T'au-occupied world, Anreva----
This recently conquered human world had already been incorporated into the administrative system governing the T'au's hundreds of worlds.
But the original construction plans had been brutally disrupted. Demolition of the half-dismantled Hive City had been halted, and it was instead being converted into a massive fortress.
Large numbers of humans had been relocated deeper into the T'au Empire, while Fire Caste warriors began preparing for battle on the planet.
According to the T'au Empire's battle plan, they would deal the invading Expeditionary Force a crushing blow at the first defensive line, and Anreva was one of its vital fortress hubs.
Within the Hive City's hostile environment, thousands of tonnes of toxic chemical waste had accumulated in the Underhive.
The inhospitable Underhive held vast quantities of toxic metals, chemical waste, and all manner of hazardous refuse. Dealing with it was difficult not only for the Imperium's Planetary Governors, but even for the T'au's Earth Caste engineers.
Something strange had appeared in this place, where previously only Genestealers, biochemical monsters, or Chaos Cults would have been found.
A group of soldiers in full scout gear crossed a mountain of waste saturated with nuclear radiation, the insignia of the Lightning Eagle clearly visible on their pauldrons.
The scout captain at the head of the group surveyed his surroundings. The readings inside his helmet had already spiked dangerously high.
"Right here."
"Establish a defensive perimeter. Deploy the beacon immediately."
Several scouts in the rearguard quickly unloaded the components they carried, while the others hurried to arrange their defenses around the surrounding terrain.
A small psychic beacon was assembled. Beneath its metal skull, a skeletal Psyker sat upright in a cramped seat, while several combat engineers frantically operated the device.
Lights swept toward them from nearby, and several Gun Drones flew