I like to think that it was Section 31 recruiting him for a mission and faking his death. Any historical document would have it that Trip died and that's why we got that holodeck version.
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That's certainly the route the novels took! Which is great if you have several pages of novel to explain thoroughly. I DM a lot though, so I prefer quick explanations without too many follow up questions. 😂 (I also think Section 31 feels out of character for Trip, but that's personal preference)
aug 28, 2025, 12:53 pm • 3 0 • view
I remember the novels well. Section 31 IS out of place for Trip, no doubt. In my head they faked his death or used some alien device as a means of persuading him but in the end after one mission he told them where to go!
aug 28, 2025, 1:01 pm • 4 0 • view
I'll just copy this head canon from you, all right?
aug 28, 2025, 1:06 pm • 2 0 • view
Section 31 was established in Enterprise - otherwise, they might have used a "regular" Starfleet secret service, with less problematic connotations. And that could still be used, if necessary.
aug 28, 2025, 1:00 pm • 2 0 • view
It was established as a regrettable piece of Malcolm's past, though. Trip takes things personally, he feels the least likely to work with them. But, he's the one who was dead, and a known character with that clandestine perspective was narratively useful. No harm in using the toys you're given.
aug 28, 2025, 1:12 pm • 3 0 • view
As for the books, they handled this well. As for a possible Enterprise revival, I'd be happy with them going the Snake Plissken route: "I thought you were dead!" Trip: "If I ever find the guy who started this damn rumor, I'll stuff him in an intermix chamber...!" 😉
aug 28, 2025, 1:19 pm • 2 0 • view
That's a good point 👍🖖, and properly explored in the Enterprise novels. In the books, I also like his Vulcanization, bringing him closer to T'Pol. After "dying," of course.
aug 28, 2025, 12:50 pm • 1 0 • view