I've heard this group referenced more than once, namely in the "Star Trek: Enterprise" forum. Could someone please provide a detailed background on this group? Apparently, they exist in the canon series, considering a fellow Nitpicker did indicate a particular "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" episode in which their name was mentioned. Thank you in advance.

You didn't watch DS9? You don't deserve an answer :p

And there is no "Star Trek : Enterprise" forum here.

Look for "Inquisition"

The episodes that feature Section 31 prominently are the above-mentioned "Inquisition" (season 6), "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges" and "Extreme Measures" (both season 7).

D., according to Agent Sloane in Inquisition(DS9), the first episode that established Section 31, it is a covert branch of Starfleet Security that was part of the first Starfleet charter. Officially, it doesn't exist, is independent of Starfleet Internal Affairs, and autonomous from review or oversight. It keeps an extremely low profile, and searches out, identifies and quietly deals with potential threats to the Federation that conventional security organizations cannot, often violating due process and civil liberties to do so. Odo compared them to the Romulan Tal Shiar and the Cardassian Obsidian Order.

In Inquisition(DS9), the entire senior staff of DS9 was placed under quarantine and interrogated for security reasons. It became clear to Dr. Bashir that he was the true target, and that Sloane (who was masquerading as a member of Starfleet Security's main branch), suspected that he was a Dominion agent, suspicion mounted against him. Eventually, Bashir realized that he was in a holosuite simulation (having been beamed out of his quarters on DS9 right before he was about to go on leave) in which Sloane was testing him to see if he was a Dominion Agent. Satisified that Bashir was innocent, Sloane revealed the existence of Section 31, and offered Bashir the chance to work with him.

The episode is considered to be one of the best-written episodes of DS9's sixth season, but some people fancying themselves as Roddenberry purists were outraged at this episode, because they felt that an organization such as Section 31, as part of the Federation, was antithetical to the fundamental ideals that Gene Roddenberry set down when he created Star Trek.

Sloane later recruited Bashir for a mission on Romulus in Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges, and Bashir later tricked Sloane into coming to DS9 in Extreme Measures to obtain information on a cure for a disease that was killing Odo and the Founders.

Thanks Luigi - were you still interested in the DS9 board, by the way? I'm strongly considering retiring at the end of the summer. (I'll be writing my thesis while maintaining a full course load so I'm trying to cut down on some of my less necessary projects... not that I've really had much time to do much with the board!)

Anyway, I'll recommend you to the Chief if you'd like, since you're clearly up to it.

Sure, Josh. I'm game.

Okay, I'll email the Chief within the week.

Great. We can expect a response as soon as next June.

(Just kiddin' there, Chief. )

So many smilies. I can't take it. All I see is smilies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



whoops

I've emailed the Chief about my pending retirement... it only took me 23 days but, hey, I've been busy.

IMO, "Section 31" is the "black ops" of Starfleet.

I've got nothing but respect for Gene Roddenbury (sorry if I misspelled it!) and Star Trek, But I felt and will possibly always feel that we as humans have flaws; we battle with good and bad all the time within ourselves. To think that we will be all "goody goody" and perfect all the time is a little silly. Sorry, but I was more surprised that there WASN'T a section 31 up til now.
Just my 2cents.

Section 31 is s secret that only handful know it even exists.

Of course, this was another continuity point that was ignored by the Kurtzman Abominations.