My main, Ellen Hare, doesn't buy the whole "We have to do this for the sake of the Federation" story: it's logically possible, but, since they don't appear to be accountable to anyone at all, there's normally no proof that it's actually true except their word for it! She thinks it always quite likely that they're acting out of a) paranoid fantasies, b) sadism, c) corruption or d) all of the above. (Pretty much my own view of the CIA et cetera. They say that the reason there are so many different intelligence agencies in any one country is so that they can keep an eye on what each other are up to.)
My Klingon, Steelbone Ravek, probably hasn't heard of S31 unless via the Borg. If there are similar people in the Klingon system, it'd be no more than he expected - he has a pretty low opinion of the "honour" of the whole Klingon hierarchy. If he came across Starfleet's S31, well, they are exactly the kind of people he doesn't like and, not being Starfleet, there's nothing to prevent him acting on that.
RP, of course. STO makes sure that "actually" all our charcters will do as S31 says every single time and again and again and again...
Agreed It would be fun if, as mhall85 suggested, there was a story arc that revolved around S31, and you got the chance at these points to side with them or against them (whether by refusing assistance, straight out attacking them, or getting furious after being suckered (like in "Suspicion", for instance) and trying to have the law on them). Would require a bit more writing than usual, as there'd be more than one different path through the missions, but it would be very much worth while.
and, yes, Marcus, with Col. Jessup's actions in A Few Good Men, is that they have crossed the line from carrying out policy to attempting to create it. They have forgotten their place as servants of the people.
I'd have to disagree there, as he didn't personally come up with the idea of Code Reds, he just gave the order for one to be carried out against what was believed to be a sub-par Marine. I think he was very aware of being a servant of the people, but chafed at the ingratitude of those who questioned his (and presumably the military in general) methods in providing their safety and security... Definitely not in the same league as say Admiral Leyton, or whoever was behind the plan to kill the Founders, IMHO...
Looks like they're here to stay, but I do NOT have to like it.
Of my Fed characters: Tylha Shohl and Ronnie Grau both take a relatively pragmatic approach - Section 31 is wrong and reprehensible, but it is so deeply entrenched (and knows where too many bodies are hidden) for it to be easily disposed of.
T'Pia (remorselessly literal-minded Vulcan) and M'eioi (Federation idealist) are both more likely to take a strictly legalistic view - Section 31 is illegal, and should be stopped.
Pexlini and T'Laihhae both are intelligence operatives, and they know where the lines are, and Section 31 quite clearly crosses them, so they do not approve.
On the KDF side: R'j Bl'k' and Rrueo would both be inclined to see Section 31 as just another proof of overall Federation hypocrisy (both of them have a more than slightly jaundiced view of the "Utopian" Federation society). As for Shalo and Heizis (nobody's met Heizis, yet. Delta Recruit), their view could probably be summarized as "Section 31? Pah. Amateurs."
A normie goes "Oh, what's this?"
An otaku goes "UwU, what's this?"
A furry goes "OwO, what's this?"
A werewolf goes "Awoo, what's this?"
"It's nothing personal, I just don't feel like I've gotten to know a person until I've sniffed their crotch." "We said 'no' to Mr. Curiosity. We're not home. Curiosity is not welcome, it is not to be invited in. Curiosity...is bad. It gets you in trouble, it gets you killed, and more importantly...it makes you poor!"
Passion and Serenity are one.
I gain power by understanding both.
In the chaos of their battle, I bring order.
I am a shadow, darkness born from light.
The Force is united within me.
Looks like they're here to stay, but I do NOT have to like it.
My main does not trust them but can work with them on his own terms, he just does not like Drake much
"The meaning of victory is not to merely defeat your enemy but to destroy him, to completely eradicate him from living memory, to leave no remnant of his endeavours, to crush utterly his achievement and remove from all record his every trace of existence. From that defeat no enemy can ever recover. That is the meaning of victory."
-Lord Commander Solar Macharius
Comments
My Klingon, Steelbone Ravek, probably hasn't heard of S31 unless via the Borg. If there are similar people in the Klingon system, it'd be no more than he expected - he has a pretty low opinion of the "honour" of the whole Klingon hierarchy. If he came across Starfleet's S31, well, they are exactly the kind of people he doesn't like and, not being Starfleet, there's nothing to prevent him acting on that.
Agreed
T'Pia (remorselessly literal-minded Vulcan) and M'eioi (Federation idealist) are both more likely to take a strictly legalistic view - Section 31 is illegal, and should be stopped.
Pexlini and T'Laihhae both are intelligence operatives, and they know where the lines are, and Section 31 quite clearly crosses them, so they do not approve.
On the KDF side: R'j Bl'k' and Rrueo would both be inclined to see Section 31 as just another proof of overall Federation hypocrisy (both of them have a more than slightly jaundiced view of the "Utopian" Federation society). As for Shalo and Heizis (nobody's met Heizis, yet. Delta Recruit), their view could probably be summarized as "Section 31? Pah. Amateurs."
#LegalizeAwoo
A normie goes "Oh, what's this?"
An otaku goes "UwU, what's this?"
A furry goes "OwO, what's this?"
A werewolf goes "Awoo, what's this?"
"It's nothing personal, I just don't feel like I've gotten to know a person until I've sniffed their crotch."
"We said 'no' to Mr. Curiosity. We're not home. Curiosity is not welcome, it is not to be invited in. Curiosity...is bad. It gets you in trouble, it gets you killed, and more importantly...it makes you poor!"
Section 31 FTW seems to fit.
Of course, a better option as a true Section31 member might be Eh I don't worry about it or KILL IT WITH FIRE!
-Lord Commander Solar Macharius