The sight of the flagship Ethereal Glory fleeing Koala in panic was like the most glaring warning signal, instantly setting off alarms throughout the T'au Empire's highest command network.
Emergency reports from Koala's defense commander and the captain of the Ethereal Glory, combined with horrifying footage captured by the ship's sensors of a patrol craft being crushed by an invisible force, were like a bucket of ice water over the head. The solemn circular council chamber of the Ethereal High Council, deep within the heart of T'au, fell into dead silence.
A massive holographic star map hovered at the center, with Koala marked by a glaring, constantly flashing crimson skull. Beside it was the signal of a cruiser labeled "Unknown Threat Vessel," moving steadily toward T'au.
"Report... confirmed without doubt..." A technical officer's voice was dry. "The target vessel... is the cruiser Bastion from Koala's orbital defense fleet. Based on its course and speed... its destination... is T'au."
"Internal scans?" asked an elderly Ethereal in blue robes symbolizing wisdom and communication. His grave voice carried an almost imperceptible tremor.
"Unable to penetrate, Elder!" The technical officer's voice was desperate. "The hull is covered by a powerful unknown energy field, blocking all conventional scans. Inside... there are no communication signals at all!"
"The ground forces on Koala... the entire army has gone silent?" another Ethereal pressed, the fingers on his armrest turning white from the force of his grip.
"Y-yes. Based on the final fragments of footage and life-sign analysis... every unit in the outpost area, including the diplomatic delegation sent afterward... has completely... lost all signs of independent consciousness. Their signals... show a bizarre... synchronized collective state." The technical officer forced out the conclusion.
A synchronized collective state... like puppets on strings!
A wave of suppressed gasps rose in the