SNDY and the Death of Cerberus

... Processing new predication ...

... Date of processing ... 6964 UGY ...

Cerberus will face a great catastrophe… Shadows walking ships... Betrayal at the heads… Blood red stars scarring the skies….

A war the hound started… But could never hope to win…

For a machine built in a technologically advanced era, SNDY had been a laughing stock until the year she decided to predict the end of the Cerberus Fleet. It caused a major uproar from Terrans and the Osiryx Federation, with both sides verbally attacking each other over the prediction. With tensions already running high, SNDY’s prediction shifted the tone to borderline hostile.

Terran Opinion

It is widely common opinion amongst Terrans (and a few other species) that SNDY is the result of Osiryx Federation craftsmanship. To have an OF machine predict the downfall of the Terrans extremely powerful and versatile space fleet? Well, the public and political outrage was near instantaneous.

Apologies from the OF were demanded by officials in the Terra Novus corporation. It didn't matter to them that SNDY had never made a successful prediction, only that she had made one about the demise of the fleet, which was a big step up from her usual, small scale predictions.

Subsequently, there was an increase in Terran protests against the OF. Usually organised by activist groups and quite peaceful, these occurred through a number of high density Terran populations for a period of 8 or so weeks. Some attacks were also carried out on OF bases by rogue Terran strike teams, though these actions were condemned by Terra Novus officials.

Osiryx Federation Opinion

Having to frequently dispute the claim that SNDY was built by OF mechanics, the OF knew as soon as the prediction was out that they needed to start damage control.

When asked, they issued an apology to Terra Novus and the Terrans as a whole. This sparked outrage within their own ranks as many OF employees felt there was no need to apologise. The machine wasn’t theirs, so why should they take the blame for whatever nonsense the damn thing spouted? That outrage grew when OF facilities started being attacked.

Higher ups in the OF were quick to stamp down on the outrage after that. But even the most graceful show of playing politics has struggled to make a true impact on bridging the divide between Terrans and the OF.

Outsiders Opinion

To those outside the conflict, opinions vary.

Those that subscribe to the view that SNDY was built by the OF feel as though the prediction was made jokingly, albeit in poor taste. Whoever created the machine clearly has a sense of humour but thoroughly misjudged the situation between Terrans and the OF. Either that, or (as some others believe) whoever was behind SNDY’s creation in the OF deliberately wanted to rile up the Terrans.

For those that don’t believe SNDY was built by an OF mechanic, they feel as though both sides are overreacting. SNDY has never made a correct prediction, after all, so why should anyone believe that she would make one now?

The Truth Behind the Machine

In reality, the whole prediction was a ruse. SNDY was hacked by unknown assailants and the prediction was a lie. What that lie was meant to induce in the general populace is key.

The assailants wanted to sow chaos between the OF and Terrans, wishing to capitalise off the heightened tensions and potential conflict that might follow. To what end, no one in Osirion truly knows, except for the assailants themselves and the group they work for - the Ravagers.

//--- Outgoing transmission ---//

//--- Personal ID: {Private} ---//

Half has been sent. You’ll get the rest when we can confirm the job has been done.

Remember, make it good, but not too obvious. Whoever made the damn thing made it sound like an actual, crazy ancient oracle - if you don’t make it sound authentic, you can kiss the rest of your payment goodbye. It’s got to spook the people, enough to cause outrage. Enough to make public opinion of the Federation take a nosedive.

Think you can manage that?

//--- Incoming transmission ---//

//--- Saved ID: Foxglove ---//

Job’s done. Prediction gets sent out tomorrow - made sure it’d go through every channel, so by sunrise on Chatau’s Landing, everyone will have seen it.

Payment to be sent to Acc. Alpha-10901.266

ASAP.

Don’t fuck me over, Aarons. One whiff that anyone - Novus, OF, or one of your rogue Ravager dogs - is on my ass about this, I’m taking you down. All your dirty secrets? Can’t hide ‘em from me.