T'au, underground command center.
Shadowsun stood before the tactical table, staring at the devastation on the screen, her fists clenched tight.
"The 7th Rapid Response Cadre... wiped out." The Communications Officer's voice trembled. "Thirty-two thousand warriors, five hundred Battlesuits, one hundred and twenty tanks... all... all..."
He could not go on.
Shadowsun closed her eyes.
The 7th Cadre was an elite force she had trained herself. Its commander was her student, a promising young Fire Caste commander who had been promoted less than a year ago.
Now he and his troops had all been reduced to ashes.
"Commander," an adjutant said cautiously, "should we change our tactics?"
Shadowsun opened her eyes.
She desperately wanted to say, "Yes, we should change our tactics." She wanted to order every unit to disperse and wage guerrilla warfare in small squads.
But she could not.
Because Aun'Va's orders were to "defend every inch of ground to the death." Because pheromone control had turned all the T'au warriors into inflexible fanatics. Because if she issued orders that went against the Supreme Ethereal's will, the other Ethereals would immediately report her to Aun'Va, and she would be stripped of command, perhaps even executed on the spot.
"Continue with the original plan," Shadowsun said coldly. "8th and 9th Cadres, proceed to the second combat zone and halt the human advance. 10th Cadre, reinforce the first combat zone. All units, hold the line at any cost."
"Yes..." The adjutant hesitated, but carried out the orders.
The Imperial Fleet, aboard Saul's personal flagship, the Blade of Dawn.
It was a specially modified Battle Barge, somewhat smaller than an ordinary barge, but faster and better equipped. The Sons of Sorrow Chapter had built it specifically for Saul as a symbol of his status as a saint.
On the bridge, Saul