Section 31
Section 31 is the name of an officially-nonexistent clandestine organization within Imperial Intelligence that claims to protect the security interests of the empire.
Organization and tactics
Little information is available about the activities of the organization. One of its operatives claims that Section 31 deals with threats to the empire that others do not even realize exist and that jeopardize the empire's very survival. Section 31's actions are autonomous and its existence is neither acknowledged nor denied officially by the Imperial Court or the Imperial Parliament. Those found guilty of posing a security threat to the empire are dealt with quietly, as one of its operatives, Luther Sloan, explained. Section 31 is not accountable to anyone; it does not submit reports to anyone or asks approval for specific operations. Under Section 31 credo, to save lives, the ends always justify the means and its operatives are not afraid to bend the rules if the situation warrants it. Section 31 has no known physical headquarters or base of operations. A select few are chosen to carry widespread knowledge of their operations. Recruitment of new agents has to be done in secret, however, Section 31 NEVER recruits from the Diplomatic Corps as this would garner unwanted attention from both Parliament and emperor. One method that Section 31 uses to accomplish this involves kidnapping potential agents and testing their loyalty. Section 31's recruitment policy does not allow agents to officially retire from duty, and agents who had long since moved on from the agency could be called upon at any time to carry out a mission.
Types of Operations
The types of operations Section 31 agents are authorized to carry out depend on the diplomatic standing of the nation which they are implanted in. But a general outline is followed:
Enemy -- Espionage, assassination (if required), sabotage, intelligence-gathering, communications disruption, starship disruption, false military intelligence, covert-ops strike, support for underground movements, bribery.
Neutral -- Intelligence-gathering, military assessment
Ally -- Intelligence-gathering, covert military assistance, covert intelligence-sharing
Section 31 is mostly concerned with defending the empire from all threats, external and internal. However, as the safety of an allied nation is the key to a successful defense of the empire, Section 31 will assist an allied nation's own intelligence agency. This is why agents are implanted inside allied nations.
Enemy -- Espionage, assassination (if required), sabotage, intelligence-gathering, communications disruption, starship disruption, false military intelligence, covert-ops strike, support for underground movements, bribery.
Neutral -- Intelligence-gathering, military assessment
Ally -- Intelligence-gathering, covert military assistance, covert intelligence-sharing
Section 31 is mostly concerned with defending the empire from all threats, external and internal. However, as the safety of an allied nation is the key to a successful defense of the empire, Section 31 will assist an allied nation's own intelligence agency. This is why agents are implanted inside allied nations.
Recently Declassified 'Black Projects' of Section 31
The following 'black projects' were recently exposed by the Intergalactic Empire of Trekylon after being deemed "too dangerous" to be used, or were confiscated by the War Ministry or the emperor. Information on some of these projects is still highly classified due to their dangerous nature:
A-VirusDeveloped: 05/15
Project Type: biological agent Method of delivery: Airburst from missile or bomb Purpose of weapon: CLASSIFIED Targets: CLASSIFIED Summary: Developed at the height of the Rocca War, the A-virus was deployed only once, on an island within the territory of Rocca. The entire population was dead within 72 hours. Island was quarantined by Imperial Military to prevent the spread of the virus to the mainland territories. Symptoms: respiratory distress, accelerated heartbeat, sweats, chills, dehydration, paralysis, death. |
B-virusDeveloped: 05/31
Project Type: Organosynthetic virus Method of delivery: UNKNOWN Purpose of weapon: CLASSIFIED Targets: Was discovered by Vulcan, developed by Umbrella Corporation. Targets UNKNOWN Summary: Was discovered by Vulcan within a base facility owned by Umbrella Corporation. Corporation developed the virus, yet the ultimate target of their weapon remains unknown. Symptoms: UNKNOWN |
NanovirusDeveloped: CLASSIFIED
Project Type: CLASSIFIED Method of delivery: CLASSIFIED Purpose of weapon: Render target world uninhabited Targets: NONE TO DATE Summary: Developed by Section 31, this virus was designed to eliminate all living cells. Deceased biological lifeforms were excluded as the nanovirus needs living cells to propogate. Designed to leave landscapes, atmosphere, water alone(unless water is ingested by a living being). Can go dormant until lifeforms are reintroduced. Only way to defeat nanovirus is to kill all biological lifeforms on infected world, then quarantine world. Symptoms: UNKNOWN (though death is the end result) |
Xindi 'Slicer' sphereDeveloped: 02/05
Project Type: Superweapon Method of delivery: Self-propelled Purpose of weapon: Destroy target cities, islands. Targets: Used against Roccan military installations during Rocca War Summary: Initially a technological achievement of the Imperial Federation, the miniature Xindi superweapon was studied by Section 31. Slicer used for the first time in the Rocca War. Special Note: Weapon self-destructs after use, to prevent it falling into enemy hands. |
Romulan Drone-shipDeveloped: 07/20
Project Type: Unmanned attack craft design Method of delivery: Self-propelled ship Purpose of weapon: Disrupt enemy operations, supply lines, fleets Targets: Deployed against Horizon in the early period of the Tamriel-Horizon War. Summary: Developed by the Romulan branch of Section 31, the Tal Shiar. Deployed against the Horizon world of Tundric, where it destroyed several armouries. Confiscated by the emperor after a major diplomatic incident ensued over the use of unmanned attack ships. Special Note: Has self-repair ability, can go to warp, can disguise itself as an enemy or allied ship, and is very manueverable and therefore difficult to target. |
Special Imperial Edicts involving Section 31
Edict S31-A -- Section 31 is forbidden from 'poaching' recruits from the Diplomatic Corps. Any reports from the Foreign Ministry of attempted recruitment by Section 31 is to be reported to the Parliament or emperor immediately. Diplomats are to remain just that, diplomats.
Edict S31-B -- Section 31 is forbidden from having a 'private fleet' of ships, nor are they allowed to 'commandeer' an Imperial Starfleet ship for its own purposes. Any agents or operatives that are found attempting to seize, acquire, or otherwise come into possession of a starship-Imperial or otherwise-will be imprisoned for life. Unmanned drone-ships are excepted from this edict.
Edict S31-B -- Section 31 is forbidden from having a 'private fleet' of ships, nor are they allowed to 'commandeer' an Imperial Starfleet ship for its own purposes. Any agents or operatives that are found attempting to seize, acquire, or otherwise come into possession of a starship-Imperial or otherwise-will be imprisoned for life. Unmanned drone-ships are excepted from this edict.