The explosion in the energy conduits soon triggered a chain reaction.
Under the Tech-Priests' control, the Mountain Bombard's geothermal energy extraction system, which reached straight into the planet's core, was quickly shut down.
The power supply throughout the entire surrounding area failed along with it.
Even from space, the spreading darkness could be seen engulfing the massive gun and most of the structures beneath it.
Deprived of power, the massive gun was temporarily crippled.
The T'au reconnaissance vessels lurking under the cover of stealth systems soon detected the gun's abnormal state.
Then an unmanned vessel hastily modified by Earth Caste engineers slowly approached the Mountain Bombard's defensive perimeter.
Yet the massive gun did not spit out its devastating shells as it usually did.
Although Commander Shadowsun did not know what had happened to the infiltration force underground, she knew this was their best opportunity to eliminate the planet's defenses.
The T'au fleet immediately surged out in full force.
An immense fleet consisting of twelve Protector-class Battleships, six Explorer-class Battleships, three Kroot Warspheres, and swarms of Hero-class and Defender-class Cruisers bore down on the Cassandra System, which was defended by the remnants of the Indomitus Crusade's Fourth Fleet and the Sector Navy Fleet.
The frigate-sized Orca-class gunships and Defender-class Starships sheltered behind these larger warships, firing furiously at the Imperial Fleet.
These more than a hundred vessels represented nearly half the total fleet strength of the T'au Sixth Sphere Expansion.
They launched an almost overwhelming assault on the Imperial defenders.
The Imperial commander gravely questioned the Tech-Priest beside him.
"Can the Mountain Bombard still be used? Can we force it to activate?"
Had the Mountain Bombard not been disabled, a single shell could have vaporized a quarter of the enemy's entire fleet.
Two volleys could have destroyed the entire T'au armada.