The Free Assemblies

Overview

The Free Assemblies are the main political and social organization of the Synthborn. They exist to protect the rights of their people and to demand legal recognition across the galaxy. The Assemblies do not function as a single government, but as a united coalition of local groups bound by shared principles. They are respected for their incorruptible records and open systems, which governments, corporations, and even rival factions cannot easily ignore.

Headquarters

The Free Assemblies are based in Koderra, the largest and most advanced Synthborn settlement.
Koderra is built as a grid-city of modular districts, designed for constant repair and upgrade.
It holds the Great Ledger, a public record of charters, agreements, and rulings published by the Assemblies.
From here, the Assemblies coordinate with other factions, maintain clinics, and issue rulings on behalf of Synthborn communities across the Drift.

Structure

Assemblers: Local representatives elected by Synthborn communities. They form the decision-making councils.
Charter Committees: Groups that draft and publish new open charters, which serve as declarations of rights and obligations.
Patchwrights: Specialists who operate Right-to-Patch Clinics, ensuring that all Synthborn have access to self-repair and upgrades without corporate control.
Auditors: Experts who verify escrow contracts, records, and trade proof systems. Their work is recognized as incorruptible by most governments.
Mediators: Envoys who negotiate with the Central Authority, corporations, or other factions.

Methods of Power

The Free Assemblies exert power through transparency and trusted systems rather than military force.

Open Charters: Public documents that declare Synthborn rights and protections. These serve as a unifying standard across all Assemblies.
Right-to-Patch: A core principle. Every Synthborn has the right to repair and upgrade themselves freely, without forced dependence on corporations.
Escrow and Audit Systems: The Assemblies manage incorruptible records of contracts and transactions. These are trusted galaxy-wide because they cannot be falsified.
Proof Systems: Advanced verification tools that make it impossible to erase or forge identity, ownership, or agreements.

Reach by Region

Core: Recognition is limited. The Central Authority resists full acceptance of Synthborn rights, but corporations quietly use Assembly audits for secure trade.
Mid: The Assemblies are strongest here, where they run many clinics and support large Synthborn populations.
Rim: Influence is weaker, but their escrow and proof systems are still used by traders who cannot afford corrupt contracts.

Weaknesses

Lack of Force: The Assemblies rely on legitimacy and trust, not fleets or armies. They cannot defend against large-scale attacks.
Hostility from Corporations: Many corporations oppose the Right-to-Patch principle because it undermines their control over Synthborn labor and repair markets.
Division Within: Some Synthborn disagree on how far the Assemblies should go, with radicals calling for independence and moderates pushing for negotiation.
Vulnerability of Clinics: Right-to-Patch clinics are frequent targets for sabotage or shutdown by enemies of the Assemblies.

Everyday Impact

For Crews: The Assemblies provide secure contracts and incorruptible escrow systems. Crews working with them gain legitimacy, but may face hostility from corporations.
For Ports: Ports that host Right-to-Patch clinics attract Synthborn workers and trade. Ports that ban them often face boycotts or labor shortages.
For Citizens: The Assemblies’ proof systems are often trusted even by non-Synthborn, making their ledgers a safe place to store identity, contracts, and inheritance records.

Reputation

The Free Assemblies are respected as fair and incorruptible, but also seen as politically disruptive. Many trust their records more than those of the Central Authority. For Synthborn, the Assemblies are a lifeline that protects their right to exist and grow. For corporations, they are a threat to profit. For the Central Authority, they are a challenge to human-centered law. Despite all opposition, the Free Assemblies continue to expand, offering a voice to those who would otherwise be silenced.