The Spinward Syndicate
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The Spinward Syndicate is a criminal faction, dating back to the early space years of Terra. When the unification of many different governments on Terra happened, so did the unification of the more clandestine organisations on the planet. This unification was seen often as the birth of Space Piracy, the most notable instance of it being the stealing of Terra's International Space Station - which is often seen as the first act of Space Piracy.
The Syndicate did not go unseen by the founding factions of interstellar colonies, and with the powers and wealth that the Syndicate had managed to carry on from the unification of many other criminal organizations, they became a key player in the settlement of certain planets and space habitats. Many questioned how it was that the Syndicate was able to make such a presence in space, with it seemingly keeping up with or even outdoing the larger factions in terms of wealth and technology. Though after the first war of Martian Independence, it became more and more apparent that the power within this circle was not just from its prior criminal roots, but also from some of the well known companies and corporations that worked within space. Whilst it was obviously never outright proven this was the case, those with information inside, or who had worked so closely prior, would be able to speak up of the wealthy benefactors that sponsored the Syndicate with money, equipment, and real estate.
It was in the late 2200's that the Syndicate was truly born as we see it today. The Inner Circle was birthed and a treatise of many companies was signed binding them all with, and under the thumb of the then powerful and militant Spinward's. Whilst the Spinward's held the the seat of power, their true strength was born of the many companies that unified alongside them with a common goal in mind; disrupt and dethrone Nanotrasen from its powerhouse status amongst the stars. Nearly all of the companies with ties into the Syndicate had been stung in the past, and it was through the newfound grander organization that these companies could finally begin their work to disrupt the hulk that is Nanotrasen. The Syndicate's primary goal is removing NT assets from space in anyway possible, be it through Gorlex brutality, Red-Suit Tactics, funded Solarian deserters, or clandestine agent operations. Many of the tragedies that befall Nanotrasen stations to this day can be attributed to the work of the Syndicate and its inner circles attempting to keep the megacorporation in check.
The Spinward Circle
Whilst it would be impossible to denote and name those within the Spinward Circle, many often refer to them as the Inner Circle. Those who are privy to the meetings and plots of the intergalactic force are shrouded entirely in mystery for their own safety and protection. One consistent though, is that the Spinward family name has not left the center of this structure.
Companies with ties to the Syndicate
In the public record, there is no solid proof of corporations directly working for or with the Syndicate. This however, does not stop a loud minority from creating what are seen as "crackpot theories" about certain corporations that may have dealt with or work for the snake. These obstinate orators however are quite close to the truth, for with a little corporate espionage and some cutting of red tape, one could potentially compile a list of organizations that have redacted records denoting their past affiliation with the Spinward's.
Electra Dynamics
Nanotrasen's biggest competitor in the field of power generation, and the now leading power generator within the Solarian space, Electra Dynamics have had a long history with Nanotrasen. Originally assisting them with their startup, Electra Dynamics had always been the leading in power solutions for world government and the private sector alike. They were the other side of the Global Power Initiative that was signed with Nanotrasen to resolve Earth's power crisis, and even today the agreement still stands. In the time leading up to the Martian war of Independence, tensions were already brewing between Electra Dynamics and Nanotrasen, and some even attribute the war to these tensions. Nowadays, with Nanotrasen providing 22% of the power within Solarian space, and Electra Dynamics producing a majority force of 39%, the two companies uphold their competitive past. This doesn't stop employees from either side finding contracted work under each banner, however, as in the eyes of the public, Nanotrasen and Electra are perceived to be not as at odds with eachother.
Cybersun Incorporated
Cybersun Incorporated are industry veterans when it comes to the creation of most anything with a battery or plug socket. Be it your kitchen microwave, or the latest Mining Grade Modular Suit, there is a chance that Cybersun worked closely with the designer, or simply manufactured it themselves. Founded shortly after the discovery of Plasma, Cybersun first worked alongside Nanotrasen as a subsidiary under the promise of working with their brand new fuel an enticement for them to sign a deal. The subsidiary status didn't last long, however, as after Cybersun created groundbreaking technology in the fields of Cybernetic Enhancement using Phoron-Plasma batteries manufactured with Nanotrasen's newest element, the larger company swept them away just moments after Electra had undercut Nanotrasen's reveal of the PO-202. After the breakaway from Nanotrasen, a newly independent Cybersun forged their own path towards the revolution of the cybernetics industry, creating the first true consumer grade cyber-prosthetic enhancements. When the first war of Martian Independence rolled around, a deal was signed between Cybersun, and the attacking forces of the UGT, granting their soldiers the usage of more combat focused enhancements on the battlefield under their branding.
Interdyne Pharmaceuticals
Somewhat outliers in the Syndicate sphere given their motivations towards providing medical care still seemingly being at the forefront, Interdyne Pharmaceuticals have had a colorful history. Interdyne is the most recent company to find themselves working within the Syndicate, signing on during the 400 years of solar colonization after Martian independence. Whilst it was outside of the public eye, when Nanotrasen was working alongside the IMS to push for galactic colonization, Nanotrasen reached out to Interdyne on the grounds of a then highly confidential project. That project, which was the foundation of what we see today as cloning, resulted in an ethical fallout that with a little political manipulation, Nanotrasen ensured Interdyne alone took the fall for.
Criminal Organizations and Locations
Whilst the Syndicate does have a few corporations under their thumb, those that're more commonly looked towards as 'known names' are the bandits, pirates, mercenary companies and violent organizations that work rather overtly.
Gorlex Marauders
Following the colonization of space, the Syndicate wanted their own foothold that they could rely on. One of the criminal organizations, a violent terrorist organization named the Gorlex Marauders, seized the opportunity to be the forerunners in this expansion. What followed was the purchase and utilization of Crescent Moon, a private space firm. Crescent Moon provided the ships, Gorlex provided the manpower, and with that the Marauders ventured into space to settle for themselves and establish a foothold for the Syndicate. They drifted along the TSF and the IMS's faction borders, abusing the borders themselves to ensure a more lawless area of space for them to find and settle. Eventually, they did so, founding a number of settlements across the way considered to be truly free areas of space, the most well known of which being Gray's Tiding and Destitute. Nowadays, they act as one of the strongest militias that the Syndicate has, as well as a threatening and powerful pirate band that often raid along the borders of the TSF and IMS.
Destitute
Found along the spine of the Gorlex settlements, Destitute was the first foothold Gorlex settled on their route. Its precise location is seemingly impossible to track, some theorizing that the settlement itself is drowned in an asteroid belt and encased within a black-site alloy that makes it impossible to scan for, whilst others just believe the Syndicate have been ludicrously lucky. All that is known is that Destitute is likely one of the core Gorlex training sites in which the operatives and pirates that they send onto stations become the lethal strike teams of myth.
Gray's Tiding
Peter Gray was a chemist back on Earth. He worked closely with the Syndicate as an 'Explosives Consultant', a title he invented for himself. He is attributed to many of the explosive mixes that the Syndicate use to this day, and his name is even credited as the one to create the famed Syndicate 8L-A3-T 'Station Breaker' Explosive Device, better known simply as the Syndicate Bomb. Following Gorlex's trip into space, Gray tagged along with them, wanting to settle in the stars himself to retire. It was here, he founded Peter's Tidings, a free-station in which anyone was welcome. It featured a a huge external presence, a place for contacts and criminals to meet freely, whilst the center of the this station was effectively a huge nightclub. It gained its name from his, and for his penchant to pass on his teachings to the lucky few that'd meet him there. Its name was changed to Gray's Tidings after he passed in respect and honour.