It was always clear cast of Star Trek: Section 31 revealed their distinctly un-Federation-like backgrounds, from a brutal emperor to a genetically modified super soldier, it was clear that this movie wanted to push the limits of Starfleet.

Part of what made Section 31 different from the rest of Star Trek is the time period when it’s set. Prior to the release of Section 31, there was a 70-year gap in the Star Trek timeline, right between Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, set in 2293, and Star Trek: The Next Generation, set in 2364. Since Section 31 is set in 2334, we get a peek at that dark age. In that 70-year gap, a pair of the most iconic characters from Star Trek: The Original Series were missing and presumed dead.

Starfleet Thinks Captain Kirk Died 31 Years Before Star Trek: Section 31

Kirk Sacrificed Himself To Save The USS Enterprise-B

Although Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) had a reputation for defying death in Star Trek: The Original Series, he appeared to meet his final demise at the start of Star Trek Generations. Captain Kirk sacrificed himself to save the crew of the USS Enterprise-B from the energy wave known as the Nexus. Unbeknownst to Starfleet, however, Star Trek's Nexus was an extra-dimensional paradise where time and space had no meaning and what ed for reality was shaped by thoughts.

Captain Kirk's presumed death at the start of Star Trek Generations happened in 2293, or 31 years before Star Trek: Section 31. For Kirk, only minutes had ed in the Nexus, and the Captain of the Enterprise was blissfully aware of the 78 years that had elapsed, and all the Federation history that transpired. Captain Kirk's death left the Federation bereft of one of its greatest heroes, and it is against this grim backdrop that Section 31 takes place.

Starfleet Also Thinks Scotty Died 30 Years Before Star Trek: Section 31

Scotty's "Death" Helped End An Era

Just like Captain Kirk, Captain Montgomery Scott (James Doohan), better known as "Scotty," was also missing-presumed-dead during the events of Star Trek: Section 31. He was aboard the USS Jenolan when it crash-landed on a Dyson Sphere, and Scotty was only able to survive by storing himself in the transporter's pattern buffer. 75 years later, the crew of the USS Enterprise-D found and re-materialized Scotty. Unlike Captain Kirk, however, Scotty went on to presumably have many more adventures. Captain Picard gave him a shuttle, and he flew out to see the galaxy again.

Because the USS Enterprise-D wouldn't even find the Jenolan's wreckage until 2369, it is pretty clear that Scotty was also assumed to be dead during Star Trek: Section 31. Scotty's loss, along with that of Captain Kirk, would almost certainly have been devastating for Starfleet, and marked the end of an era. With any luck, a potential sequel to Star Trek: Section 31 will be a further window into a forgotten era of Star Trek.