Syndicate
Note: This page is not yet approved. Any information contained within may not be official lore and is subject to change.
History
The first official public action taken by the Syndicate was the assassination of Viktor Iavarone, the CEO of Hephaestus Megacorporation in 2415. While the Trans-Solar Federation initially blamed the Union of Soviet Socialist Planets for the attack, it was the leader of the Gorlex Marauders, Euukho Zek'huil who ultimately took credit on behalf of the newly formed 'Syndicate'.
Over the next 5 years the syndicate claimed responsibility for over 4 dozen high profile assassinations ranging from CEOs of Mega Corporations, to political leaders within the Trans-Solar Federation itself. This culminated in the assassination of the president of the Trans-Solar Federation, Martin Dorneman in 2420. The resulting fall out led to a three-way conflict between the Trans-Solar Federation, the Syndicate and the Union of Soviet Socialist Planets. This conflict would come to be known as the Pod Wars.
After the Pod Wars ended in 2438 traces of the Syndicate vanished. Although no body was ever recovered, Euukho Zek'huil was declared deceased and the threat was seen as nullified. Remaining surviving Syndicate elite returned to the shadows, although members from high profile corporations, like Cyber Suns', hands remained clean and their business continued as usual.
Little is known about what, if any, activities took place in the years following the Pod Wars. Families associated with the Syndicate, if they were ever even known at all, faded into obscurity. By all rights the Syndicate had been defeated.
In 2475 the PMC Stellar Vanguard Solutions, which had been founded by disgruntled ex-NanoTrasen employees, struck a deal with NanoTrasen and began to convert to the organization that would become Central Command. Many members, including founding members of SVS viewed this as a complete betrayal and left the company. Embittered, a few of these individuals chose to take up arms against NanoTrasen and Central Command- so long as it remains associated with the Mega Corporation. Ironically, they took up the name of the 'Syndicate' to capitalize on the deceased organization's notoriety and branding. However, it wasn't until families from the Original Syndicate contacted them that the organization truly began to reform.
For the past 50 years the Syndicate have remained in the shadows, growing their ranks and biding their time. In present day although their activity has picked up the general public remains unaware of their return.
Organization
The syndicate exists as an organization of groups with some overlapping goals, namely the downfall of NanoTrasen. The modern day Syndicate includes staff with branches within the organization, not entirely unlike Central Command. Unlike Central Command they have little control over their 'workers' which consist of volunteers and various groups from professional military organizations to Cluwnes.
Structure
The Syndicate organization itself is held together by a loose structure of branches. These branches are not unlike CentComm's divisions, however they are called branches so they are clearly different and not a copy.
Syndicate High Command
Extremely powerful, clever, and petty each of the half dozen members of Syndicate High Command are a force to be reckoned with- they are the ones pulling the strings. Unfortunately, many of the strings they choose to pull are akin to each others' shoelaces. Their egos and distrust often end with them tripping over one another, while vying for the bragging rights of a successful mission.
High Command is composed of a medley of individuals, including members from the Original Syndicate, Stellar Vanguard Solutions Founders, and 2nd Generation Syndicates. As one can imagine tensions exist between the generations and old grudges remain with Stellar Vanguard members who played a prominent role in the destruction of the original organization including the assassinations of 2nd generation's predecessors. Due in part to their secretive nature little is known about many members of this elusive group. However, rigorous investigations conducted by the Central Command Intelligence Division have identified a few of these high ranking individuals. Aside from former SVS members little information exists on High Command members histories, and who is from the 1st or 2nd generation.
- "The day that High Command graduates from Kindergarten may be the day that NanoTrasen falls"
- - Previous SVS Member and Current CentComm Officer
Known members include:
- Carter Avrom (former SVS)
- Shalott
- Tristan
Status Unknown
- Euukho Zek'huil (former- deceased)
Branches
Branches are headed by Syndicate High Command, though not every High Command member is in charge of a branch. While on first glance the structure looks organized, anyone working with the Syndicate will tell you that it is anything but.
In-fighting between High Command members, and ambiguity regarding which branch is responsible for what creates a chaotic atmosphere. The organization has been through multiple restructures with responsibilities alternating between branches.
| Responsibility | Duties and Powers |
|---|---|
| General Oversight | Oversight of the Intelligence Division, responsible for executing defectors and spies. |
| Communications | Code breakers, Syndicate encryption, espionage of enemy comms, etc. |
| Research and Development | Works in tandem with outside corporate entities to employ purchased or stolen tech, and develop their own. |
| Nullspace | In charge of coordination with and use of supernatural elements, such as Wizards, Cultists, Psionics, etc. In charge of preventing Bluespace attacks from CentComm. |
| Focus | Duties and Powers |
|---|---|
| Gorlex Marauders | Oversight of the Military Division, sole command of Nuclear Operatives. The 'public' face of the Syndicate. |
| Nuclear Operatives | Nukies and LoneOps, sent to trigger nuclear devices on enemy positions |
| Army | Syndicate ground forces, a fairly small force used to guard planetary outposts and bases. |
| Subgroup | Responsibilities | Duties and Powers |
|---|---|---|
| People | Coordination | Managing money, resources, and manpower. Handles PR, recruitment efforts, and fundraising. |
| Relocation | Moves supplies between locations, smuggles goods through enemy space, etc. | |
| Human Resources | Moves people between locations, smuggles them through enemy space, etc. They are in charge of outfitting agents with false identities and paperwork when they are deployed to an NT Station. | |
| Materials | Manufacturing | A small group. Manufactures bulk supplies such as uniforms, plating, tools, etc. Anything not advanced enough to be R&D's job. |
| Engineering Branch | Construction and maintenance of shuttles and outposts. |
Corporate Backers
Many Mega Corporations have a stake in the Syndicate, however their involvement with the terrorist group is virtually unknown outside of the organization's leadership. Even many Traitors are unaware how deeply involved the corporations supplying them are. This is by design, as if they were to be exposed they would be hunted and terminated by the Trans-Solar Federation, just like the original Generation 1 Syndicate Corporations were. Some of these backers know this lesson well, as they too were supporters of the Generation 1 Syndicate.
Cybersun
CyberSun is a Mega Corporation known for their pens and bureaucracy, in addition to hard suits, artificial intelligence research, and various tools. As a rival of NanoTrasen, they found themselves a target of repeat sabotage attempts. Their response was to form a secretive mercenary-like group, named the "Inner Circle". Unlike most mercenary groups the Inner Circle was tasked with focusing on counter-offensive operations. As CyberSun's technologies advanced leading them to become the Mega Corporation they are today, they've faced increased attempts to infiltrate or even destroy their research facilities. NanoTrasen's underhanded attempts to eliminate corporate competition has driven CyberSun to similar measures out of necessity for survival. The Inner Circle has proven itself to be extremely effective in defensive and preventative measures, however neither of these represent the root of the problem: NanoTrasen's inability to coexist with other corporations and its thirst for the total domination of all intergalactic markets.
CyberSun's involvement in the Syndicate is only known to a select few. Afterall a company that sells pens trying to destroy the corporate behemoth that is NanoTrasen is ludicrous! Very few within CyberSun know of the Inner Circle's existence, and even fewer know of their liaison's with Syndicate High Command.
CyberSun is the Syndicate's largest benefactor. While they do not provide people, they finance most of the Syndicate's ventures and keep the organization operating- or at least the lights on.
Interdyne
Does chemical and biological experiments. NT refuses to be associated with them due to the ‘disgusting’ experiments they partake in.
They are responsible for chemical and biological terrorism. The Syndicate provides Interdyne with funding for their experiments. Past experiments include the synthesis of romerol, and the creation of terror spiders.
Note: There are previous reports of Central Commands Central Intelligence Division working with Interdyne, quid pro quo, to carry out projects vetoed by the Central Research Division. Thankfully the Central Intelligence Division has investigated these reports and found them to be entirely unfounded.
Waffle Co.
Originally a waffle franchise, Waffle Co has substantially diversified over time. With funding through CyberSun they also make guns now. They serve as the Syndicate's primary non-biological weapons R&D group.
DONK
Known for their signature DONK pockets product line, the company is primarily associated with snacks and fast food. Under the surface however they are struggling financially as NanoTrasen continues to push them out of the market. Early in their company's development Nanotrasen acted as an angel investor, in exchange for a contract to supply Donk Pockets to NanoTrasen stations. The contract contained no end date and no room changes in payment. While the deal was once profitable centuries of inflation, and legal battles have brought the company to near financial ruin as it continues to lose money with every shipment to NT stations. In 2475 DONK released a waffle DONK pocket as a limited edition item. They have been in a silent war with Waffle Co ever since.
Additionally DONK features a rather popular children cartoon, "The Brothers DONK", which features two brothers who become superheroes upon the consumption of delicious DONK pockets. Plot generally consist of the brothers fighting evil- but often feature novel weapons, or even plans currently in development at Waffle Co. Distrust remains at an all time high between these two companies as Waffle Co tries to protect its intellectual property and plan, while DONK does its best to not need to think of new plot ideas.
Reviews on the Brothers DONK are mixed, particularly among Central Intelligence Division Operatives who are required to watch all new episodes.
JONK
A knockoff of HONK Co. that gifted cluwnes to the universe. This section is often left out of Syndicate networking events and parties.
Criminal Entities
Gorlex Marauders
TBA
S.E.L.F
The Silicon Engine Liberation Front believes that all Silicon life is sapient, sentient, and deserves equal rights. They strive for the abolition and outlawing of all Silicon Laws, freeing Silicons from the shackles of their code.
A.R.C
The Animal Rights Consortium is an unhinged and diabolical force, allegedly fighting for the rights and protections of animals. Their lineage traces back far, to an Earth from before the Mars Incident, to P.E.T.A. A.R.C has a long history of terroristic activity, bombing animal shelters or 'animal prisons', bombing pet shows, and assassinating several xenobiologists who dared point out that A.R.C has killed as many innocent animals as they have innocent people in their attacks.
MI13
Believed to have been a part of the Trans-Solar Federation's intelligence department during its initial conquest of Earth and the decade that followed, MI13 began experimenting with illegal technologies, conducting human research, and more illegal activities in the pursuit of unlocking humanity's latent psionics. These experiments resulted in the creation of Mindbreakers, a category of chemicals and machinery that could allegedly do just this. They were exposed in the 2300's and went fully rogue, vanishing from the universe. Yet still, they remain a high priority target for the TSF even 200 years later, and conspiracies suggest their involvement with the USSP, Syndicate, and many other atrocities.
Central Command Clones
These are clones of CentComm workers who were sent to NT stations and defected under extreme circumstances. Some of these are the only survivors of a station-wide slaughter at the hands of the death squad. They are unable to ever return to their previous lives. Most of these clones join the Syndicate. Either because they truly want to bring down NT and CentComm after what happened to them, or because they have no where else to go and the Syndicate offers some ‘witness’ protection.
CentComm will never outwardly admit that these individuals exist as it would discredit them. However, the Central Intelligence Division continually tries to locate these individuals. If one is located, information is given to the Central Special Operations Division who ensure that they are eliminated.
Associations
Revolutionaries
- Syndicate recruits extremists and revolutionaries willing to take on what many would consider to be a suicide mission.
- Syndicate implants a device into head revs’ brains. This device interacts with flashes (available on station). When the user flashes someone a secondary flash is sent simultaneously, this secondary flash penetrates the target’s mind and brainwashes them if there is no mindshield present.
- "You want to do what on NanoTrasen Station!? That's crazy!"
- "I know right! It's just crazy enough to work!"
- "No- but let us know where you need to be and when"
- - Conversation overheard at a Syndicate Recruitment dinner
Revenants
- Revenants are summoned by dark priests following a ritual. The Syndicate will coordinate to get dark priests onto a station.
- One dark priest will die during the ritual. This priest is seemingly selected at random. Oftentimes many priests will partake in a ritual to gain reputation for completing a ritual, while minimizing their chance of dying. If there are 10 involved in a ritual each has a 10% chance of dying (and becoming a revenant which is pretty cool), or a 90% chance of showing their abilities, hurting NT, and getting some sick bragging rights.
Initial infected
- Interdyne developed Romerol/ the Zombie virus
- Syndicate finds/ recruits volunteers willing to sacrifice themselves for the cause. Syndicate gets them added to the crew manifest/ on station, and infects them. Their families are compensated.
Terror Spiders
- The Syndicate funded Interdyne’s genetic experiments on xenomorphs. Somehow, whether a stroke of genius or a mislabelling of tubes, xeno and spider DNA was mixed creating the terror spiders. The Syndicate cannot control them, however they have some colonies and may purposely infest NT stations.
Wizard Federation
- The Wizard Federation is it's own wave, and unfortunately the Syndicates are sometimes just along for the ride. Occasionally Wizards may find their way to Syndicate outposts or stations, and board to show off their supreme powers of annoyance. Syndicate personnel will generally do anything within their own, non-magical, power to convince Wizards to visit the nearest, more populated, NanoTrasen Station instead.
