Summary

• In Star Trek #19, the sinister Section 31 enters the franchise-spanning god war.
• Section 31's agenda with Ensign Sato and the crew of the Theseus remains a mystery for now.
• Section 31 having access to the Pleroma could spell bad news for the galaxy.

Warning: contains spoilers for Star Trek #19!

The secretive Section 31 are set to become god-level villains in the approaches one of Sisko’s crew with an offer that may doom the universe.

Star Trek #19 is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Megan Levens. Throughout Star Trek’s previous storyline, Ensign Sato became more and more disillusioned with Starfleet and the Federation. At the end of issue 19, she is approached in her quarters by a man identifying himself as “Martin” and using a person named Sloan’s override. Martin appeals to Sato’s growing dissatisfaction, telling her that “mistakes have been made” and certain Starfleet officials “lack leadership.”

Martin then offers Ensign Sato a job with Section 31.

Section 31 Is The Darkest Aspect of Star Trek Lore

Section 31 Has a Long History of Violence and Terror

Star Trek depicts a utopian society that has moved beyond money and the need to acquire wealth. This idea is embodied in the United Federation of Planets. An organization such as Section 31, that works in the shadows and routinely uses torture and murder to further their ends, would seem at odds with Gene Roddenbery’s optimistic view of humanity. Indeed, Section 31 has proven to be a point of contention among fans. Some portions of Star Trek fandom oppose it because it violates the show’s core principals, while others have hailed it as giving the franchise nuance.

Section 31 first appeared in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s sixth season, in the episode “Inquisition.” Created by Deep Space Nine’s creative team to explore the darker sides of Federation life, Section 31 works to keep the Federation a paradise. However, their means are extreme. Section 31 has been responsible for assassinations and staging coups. They have allegedly infiltrated nearly every other agency in the Federation, giving them eyes and ears everywhere. The closest real-world analogy to Section 31 is the Central Intelligence Agency. Section 31 also finds echoes in the Romulan Tal’Shiar and the Cardassian Obsidian Order.

A handful of Star Trek episodes, including the Original Series episode "The Enterprise Incident" and The Next Generation's "The Pegasus" have been retconned to have involved Section 31.

No Star Trek show or movie has explored the history of Section 31, but it is (chronologically) one of the oldest agencies in the franchise. They derive their authority from Article 14, Section 31 of Starfleet’s charter, hence the name. This part of the Starfleet Charter allows the organization to take extreme measures in times of great crisis. Section 31 has been active at least as early as the 22nd century. Malcolm Reed, the Tactical Officer under Captain Jonathan Archer, was d with Section 31 earlier in his career.

By the 23rd century, Section 31 had grown, and seemed to be working even further undercover. The agency had a presence on board the USS Discovery, which was using the then-new “spore drive,” that tapped into a universal mycelial network. Discovery’s affiliation with the agency only grew as crew member Ash Tyler was recruited, as was Empress Phillipa Georgiou, from the Mirror Universe. Finally, the AI Section 31 relied on, tried to seize control of the agents, and use them to unleash chaos on the galaxy. Discovery was instrumental in stopping Section 31, but was sent to the future.

In the 24th century, Section 31 was instrumental during the Dominion War. As the war dragged on, and casualties began to pile up, Section 31 bioengineered a virus that could kill Changelings. During this time, the agency approaches Doctor Julian Bashir, seeking to recruit him. Much like Ensign Sato in Star Trek #19, Section 31, represented by Luther Sloan, approaches Doctor Bashir in his quarters. However, unlike Sato, Section 31 did not find a receptive audience in Doctor Bashir. Bashir also finds a cure for the virus Section 31 designed, which helped end the Dominion War.

Although Section 31’s plans to use their virus were thwarted, the agency still took an interest in Changelings. Season three of Star Trek: Picard revealed that Section 31 experimented on Changelings, even after the war’s conclusion. These rogue Changelings broke free of Section 31, and in an act of blowback, killed thousands of Federation citizens. They also allied themselves with the Borg Queen, who also sought revenge against the Federation. Section 31 is even still active in the 32nd century, as seen in subsequent seasons of Star Trek: Discovery.

Section 31 has also appeared in the Kelvin Universe films, including 2013's Star Trek: Into Darkness

Despite the moral ambiguity of Section 31, it has proven irresistible to generations of Star Trek writers and directors. The agency has been a part of nearly every Star Trek show since its introduction on Deep Space Nine, even Lower Decks. The gray areas Section 31 works in provide even more depth and substance to the Star Trek universe. Deep Space Nine regularly explored the darker sides of Starfleet and life in the Federation, and Section 31 was perhaps its most scathing interrogation of these ideals. Section 31 showed that even a utopia can have a dark side.

Section 31 Adds Darkness--And Depth, to the Star Trek Franchise

Section 31 Can Change the Course of the God War

And now Section 31 is seemingly ing the franchise’s god war–but in what capacity remains to be seen. Previous issues of Star Trek have seeded Section 31. Harry Kim had seemingly allied himself with them. Kim worked closely with Ensign Sato during the Tzenkethi crisis, which may have led to her recruitment. In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Star Trek writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly commented on Section 31’s involvement, cryptically teasing that the answer may lie in the distant past, as opposed to more recent events. They did not elaborate on this further.

Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly are no strangers to the Star Trek comics universe, having masterminded Year Five, also from IDW.

In the same interview, Lanzing and Kelly discussed Sloan’s presence, or lack thereof. Martin, the agent sent to bring Ensign Sato into the fold, invokes Sloan’s name in his override code. Lanzing and Kelly pointed out Martin is not Sloan in disguise. However, Martin’s use of Sloan’s code is another hint, they revealed. Elaborating on the point, Lanzing stated that some Section 31 agents may feel Sloan did not go far enough in his plans. This would echo Martin’s comment about Starfleet officials “lacking leadership.” The murderous and duplicitous Sloan has become a rallying point for Section 31.

Kahless’ recent crusade against the gods of the Star Trek universe no doubt caught Section 31’s attention. The god war Kahless instigated threatens far more than the Federation, but the entire fabric of reality as well. The god war is the exact type of situation Section 31 was designed to combat. Section 31 has access to technology the average Starfleet officer does not, which can give them an edge in a fight with Kahless or his god-killer. Furthermore, the god war also fundamentally altered Lore. Now on a quest for godhood, Lore must be stopped as well.

Are Section 31's Intentions Truly Honorable? Or Are They Merely Looking Out for Themselves?

With Kahless' God-Killer Technology, Section 31 Could Be Unstoppable

Section 31 may also have less than noble intentions by recruiting Ensign Sato. Sato, and the rest of the Theseus’ crew, are headed to the Pleroma, the newly revealed “realm of the gods.” The Theseus’ excursion to the Pleroma represents a new frontier in knowledge for the Federation, but it could also be a huge threat as well, one Section 31 will want to be well primed on. Kahless and his god-killer have proven that the franchise’s god like beings can be killed, a technology Section 31 might want their hands on too.

Star Trek #19 advances a horrifying notion: Section 31 having control of the Pleroma. If Section 31 gets their hands on Kahless’ technology, they can use it to extort and threaten the beings in the Pleroma. Bringing these beings under their thumb, Section 31 could become a truly existential threat to the Star Trek universe. With god-like powers at their disposal, Section 31 could implement and maintain one of the most oppressive surveillance systems ever known. Dissension will become a thing of the past, as Section 31 imposes their will on the rest of the Star Trek universe.

Star Trek #19 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!