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Luther Sloan is a character in the fictional Star Trek universe, played by William Sadler. An operative in the secret police organization known as Section 31, Sloan appeared in three episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: "Inquisition," "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges," and "Extreme Measures."
In 2374, Sloan placed Dr. Julian Bashir in a psychologically intense holodeck scenario designed to test his loyalties to the Federation. Satisfied that Bashir was a steadfast Starfleet officer, Sloan offered Bashir a position in Section 31, knowing of the doctor's fondness for 20th century espionage fiction. Bashir adamantly refused, but Sloan was content to to let him consider the offer.
In 2375, Sloan attempted to recruit Bashir for a mission to gather information on Koval, chairman of the Romulan Tal Shiar. Bashir initially declined, but agreed with Captain Sisko that this would allow them to learn more about Section 31's operations and possible connections to Starfleet Command. However, unbeknownst to both of them, Sloan had already enlisted the assistance of Admiral William Ross and thus succeeded in strengthening covert ties to one highly-placed Romulan and subverting the career of another. Despite appearing to perish at Koval's hand, Sloan returned to thank Bashir for playing his part and living up to Sloan's high expectations of him.
Later that year, Bashir discovered evidence that Section 31 was responsible for infecting Odo with a genocidal virus intended to bring an end to the Dominion War. With the assistance of Miles O'Brien, Bashir lured Sloan to Deep Space 9 and captured him. Rather than risk handing Bashir the cure, however, Sloan triggered a neuro-depolarizing device in his brain, effectively killing himself. After stabilizing Sloan, Bashir and O'Brien linked their minds to his in a last-ditch effort to secure information that would lead to a cure. While inside Sloan's mind, Bashir was offered secret documents that could bring about the end of Section 31; this was Sloan's way of delaying Bashir from escaping with the knowledge needed to save Odo's life, and, by extension, the Founders. If not for O'Brien's intervention, Bashir would have died with Sloan and the Founders would have perished as a species.
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