Section 31 after DS9

[JirinPanthosa]

I do imagine Section 31 operating like a terrorist cell, like the organization detailed in the movie Battle of Algiers. So if one person is captured, all they know about is their direct superior and their direct inferiors.

How do we know the things Section 31 has done other than trying to wipe out the Founders and putting Federation sympathizers in Romulan positions of power? They must be competent because they haven't been discovered, but how do you know they weren't, for instance, behind Admiral Lleyton's assignment?

And, you're totally right about Cerberus but I'm speaking more of what they appeared to be in the second game. I believe, for instance, that they absolutely would run medical tests on people against their will in order to cure diseases or engineer biological weapons. They would rather capture a weapon of mass destruction than destroy it.

[Mr. Laser Beam]

bullethead wrote:

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Also, when it comes to interstellar politics, things that are in the best interests of the organization (peace with the Romulans, a diminished Dominion threat) tend to be in the best interests of the people as well.

Section 31 acts in its own best interest. Nothing else. They claim to serve the Federation, but if they did that, then by definition they would answer TO the Federation. They don't do that. They quite literally do whatever they want.

An organization can't be acting in the best interests of any people or government if it doesn't hold itself accountable to that same people or government.

[Rush Limborg]

Mr. Laser Beam wrote:

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Section 31 acts in its own best interest. Nothing else. They claim to serve the Federation, but if they did that, then by definition they would answer TO the Federation.

Problem with the line of reasoning:

"The Federation" is not a department in the chain of command. To "answer to the Federation" can entail many different meanings. What does it mean to "answer to the Federation"?

They don't do that. They quite literally do whatever they want.

An organization can't be acting in the best interests of any people or government if it doesn't hold itself accountable to that same people or government.

Not neccesarily. How many times has there been the storyline--in fiction and in real life--of someone who takes action to benefit someone else (a donation, saving a life, etc.)--and does not reveal their identity? There is little accountability there.

[T'Girl]

Mr. Laser Beam wrote:

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They claim to serve the Federation, but if they did that, then by definition they would answer TO the Federation.

That makes no sense. Because one doesn't necessate the other. You're implying that only the Federation's governing body can work to the Federation's best interests. Or at least what they see as it's best interests.

JirinPanthosa wrote:

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They must be competent because they haven't been discovered, but how do you know they weren't, for instance, behind Admiral Lleyton's assignment?

The argument can be made that if S31 were involved, what happen would have been more subtle and more successful. Ultimately the coup was badly conceived and a failure.

Would S31 step fully out into the light, engaging in a open military coup? Even through a proxy like the Admiral?

[Rush Limborg]

^Agreed. Section 31 doesn't strike me as the kind of organization that would support such a radical change in the Federation infrastructure. They deal in "puppets/moles", not overhauls.