Category:Section 31

"Section 31" is the name given to the rumored, ultra-secret third intelligence organization, taken from the provision in the Federation Constitution "authorizing" its activities. Of particular importance in this provision is the reference to conducting domestic espionage activities- this is specifically forbidden in OSFI's charter, and SECIS, the organization charged with internal security, typically involves itself in standard security operations and investigative operations, in such cases working hand-in-hand with SFJAG. Neither of these organizations engage in outright spying on Federation citizens without due cause for obvious reasons- no Federation organization would ever be authorized to do such things.

Ironically, it is just such naivety that allows Section 31 to exist. Ultimately their goal is the same as Star Fleet itself- to promote the security and stability of the United Federation of Planets and its peoples. However, they do so by performing the "dirty jobs" no one wants to do, such as termination missions (forbidden under both OSFI's and SECIS' charters) and domestic espionage. Typically, much of Section 31's time and resources are devoted to ferreting out spies within the Federation and Star Fleet, traitors within Star Fleet, and protecting the Federation from within. Basically, they would spend the bulk of their resources spying on Federation citizens.

Their approach is more Machiavellian than that of OSFI or SECIS; to them, the end result of their mission justify the means they use to accomplish it. In other words, this organization does not see a "right" and "wrong" way of doing things- they simply see the most efficient way. This lack of morality allows them to break the very rules, laws and regulations they are protecting. Their sole concern is in eliminating threats to Federation security, whether they be internal or external, regardless of the means used.

The most important thing to understand about Section 31 is, despite their claims to the otherwise, this organization is NOT officially sanctioned by the Federation. Its agents are to be treated as hostile operatives.