The grand vision of the "greater good" would become an utter joke. And the rule of the Ethereals would crumble amid the people's despair and doubt.
"Guards." Aun'Va's voice regained its old authority, though a barely perceptible rasp had crept into it.
Two Ethereal guards in gray robes appeared silently behind Shadowsun.
"During the recent battle, Commander Shadowsun unfortunately came into contact with an illegal human psychic weapon while covering the main force's retreat, resulting in damage to her mind," Aun'Va announced without a trace of emotion. "Take her away for the highest level of purification and convalescence. Until the Council grants permission, no one is to have any form of contact with her."
"No! I'm not mad! You saw it! All of you saw it!" Shadowsun seemed to realize something and began struggling wildly. "It was real! We weren't facing mortals! We..."
She never finished.
One of the guards injected a faintly glowing blue syringe into her neck. Shadowsun's struggles stopped instantly. Her eyes went vacant once more, then she slumped limply to the floor and was dragged out of the Shrine.
Having dealt with the only "witness," Aun'Va swept his gaze over the Council members, all of whom sat in terrified silence.
"From this day forward," he said, his voice as cold as ancient ice, "the truth of the Battle of Dalis will be classified as the Empire's most closely guarded secret. Any disclosure will be considered the gravest betrayal of the 'greater good.'"
"To the public, we will release an official battle report."
Aun'Va waved a hand, and the Air Caste scribe behind him immediately began writing rapidly on a Dataslate.
"The valiant Commander Farsight volunteered to hold the rear during the Battle of Dalis, covering the safe withdrawal of our main forces and millions of civilians.