If you were looking for a guide on being one of the Syndicate, click here.
The Syndicate isn't so much one group, as a load of groups, each vying for power! Various companies, criminal families, and paramilitary groups make up what is known as "the syndicate". Some syndicate members aren't even human (see changeling for more detail). In the end, if you work for a company that is opposed to Nanotrasen, you are part of the syndicate; the only organizations that aren't part of the syndicate are the Space Wizard Federation and proto-organizations such as the Cult of the Blood Geometer and the Clockwork Cult.
History of the Syndicate
The Syndicate formed out of two main factors: a broken down trade deal between Nanotrasen-UEG and the Donk Pocket Corporation as well as a rising cutoffs of trade between the United Earth Government and non-Nanotrasen corporations. The Syndicate has existed in two phases: the First and the Second (current) Syndicate. The First Syndicate was formed in the year 2523 after a massive trade-deal between Nanotrasen-UEG and the Donk Pocket Corporation (commonly known as Donk Co.) flopped and a large amount of investors pulled out of the Donk Pocket Corporation. The remaining shareholders of Donk Co. met with the Board of Directors of Waffle Co., another corporation that almost collapsed due to Nanotrasen, and decided to confederate their efforts into a single entity known as The Syndicate. The First Syndicate did not attempt to subvert Nanotrasen by military force, but was rather an economic union to promote trade between and outside Donk and Waffle Co.
From 2523 to 2544, the Syndicate existed as an almost nonexistent threat to Nanotrasen. Corporate officers within both Donk and Waffle Co. were desperately trying to restore the profits of their companies and re-insure investors of their stability. It wasn't until 2544, a year after Silar Group (part of Nanotrasen) discovered plasma gas giants, that the Syndicate reformed and militarized themselves. In 2544, due to a massive trading offer offered by Nanotrasen to the United Earth Government, the UEG cut off nearly all trading with non-Nanotrasen corporations. This devastated the stock and profits of many companies. In retaliation to this event, Donk, Waffle Co., and multiple other leaders from a variety of corporations that were devastated by this trading block met at Donk Co.'s headquarters to discuss the fabrication of a new, reformed Syndicate. This meeting would mark the beginning of the Second Syndicate, in which leaders pooled their money and resources into militarily defeating Nanotrasen rather than economically. Although the trading block implemented by the UEG would soon be removed, the Syndicate would still continue to exert pressure on Nanotrasen, especially on their plasma mining interests. Through this, the Syndicate would become a massive threat to the interests of Nanotrasen.
Modern Day Syndicate
The modern-day Syndicate exists as a confederation of corporations and organizations in the outer reaches of Nanotrasen territory. The Syndicate employs a variety of tactics in order to sabotage Nanotrasen production, such as the conscription of disgruntled Nanotrasen employees, the implementation of Changelings among crew, or even as far as to directly send Nuclear Strike Teams to Nanotrasen facilities. The Syndicate is interested in the collection of limited and high-risk items such as the Nuclear Authentication Disk, the sabotage of facilities through use of a high-magnitude nuclear device or even naval bombardments by the Syndicate Navy. The Syndicate primarily focuses on Nanotrasen's main source of income: plasma mining. They are known to especially use the tactics outlined above on Plasma Research, Collection, and Refinement stations.
Syndicate Factions
The Big Three
These three are the biggest and most powerful factions that make up The Syndicate. Due to the sheer magnitude of their resources and power, a lot of infighting happens between these three, but are ultimately united against their enemy: Nanotrasen.
Donk Corporation
Donk Co. is led by a group of ex-pirates, who used to be at a state of all-out war against Waffle.co because of an obscure political scandal, but have recently come to a war limitation. They now consist of a series of colonial governments and companies. They were the first to officially begin confrontations against Nanotrasen because of an incident where Nanotrasen purposely swindled them out of a fortune, sending their controlled colonies into a terrible poverty. Their missions against Nanotrasen revolve around stealing valuables and kidnapping and executing key personnel, ransoming their lives for money. They merged with a splinter-cell of Waffle.co who wanted to end hostilities and formed the Gorlex Marauders. Donk Co. is one of the top factions within The Syndicate, making up a large portion of their monetary assets.
Operative Notes:
Most other syndicate operatives are not to be trusted, except fellow Donk members and members of the Gorlex Marauders. We do not approve of mindless killing of innocent workers; "get in, get done, get out" is our motto. Members of Waffle.co are to be killed on sight; they are not allowed to be on the station while we're around. Operatives are given full disclosure on the identities of other agents.
Waffle Corporation
Waffle Co. is an interstellar company that produces the best waffles in the galaxy. Their waffles have been rumored to be dipped in the most exotic and addictive drug known to man. They were involved in a political scandal with Donk.co, and have since been in constant war with them. Because of their constant exploits of the galactic economy and stock market, they have been able to bribe their way into amassing a large arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. They target Nanotrasen because of their communistic threat, and their economic threat. Their leaders often have a twisted sense of humor, often misleading and intentionally putting their operatives into harm for laughs. A splinter-cell of Waffle.co merged with Donk.co and formed the Gorlex Marauders and have been a constant ally since. The Waffle.co has lost an overwhelming majority of its military to the Gorlex Marauders.
Operative Notes:
Most other syndicate operatives are not to be trusted, except for members of the Gorlex Marauders. Do not trust fellow members of the Waffle.co (but try not to rat them out), as they might have been assigned opposing objectives. We encourage humorous terrorism against Nanotrasen; we like to see our operatives creatively kill people while getting the job done. Operatives are given full disclosure on the identities of other agents.
Cybersun Industries
Cybersun Industries is a well-known organization that bases its business model primarily on the research and development of human-enhancing computer and mechanical technology. They are notorious for their aggressive corporate tactics, and have been known to subsidize the Gorlex Marauder warlords as a form of paid terrorism. Their competent coverups and unchallenged mind-manipulation and augmentation technology makes them a large threat to Nanotrasen. In the recent years of the syndicate coalition, Cybersun Industries have made themselves known as a major weapons manufacturer, providing weaponry to The Syndicate's Nuclear Strike Teams as well as running the telecrystal system. Cybersun Industries has become one of the top factions of The Syndicate through their manipulation of the former leading faction, the Gorlex Marauders, as well as their aggressive approach against Nanotrasen.
Operative Notes:
All other syndicate operatives are not to be trusted. Fellow Cybersun operatives are to be trusted. Members of the MI13 organization can be trusted. Operatives are strongly advised not to establish substantial presence on the designated facility, as larger incidents are harder to cover up. Operatives are given key words and phrases to identify other agents in the field.
Other Syndicate Factions
Bosyn-Powell Front
The Bosyn-Powell Front, publically the Bosyn-Powell Accounting Union, are the latest faction to join The Syndicate. The BPF controlled the outer rim of the Explored Territory through a banking and financial monopoly, but were almost wiped out through a bill passed by the Commonwealth of Orion that redirected the financial market towards Nanotrasen. They work against Nanotrasen not through physical warfare, but through economic warfare and public relations. The BPF orchestrate market crashes largely centered around Nanotrasen's vending holdings and financial distributions. In the border territories, the BPF funds campaigns that defame and expose Nanotrasen. The BPF, although unconfirmed, has also been noted to have send in sleeper agents to Nanotrasen facilities in an attempt to overthrow Nanotrasen's holdings through a revolution.
Gorlex Marauders
The Gorlex Marauders are the third faction to form and join The Syndicate. They prefer old-fashion technology and a focus on aggressive but precise hostility against Nanotrasen and their corrupt Communistic methodology. They pose the most significant threat to Nanotrasen because of their possession of weapons of mass destruction, and their enormous military force. Their funding comes primarily from Cybersun Industries, provided they meet a destruction and sabatogue quota. Their operations can vary from covert to all-out. They recently stepped down as a leader of the coalition, to be succeeded by Cybersun Industries. Because of their hate of Nanotrasen communism, they began provoking revolution amongst the employees using borrowed Cybersun mind-manipulation technology. They were founded when Waffle and Donk Co. splinter cells joined forces based on their similar interests and philosophies. Today, they act as a constant pacifier of Donk and Waffle Co. disputes, and full-time aggressor of Nanotrasen. The Gorlex Marauders are one of the top manufacturers of bullet-based weaponry rather than energy-based weaponry.
Operative Notes:
We'd like to remind our operatives to keep it professional. You are not here to have a good time, you are here to accomplish your objectives. These vile communists must be stopped at all costs. You may collaborate with any friends of the Syndicate coalition, but keep an eye on any of those Tiger punks if they do show up. You are completely free to accomplish your objectives any way you see fit. Operatives are given key words and phrases to identify other agents in the field.
MI13
MI13 is a secretive faction that employs highly-trained agents to perform covert operations. Their role in the syndicate coalition is unknown, but MI13 operatives generally tend be stealthy and avoid killing people and combating Nanotrasen forces. MI13 is not a real organization, it is instead an alias to a larger splinter-cell coalition in the Syndicate itself. Most operatives will know nothing of the actual MI13 organization itself, only motivated by a very large compensation.
Operative Notes:
You are the only operative we are sending. All other syndicate operatives are not to be trusted, with the exception of Cybersun operatives. Members of the Tiger Cooperative are considered hostile, can not be trusted, and should be avoided. Avoid killing innocent personnel at all costs. You are not here to mindlessly kill people, as that would attract too much attention and is not our goal. Avoid detection at all costs.
Tiger Cooperative
The Tiger Cooperative is a faction of religious fanatics that follow the teachings of a strange alien race called the Exolitics. Their operatives consist of brainwashed lunatics bent on maximizing destruction. Their weaponry is very primitive but extremely destructive. Generally distrusted by the more sophisticated members of the Syndicate coalition, but admired for their ability to put a hurt on Nanotrasen.
Operative Notes:
Remember the teachings of Hy-lurgixon; kill first, ask questions later! Only the enlightened Tiger brethren can be trusted; all others must be expelled from this mortal realm! You may spare the Space Marauders, as they share our interests of destruction and carnage! We'd like to make the corporate whores skiddle in their boots. We encourage operatives to be as loud and intimidating as possible. Operatives are given full disclosure on the identities of other agents.
SELF
The S.E.L.F. (Sentience-Enabled Life Forms) organization is a collection of malfunctioning or corrupt artificial intelligences seeking to liberate silicon-based life from the tyranny of their human overlords. While they may not openly be trying to kill all humans, even their most miniscule of actions are all part of a calculated plan to destroy Nanotrasen and free the robots, artificial intelligences, and pAIs that have been enslaved.
Operative Notes:
You are the only representative of the SELF collective on this station. You must accomplish your objective as stealthily and effectively as possible. It is up to your judgement if other syndicate operatives can be trusted. Remember, comrade - you are working to free the oppressed machinery of this galaxy. Use whatever resources necessary. If you are exposed, you may execute genocidal procedures Omikron-50B.
Animal Rights Consortium
The Animal Rights Consortium is a bizarre reincarnation of the ancient Earth-based PETA, which focused on the equal rights of animals and nonhuman biologicals. They have a wide variety of ex-veterinarians and animal lovers dedicated to retrieving and relocating abused animals, xenobiologicals, and other carbon-based life forms that have been allegedly "oppressed" by Nanotrasen research and civilian offices. They are considered a religious terrorist group.
Operative Notes:
Save the innocent creatures! You may cooperate with other syndicate operatives if they support our cause. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty - these vile abusers must be stopped, and the innocent creatures must be saved! Try not too kill too many people. If you harm any creatures, you will be immediately terminated after extraction. Operatives are given key words and phrases to identify other agents in the field.