THE MERGER
The Merger is the catch-all name for a widespread terrorist organisation that utilizes connections to the alternate dimension or reality known as Corruption to engage in terror attacks and other illegal activities. They are currently classed as a high threat terrorist organisation by the Jade Intelligence Agency Network, the Laptev Axis, and several third-party nations.
HISTORY
The Merger was born from a merger between Corruption Cultists and the East Ingen Company. The EIC was originally incorporated by felidaen merchants in the 18th century as a venture shipping and prospecting enterprise, whilst the Cult of Corruption only began to evidence itself publicly in the 24th century, although research has revealed potential precursor organisations dating back throughout recorded history. Leading up the Trathiran Revolt, Corruption cultists covertly promoted an ethno-fascist insurrection amongst minority populations, funded by the East Ingen Company. When the Revolt began, the private mercenary armies of the EIC sided with the Trathiran revolutionaries. During the insurrection the EIC was a key supplier of goods, funding and materiel to the short-lived Trathiran Reich.
Upon the defeat of the Trathiran Revolt, the East Ingen Company was formally dissolved by the authorities of the Jade Empire, with CEO Leo Yarnus escaping the Laptev System minutes before JIAN agents raided his offices. Liquidating much of the EIC's assets, Yarnus and a significant number of his staff joined the Cult, forming a new entity known unofficially as the Merger. They fled to the Keystone System, where they remained undiscovered for some years. In the wake of the Barlat War, the Laptev Axis discovered the Keystone System whilst reasserting control over trade lanes that had been abandoned during the war. After comprehensive reconnaissance revealed a large Merger presence in the system, the Laptev Axis mounted a unified campaign in 2459 AT. Led by the Katasian Order of the Watcher, fleets from the Jade Empire, the Republic of Imaginarium, the United Peace Enforcement Organisation, the Republic of San Alejandro and the Ystovian Reich launched an assault on the system which would ultimately last seven months. Following heavy losses on both sides, resistance in the area was crushed and the planets systematically firebombed by the Imperial Jade Navy.
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The Merger was presumed destroyed, but over the next several years the entire FB-1 region began to report increased Merger activity across all territories, with terror attacks on settled planets, outposts and colonies. Increasing numbers of planets going dark and intensifying piracy against multinational trade lanes causing a rapid destabilisation in the already depressed galactic economy. An unexplained nuclear event in the Katasian Ryk forced a total evacuation of the territory by the Order of the Watcher, whilst Dong Wu and San Alejandro both succumbed to political instability believed to have been covertly encouraged by the Merger. By 2466 AT, Merger fleets were openly attacking capitol systems throughout the galaxy with the assistance of unclassified powers suspected to originate in the Corruption. The Laptev Axis took the decision to utilize several undeployed Katasian entropy drives in a one-shot burst to move the Laptev System to the NS-1 region. Several other nations from FB-1 made similar evacuations.
Since arriving in NS-1, the Jade Empire has had only limited contact with the Merger, who are believed to have recently been behind terror attacks in Aeterna City, Long Isle colony and several other locations. No effort has yet been made to scout the remnants of the FB-1 region by the Jade Empire.
In 2487 AT the Jade Empire and allies launched the Sarnath Campaign, attempting to remove the Merger-aligned Cult of Carcaros from the Sarnath System.
Since arriving in NS-1, the Jade Empire has had only limited contact with the Merger, who are believed to have recently been behind terror attacks in Aeterna City, Long Isle colony and several other locations. No effort has yet been made to scout the remnants of the FB-1 region by the Jade Empire.
In 2487 AT the Jade Empire and allies launched the Sarnath Campaign, attempting to remove the Merger-aligned Cult of Carcaros from the Sarnath System.
KNOWN ELEMENTS
- Carcaros [Planet, deity],
- Crom Dubh [Deity]
- Great Marchander Guild of Commerce [Allies]
- Merchant Adventurer's Hall [Allies]
TACTICS AND METHODS
The Merger typically engages in asymmetric warfare, relying on directed attacks against civilian and military infrastructure by small cells or lone wolf agents with low survivability expectations. They are believed to exploit the Far Anomaly to augment their abilities and bring overwhelming local force to achieve their short and long-term ambitions.
The Merger also operates a variety of unregistered combat vessels, including decommissioned Imperial military warships, repurposed civilian vessels, captured vessels from third-party nations and ships of unknown provenance and construction. Commonly seen models include the antiquated Oblivion-class Star Destroyer.
The Merger also operates a variety of unregistered combat vessels, including decommissioned Imperial military warships, repurposed civilian vessels, captured vessels from third-party nations and ships of unknown provenance and construction. Commonly seen models include the antiquated Oblivion-class Star Destroyer.