lies BeneathOctober 30, 2010
Everything Old is NewNovember 6, 2010
Night of the CometNovember 13, 2010
Hearts and Minds April 12, 2012
Empress SelaJanuary 29, 2015