Section 31 in TNG - How Secret Are They?

[cpttightpants]

So I've been doing some research on Section 31, and I can't seem to find a concrete answer to something I've been wondering.

Does Captain Picard know about Section 31 while he's still captain of the Enterprise-D?

I believe the only canon connection between the Section 31 plot and TNG is the book "Rogue" in the Section 31 series, which I think takes place after the events of Star Trek: First Contact. I haven't found the book to read yet, so this may be a stupid question, but I'm curious about how secret this "secret organization" really is. While they "officially don't exist", they're recognized by the Federation by 2375 according to an episode of DS9, and they've been around since the 22nd century at least.

So would a Starfleet captain -- particularly captain of the Federation flagship -- be privy to the existence of Section 31? Would he believe they were just a myth? Would he have had any dealings with their operatives? Picard was captain of the Enterprise for 9 years before "Rogue" takes place, and one of his Starfleet Academy buddies apparently built a career with Section 31...

Just thought someone who has read the series might have some insights into how much Picard would have known as he climbed the Starfleet ladder.

 

[Dukhat]

Section 31 is so secret that it was like they never even existed during TNG

 

[trekshark]

Section 31 is so secret that it was like they never even existed during TNG

true for what is seen and heard on the show

there could be speculation that Preston was connected to them. Cloaking research/testing sounds like something section 31 would do. But that would purely be fans making stuff up to fit into the larger fictional universe

 

[DarKush]

There's also speculation that Admiral Dougherty from Insurrection was also part of Section 31.

http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/Matthew_Dougherty

But it's interesting to speculate what other TNG events or characters were associated with Section 31. I wonder if Norah Satie was involved with Section 31. Or Admiral Kennelly.

http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Kennelly

 

[bbjeg]

Just because Picard never talked about them doesn't mean he didn't know about them. Who randomly talks about things they know.

 

[borgboy]

So I've been doing some research on Section 31, and I can't seem to find a concrete answer to something I've been wondering.

Does Captain Picard know about Section 31 while he's still captain of the Enterprise-D?

I believe the only canon connection between the Section 31 plot and TNG is the book "Rogue" in the Section 31 series, which I think takes place after the events of Star Trek: First Contact. I haven't found the book to read yet, so this may be a stupid question, but I'm curious about how secret this "secret organization" really is. While they "officially don't exist", they're recognized by the Federation by 2375 according to an episode of DS9, and they've been around since the 22nd century at least.

So would a Starfleet captain -- particularly captain of the Federation flagship -- be privy to the existence of Section 31? Would he believe they were just a myth? Would he have had any dealings with their operatives? Picard was captain of the Enterprise for 9 years before "Rogue" takes place, and one of his Starfleet Academy buddies apparently built a career with Section 31...

Just thought someone who has read the series might have some insights into how much Picard would have known as he climbed the Starfleet ladder.

For what it's worth, there's a prologue and epilogue in Rogue taking place after First Contact, but the bulk of the novel is set prior to FC and stars Lt. Hawk who died in FC.

I overall enjoyed the Section 31 novels. If you search for it - I believe it's even on itunes as a free download, there's a fan made Trek audio drama series called Section 31.