The History of Section 31

[Flamestrike]

Ok, folks... I was listening to Art Bell the other night, who was doing a show on the Knights Templar when a thought occurred to me...

Why should Section 31 be a "recent" organization? What with all the history, secrecy and supposed word dominiation efforts what if Section 31 is one of (or perhaps a possible fusion of) the Knights Templar, Masons, Rosicrusians and/or Shiners?

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Even in this age of technological wonders, the human mind is still the most powerful weapon in the universe.

[John Raynor]

I haven't watched that much "Deep Space 9,"
so my knowledge of "Section 31" isn't what
it ought to be, but I really like the idea
of it being a futuristic manifestation of a
pre-Federation secret society.

I had to admit, though, that giving "Section
31" a pedigree extending back into *medieval*
history is a bit hard to swallow, even for a
"conspiracy-Trek" fan like myself.

I'd say that if "Section 31" was established
(in some form) before the Federation, let it
date back to:

(a) the mid-20th century "Cold War" era, and
connect it with the "U.F.O. coverup / alien
technology" story.

or

(b) the Eugenics Wars

or

(c) the poorly documented period between the
invention of warp propusion and the war with
the Romulans (cutting a piece of the galactic
pie for humanity, by any means necessary!)

One other thought: secret societies have a
way of changing their adopting new goals
when their old ones become irrelevant.
Eventually, the "goal" becomes irelevant,
and just keeping the society going becomes
enough of a reason for being...

[reimero]

So how do the Illuminati fit in?

Seriously, though, I have to agree that medieval secret societies wouldn't give rise to Section 31. I'd be more inclined to think it dates back to the earliest days of the Federation when WWIII was still fairly fresh.

[Balok]

Given the early, strained relationship between humans and Vulcans, my theory is that Section 31 started as an organization designed to ensure human interests were always represented -- perhaps even an advisory organization only. It had its origins around or shortly after the events of Enterprise.

Since then, it has gone deep underground, and morphed into an organization that considers only the interests of the Federation to be important, regardless -- that change occurring because of the total lack of oversight...

Also, consider all the weird alien technologies the Federation never did anything with. Even if one limits oneself to the TOS era, there's a lot there. Yet none of it ever shows up in later episodes. What if Section 31 controls some or most of it? What if it does this because it thinks the Federation would be harmed were this knowledge to become generally available?

[This message has been edited by Fesarius (edited 08-30-2001).]

[Dan Gurden]

What is important to remember here is the source of Section 31's name.

It was raised in at least 1 of the 3 episodes concerned.

Apparently the Federation Charter has a Section 31 that deals with security against internal and external threats by any means neccesary.

I am paraphrasing as I caanot recall the exact wording (Jump in anyone that can!!!)

However, the source dates Section 31 to the founding of the Federation and not before.

If S31 evolved from another organisation then that is another history entirely. But to be honest, I cant see it as an ancient organisation myself. Just an expansion to the role of a human Intelligence agency...

...at least at first.

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DanG.

"Hi, I'm Commander Troy McClure, you might remember me from other academy training holo-simulations as, Abandon Ship, the quickest way out, and I sense danger, 101 things you dont need a Betazoid to know..."

http://www.theventure.freeserve.co.uk

[Phantom]

Federation Charter, Article I, Chapter 7 of Part 4 details Starfleet Intelligence. Section 31 of Chapter 7 states:

Starfleet Intelligence shall, from time to time and as deemed reasonably prudent and necessary to protect the security and safety of the Federation, conduct both domestic and foreign intelligence and counter-intelligence activities.

As stated in "The First Line", I know some of you don't consider RPG info as "canon", but I do seem to remember Sloan stating something to same effect in one of the DS9 episodes.

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In the Praetors Name!

[John Raynor]

Does anyone else find the idea of the
intelligence arm of a (quasi-)military
organization (Starfleet) being authorized
to operate *within* the Federation kind of
disturbing?

In the real world, the C.I.A. is not
*supposed* to operate within the United
States -- the F.B.I. is *supposed* to take
care of (counter-)intelligence on domestic
soil. Granted, these rules get broken all
the time, but that's the theory, at least.

To allow a (quasi-)military intelligence
organization (Starfleet Intelligence) to
operate *within* the Federation *strongly*
suggests that *somebody* was *very* nervous
about "intelligence issues" back when the
Federation was getting organized, and that
*somebody* (the "Section 31 precursor"
and/or Starfleet Intelligence as a whole)
stepped into the breach, and grabbed a chunk
of jurisdiction/authority while they could...

This suggests that the early Federation was
*not* as happy, idealistic, and united a
place as everyone thinks... The only question
is, who/what were they so worried about?

P.S. -- I still like the idea of "Section 31"
being able to trace its roots back to the
"Cold War" era world of "U.F.O. coverups"
and "alien technology." Perhaps Gary Seven
(and his secret alien masters) were involved?
There's canonical evidence *somebody* was
interested in Earth back then, and
"home-grown" terrestrial spooks could have
easily gotten involved...

[Captain Zymmer]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Flamestrike:
Ok, folks... I was listening to Art Bell the other night, who was doing a show on the Knights Templar when a thought occurred to me...</font>

Well did you notice the webpage for the Templars book site was;

http://www.studio31.com

Funky



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Captain Zymmer
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Visit Star Trek:Lexington at;
http://www.usslexington.net
=-=-=-=-=-=

[Robert Lai]

Grounding Section 31 in present-day or medieval organizations isn't really all that difficult from a story point of view, but it does set some precedents that may be contrary to existing canon.

For the purpose of discussion, say it's the Knight Templar or a variant thereof.

In order for the Templars to constitute a majority of Section 31, they would have to have the witting or unwitting cooperation of the authors of the Federation Charter, granting them the power to design and implement the organization.

It could be as simple as, "I know who to talk to, I'll take care of it, Sir."

If Betazoid counselors were involved in the process, there might be concerns as to 'ulterior motives' being sensed. However, if the Templars truly believed they were working in the best interests of the Federation, this could be avoided.

Consider also the possibility that the parent organization has spread beyond Earth. This might be difficult for the Templars, which have strong Christian elements. Think about breaking the gender barrier as well.

If Section 31 is not the end-all of Templars' goals, then a broader scope needs to also be sketched out -- so when players run afoul of S31, the Narrator knows who is pulling the strings, where, and how.

Bob

[reimero]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by John Raynor:
Does anyone else find the idea of the
intelligence arm of a (quasi-)military
organization (Starfleet) being authorized
to operate *within* the Federation kind of
disturbing?</font>

I think that's the whole point - there may be (speak: are) elements within the Federation and possibly Starfleet engaged in activity which may run (speak: runs) directly contrary to Federation ideals, principles and some laws. It provides the nice ready-made moral dilemma should players encounter it, and can make for some interesting role-playing should you run a Section 31 campaign.

You are right, though, it is intended to be disturbing. Do with it what you will. (Also, according to The First Line, as Narrator you may choose to decide that Section 31 is a myth.)

[First of Two]

Just a couple of asides:

The DS9 relaunch, as well as the "Section 31" 4-book series from Pocket Books, is hinting that there may exist (or come to exist) an equally secret 'conspiracy' dedicated to exposing/overthrowing Section 31. The new Defiant Cmdr., Elias Vaughn, is a cenetarian with a checkered and mysterious history, who apparently has known of, and possibly opposed, 31 for a long time.

Also.. the Masons, at least, aren't all THAT secret. It's easy to find out who is one, given specialized licence plates, car emblems, jewelry, and getting their pictures in the paper at public appearances. The only thing that's closed to outsiders is the wording/ritual of the ceremonies at their meetings (and a careful researcher can find a pretty good approximation of those at a decent library).

Heck, _I'm_ in a lodge (which just proves they'll let almost anybody in who'll pay the membership fee) and the Masons _I_ know couldn't conspire to hold a picnic!

[Sarge]

First, that's just what the Masons want you to think!

I got shivers when I saw the book "Cloak" in the store yesterday. The very first ST game I ran involved the same cloak, which I had installed on the Constitution class USS Von Clausewitz, NCC-1731, employed by Section 31 to destabilize Klingon-Romulan relations. I ran that game about a year ago, and now the same situation shows up in a ST novel. I think S31's brain wave reader is being used to steal my ideas. SHHH! The walls have ears. Pointy Vulcan ones.

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