In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Section 31 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 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "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, including the 2025 television film, Star Trek: Section 31.
Production Ira Steven Behr was inspired by a line of dialogue from Deep Space Nine episode "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 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 it 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 dressing 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 intended by Star Trek creator 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 numerous characters throughout Star Trek, enjoyed the appearances of Section 31, saying in 2000 that the stories "gave everything a real flair."
Characters In order of appearance:
Actor Character First appearance Notes William Sadler Luther Sloan "Inquisition" Dominic Keating Malcolm Reed Eric Pierpoint Harris "Affliction" ‡ Noel Clarke Thomas Harewood John Harrison Peter Weller Alexander Marcus Shazad Latif Michelle Yeoh Philippa Georgiou (alternate) Jayne Brook Katrina Cornwell Alan van Sprang Leland Control (artificial intelligence) "If Memory Serves" Tara Nicodemo Patar (Vulcan) "If Memory Serves" Sonja Sohn "The Red Angel" Jack Quaid William Boimler (transporter duplicate)
Appearances Deep Space Nine (1998–99)
Enterprise (2005)
Discovery (2018–19)
Lower Decks (2020–2024)
Picard (2023)
Films Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) Star Trek: Section 31 (2025)
Tie-in media Novels
Section 31 characters appear in the following novels: TitleAuthor(s)DateISBNWhat You Leave Behind (novelization)Diane CareyHollow MenUna McCormackA Time to KillDavid MackA Time to HealCollateral DamageThe Good That Men DoAndy Mangels and Michael A. MartinKobayashi MaruBeneath the Raptor's WingMichael A. MartinTo Brave the StormA Choice of FuturesChristopher L. BennettPatterns of InterferenceZero Sum GameDavid MackRaise the DawnDavid R. George IIIPlagues of NightThe Future BeginsSteve Mollmann and Michael SchusterA Ceremony of LossesDavid MackElusive SalvationDayton Ward
Section 31 crossover series
Star Trek: Section 31 is a crossover miniseries that includes four thematically linked novels from each of the television series which had aired before 2001, excluding Enterprise. The series was relaunched in 2014 as part of the Deep Space Nine book line. TitleAuthor(s)DateISBN1RogueAndy Mangels and Michael A. Martin2ShadowDean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch3CloakS. D. Perry4AbyssDavid Weddle and Jeffrey Lang
Section 31 relaunch series Novels linked to Deep Space Nine and Next Generation relaunch book lines. The story continues in Collateral Damage (2019), also by David Mack. TitleAuthorDateISBNDisavowedDavid MackControl
Graphic novels All comics published by IDW Publishing. CollectionIssue(s)DateISBNThe Space Between"An Inconvenient Truth" (Part 6)Year Four: The Enterprise ExperimentPart 5Mission's EndParts 15Star Trek, Vol. 3The Return of the Archons, Part 1Star Trek, Vol. 6After Darkness, Parts 13Star Trek, Vol. 7The Khitomer Conflict, Parts 14KhanParts 1, 4, and 5
Star Trek Online
Star Trek Online is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by Cryptic Studios. The game has continued to receive updates which are organized into episodes containing five to seven missions each. All Section 31 missions are introduced by Franklin Drake, a character created for the game. EpisodeMissionsAvailable"Cardassian Struggle"Suspect (removed from game)"Specters"Skirmish (Mission 1)Traelus SystemSatellite Repair (locked mission)Spin the Wheel (Mission 2)What Lies Beneath (Mission 3)Everything Old is New (Mission 4)Night of the Comet (Mission 5)—Hearts and Minds (special mission)"Romulan Mystery"Empress Sela (Mission 2)
See also Starfleet United Federation of Planets
References
Further reading
External links