10 Weirdest Laws In The Star Trek Universe

Upon detection of the Omega molecule, the captain of a starship must do any and all things within their power to ensure that the molecule is destroyed. All other considerations, including the Prime Directive, are considered secondary.

Omega is potentially the most devastating substance in the known universe. A single molecule, when destabilised, could not only destroy a Federation research station but also destroyed subspace for several light-years, making warp drive impossible. Thus, Starfleet ordered the existence of Omega be kept secret to all but those of rank Captain or higher.

While the search to destroy the molecule was more than understandable, due to the nature of the damage that it could inflict, the decision to make it such a closely guarded secret made far less sense. Simply put, this was a secret that couldn't help but get out sooner or later. Starfleet often interacts with representatives from other powers, such as the Klingons, Romulans or Cardassians - none of whom had any such restrictions in place. Any one of them could have spoken of the substance.

Further to this, if an officer of lower rank than a captain discovered the molecule but was unaware of its significance, it is entirely possible that could lead to a deadly situation being missed. The Omega Directive is a law that makes sense in a board room of officials planning out what to do in a laboratory-based situation but has no merit at all in the field.