The Syndicate

If you were looking for a guide on being one of the Syndicate, click here.

For further information on the Syndicate, and on the rest of the SS13 universe, please view the Common Core lore here: https://github.com/tgstation/common_core/blob/master/Syndicate.md

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 isn't Nanotrasen, you are part of the syndicate; the only big organization that isn't part of the syndicate is the Space Wizard Federation, of wizards.

Power is Employees

Due to corporate power replacing political power, each company is now effectively their own nation! Nanotrasen is one of the largest (if not THE largest) and most powerful in the cosmos. Because of this, Many other companies have been screwed over, or just can't get the cutting edge they need to keep their employees from Nanotrasen's hands.

Syndicate Factions

These are the more powerful organizations that make up The Syndicate. A loose coalition at best, they work collectively only as necessary to undermine their common enemy: Nanotrasen.

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 established themselves as the leaders of the coalition, succeededing the founding group, the Gorlex Marauders.

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.

MI13

MI13 is a secretive faction that employs the finest covert operatives money can buy. Within the Syndicate, MI13 is an enigma, with almost nothing known of the internal workings of the organisation- not even by most of its agents. MI13 provides a lot of support to the other factions of the Syndicate, including cutting edge covert technology, mission support, and acting as an intelligence network. During operations, MI13 operatives are known for their cool, sophisticated handling of themselves, and their incredible covert abilities.

Operative Notes:
You are the only operative we are sending. Other Syndicate operatives may be present- collaborate with them if you must, but do not let them know about your mission. Members of the Tiger Cooperative are considered hostile, can not be trusted, and should be avoided. Avoid killing innocent personnel at all costs. We don't need the extra attention that would bring. Avoid detection by Nanotrasen's forces at all costs: if you are captured, as far as we're concerned, you never existed.

Tiger Cooperative

The Tiger Cooperative are a fundamentalist group of religious extremists, following a radical sect that views Changelings as the pinnacle of evolution, and therefore as divine avatars of their dark gods. Their position in the Syndicate is purely pragmatic, as they are the only group brave (or stupid) enough to deal with the Changelings, and therefore serve as a vital link to these powerful beings. While on an operation, the Tiger brethren often abuse illicit substances to enter a battle trance, and their key motto is to "Cleanse, or die trying." To this end, they are well known for their use of energy swords and martial arts, and when the only objective is raw killing, the Tiger Cooperative are unmatched.

Operative Notes:
Cleanse the heathens, or die trying! Work with your enlightened brothers. All others must be purified.

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.

Gorlex Marauders

A loose collective of raiders and pirates turned private military, the Gorlex Marauders are one of the founding members of the Syndicate, and act as the coalition's sword. Forming to protect their livelihood against Nanotrasen's raids and involvement in private military affairs, the Gorlex Marauders would go on to inspire much of the symbolism that today defines the Syndicate as a whole. These include their signature blood-red colour scheme, their liberal use of low-yield nuclear weaponry, and their anything-goes attitude to the job, valuing the eventual payday over collateral damage (and the lives of anyone caught in their area of operations). The Marauders are well known for swiftness and mercilessness in battle, and the battle hardened soldiers that make up their ranks also make up the vast majority of Syndicate nuclear strike teams.

Operative Notes:
Alright, soldier. These corporate bastards must be sent a message, and you're the delivery boy. Accomplish your objectives any way you see fit- collateral damage is authorised, and we expect you to cause some chaos out there. You are free to collaborate with any fellow Syndicate agents, but do not allow them to hold you back from accomplishing your objectives.

Interdyne Pharmaceutics

An up-and-coming pharmaceutical company in human space, Interdyne has been instrumental in advancing medical technology in recent years. From advanced sleepers, to organ printing, and laser-based surgical tools, many recent advancements have been spearheaded by their R&D division. However, beneath the surface lies a dark secret. Interdyne is also one of the largest black market dealers of biological weaponry, illegal genetics research, and illicit substances. Some of their biggest successes include the proliferation of Fungal Tuberculosis amongst terrorist groups, and even the creation of Romerol. To the syndicate, they tend to provide liquid assets and materiel, often staying out of direct operations- but as with all Syndicate groups, sometimes matters must be taken into their own hands.

Operative Notes:
Greetings, operative. Interdyne requires a job done, and we cannot trust any of the other Syndicate members with this one- you're being sent in. Other operatives from fellow Syndicate factions may be present- they can not be trusted, and must not know your objectives. You may accomplish your objectives however you see fit, but get it done clean, and there's a bonus cheque in it for you.

Donk Corporation

Donk Co. was one of the children of the Nanotrasen Corporate Rehabilitation project, aimed at giving ex-convicts a chance on the periphery. Their products quickly rose to prominence, being a common sight on shelves across the galaxy. Following a breakdown of company relations, Donk Co. found themselves the target of covert operations by Nanotrasen, leading them to join the Syndicate for protection. Donk Co. operatives frequently engage in corporate espionage against almost anyone they can, even their own allies within the Syndicate; this has led to a great deal of animosity towards them, particularly from Waffle Corp, who are very protective of their assets.

Operative Notes:
Most other syndicate operatives are not to be trusted, except fellow Donk Co. agents and operatives from 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; we need revenge for their last raid on our facilities. Operatives are given full disclosure on the identities of other Donk Co. agents.

Waffle Corporation

Waffle Corp was, at one point, a corporation to rival Nanotrasen. Leveraging criminal connections, Waffle Corp grew from a small Belgian breakfast food company into a multinational conglomerate extremely quickly, and were set to continue their meteoric rise- until they were investigated for corruption by TerraGov. Following their fall from grace, Waffle Corp ceased to exist in the public eye: however, behind the scenes they continued their criminal dealings. Now, Waffle Corp makes a tidy income from the black market, and provides much of the Syndicate's weapons and equipment. They also have their own (small) private army, which they employ for operations against Nanotrasen, and their rivals within the Syndicate.

Operative Notes:
Agents of Donk Corporation are to be dealt with harshly- they must know to respect our property. Agents of other Syndicate entities are not to be trusted, with the exception of the Gorlex Marauders. Accomplish your objectives as you see fit- bonus cheques may be in order for particularly creative solutions.