SerpApi.Org
Warning: contains spoilers for Star Trek: Redshirts 2: Ghosts of the 21st Century #1!
The newest branch of Starfleet in the Star Trek universe makes Section 31 look downright pathetic. Section 31 does the dirty work, handling threats to the Federation’s security with extreme prejudice. Highly-classified, their existence is only known to a handful. Section 31 works from the shadows, and is accountable to no one.
Introduced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s sixth season, in the episode "Inquisition," Section 31 would become one of the most popular concepts the show gave the franchise. Deep Space Nine held a mirror up to the Federation and Starfleet, and the reflection was not always pretty. Fans learned the Federation made bad treaties that left citizens high and dry, and forced them into a life of terrorism. DeepSpace Nine blurred the lines between good and bad in the Star Trek universe, and Section 31 took this idea to its conclusion.
Section 31 has factored into nearly every Star Trek show since its introduction, even appearing in the Kelvin Timeline. The organization gave the Star Trek universe more depth, showing that the Federation was not always in the right, and willing to break the rules to get what it wanted. Yet now, a new branch of Starfleet has been introduced, one that makes Section 31 look like the good guys.
Star Trek Fans, Meet Section Null, the Replacement for Section 31
Section Null Engages in Activities Beyond Section 31
In Star Trek: Redshirts II: Ghosts of the 21st Century #1, written by Gerry Duggan and drawn by Scott Buoncristiano, fans meet Section Null. This division is actually a front for a Romulan plan to destabilize the Federation, and are engaged in all sorts of insidious activity, such as piracy and drug trafficking. Section Null is headed up by Captain Miller, who is secretly a Romulan asset. The issue begins when young Harry Duebert is recruited into Section Null by Miller.
Duebert, seeing a shot at redemption and making something of himself, soon sees working with Section Null will be anything but easy. In addition to the illegal activities it engages in, it is working to undermine the one thing it was created to protect. Duebert, horrified at what is going on around him, vows to bring down Captain Miller and Section Null.
Section 31 Was a Dark Concept, But Section Null Takes It a Step Further
Section 31’s introduction to Star Trek lore 28 years ago was controversial, as it showed a darker side of the Federation, but Section Null makes them look weak. While Section 31 engages in illegal activity, it is, from their perspective, good for the Federation. Section Null, on the other hand, has no such hang-ups, and if not stopped, will bring the Federation to its knees. The Romulans made a careful study of human and Federation history before implementing Section Null, and it is their worst scheme yet.
Section Null, on the other hand, has no such hang-ups, and if not stopped, will bring the Federation to its knees.
The types of activities the two groups engage in are, as noted earlier, highly illegal in a court of intergalactic law. Section 31 has been linked to assassinations, sabotage and other shady activities. Section: Null also most likely engages in these activities, but takes it a step further by selling drugs. It also raises the question of what other plots Section Null has cooked up to help destroy the Federation. As seen in Ghosts of the 21st Century’s first issue, Null will sink to some low depths.
Will Section Null and Section 31 Cross Paths?
Section Null is the new down and dirty branch of Starfleet, appropriate for the violent and brutal Redshirts 2. The series’ predecessor did not hold back on showing the carnage that can happen on a Starfleet mission, and this issue was no different. Section 31 showed a dark side to the Star Trek universe, and Section Null is doing the same. Both organizations represent humanity’s worst impulses, but Null is head and shoulders above the rest. Their commitment to illegal activities and subversion makes Section 31 look weak.
Star Trek: Redshirts II: Ghosts of the 21st Century is on sale now from IDW Publishing!
