Although the consensus seems to be pessimistic (and many readers are probably quite tired of this subject), I cannot let reports of an Intaki Syndicate delegation visiting the DED in Yulai pass without expanding on a neglected reason why this is important. Much has been said lately (and over the years) about the status of Intaki Prime and Viriette but relatively little attention has been paid to the status of the Syndicate. If the Federal Government uses this opportunity to underline its commitment to the rights of Member States and allow the Assembly to award this franchise to the ISP it will also reinforce the position of its supporters in Syndicate space, who are engaged in an often deadly internal struggle for influence with those who are much more hostile, championed by the Aenebra cult.
For the majority who have not paid much attention to these events, here is a recap going back to the last election.
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During the YC 122 elections, Intaki Prime Gandarmes thwarted an attempt to assassinate members of the Assembly by the Aenebra.
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Later that year, a federal drug enforcement official was assassinated by the Aenebra in Octavenne.
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In early YC 123, Aenebra assassins struck again on Intaki Prime, this time targetting criminal rivals.
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In mid YC 123, the ISP foiled a plot to assassinate Felice en Kishari, Head of EZA-FM Station Co-Operative, the Serpentis denied involvement.
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This was followed by an attempt by the FIO to investigate the killings.
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Weeks later, an ISP Srveillance post on PF-346 III was destroyed by a high-yield antimatter bomb, again with the Serpentis denying responsibility.
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Then, the ISP asked the FIO to share information on the events listed above (surely a sign of good faith but never reciprocated as far as is public knowledge).
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In a surprise development, the ISP and Serpentis then issued joint statement alleging “Conspiracy by Renegade Security Forces” in Placid, Solitude and Syndicate.
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This was followed by the destruction of an ISP listening post by “Unknown Forces” in ZN0-SR.
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YC 123 ended in further bloodshed as Aenebra assassins massacred many members of a PRO-FEDERATION station-owner family in EZA-FM, while Silphy en Diabel (often accused of being to close to the Serpentis) publicly accused the Serpentis of using “Drug-Fuelled Cult Murderers as Proxies”.
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This trend continued into YC 124, with reports of the Aenebra forging links with the notorious Deathglow Hunters and accusations of the Serpentis fuelling the conflict in the Gallente-Caldari WPA war zone while sponsoring Aenebra violence in the region, although other reports suggested blame lay with an Angel-Krullefor conflict or even certain mercenary groups (including the Onikanabo).
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The DED has since reported that the Deathless Network has calmed tensions between underworld groups, perhaps by exploiting tensions between the major powers to facilitate an increase in the flow of illegal goods. Certainly Serpentis activities in Placid and gruesome violence in Syndicate has continued.
The point is that there is a constituency of people in the Syndicate who want to cooperate with the Federation to resolve these shared problems but they are opposed by others who have no interest in seeing this happen. The former have offered partnership through actions and words in the last few years, often at grave personal risk. If they are rebuffed, it seems likely that the latter elements will gain strength to the detriment of communities not only in Syndicate but in Placid and Solitude as well.
To put it another way, if the Federation does not accept the Syndicate as a potential ally, a much darker aspect of Intaki culture may prevail in the current struggle, pushing the Syndicate towards the Aenebra and creating an enemy.