The Supreme Ethereal Councilor, leader of the Eastern Fringe, had been captured.
The entire Tau Empire would be utterly shaken and launch a massive grand expedition against his world.
Their dozen or so homeworlds would abandon all their current enemies.
They would commit their finest commanders, strongest warriors, allies, and every loyal follower to the battlefield and destroy them completely.
"You are leading yourselves down a dead end, world-destroyers!"
"Commander Phy'rios, please withdraw! This man has gone mad. He's as unreasonable as those green Orks."
The elite Fire Warriors covered their commander's retreat from the battlefield.
This was a madman—a powerful madman spreading heretical nonsense.
They had never expected that, without Power Armor, he would be even more terrifying than the Space Marines who wore it.
At least they were still human.
But he was not human at all.
Phy'rios refused to retreat. He pushed aside the Fire Warrior in front of him and looked solemnly at the others. "Protect the diplomats. Cover their withdrawal. Remember, your most important duty is to protect the councilor, protect the Ethereal. No matter what happens, you must never let them get even one step closer to him."
"But, Commander—"
"No buts. This is the final order I give as your commander." Phy'rios gazed into the souls of the Fire Warriors opposite him and used all his strength to speak the truth. "Everything for the Greater Good! This is not a slogan. It is everything that allows our entire species to continue existing. No enemy can take it from us, and no circumstance can strip it away. Without it, our existence has no meaning. So no matter what, protect the Ethereal. For the Greater Good."
"Everything... for the Greater Good! Take care, Commander."
Watching the Fire Warriors escort the Water Caste diplomats away, he