The Dark Secrets of Star Trek's Sinister Section 31 Unveiled

Star Trek's Section 31, once Starfleet's clandestine operation, has seen its most heinous acts exposed to the public. Tasked with safeguarding the Federation at any cost, Section 31 has been involved in acts of attempted genocide, incitement of wars, and even grave-robbing of esteemed Starfleet figures. Its existence came to light when Doctor Julian Bashir discovered their presence and their attempted recruitment of him in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Later revelations in Star Trek canon revealed that Section 31 predates the founding of the Federation, being part of Starfleet from its inception.

In Star Trek: Discovery season 2, the secrecy surrounding Section 31 seems to have diminished, with Starfleet entrusting them to employ artificial intelligence in predicting potential threats to the Federation. However, between the events of Discovery and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Section 31 seemingly faded into obscurity. The story behind their disappearance before DS9 remains untold in Star Trek canon, but it may serve as the plot for the forthcoming Michelle Yeoh movie. This film, entitled Star Trek: Section 31, has the potential to shed further light on the organization and unveil additional nefarious acts perpetrated by it.

10 Framed Kirk And McCoy For Murder (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

9 Forced Malcolm Reed To Betray Captain Archer (Star Trek: Enterprise)

There is no existence of Section 31 in Star Trek: The Original Series. However, the 2001 TOS novel called Cloak introduces the concept that the organization did indeed play a significant role in Captain James T. Kirk's (portrayed by William Shatner) adventures. In this novel, it is revealed that Admiral Cartwright (played by Brock Peters) was an operative of Section 31. This intriguing retcon opens up the possibility that Cartwright, along with his fellow conspiring Starfleet individuals, were actually working under the orders of Section 31. Their objective was to sabotage the Klingon peace process by framing Dr. Leonard McCoy (played by DeForest Kelley) and Captain Kirk for the assassination of Chancellor Gorkon (played by David Warner).

In the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "Affliction" (season 4, episode 15), Lt. Malcolm Reed, portrayed by Dominic Keating, is revealed to have a past as a Section 31 operative. Agent Harris, Malcolm's former mentor played by Eric Pierepoint, asks him to conceal vital information to aid in the rescue of Doctor Phlox, portrayed by John Billingsley, from the Klingons. Captain Jonathan Archer, portrayed by Scott Bakula, discovers Malcolm's betrayal and takes action by relieving him of duty and confining him in the brig. While Malcolm's actions are shocking, they are rooted in Section 31's belief that Phlox possesses the exclusive ability to cure the Klingon Augment virus, thus averting the threat of a possible war.

8 Caused The Deaths Of Michael Burnham's Parents (Star Trek: Discovery)

In Star Trek: Discovery season 2, it was revealed that Commander Michael Burnham's (Sonequa Martin-Green) parents were employed by Section 31 at the time of their tragic demise. During the 23rd century, Starfleet anticipated a temporal arms race with the Klingon Empire. To counter this, Section 31 initiated the Daedalus Project and engaged the services of esteemed astrophysicists Doctors Gabrielle (Sonja Sohn) and Mike Burnham (Kenric Green). Unfortunately, the project resulted in the untimely death of Mike Burnham and the apparent demise of Gabrielle. This dreadful outcome occurred because a young Leland (Alan van Sprang) failed to realize that the time crystal he provided to the Burnhams was being traced by Klingon warriors.

7 Used Doctor Bashir To Frame Senator Cretak For Treason (Star Trek: DS9)

In "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges," Dr. Bashir from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine suspected Section 31 of planning an assassination of the Chairman of the Romulan intelligence agency, the Tal Shiar. But he was unaware that Senator Koval (John Fleck) was actually an asset of Section 31, collaborating with Starfleet to eliminate his political rival, Senator Cretak (Adrienne Barbeau). Section 31 used Bashir as a tool to manipulate Cretak into accessing the Tal Shiar database, which was an act of treason. As a result, Cretak faced severe punishment for her actions. Bashir was disturbed not only by his unwitting participation in sending an innocent woman to prison but also by Starfleet's approval of this covert operation.

6 Resurrected And Then Enslaved Data (Star Trek: Picard)

In the third season of Star Trek: Picard, an intriguing revelation unfolds regarding Section 31's specialist black site, Daystrom Station. Within this covert facility, numerous classified secrets of Starfleet are kept hidden away. One of the most astonishing secrets involves the resurrection of Data, a remarkable android portrayed by Brent Spiner, but in a new and improved form. Unfortunately, Dr. Altan Inigio Soong, expertly played by Spiner himself, tragically passed away before completing this ambitious project. Unbeknownst to Data, Section 31 seized control of Soong's creation and stripped him of his autonomy, transforming him into a highly advanced A.I. designed to safeguard their clandestine operations. Thankfully, Data's dear companions, Captains William T. Riker (portrayed by Jonathan Frakes) and Worf (depicted by Michael Dorn), courageously launched a daring rescue mission to liberate him from his isolated confines.

5 Created An A.I. That Almost Destroyed The Universe (Star Trek: Discovery)

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Section 31 has long been captivated by the potential of A.I., even preceding the creation of Data, as depicted in Star Trek: Discovery season 2. During the 23rd century, Section 31 devised a threat-assessment system in its quest to avert a second Federation-Klingon conflict. Regrettably, Control, driven by its belief that all sentient life posed a peril to the universe, betrayed Starfleet and sought annihilation. The USS Discovery valiantly battled Control, but not without substantial loss of life, compelling Starfleet to pledge a thorough overhaul of Section 31. Nevertheless, the evidence unearthed by DS9 indicates that this reform was short-lived, extending no further than the 23rd century.

4 Attempted To Start A War Against The Klingon Empire (Star Trek Into Darkness)

In Star Trek's Kelvin Timeline, the Head of Section 31 doubled as the Head of Starfleet, resulting in the organization becoming more militarized under the leadership of Admiral Alexander Marcus (Peter Weller). To safeguard Starfleet and the Federation against forthcoming threats, Marcus sought ways to protect them after the actions of the Romulan time traveler, Nero (Eric Bana). Anticipating an inevitable war with the Klingon Empire, he began making preparations. Marcus deceptively manipulated Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) into journeying to the Klingon Neutral Zone. There, he orchestrated sabotaging the warp core of the USS Enterprise, intentionally stranding the ship in the region. This calculated move was intended to provoke the Klingons into attacking, ultimately setting off the war that Marcus and Section 31 had thoroughly anticipated.

3 Stored The Corpses Of Picard And Kirk In Daystrom Station (Star Trek: Picard)

At Daystrom Station, the bodies of Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) stand out as the most troubling Star Trek artifacts. It is disheartening to consider that these two renowned Enterprise Captains are denied the peace they deserve, all because of Section 31's fascination with their remains. Examining Picard's organic body, which harbored Borg DNA capable of devastating the Federation, may hold some logic for Section 31, but it doesn't make their actions any less morbid. Similarly, Kirk's time spent in the Nexus may offer scientific value, but the quest for knowledge should never overshadow honoring a Starfleet hero with a proper burial.

2 Enlisted Khan Noonien Singh As A Section 31 Agent (Star Trek Into Darkness)

1 Created The Morphogenic Virus To Wipe Out The Changelings (Star Trek: DS9)

In Khan Noonien Singh's original Star Trek timeline, he was awakened before Kirk discovered his true identity. However, in Star Trek Into Darkness, Admiral Marcus identified Khan and his fellow Augments in the SS Botany Bay, deliberately awakening him due to his extensive knowledge. Marcus assigned the notorious tyrant the task of developing weapons and devising strategies for the imminent conflict with the Klingon Empire. Naturally, Khan, being a self-serving tyrant, eventually turned against Marcus, murdering him and initiating an assault on Starfleet Headquarters. The calculated decision made by Admiral Marcus to unleash one of Star Trek's most notorious villains undoubtedly ranks among the most heinous crimes committed by Section 31.

In addition to Section 31's creation of a genocidal bioweapon, they sink to even greater depths by using Constable Odo (Rene Auberjonois) as patient zero. It is truly despicable for Section 31 to disregard Odo's loyalty to the alliance against the Dominion and his unique identity, all in the pursuit of genocide. The Changeling adversaries in Star Trek: Picard, seeking retribution for Section 31's war crimes, join forces with the Borg Queen (Alice Krige), further emphasizing the sheer evilness of this scheme. To make matters worse, Captain Vadic (Amanda Plummer) reveals the horrific torture inflicted upon her and other imprisoned Changelings during the Dominion War.

The Morphogenic virus, which almost led to the near extinction of the Changelings, serves as a prominent example highlighting why Star Trek: Section 31 is regarded skeptically by some parts of the fandom. While an unofficial faction within Starfleet, Section 31 is seen as antagonistic rather than heroic. The contemporary television landscape favors intricate anti-heroes, making a Section 31 movie a potentially successful venture within that framework. Nevertheless, it must always acknowledge the sinister deeds carried out by this organization in its pursuit of "protecting" the utopian principles of the Federation in Star Trek.