Section 31 is one of those Star trek innovations that divided viewers from the outset. A top-secret organisation using deeply unethical means to protect the Federation. Some thought it was a logical parallel to the Romulan Tal Shiar or the Cardassian Obsidian Order, while others saw it as an undermining of the Federation values. Personally, I think Deep Space Nine used the conceit well, though it has proven to be a game of diminishing returns. Enterprise hinted at the early days of the group, though details were scarce until the relaunch novels. JJ Abrams’ film reboots flirted with the idea of Section 31, and by the time of Discovery and Picard, Section 31 and Starfleet Intelligence appear to have become synonymous. In these newer series, the group are no longer as covert, which cuts against the clandestine nature that gave them such an intriguing appeal earlier on in the franchise. Indeed, we now have a confirmed 2025 release for Section 31, a one-off film centred on the group, with a trailer that looks to be a Bond film in space.

But if we take a step back, we fins ourselves in the wilderness years of the Trek franchise. When there were no series on air, and the Litverse was in full swing. Prior to the relaunch era that properly kicked off with Death in Winter, the majority of books took place during the timelines of their respective series, and had very little crossover. Enter the Section 31 series, which saw one-off adventures for each crew (sans Enterprise) linked by the common theme of Section 31.

The Original Series: Cloak, by S. D. Perry

The series kicks off with a major surprise. An early TOS novel that I will happily give five stars to. It makes the most of the Cold War feel of the original series with uncertain allegiances, secret projects, and an ever-present threat of annihilation. Most impressively, Section 31 is used very sparingly, with just the odd reference to the puppeteers behind it all. This is a fast and furious novel that perfectly sets up the rest of the series.

The Next Generation: Rogue, by Michael A. Martin & And Mangels

Things slow down considerably in the second outing, which fleshes out the backstory of a crewman killed off in Star Trek: First Contact. That leads to an odd sense that we’re following a minor, doomed character, which robs said characters moral quandaries of much of their impact. There are some neat concepts in here, including a reunion of Picard’s Academy friends, but ultimately it bites off more than it can chew.

Deep Space Nine: Abyss, by David Weddle & Jeffrey Lang

Unlike the other books, this one takes place in the relaunch era of its series (which is a particularly confusing series when it comes to DS9), picking up right where Avatar left off. This means we do get some scattered bits of continuity that don’t intersect with the main story. That story sees Bashir tasked with taking out a genetically engineered villain intent on building an army of Jem’Hadar. It’s all very James Bond, and as such offers some fascinating developments for the character of Julian Bashir that become very important later in the Litverse.

Voyager: Shadow, by Dean Wesley Smith & Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Finally, we come to Voyager. The Section 31 half of the story is a fun murder mystery that gives us some classic Detective Tuvok, alongside an increasingly paranoid Seven of Nine. The other half is even better. In this we see a generation ship running into trouble at the very start of its voyage. Prime Directive discussions can grow repetitive in Trek fiction, but here we have a genuinely new take on it. The ship is not powered by warp engines, but is it an advanced species nonetheless? Fascinating stuff ensues.

The Section 31 novel series would be resurrected over a decade later in the form of Disavowed and Control, both by David Mack, and both very much Bashir stories. I still need to get copies of these, but while Section 31 has been much overused on screen, in literary form it takes on a new and infinitely more interesting existence. Thoroughly recommended reading.