Title: Star Trek: Section 31: Rogue
Author: Andy Mangels & Michael A. Martin
Publication: June 2001
360 Pages
Star Trek: Section 31: Rogue is the second book of a series of four that are about Star Trek’s Section 31. Section 31 is the most secret, rogue shadow group that is committed to safeguarding the Federation at any cost.
No Law. No Conscience. No Stopping Them.
This story takes place in the Next Generation time frame, a
few days after the events of Star Trek: First Contact. Captain Jean Luc
Picard is aboard the Enterprise, supervising her repair, taking stock and
going over the post-action report with his first officer William T. Riker. While
reviewing the crew list, they come to a name that stands out among the dead: Lt.
Sean Liam Hawk. “Such a loss. So enthusiastic and passionate” are
Picard’s thoughts on this one particular Lieutenant. Everyone reaches a
crossroads, if he lives long enough. Six months ago, Lt. Hawk reached his.
The Chiaros system: found deep in the Gemenis Gulf. The only habitable star system in this desolate sector of space. Three empty sectors of space and the Romulans are interested in wresting this star system from the hands of the Federation. Chiaros IV has applied for membership into the Federation and the U.S.S. Slayton is there to be on hand while the historic vote of this proud race takes place. While a shuttle is dispatched with several senior members aboard, Captain Burdick suddenly discovers a massive sub-space wave distortion wave front headed in all directions, 8 astronomical units in diameter. She orders the Slayton to investigate and in nearing the anomaly, the Slayton is crippled. Before repairs can be made, the Slayton is destroyed with all hands aboard. The Federation starship veered too close to someone and something . . . the mystery begins.
Captain Picard and the Enterprise are ordered to the Chiaros System with Ambassador Tabor and Picard’s old academy friend: (now an Admiral) Marta Batanides. Turns out that (now a Commander) Cortin Zweller was aboard the Slayton and Admiral Batanides wants to mount a rescue operation to find her missing ship and classmate. During the journey, Ambassador Tabor finds a possible candidate to Section 31 – Lt. Hawk.
“I will let you in on a little secret, Sean. Starfleet knows that mistakes can be made. Are made. They’ve known it since the beginning. It’s why the founders of Starfleet created a secret bureau, an elite group whose job is to provide for the organization’s best interests.”
“You mean Starfleet Intelligence? They are hardly a
secret.”
“No, not S.I. The group I’m talking about is known
as Section 31.”
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“Most people haven’t. I doubt even your Captain
Picard, as wise and knowledgeable as he is, is aware of the group, even though
it was part of Starfleet’s original charter two hundred years ago. Section 31
exists to identify anything that might threaten the Federation-and then deals
with it, efficiently and quietly.”
Upon arrival to Chiaros IV, wreckage of the Slayton is found, but the shuttle dispatched from the aforementioned ship isn’t located. Picard and crew make contact with both sides of a brewing conflict, one that is the legitimate ruling government, the other, a rebel band of insurgents fighting with Federation phasers! An ambush ensues and many important people die and or taken prisoner. Public sentiment is not good and the upcoming election may turn against the Federation. The Romulans are the logical choice for the populace since the chosen side (The Federation) is supplying weapons to the rebels. Evens are further complicated by the presence of a space anomaly that is protected by a Romulan Cloaking Device of staggering size. Hawk believes it could be a Dyson Sphere, but a probe sent in provides no answers. Captain Picard is unwilling to risk his ship without definite answers. None are forthcoming and a traitor to the Federation sells-out his countrymen while the traitor to the planet turns out to be the key to the secret hidden behind the cloaking device.
This book wins praise across the board. Too bad this book wasn’t turned into Star Trek X. Section 31 defends the Federation from harm but who or what protects Section 31? We learn serious lessons about knowledge, faith and making deals with the devil. Who makes the decisions to sacrifice something for the greater good? I cannot, in good conscious give up anymore in this story, but let me tell you, this one should not be missed. The story is just short of being epic, but it is clearly one that should have been told on the big screen.
On Roger’s scale: Rogue rates an A!
