With the release of the latest Scope video today, my speculation that CCP will revamp learning skills in the upcoming expansion are probably wishful thinking. The snatches of coded documents first revealed two weeks ago appear connected to EVE: Vanguard and the new warclones coming sometime next year. Unless, of course, upcoming play testing in the second half of 2024 will affect the live server cluster Tranquility. But the more intriguing question is, what is a corporation best known for its electronic warfare equipment doing in the middle of this story?
The Scope video begins with the story of a Chemal Tech convoy travelling from the Oursulaert system two jumps from Luminaire in Essence to the Intaki Bank Depository in the system of TXW-EI in Syndicate. TXW-EI is one of two entry systems into Syndicate from the factional warzone region of Placid.
Just who is Chemal Tech? The NPC corporation doesn't have an entry I could find in the standard universe lore portal so I turned to Dotlan maps.
Chemal Tech is an established hi-tech company that was at the forefront of electronic warfare technology a few decades back. Though the fortunes of the company have somewhat dimmed since then it still cranks out top quality EW equipment.
Going down the rabbit hole, turns out the current event is not Chemal Tech's first involvement with coded messages and shady dealings involving those trading in biotech. Way back in YC109 (that's 2007 outside the game), Chemal Tech became linked to Eifyr and Co due to a coded document.
The meeting itself appeared innocuous enough on the surface; a small gathering of representatives discussing mutually beneficial research and development agreements – the likes of which happen all the time between the Federation and Republic. The Krusual tribe however, with its 22% shareholder control in Eifyr & Co. is no stranger to speculation, particularly the wild kind and particularly in recent months.
One major factor spurring the most recent bout of rumours has been the leak of a coded document belonging to Chemal Tech. The document clearly names the Republic Security Services alongside Chemal Tech and the Kalaakiota Corporation. Whilst it still has not been deciphered some two months later, the document nevertheless has implicated the Minmatar Republic in the recent high-profile defection of one of Kalaakiota’s leading researchers Hirento Autinen.
Veteran players may remember Eifyr and Co. due to its relationship with Dr. Hilen Tukoss, another scientist who defected from the Caldari State. Back in YC113 (aka 2011), Dr. Tukoss was involved in the Arek'Jaalan Project and then two years later became linked to the Drifters.
Unlike the events of 17 years ago, the scientists were not defecting to a rival but instead were heading to a supposedly safe location in Syndicate. Unlike Chemal Tech, the Intaki Syndicate has plenty of information available in the lore.
Initially formed by exiles from the Gallente Federation during the Gallente-Caldari War, the Intaki Syndicate resides within its namesake region of Syndicate, bordering the federation. Over the course of the last century, the syndicate has slowly grown in stature, working to increase its political and financial capital to ensure it remains an important link between the core empires and the illegal elements found in the outer regions.
The settled planets and stations within the syndicate operate as autonomous, financially and politically independent entities, all of which cooperate on the basis of collective information sharing and provision of security. Although widely regarded as a pirate haven, the syndicate still maintains enough rule of law within its territories to allow almost anyone to pass through or travel for business. To this end, since empire policing within its borders has always been a relatively rare occurrence, the syndicate set up its own law enforcement arm in YC 72, branded as Intaki Space (ISP), to encourage prospective customers to travel without fear within its borders. Although rumored to be highly corrupt, this organization is ruthless when it comes to quelling unrest and is generally regarded as a heavy-handed but highly effective law enforcement entity.
However, the convoy never reached Syndicate, being destroyed on its way to the NPC null sec region, presumably by Fraternity., one of the major player null sec alliances. Fraternity. also houses a group involved in deciphering messages like the ones in the current event.
In the news scroll across the bottom of the video were the following items.
- IRIS says “wait and see” to rumors of a Paragon artistic platform.
- CDIA seeking information on Arkombine figure identified as "Lifegiver" following reappearance of alias in Deathless communications.
- Lifegiver alias originally noted by DED in YC115-116 reports in connection with suspected Guristas and Angel Cartel elements.
- SOCT launches new Abyssal Deadspace astronomical observation program.
- First ever Shapash lost in combat during an engagement in system of Aset.
- Empress Catiz I issues summons to border region holders demanding an explanation for rising pirate activity in Amarr space.
- Families of kidnapped Chemal Tech scientists gather in Oursulaert for silent vigil.
- AIR prepares to publish first findings from their capsuleer research program.
- Recoverable materials suggest use of mass-fabricated Jovian clones as platform for Vanguard warclone blanks.
- GRNJ-3 Intaki Space Police station break-in targeted prototype dropsuits developed in partnership with Mordu's Legion.
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