The X-Files

Destruction

In 1998, the Syndicate learned of a rebel faction among the aliens that was fighting against their brethren and the colonization of Earth. The first incident of rebel violence on Earth occurred in Kazakhstan, where dozens of impending abductees were found incinerated. Marita Covarrubias investigated the incident and quickly had it covered up. Shortly thereafter, many more abductees were summoned to Skyland Mountain via their metallic tags. Again, the group was attacked and incinerated by the alien rebels. It was at this time that the rebels were more clearly identified as being faceless, a telltale characteristic that set them apart as the rebel force.[9]

The following year, the rebels made their most daring - and most destructive - move. Outside of Washington, D.C., they attacked a train car, wherein a group of Syndicate doctors led by Eugene Openshaw were experimenting on Cassandra Spender - the first successful alien-human hybrid. The rebels incinerated the doctors, but left Cassandra alive so that the Project would be revealed and subsequently destroyed. Indeed, one of the rebels killed the Second Elder and assumed his position at meetings of the Syndicate. However, the Cigarette Smoking Man realized this and had the group cease meeting together.[10]

The Smoking Man contacted his son, Jeffrey Spender, and charged him with killing the rebel posing as the Second Elder with a gimlet weapon. However, Spender failed to kill him, but Alex Krycek was successful. Spender then realized the scope of the conspiracy being carried out by his father, and he pledged his support to Fox Mulder. Having their hand forced by the rebels, the Syndicate retrieved Cassandra Spender and prepared to present her to the aliens so that colonization could begin. However, the rebels appeared instead and incinerated the entire group of gathered high-ranking Syndicate members, meaning the destruction of the Syndicate.[7]