All the lights in the hall had been switched off. The red glow behind the black figure on the screen was the only source of light.
Aun'Da watched the figure on the screen with a grave expression.
The figure looked neither T'au nor human. Some strange filter seemed to obscure the indistinct form, making the entire body appear pitch-black.
"Who are you?"
"I am the Exterminator."
"There may be some misunderstanding between us," Aun'Da said.
As long as the other party could still communicate, Aun'Da would not give up any opportunity.
"Perhaps some mistaken assumptions have led you to misunderstand us."
"No. My task is simple," the Exterminator flatly rejected the suggestion.
"What task?" Aun'Da's expression grew solemn.
"Exterminate the creations of the Old Ones."
Every T'au present heard only a burst of static in place of the words "Old Ones," and confusion filled their faces.
The other alien species, such as the Kroot and Nicassar, were also confused to varying degrees-not because they had failed to hear, but because they did not understand what "Old Ones" meant.
Every Ethereal present suddenly looked shaken.
They had considered countless possibilities, even an attack by a Necron Dynasty, but this was the one scenario they had never imagined.
The attacker's... identity was now clear.
A C'tan.
The Exterminator shut off the screen, and the lights in the hall came back on.
Just as the room began to descend into confusion, an emergency transmission came through.
"This is Farsight. My forces are approaching T'au."
"The human forces outside are fighting those rebel intelligences. They'll reach T'au soon."
"Start organizing an evacuation immediately. I'll do everything I can to cover you."
Shadowsun stood and shouted angrily:
"We will not abandon T'au! This is our home, our land!"
The other end of the transmission fell