Hey guys. I was originally posting this story in my 26th T.I.C thread but decided to split them apart to avoid clutter and to give them each their own space. All future updates will be in here and as always, Comments and criticism are more than welcome

Id like to give a special thank you to thank wolfs16 for his continued help and feedback on my work (check out his The struggle for Kur thread) and to calmsword for all of his help with my writing (check out his Empire: coming storm thread).


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“They are going too slowly…….”

A recurring theme of Shas’O T’au Kar’tyr'Vash’s thoughts of late. He watched intentively as another heavily laden orca dropship slowly lurched free from the bonds of gravity. It was a relief to see the ship lift off but a distinct tinge of frustration pierced his mind at seeing the dozens of other craft still standing idle on the cities crowded landing pads in the distance.

“They are going too slowly……”


The heavy creak of a large chamber door opening some distance behind caught ‘O Vash’s attention. He cocked his head slightly and listened as a lone set of footsteps approached cautiously down the hall towards him. Refraining from turning to face the approaching figure, Vash instead remained staring over the side of the open balcony at the city below. The footsteps slowed as they neared the lone Shas and the pronounced sound of somebody clearing their throat broke the Walkways silence.

“Hmphmm” The figure was tellingly indignant over the lack of acknowledgement upon its entry.

Vash cracked a smirk across his lips before slowly turning to meet the gaze of the approaching alien. The figure immediately halted its advance a few feet from ‘O Vash and for a moment the two examined each other. He was similar in height and stature to O’Vash but was considerably plumper than the physically fit Tau. He also dressed far more ornately than Vash. His gilded deep crimson greatcoat embellished with golden tasselled shoulder pads contrasted starkly to Vash’s simple combat fatigues.

The pink skinned alien looked O’Vash up and down with a sideways glance. Noticeably uncomfortable with having to deal so directly with a "xeno" creature, the ornately dressed human averted his gaze from the Tau’s and cautiously raised a data pad in his hand. He paused for a moment while squinting carefully at the flickering datapad.

“…Shaaaais Oo Tow Kar tear Vaatch…?” The human stumbled uncertainly.

‘O Vash, Doing his utmost not to cringe at the unintentional mutilation of his honoured title by the Gue’la tongue, simply nodded and gave a slight smile to cover the subtle twinge in his upper lip.

Emboldened by the Tau’s silence and seemingly subdued demeanour, the human puffed out his chest and continued in a now decidedly authoritative tone

“I, am General Cir-“

“Cireallius Tybore” ‘O Vash interrupted in flawless gothic. “Born within the settlement of Firrel, one of six siblings, trained at the academy of the Ascendant Aquila, graduated to serve within the PDF’s 37th regiment, recently promoted and Current commander of Outreaches planetary defence force”.

“…Yeesss….” General Tybore murmered, once again off put by the strange blue skinned Alien and his seemingly intimate knowledge of his life.
Somewhat amused by the Generals growing discomfort, O’Vash smiled warmly “I am Shas’O T’au Kar’tyr'Vash of the Tau empire, commander of the Tio’Ve relief force within this city. I believe we have much to discuss general”

Unsure how to respond to the commanders alien titles using his severely limited knowledge of xeno civilizations, The general attempted to hurry the conversation beyond this decidedly awkward introductory phase, an area where he was apparently at a distinct disadvantage.

“Indeed… If you would walk with me perhaps, commander?”


-------------------------

Outreach


--- The planet Outreach as viewed from space ^[5]



To an organisation as vast and uncaring as the Imperium, Outreach was a backwater of little importance. A typical Imperial world lying within the Imperium’s reach but beyond its immediate interest. Outside of collection of its tithes, the Administratum cared little for the actions of the colony. In exchange for the considerable taxes that the Imperium demanded, Outreach would receive little if any support in return. Existing upon the fringe of imperial space was hazardous to say the least. Pirates, Slavers and aliens all remained a constant threat for the world, a threat Outreach would have to manage on its own through the grit of its citizens and the blood of its planetary defence force. Despite their best efforts however, there always seemed to be more fires to put out upon Outreach.


So far from Holy Terra and resentful for the heavy tax in men and resources imposed upon it, Outreach would begin to drift further from imperial doctrine over the decades. Eventually Outreach would straddle the dangerous territory between a lacklustre colony and a so called heretical rogue state. Had the planet been located closer to the Imperium’s core or been particularly noteworthy, the Inquisition would have certainly acted swiftly and brutally to rectify the situation and return the world to the Emperors domain. The only shelter that Outreach could utilise against the eye of the Inquisition and the wrath of a vengeful and uncompromising Imperium was the monolithic organisations own bureaucratic back log. Having countless more pressing matters to attend to, so long as its tithes were paid, the Imperium maintained little interest in the world.

Its location along the fringe of Imperial space brought Outreach into contact with a multitude of xeno races, most of which proved to be malicious or openly hostile towards the planet’s human inhabitants. There were however a select few which appeared friendly and could provide mutual benefit from their interactions. Chief amongst these, were the races of the Tau Empire. As time progressed and the strict rule of Imperial doctrine relaxed, Outreach began to engage in limited commerce with traders from the Empire.

After long years of fruitful exchange, the planetary governor accepted the Tau’s requests to institute a permanent water caste ambassador upon the world. The ambassador would act as a liaison for all trade with the Empire as well as act as an advisor to the governor himself. The Ambassador would of course require the accompaniment of a number of aides, a translator to communicate, cooks to prepare suitable nourishment, pilots to operate transportation, engineers to maintain equipment as well as a sizeable contingent of fire caste bodyguards to provide security. Being stationed permanently upon a world outside of their empire, each member of the delegation would also of course need to bring with them their families who would in turn require teachers for the children, health care professionals for all contingencies, entertainers to provide cultural stimulus aswell as an ethereal to provide spiritual guidance to the delegation. This would eventually lead to the original delegation numbering closer to 150 Tau rather than the single Por ambassador originally agreed upon. The planetary governor was in no position to refuse though as his people had become accustomed to the luxury goods brought by the tau and their commerce was simply too valuable to risk offending.




---Members of the Tau delegation upon Outreach ^[6]



Despite the accusations of more alarmist elements within the government, the purpose of this large delegation was not to insert a covert force of disguised Tau military operatives. The Empire’s true purpose was instead simply to help the people of Outreach become more accustomed to contact with aliens in their daily lives. It was hoped that by exposing the humans to routine Tau presence, when Outreach was eventually integrated into the Empire either through future action by the water or fire caste, the populace would be more willing to accept Tau rule if their prejudice against aliens had already begun to be broken down. These final points were of course never shared with the planetary Governor.



This original Tau delegation would rapidly grow in size with the arrival of additional personal and an unusually high birth rate. Despite initial tensions, citizens would eventually come to accept the presence of Tau on the streets without anything but passing curiosity. This would eventually culminate in the establishment of Tau centric habitation centres within the greater human cities.




Thanks in most part to the actions of the Tau Empire, the population of Outreach had become more accustomed to contact with bizarre aliens than most Imperial citizens. The Threat now coming to Outreach however was not one that the human population were familiar with. Knowing full well of its horrors, information on this race had been sealed and purposefully withheld from its citizens by the Imperium of man. This was a fact Shas’O Vash was supremely thankful for though. For no matter how outrageous the stories and old wives tales were, they could not compare to the true horror of the beasts that now infested Outreach.

Tyranids

Had the populace known more of their foe, the riots and panic would likely have been on a scale that even the Tau could not have contained. It is also likely that had he known the full horror of the threat he faced, the starched general waddling along to O’Vash’s right would have deserted some time ago along with the majority of his defence force.

The tyranid invasion of Outreach had begun slowly. Thankfully, this was no all-consuming juggernaut as seen with the legendary hive fleets of Behemoth or Leviathan. Outreach was instead being beset by a smaller and more tactful splinter fleet seeking to build its strength. The initial phase of invasion began with the discrete insertion of Tyranid Vanguard organisms. Citizens would begin to disappear without trace and large swathes of natural habitat would be discovered with every piece of wildlife inexplicably and brutally slaughtered. The planets native flora began to experience unprecedented explosive growth as well as strange and exotic new forms of plant life being discovered on a daily basis.

Soon, sightings of strange clawed silhouettes were reported across the planet and entire populations of remote villages begin to disappear without a trace. As sightings of the creatures rapidly increased in frequency, so too did the scale of the disappearances. PDF outposts began to miss their routine check ins and supply convoys would often arrive at a station to find a nightmare scene of blood and gore but with the bodies of the garrison nowhere to be found. The final blow would come in the form of a string of horrific assassinations that would effectively cripple the planets governmental and military structure.

The stage had been set, it was time to feed…..

Tyranid organisms began to pour from the wilds of the planet, Genestealer hordes emerged from sewer systems and the sky filled with winged gargoyles. Having mustered its strength, the hive abandoned its subterfuge and began to openly feed upon the planet and its inhabitants. The disarrayed PDF proved largely incapable of even slowing the Tyranid attacks and major cities began to fall. Instead of seeming to have expended strength after each major battle though, the scale of the Tyranid swarm only appeared to grow.




--- A lone PDF survivor attempts to escape the infested ruins of hearth spire. The soldiers ultimate fate remains unknown. ^[3]



The Unsupported Imperial frontier world would have served as easy prey for the splinter fleet and provided abundant biomass for its expansion. Unable to call forth aid from the Imperium that may have never come or worse still, discovered their secret dealings with aliens (lest their saviours become their executioners), Outreach had only one hope for salvation. In desperation, they reached out to the Tau Empire. Luckily for the planets surviving politicians, The Empire already held a vested interest in the planet.

The two commanders walked along the government building’s main external walkway. From here they could see the frantic preparations taking place in the city below. General Tybore rattled off troop numbers, ration supplies, conscription rates and various other statistics. ‘O Vash only paid half attention to these figures though. He was more interested in the flow of the city beneath him.

The city had been in complete disarray just two weeks before. The terrified populace had led open riots burning buildings and raiding PDF caches. The planetary defence force could hardly contain its own population, much less defend them from the unimaginable horrors that approached.

Order was swiftly restored amongst the populace of Outreach with the arrival of Tau forces. Here in the capitol city of Grey watch, preparations were once again proceeding effectively though tension remained understandably palpable.

" -The 11th Valkyrie squadron has also been placed in reserve to facilitate emergency evacuation of the governors palace as well as the 12th being sent to -“

“ALL available craft were to be assigned to the evacuation effort General” ‘O Vash sharply interrupted Tybore, the commander’s attention now firmly re-focused.

“But commander, if the enemy breaks through the city we will have no way of escape” complained Tybore.

‘O Vash continued to meander forward along the walkway, his eyes fixed firmly ahead and his hands folded behind his back.

“If the enemy breaks through the city we will have no reason to escape general. We will have failed. We are soldiers. We exist to wage war so that others need not. If we place our escape before theirs, then we have already failed in our purpose. All resources must be placed into holding the city until the evacuation of civilians can be completed. Then and only then shall we look to our own escape.”

General Tybore’s brow furrowed as he stared harshly into the side of Vash’s face.

“Quite frankly commander, I do not understand your peoples insistence that we abandon the city in the first place. This is the strongest point we have to hold! We have supplies for months, we have a comprehensive trench and tunnel system, we have powerful anti-air positions, Our batteries ar-“

“Are you familiar with Tau history, General Tybore?” ‘O Vash interjected again.

Already knowing the generals answer, he continued without waiting for a response;
“Back before my people were united in service of the greater good, we of the fire caste existed as tribal plains dwelling hunters. On the plains of our home world there also lived a fierce predator called Kier’ga.
Kier’ga were swift, powerful and most of all, cunning. They would stalk into villages in the dead of night to take the young and sick. Some villages responded by posting sentries around their borders. These sentries were vigilant and dedicated, but Kier’ga would still inevitably find some weakness or threshold to exploit in order to slip through.
Other villages responded by gathering their most skilled hunters and sending them to track the Kier’ga. The hunters would run down the Kier’ga on the open plains, they would attack them when they themselves hunted, They would strike at the Kier’ga dens. The hunters would gather their strength then fight at a time and place of their choosing while the sentries back in the villages would need to remain vigilant in all places at all times.


General Tybore continued to stare inquisitively at Vash “Do you really mean to compare the Tyranids to a predator of your homeworld?”

“No general, quite the opposite in fact. The Tyranids are very different to the Kier’ga. The Tyranids have no dens to attack or young to defend. The Tyranids can not be drawn away and they can not be intimidated. I have three hunter cadres actively engaging the approaching swarm from the ruins of hearth spire. Yet no matter how daring their strikes, the swarm refuses to allocate anything but the smallest of token forces to occupy the cadres. The tyranids do not seek to win moral victories over us or to gain glory or vengence in crushing armies. They care only for a single commodity.
Biomass
The swarm knows the densely populated cities will provide the most concentrated sources and refuses to be swayed from its path.
Worst of all though, the Tyranids are cunning, Far more so than the Kier’ga. They will eventually slip past any defence we can construct, and unlike the Kier’ga they will not take the young or sick, but will butcher every soul on the planet.”

Frustrated by the Tau’s web of analogies, General Tybore halted his pace and crossed his arms

“Then what would you have us do Tau?”

Vash halted a few steps ahead of Tybore and slowly turned on his heels keeping his hands firmly folded behind his back.

“We must steal the Tyranids prize, General. Evacuate the city so we can then focus on engaging the swarm on open ground on our own terms.”

“And to what end?” Tybore huffed “we can not simply evacuate every city once the swarm changes direction”

“we play for time general, nothing more. More of my kin are coming. In the mean time we must conserve our strength while limiting the growth of our enemies. We must weather the storm until we are ready to strike back out against it.”

The commander and General stared at each other for a moment, searching for reaction in a game to see who would break first. A twitch, a cringe, a bead of sweat, anything could betray them.

General Tybore lowered his gaze, his brow softening as he exhaled deeply conceding defeat.

“Very well commander. I have been instructed by the council to defer to your judgement ….. The evacuation will proceed…”

“And another thing! These Gue’la fortifications, these so called “trenches”. Could they have conceived a more primitive defensive system?” the disgruntled fire warrior groaned.

“Haven’t you heard Kier’es? Gue’la high command’s master strategy is to dig holes in the ground then stand in them until they are buried by the Y’he” mischievously responded a Shas'La by the name of Daith.

The team chuckled as they shuffled around the T junction of the trench network. They stacked boxes of ammo and carved firing positions into the trench wall. They had been deployed to hold this important junction and to anchor the human defenders, a task common to dozens of teams spread along the network.

“You make them sound like graves Daith” scoffed the teams medic, a normally serene Tau named Doran.

“They may as well be” Shrugged Daith. “have you seen these Gue’la? Most of them don’t even know which end of their rifle to point with”

“Daith…” The team’s leader, Shas’Ui Ro’yan interrupted in a low hushed rumble as he slowly rose to his feet.

Da’ith continued heedless “I’ll be amazed if we can save half of the humans in this city, the rest will end up being swallowed by some Y’he nightmare”.

“Daith!” Ro’yan snapped sharply again as his furrowed brow gestured over Daith’s shoulder.

The team turned to find the face of a young wide eyed human child staring back at them. His azure blue eyes betrayed equal parts fear and fascination for the strange blue skinned aliens before him. It was unlikely that the child had understood Daith's Tau'sia, but the boy appeared appropriately nervous nonetheless.

“Oh..” Daith stuttered as he turned back to Shas’Ui Ro’yan “well, I was just saying-“

“You’re always just saying” Ro’yan stepped forward with his face a fingers length from Daith’s. He grit his teeth and stared down at the Shas’La with a disapproving intensity “Just once, as an exercise try not saying” He whispered.

Ro’yan pushed through Daith with his elbow and slowly approached the child. The small boy stood stiffly with his hands pressed tightly to his sides. He had been draped in a set of grimy military fatigues made to fit a human adult. He practically swam in the uniform as it hung from his meek frame while an oversized helmet slanted sideways across his scalp.

Shas’Ui Ro’yan gazed back at the child, not entirely sure how to respond to the child’s dumbfounded stare. With the child noticeably uncomfortable at the Shas’Ui’s approach, Ro’yan halted a distance from the boy and crouched down to his height. “what are you doing out here young one?” he asked in serviceable Gue'sia.

“I – I’m holding the line sir” The child mumbled.

“Holding the line?” Ro’yan questioned confused “How old are you young one?” he asked softly, a tinge of concern seeping into his tone.

“Old enough to defend my home sir” the child responded in a practiced manner.

Ro’yan looked down and gave a slanted smile. He knew the child’s words were not his own. He had seen similar phrases emblazoned on posters as he passed through the cities corridors and causeways. The Shas’Ui rose to his feet and smiled as warmly as he could manage at the tragedy staring back at him from behind the pair of frightened blue eyes. He took a casual step forward and opened his hands. “What is your name child?”

The boy instinctively recoiled back and raised his arms. He rapidly glanced left and right before turning on his heels and scurrying away as quickly as he could without being tangled in his own uniform.

Puzzled, Ro’yan turned back to his fire team to find them staring back at him similarly confused. A sharp slap broke the moment of silence as a hand clipped Daith over the back of the head.

“You scared the child you Vrek’n fool!” hissed Shas’La Kier’es.

“He’s the one who snuck up on us, If anything he scared me!” complained Daith.

"It is unlikely that the child could understand anything but basic Tau'sia phrases at his age" calmly added Doran.

"Children can understand implied meanings no matter the language!" Kier'es rebuked loudly while still facing Daith.

"Implied meaning?! then get the child back here and let’s see what kind of implied meanings he can figure out from the stuff that comes out of your mouth!" responded Daith as the two began to grapple at each other.


Ro’yan exhaled wearily and turned away as the two Shas’La trailed off in their usual bickering manner. The Shas’Ui glanced down the trench line to find the groups of human militia had halted their preparations and were watching the Tau intently. The humans shied away from Ro’yan’s gaze and returned to their tasks while muttering to one and other. Ro’yan shut his eyes and took in a long deep breath, this would not be a comfortable alliance.



“That child should have been borrowing his father’s uniform to play dress up, not wearing it on the front line of a Y’he invasion…” came a voice from behind

Ro’yan turned to find the slender frame of Lynu, his tech engineer at his side.
She grimaced “I thought the reason we were manning this ditch was so that we could evacuate civilians precisely like him”

Doran, the team’s medic joined the conversation, the expression beneath his scarred face remaining resolutely neutral as he spoke “Civilian has become an increasingly exclusive term of late Lynu. The Gue’la ranks are filled with dock workers, couriers and shop hands. Any Saal capable of holding a weapon or carrying ammunition has been drafted.”

“But they are just children, Doran” protested Lynu.

“The Y’he make no distinction. Childhood is a luxury these people can ill afford now…. They are afraid.” Doran replied quietly.

“And rightfully so” Ro’yan rumbled. “The Y’he are a race born of nightmares. I fear for the constitution of our allies”.

“You think they will abandon us in the face of our enemy?” Doran enquired

“I fear that their government’s propaganda and bravado can only get them so far Doran. I fear that they are ill prepared to face such a foe”.

A moment passed before Lynu spoke up again. Her face hidden by the mask of her helmet, her concern was still apparent in the hesitation of her voice. “…And what of us Shas’Ui ? Are we prepared to face such a foe?

Ro’yan smiled to himself as he absorbed the question from the young Shas’La.
“Lynu, you are more prepared than you shall ever realize. You are Shas’La. It is we who guard the borders of the empire. It is we who have held back the horrors of the stars. History stretches back a thousand cycles behind you my dear, preparing you for this single moment. I speak not of running drills or digging trenches, I speak of tempering the spirit, and ours have been hammered into steel. That is our preparation.

Ro’yan watched as his tech specialist subconsciously straightened her stance and puffed out her chest. Though he couldn't see it, he was sure that she was smiling beneath her mask.

Satisfied in the silence, the three Shas gazed out across the vast expanse of open ground between the trenches and the huge tree line in the distance, deep in individual contemplation.

The rising sound of Daith and Kier’es continuing to squabble broke the precious moment of serenity however.
“Yea, Yea. Put your helmet back on so I can at least mute your signal, you chittering Ui’t” whined Kier'es

Ro’yan grumbled in frustration “by the Aun, one of these days I’m going to pick one of them and throw him out of an air lock so the other will remain silent for a few minutes”.

Doran chuckled slowly “If you did that, the other would likely jump out after him. I’ll take care of them Shas’Ui”.

As Doran walked away, Lynu refocused the conversation to its previous subject as she gestured further down along the trench line.
“The humans aside, atleast we will have some allies that we can depend upon”.

A group of two dozen Kroot were clambering up the side of the trench and onto the open field. They paused to help pass their snapping kroot hounds up the trench wall. As they hoisted the whining creatures, a single Kroot caught Lynu’s attention as the large male gazed back. He was covered in bright orange war paint and had his quills tied in sharp bundles. Lynu gave a warm smile not realising that it would be concealed by her helmet. The Kroot slowly cocked his head and continued to stare. Puzzeled by the Kroot’s response, It suddenly dawned on her that she was sill wearing her face mask. From the Kroot’s perspective she was simply staring awkwardly. Lynu took an embarrassed step backwards and gave a slight and hurried nod as an awkward signal of acknowledgement. The Kroot laughed in his distinctly avian tone and raised the end of his rifle to his forehead and tipped it in an informal soldier’s salute before turning away. He lifted the last hound as it protested and squirmed before deftly leaping up the trench wall himself.

Lynu watched as the Kroot pack set off across the open ground in a swift gait. Lynu undid the seals on her helmet, Her black hair flowing back as she slid the armoured mask off.

“Hey, Nel’un!” she called, tilting back her head.

“What??” the team’s communication specialist abruptly replied.

“Where are those Kroot going?”

Nel’un sat cross legged on the cold dirt floor of the trench, utterly engrossed in fiddling with his drone controller. Without looking up, Nel’un waved his arm clumsily out past the lip of the trench. “They are going into those woods out there past the exclusion zone to reinforce Shaper Pesch and the stealth suits” he replied gruffly, obviously indignant over the interruption.

Having finished his squabble with Kier’es, Daith piped up again “I heard they are having a pretty rough time out there”

“They are. Everyone is” came a rough voice from above. A tall muscular Tau dropped down into the trench carrying two large boxes of grenades.

“Careful with those things!” cried Kier’es “you’ll blow us all back to T’au you thick skulled krootox”

“They aren’t primed you whining saal. I know how to handle grenades” The large fire warrior jeered.

“Juntas, what took you so long, Shas’La?” Ro’yan questioned as he heaved one of the heavy crates from the brawny explosives specialist.

Juntas withdrew beneath the Shas’Ui’s question. “I’m sorry Shas’Ui. I was talking to one of the Kor’La ground crew at the supply depot. He was telling me that it is becoming harder and harder to evacuate the city”.

“Why, what’s wrong?” queried Lynu.

“You know those flying Y’he the Gue’la quad guns spend day and night shooting down? Well, he said that they are starting to cram themselves into the intakes of our ships mid-flight!”.

“They’re flying into jet turbines?” laughed Kier’es. “Sounds like we don’t even have to kill them anymore, the damned things are doing it themselves!”

“No no, you don’t understand” Juntas energetically shook his head. “They’ve figured out their little guns cant get through the ship plating so they are stuffing themselves into anything that looks vulnerable. If enough of them clog up a turbine, BOOM! the ship just keels over and falls out of the sky!”.

Kier’es’ laughter quickly trailed off “….ah…. That’s bad….”.

“It gets worse!” insisted Juntas as he rattled the sensitive box in his hands while animating his expressions. “They’re coming across big ugly bloated ones now. They attach themselves to a craft and then explode in a ball of fire or a spray of acid!”

A hand stretched out and firmly gripped Juntas’ shoulder. “Calm yourself Shas’La” insisted Ro’yan as he seized the second box of explosives from Juntas’ hands. A pair of orca dropships accompanied by a wing of barracuda and remora fighters thundered overhead as the Shas’Ui gestured upward. “The Kor can handle themselves Juntas”

Setting the box down, Ro’yan turned Juntas to face the distant tree line “You are Shas my friend. Our concerns lay closer to the ground, and they will require your full attention soon enough”.

Great stuff shadow kat! I remember commenting on the earlier posts in your last thread. I still enjoyed it immensely.

Although the conversation between the Tau and the kid made me wonder. Wouldn't the Tau be speaking their own language? It seems strange that they would be having a conversation in Gothic amongst themselves.

redacted and edited

-Tau'va

It is a trick that not even Black Library has really been able to tackle. I can suspend my disbelief easily as the story is a fun read.Hope we get more

Gentlemen, You inspire me to expect more from myself. It turns out that even I wasn't particularly satisfied by my answer. How could I expect anyone else to be?

I have gone back and made some minor modifications to the part with the child in order to garner more plausibility and clear things up (something I generally try to strive for). The child understanding the Tau wasn't even something that was meant to be necessarily implied anyway. His fear was supposed to mostly stem from the mere sight of blue skinned alien warriors setting up shop on his doorstep (that and being drafted into a war against tyranids is never fun).

Let me know If I've left a hole somewhere else (or created a new one).

Next part is also finished, hot off the keyboard

Finally

The door slammed heavily behind Shas’O Vash. A precious moment of privacy beyond the reach of suspicious eyes. Vash leaned against the cold stone wall and exhaled deeply, finally allowing his muscles to relax. He raised his hand to his forehead and brushed it across the smooth blue flesh of his scalp.
When did war become so complex?

There was once a time when he knew the names of every warrior under his command. There was once a time when he could personally oversee the execution of every order he gave. There was once a time when his only concern was the persecution of his objectives. Those times now seemed so distant…

He now had to make choices that would decide the fate of nameless millions. He now held every life and every death as his sole responsibility. He now had to rangle public opinion and politics. It was now up to him to guide a mistrusting alien world which up until half a Kai’rotaa ago, he had never seen. The weight of victory or defeat rested squarely upon his shoulders.
When did war become so complex?

“You appear troubled Shas’O” came a familiar voice from the shadows.

The tone of the statement was mocking and insincere but Vash smiled regardless.

“Stalking me from the shadows now are you, Suam?”

The familiar voice of Vash’s second in command, Shas’El Suam’ta responded as he stepped forward.
“Better me than a lictor, Shas’O”

“Are you sure Suam? The body of a lictor in the administrative building would have made for valuable leverage.” Responded Vash.

“Well in that case, I’m sure I could arrange to have one waiting for you in your quarters tonight if you’d like” quipped Suam’ta.

The Two Shas chuckled as Vash beckoned Suam’ta to walk with him.




“How was your meeting with Tybore?” questioned Suam’ta.

“The General and his staff were agreeable….. In the end” Vash sighed.

Suam’ta’s brow furrowed slightly as he looked across at the Shas’O “They doubt your judgement?”.

“They doubt our motives” responded Vash resolutely.

“Our motives??” scoffed Suam’ta “Have you seen the state of this world Vash? Had the Aun permitted it, we could have crippled the defences of this world years ago with a single Hunter cadre!”

“And thankfully we did not permit it” came a voice from behind.
The two Shas spun around to find a tall slender Tau following a distance behind them. They immediately bowed and spoke in unison “Aun’Vre”

The figure leaned slightly on a gleaming ceremonial staff that tapped against the hard stone floor as he approached. His pure white robes hid his feet giving the impression that he floated across the floor rather than walked. He bowed his head and acknowledged the two warriors before him.
“Shas’O T’au kar’tyr’vash, Shas’El T’au suam’ta. Rise my friends”



The two Shas slowly rose back to their normal stature to face the Ethereal standing before them. Aun’Vre Au’res Seech subtly leaned forward onto his staff and gave a slight smile as he addressed Suam’ta.
“You would not have been alone amongst your caste in calling for the annexation of this world in cycles past, Shas’El. Given your occupation the notion is understandable. Through war you advance the greater good. War is in your nature, It is in your essence, it is your currency for change. The Shas embody courage, action and immediacy. I would ask you to look beyond your nature though my friends. Remember that no single entity can forge an empire, each caste does its part for the greater good.”

“But Aun’Vre, even now with the clarity of hindsight you must see that had we taken control before, we could now mount a defence against the Y’he without being curtailed by these Gue’La politics.” Replied Suam’ta as respectfully as he could manage.

“Had we taken this world, Suam’ta, We would now be facing this threat alone. Do not misunderstand the unique opportunity given to us here, Shas’El.”

“The opportunity to sell Tau lives in service of a Gue’La world?” Suam’ta groaned.


“Suam!” Shas’O Vash growled sharply in response to the impetuous ‘El.

“No no” calmly interrupted Aun’Vre Au’res Seech raising his palm. “Let the Shas’El speak his mind Vash”

Realising that he had overstepped his mark, Suam’ta withdrew slightly and lowered his gaze. Au’res Seech exhaled calmly and maintained his soft gaze on the Shas before him.

“In service of the Gue’La? No no Shas’El. Tau lives are never sold in service of an individual race. Tau lives were not sold for the Kroot on pech, Tau lives were not sold for the Mal’kor on Vespid, Tau lives were not even sold for the Tau on Dal’yth.
Our lives are sold ONLY for the greater good my friend. A greater good these humans now have an opportunity to become a part of. It is our duty to offer them this chance Shas’El.
Tau lives will not be sold for the Gue’La on Outreach, Our lives will be sold for something greater than us all.”

“Yes Aun’Vre” conceded Suam’ta

“We have a unique opportunity for nearly unprecedented co-operation between Tau and humans upon this world. If we are to swoop in and save this world from the jaws of certain doom, It will forge an image of the Empire for these humans that even the most talented Por diplomat could not weave. We will be welcomed not as invaders but instead as saviours. Instead of seizing a world in ruin and a population embittered by conquest, we will instead find an unspoiled world indebted for our intervention. This could accelerate the integration of Outreach into the Empire by decades. What might have taken generations of work and re-education on an annexed world could be accomplished here in a matter of Tau’cyrs…”
Au’res Seech turned from the Shas and stepped towards a nearby window with a view overlooking the city below. He sighed again and whispered with uncommon enthusiasm “So much could be done my friends”

“Then we shall see it through, Aun’Vre” responded Vash.

“For the Greater good” Added Suam’ta.


The Aun’Vre did not respond for a moment as he continued to gaze out at the alien city below.

“How are preparations proceeding?” Au’res Seech questioned, his tone now far more blunt and direct.

“The Tio’Ve continues to dig in throughout the city. All Cadre leaders report steady progress in their sectors. Shas’El Che’lel is heading the XV-8 Rapid response teams while Shas’El Trath co-ordinates mechanized fire warrior reserves. Master Shaper Pasch and his Kroot warriors are doing all they can to stall the Y’he in the hills and woodlands along with Shas’Vre Hier’Ka and his stealth suits. They pay a heavy price for this time though…”

“And what of the Gue’La?” Asked Au’res Seech

“..They continue with preparations as planned, Aun’Vre” Responded Vash.

Sensing the split moment of hesitation in his pupil's voice, Au’res Seech turned to face the two Shas once again.
“But?” He questioned.

Cornered, Vash’s expression dropped slightly “But… They remain disgruntled. Many do not wish to abandon their city.”

“Understandable. This is their home, their capital, a point of pride for them. So, will you allow them to stay and defend what is theirs Shas’O?”

Vash’s brow furrowed. “No, they do not comprehend the extent of what they face here. I will not have them die for pride alone.”

“Oh? So you would force them to leave against their will then? Even if they would resent you for it?” continued Au’res Seech.

“I will have them resent me then. There is no question Aun’Vre, any who stay WILL die. I will not have their blood on my hands, even if they would try force it upon me. There would be an outcry from the humans if we were to simply evacuate Tau colonists and left humans to die, even by their own accord.”

Au’res Seech grinned proudly and allowed his eyes to close, satisfied with his pupils response “Good my student, good. Now all that remains is to convince them of this.”

“I may have already convinced their leaders” responded Vash, allowing a miniscule smile.

Au’res Seech turned his head slightly and chuckled “You used the Kier’ga analogy again, didn’t you?”

“It may have come up…” responded Vash reservedly.

Suam’ta broke into the conversation mockingly “And did you deem to mention that Kier’ga have now successfully been tamed this time?”

Vash smiled “I felt it would detract from the message”

The three Tau laughed together but Au’res Seech kept his eyes fixated on Vash throughout. Seeing a familiar signal from his mentor Vash broke the laughter.
“Suam.. I require a progress report on the 26th’s positions. Inspect the defences and report back to me.”

Confused, Suam’ta peered at Vash, then Au’res Seech before returning to Vash until he suddenly understood.
“Yes Shas’O” He replied a moment later before bowing once again to the Aun'Vre and departing quickly.


“Your student appears to be progressing well Shas’O, Spirited to be sure, but quite capable” Remarked Au’res Seech.

Puzzled by the Ethereals direction Vash responded cautiously “Indeed he is. Suam’ta serves the Empire proudly.”

“And what of MY student? What could be troubling him so?” Au’res Seech continued.

“Nothing troubles me, teacher” Vash responded defensively.

“Vash.” dragged the ethereal as he took a step closer “At this moment there is not a single soul upon this world that remains untroubled, least of all, you.

Vash remained silent

“You feel the weight of your command. You feel the burden of your position. You feel the eyes of history weighing your every action and inaction.” Continued Au’res Seech
“You feel the cost of victory and the price of failure.
You feel as all who hold power should.”

Vash lowered his gaze. He felt ashamed, disgusted with himself. Every word rang true to his thoughts as they passed the lips of his mentor. There was no room for such liabilities for those in his position, yet he felt his own self-doubt growing regardless.
“What if I am not prepared, teacher. Should I fail; the Y’he will devour this world. They will strip it bare and grow large enough to threaten Sept space and even the Empire itself. Our graves will serve as a springboard for untold sorrow”

Au’res Seech shook his head slowly from side to side “There will always be those who question your abilities Vash. Do not justify them with your own self-doubt.
You are prepared, Shas’O. I have been preparing you since I found Bap’rra “the lost shadow” on Taish’Ro. Your cadre trusts in you, Your fellow commanders trust in you. Now you only need trust in yourself”

Vash rose to his full height and exhaled frustrated “And what of the Gue’la? A life time of idolised xenophobia is difficult to overcome. Without their trust, how can I inspire them to face nightmares? Without their trust, how can I harbour them from this storm?”

Au’res Seech beamed and chuckled again “You always were one to shoulder the heaviest burdens yourself. Even as a Shas’Ui you couldn’t stand to share responsibility.”
Au’res Seech turned from Vash and stepped towards the window again as the orange glow of the setting sun snaked its way through the tall threshold.

“Your answer lies beyond yourself old friend. This General, Tybore. Make him a hero to his people. Make him a symbol, Vash.

Au’res Seech outstretched his arms to the sepia bathed city beyond.
“Inspire him! and you inspire the entire world. Guide him, and you guide the entire world.”

I have just read through this story and I have to say I am absolutely loving it thus far. You must must must keep up the good work my friend. Consider yourself being stalked until further notice! -1TA

P.S. I may be using your bit on the Kier'ga for a bit of inspiration in my own works. With your permission of course.

I'll be reading this as well, good stuff!

I must offer my sincerest apologies friends. I have a bad tendency of carrying too many projects at once. I promise you though that this story has NOT been abandoned and will be finished. I have 6 or 7 pages of notes written out for this story alone. Things have finally started to even out a bit in my life and my inspiration to write has resurfaced again. I will have more to show you guys soon.

Thank you for your very kind words airborne. It is a great motivation to know that somebody else is enjoying your work. By all means, please feel free to use the concept of the Kier'ga. I would love to see what you come up with


Calmsword, as always it is an honor to have your input

This looks to be the start of quite an epic story, Shadow Kat. Personally, I would love to hear more about the Kroot's progress delaying the vanguard. That sounds like it would be an interesting story, kind of a running melee battle. Idk though, it's your story obviously.

If I may offer some (hopefully constructive) criticism though... Your pacing, level of detail, and worldbuilding are all top notch. What went on in the trench scene I particularly enjoyed; a wonderfully subtle and detailed introduction to the Kroot fieldwork, some interaction between the Tau and the humans - it's all good. The area that I think you're lacking is character development:




To be frank, these all kind of read like they're straight out of a TVTropes character page. The big guy with a heart of gold... the spunky chick who's more than meets the eye... the awkward tech genius...

That's not to say that these aren't characters you can work with, but the way their personalities is reduced is incredibly bland. It might work for a static overview of your cadre, but to lay everything on the table at once, with no subtlety, just the narrator talking at the reader - I can't let you do it.

Obviously rewriting that would be a ton of work, but at the very least, some evidence for these claims you put forth would be very nice. I've been trying to avoid saying it, but here goes - show us your characters acting like who they are, don't just tell us that's who they are. Yeah, show, don't tell. I said it. I'm so sorry.

That said I will try and keep track of this one regardless, because I really do think it has a lot going for it. But that one area is lagging far behind.

Militant Jester, that is indeed some very constructive criticism. And if you will allow me to be frank in return, I whole heartedly agree with you

Even before your post i found myself extremely dissatisfied with the character introductions and I think you have nailed it. Show don't tell (so simple, yett oh so easy to forget when writting). Back when i wrote that section I was in the process of building models and writing character profiles to be posted into my cadre thread. I think the blunt "tell" style of writting seeped over. I think I tried too hard to convey how I saw the characters rather letting the reader decide how they saw the character based on their actions and letting them develop organically.

I am quite obviously a novice writer and lessons like this are very helpful. You sir have done me a great service. Now, how do i go about fixing my mistake..
I could rewrite the descriptions simply removing all of the forced character information. Simply include name, role and a brief physical description leaving ample room for the audience to develop their own perception of personality through actions and mannerism. What do you think?

Something like having a Gue'vesa step out of the way of the big guy, or the techie mumble into his gear when spoken to, would be good I think. So yes, basically that. Good luck. ^^

The third part has now been amended thanks to everyone's comments. I have added some parts, removed some parts, and rewritten some parts. Let me know what you guys think about the changes (better? worse? needs more?)

I would like to ask all of you to give my characters a second chance and not let the previous poor description taint your continuing impression of them. And again, thank you everyone for the continued feed back. You spur me to do better.

=================================================





The night was still. A cool chill drifted across the air as the luminous face of a full moon hung in the dark sky like the reassuring gaze of a watchful guardian. On any other night it may have been beautiful, on any other night it would have seemed calm. But things had changed on Outreach.

Jarroth squinted tightly through his binoculars trying to pierce the thick veil of darkness. He examined every rock, persecuted every shrub, interrogated every silhouette. He challenged each to move, to twitch, to show signs of life as he strained his eyes through the binoculars. Those with unwary eyes would be taken. No he wouldn’t be taken, he wouldn’t be caught unaware. He’d find them first, and there would be hell to pay.

A sudden metallic boom from an unfamiliar rifle startled Jarroth, causing him to jump and gasp. A long and tormented alien shriek pierced through the veil of the distant night in response to the shot. The shrill call of the unseen beast sent ice through Jarroth’s veins as he ducked all but his eyes beneath the lip of the trench, unsure where to look. A moment later, a second metallic thud heralded a follow up shot and the creature’s wailing was abruptly cut short.

A false silence descended once more upon the sprawling expanse. A Serenity so fragile that it was almost a relief each time it was broken.

Jarroth exhaled heavily, condensation forming in the air from his breath. He turned lazily to face a rustling noise followed by a frustrated groan from the floor of the trench behind him.

“Damnable blue skins... Determined not to let me have a bloody moment’s sleep they are!”

Jarroth looked down to find Garrul sitting up from beneath his filthy blanket.

Two dozen other bodies writhed and kicked along the floor of the trench, several groaning in agreement while the others simply rolled over, too exhausted to care about Garrul’s inevitable rant.

“How in Terra’s name do they expect me to man this filthy hole all day if they keep waking me with supersonic rifles every five fething minutes”

Jarroth fiddled with the binoculars in his hands, working up the confidence to speak.
“they killed one of em’” he muttered.

Garrul looked up from his resting place almost surprised to hear the boy speak.
“Yea, I bloody well know, kid. Just like they killed one the last time they woke me up, and two the time before that. All I’m asking for is a little more subtlety, that’s all. Not like they need to announce it every time they bring one the fething mites down.”

“Now YOUR keeping us up Garrul. How about you tell us all about it in the morning, ay?” came another weary voice from the group.

“Trust me, Kav. Im doin’ ya’ a favour. Bloody xeno’s aren’t plannin’ on lettin’ us get no sleep either way” Replied Garrul.

“Which xeno’s exactly? The bugs or the blueys? We’ve got quite a selection these days” Chuckled Kav.

“Both! Between the two I can’t decide which are worse to have ‘round.” Huffed Garrul.

A figure huddled up against the wall of the trench suddenly flung the blanket off of his body and rose to his feet with a frustrated sigh.
“if your having too much trouble with that decision, Garrul, perhaps a quick stroll in those woods out there would help clear things up” he stated bluntly.

Uncomfortable at the suggestion Garrul rested back on his elbows as he responded.
“Alright Sarge, granted. Perhaps one wont eviscerate me on sight. But that still don’t mean we can trust them blue skins!”

Just then a shadowy silhouette slithered in amongst the group.
“Trust them? Trust THEM?? No, no, no, no, no. cant trust them!” the figure burst out, excitedly changing the pitch of his voice as he rapidly darted between each person.
“Mistake! Big mistake. They want to be friends, yes? They want to smiiile and waaave” the figure buzzed with disarrayed laughter as he pawed at Garrul’s oily blanket while his eyes darted from side to side within their sockets.

“Damn it, Pells!” Barked Garrul, his boot finding pells square in the chest as he kicked out “get off me ya’ flaming lunatic!”

Pells rolled back through the dirt, his deranged laughter undeterred.
“You! You you you! You have seen it! teehee” he excitedly beamed as he hunched over wringing his hands with enthusiasm after settling his gaze on Jarroth.
“Got close to them you did! Wanted to say hiiiiii” Pells squealed as he walked sideways towards the boy, moving in his hunched posture.

“But..”

Pells drew closer and closer to young Jarroth, his deranged tone and giddy laughter disappearing

“They..”

His tone dropped to an enraged whisper

“Wanted…”

Pells lunged forward in sideways hops closing the final distance to Jarroth before throwing out his arms, expanding his body and shouting with his eyes wide and head vibrating

“TO EAT YOU!!!”

Pells shrieked with laughter as he spun around on the spot until a hand reached out and gruffly yanked him back by the collar and threw him into the dirt floor of the trench.

“Enough out of you! Back to your corner before I serve you up to the bugs as a peace offering!”

Pells continued to chuckle as he crawled out of the dirt and began to slink away.
“Boy has seen. Should slip back over to our blue friends and slit their throats! Bahahaha!”

Sergeant Kayress stood beside Jarroth in a rigid posture as he watched pells slink back away into the darkness.
“Damn chem fiend” he grumbled “Id shoot him myself if things weren’t so dire. Pay him no heed kid, hes spent too long puffing fumes”

Jarroth looked up at the large sergeant. He was the only professional soldier amongst the group, and it painfully showed.

“Your name is Jarroth, right?” he asked in a deep comforting tone.

The boy continued to stare up at him without blinking. With his expression blank, Jarroth nodded.

Sergeant Kayress bent down on one knee and knelt so he could speak while eye to eye with Jarroth
“Well don’t you worry kid. You stick with me and I’ll take care of you. Matter of fact, based on what I’ve seen of this rabble I’ve been handed, I want you to be my second in command. Can you do that for me Jarroth?”

Jarroth smiled and nodded again as Kayress rose back to his feet.
“Good”

“Wonderful. The kids in charge” mocked Garrul “Now can we get some sleep?”

Sergeant Kayress strolled back towards his place on the floor.
“Soldiers don’t need sleep Garrul”

“Well that’s all well an’ good for you sarge. But I aint no soldier, Im a bloody courier” Garrul scoffed

Kayress stopped and took one final look back at Jarroth before slumping into his place.
“We’re all soldiers now”.


Jarroth turned back to the expanse beyond the trench as the others settled back into sleep. The silence had returned once more. This brought only cold comfort. They were out there. The silence just meant they hadn’t been spotted yet.
Jarroth raised his binoculars back to his eyes and continued his search as another loud metallic shot reverberated through the dark night.

“ARGH!! Damn it!” Shouted Garrul in frustration as a smirk crept across Jarroth’s face

They got another one.

Rereading the first trench scene, it is much improved to my eyes. Also, I quite like your method of conveying the Tau's dialect; it sounds suitably alien and rather much like how I imagine Samurai to talk... which is always good.

The latest night trench scene is a good addition. You're building this up quite nicely (though I worry with how many characters you have, exposition might either drag out too long or not flesh everyone out enough... avoidable, for sure, but maybe something to keep in mind). The varying skirmishes (Kroot and Stealth teams in the woods, the Cadres in the hive ruin, target practice from the trenches), and the Shas'O's plan/Kier'ga metaphor, are kind of giving the showdown some weight and momentum - it's not something that just happened out of the blue.

=============================

Shas’La Doran leaned forward and squinted intently as his brow furrowed with concentration. His task was fragile, difficult, delicate, but his steady hands would not fail him. He cracked half of an exotherm tablet and dropped it into the water while delicately stirring his ration of B’kar leaves into the tin. There was an art to brewing such a beverage, but he was determined to create something decent to drink while upon this rock. His efforts would not go amiss with the rest of the team on a cold night like this either.

“sounds like Shas’Ui Savon has claimed another” he remarked as he softly blew across the surface of the lightly simmering water.

“yep” Kier’es agreed as he sat on the floor of the trench flinging stones into his upturned helmet “It’s a fine night to have some high ground and a rail rifle”

Shas’La Juntas stood tall on the step dug into the side of the trench wall. He turned back to face the others with a troubled grimace.
“And it looks like a very poor night to be in the forests…”

Ro’yan stepped up next to Juntas while taking a magnified range finder from his outstretched hand. Ro’yan peered through the device and scanned quickly across the distant tree line. Faint blue flashes materialised and dissipated like ghostly apparitions from under the darkness of the distant canopy. His brow furrowed and teeth clenched behind his lips. The fight was getting closer; time was most definitely running out.

Even without the magnification of the range finder, the rest of the team could see the thick plumes of smoke rising above the canopy.

“How long, Shas’Ui” Lynu asked bluntly.

Ro’yan pursed his lips and rolled his tongue slowly within his mouth, carefully considering his response.
“If we are lucky? They’ll arrive before the next dark cycle. If not, much sooner…”

The team was silent for a moment. They glanced from one and other uncertainly, unsure what to do with the information.

Lynu once again broke the silence “Nel’un, You’ve been watching drone feeds all day, what’s going on out there?”

Nel’un huddled against the side of the trench with his knees curled up and arms folded tightly across his chest. He grunted without raising his head and gruffly ignored the question.

Lynu cocked her head and questioned again cautiously.
“Nel’un?

The tech specialist huffed and rolled to one side presenting his back, crystalizing his intentions to ignore any further questions.

Lynu stood aghast, unsure what she had done to incur such a response. She went to speak again, ready to chastise Nel’un for his rudeness when an arm wrapped around her shoulders.

“Don’t worry about him, Lynu” insisted Daith as he turned her away. “He’s just upset because his last drone went down today”

“Oh...” Any tinge of frustration Lynu felt suddenly dissipated as she understood. If anything, Nel’un treated his drones more as trained pets than as equipment. Though she wasn’t capable of comprehending or sharing his compassion for the lost device, she could atleast share her empathy for his sorrow.

“Maybe he’d like it if one of us went and spoke to him?” Lynu propositioned.

The corner of Daith’s lip raised in a sarcastic smirk.
“He wouldn’t” he chuckled “Don’t worry about him Lynu, he gets like this every time one of his toys breaks. As soon as he finds something new to fiddle with, he’ll be fine”

Only partly appeased, Lynu went to speak again but Daith interrupted her once more, this time quickly pulling his arm off of her shoulder and hopping away as he spoke.
“Aaand speaking of fine, it appears as if our very own Lusha has returned” he hummed.

Lynu tasted a vivid tinge of frustration return in the back of her throat. She was developing a distinct distaste for being cut off.

Daith scrambled forward and frantically dug through his messy pile of gear before victoriously yanking free a square piece of board. He firmly planted his feet in the centre of the trench and stood proudly with the board held up to his chest. As he gazed down the length of the trench, a lithe silhouette strolled into view through the shroud of darkness. The figure was tall and walked forward in graceful strides. Her scalp was shaved bare, save for a single high ponytail of glossy black hair that swayed elegantly behind her. In her hands she held tightly a pulse rifle, heavily modified with an enhanced and oversized scope. As she neared the fire team, she found Daith squarely blocking her path.

“Welcome back Lusha” He smiled mischievously as he signalled down to the sign in his hands.

Lusha gazed at Daith for a moment, her own expression unflinching as she examined his. She leant down to read the message childishly scrawled across the piece of scrap.
“Daith Boulevard” she orated, her tone unimpressed.

“Toll to pass is one kiss” Daith beamed.

Lusha looked up at Daith. “Oh? Is that all?” she questioned seductively as she rose back up to her stature.

Daith nodded and cringed as he braced for what would surely come next. Quick as a flash, Lusha rotated the rifle in her hands, gripped the barrel tightly and slammed the butt of the weapon down into Daith’s unprotected shin. He toppled over grasping his shin in pain as he rocked himself back and forth in the dirt while Lusha stepped over him nonchalantly.

“every time” quipped Kier’es without looking away from his game of throwing stones.

“Worth it” Daith responded resolutely through clenched teeth. He had tried this trick half a dozen times over the past few days. Luckily during these proposed transactions he had remembered to wear his helmet, otherwise his facial structure would have been re-arranged several times over by now.



Lusha walked through the trench to find Ro’yan still on the step gazing through the range finder.
She nodded her head quickly in acknowledgement “Shas’Ui”

“Shas’La. I trust everything progressed smoothly?” He responded flatly as he continued to gaze through the range finder out at the expanse.

“Seven gaunts and a warrior” a hint of pride flaring within her words as she spoke.

Ro’yan remained silent for a moment, his attention firmly focused on the field ahead. His finger twitched and slowly migrated to rest upon a small button on the side of the range finder. A second later his digit twitched again, depressing the button as the device responded with two sharp successive clicks. He then set the device back down on the lip of the trench and turned away to face Lusha.
His distraction now seemingly removed, his tone was far warmer
He smiled “Welcome back Lusha” the metallic boom of a rail rifle echoing across the field simultaneously as he spoke.
Unflinching, he continued
“Do you require rest or sustenance?”

“No Ro’yan, I am well” she responded definitively

“But you shall have some regardless” interjected Doran as he stepped between the two while carrying two cups of his creation. He handed one to both Ro’yan and Lusha before stepping back to watch as each cupped the steaming beverage with both hands and took a slow deep sip. Quietly satisfied with his creation, Doran let slip a slight smile as he stepped away to distribute the rest.

“It would appear as if Shas’Ui Savon and his snipers have been busy in my absence” remarked Lusha as she took another sip

“Oh they have been” grunted Kier’es as he flung a stone briskly into the side of trench wall “I’d be busy too if I had a rail rifle..” he complained

“You wouldn’t know what to do with a rail rifle Kier’es” remarked Daith as he limped back to his gear.

“Ah, what do you know” Kier’es brushed him off with a wave of his hand as he activated a comm signal
“Shas’Ui Savon, How is the hunting tonight?”

Several seconds of silence passed without response. Kier’es went to transmit again when a voice came through
“--click-- good --click--”

Kier’es beamed, as surprised as the others to have received a response from the notoriously short spoken Shas’Ui.
“How many so far Savon?” he pressed

several more moments passed.

“--click-- eighteen --click--“ he responded again

“eighteen” Kier’es grumbled to himself “I could do that”

Daith scoffed loudly in a mocking tone as he continued to nurse his bruised shin.

Infuriated, Kier’es shouted back “Oh yea? I bet you two pulse charge clips that I score the next kill!”

“--click-- I’ll take that bet--click--“ The piercing sound of Shas’Ui Savon’s voice sending ice through Kier’es’ veins

“ah Shtlk. I uhhhh, umm, switching channels, over” Kier’es muttered into his comm unit as his face flushed while Daith roared with laughter; instantly forgetting the pain in his leg.



“I don’t understand why Savon wont let me fix that click in his transmission. It would only be a minor calibration” Questioned Nel’Un as he unsteadily returned to his feet, seemingly rejuvenated by the thought of having something to fix.

“It’s his calling card Nel’un. It serves to identify and announce when he is about to speak. His Herald if you will” Responded Lusha confidently.

“But he hardly ever speaks” added Juntas.

Lusha smirked “making his words all the more poignant when he does”

Nel’un shook his head in confusion “It’s nothing but radio disturbance. I don’t understand the significance” he sighed

“--click-- You have company --click--“

Ro’yan’s eyes widened and his pupils dialated at the perceived warning. The entire team spun into action at a words notice, reaching for weapons, crouching to cover, searching for their adversary.

Ro’yan ripped his pulse pistol from its holster and spun hard on his heel. He grit his teeth, ready to face whatever monstrosity lunged at them. There was no slavering maw or darting tendrils of ichor to confront though. Instead he found a familiar set of blue eyes staring up at him.

“--click-- Eyes open Dagger 3 --Click--“

Ro’yan exhaled, releasing the tension curled into his muscles while quietly cursing Savon’s typical vagueness. He flattened his palms while glancing left to find Lusha with her rifle trained on the child’s forehead, her finger with the trigger halfway depressed.

“Child” He reassured to both himself and his team as he rose back from his crouched stance while lowering his own weapon.

Seemingly unfazed by his dramatic reception, The boy spoke first;
“I’m sorry I ran away before… I was afraid” he mumbled almost ashamedly as he looked away.

Ro’yan took a deep breath and sat cross legged on the cold dirt floor of the trench with his hands folded loosely in his lap.
“Ah, but you were brave to return, young one” the Shas’Ui replied softly in cautious Gue’sia. “Why were you afraid child?”

The boy approached slowly, encouraged by the Shas’Ui’s nonthreatening posture. He took cautious steps forward, with his eyes fixated on the Blue alien sitting quietly before him. He stopped within reaching distance of the Tau and stood with his hands pressed firmly to his side. He searched the Tau’s face, carefully examining each of his wrinkled blue features until settling on the alien’s eyes. They were remarkably human. They may have been a different shade or tone, yet they exhumed all the same expression and depth of his own. The boy stared down into the eyes of the alien as it stared back up. Both were silent, there was nothing to be said as they gazed into one and other, Something so strange, yet so familiar within both.

A warm smile lifted across Ro’yan’s face and the boy’s expression began to soften. The child relaxed his stance and lowered himself down to sit in the dirt in front of the Shas’Ui.

“The elders say I should be afraid of you” the boy spoke more confidently now, face to face with the Shas’Ui. “They say you’re something called a “zenos scum”” he stumbled.

Ro’yan laughed. It was obvious the boy had no comprehension of the slur he had just used.
“Do they now? what is your name young one?” he asked.

The boy hesitated for a moment, but refused to look away.
“… Jarroth. My name is Jarroth”

Ro’yan tilted his head to one side
“So Jarroth, will you heed the words of your elders? Are you afraid?” he asked with a soft gaze and a slight smile.

Jarroth turned away from the Tau to face towards the outer lip of the trench
“Not of you…” he replied.

Ro’yan continued to watch Jarroth closely while nodding his head slowly in agreement.
"not of us" he repeated.
He looked down and examined the weapon holstered at the boys side. A crudely made solid slug pistol, hardly capable of stopping one of the worm like ripper Tyranids, let alone anything larger. Ro'yan's expression fell flat, his heart bled for the pink skinned saal. So ready to trust for his kind, yet he likely would not survive this war. An unacceptable waste.
He reached out and placed his hand gently on the boys shoulder regaining his attention.
“You needn’t fear Jarroth. The Empire are here”
Ro’yan took his grasp from the boys shoulder and reached down to take his hand. He lifted the boys palm and pressed his pulse pistol into it before closing Jarroth’s fingers around it
“An Empire that you are now a part of Jarroth” He whispered.

Jarroth looked down at the alien weapon in his hands. Its panels were smooth, its edges angular. It was so clean and crisp, so focused in design, a stark contrast to the crude weapon he had been issued.

“Hide it beneath your clothes. Now return to you place before you are missed, otherwise we will both be disciplined” winked Ro’yan.

Jarroth smiled and nodded as he turned and begun to run, still examining the pulse pistol in his hands.

“Making new friends Shas’Ui?” Lusha asked flatly.

Ro’yan continued to watch until Jarroth disappeared around a corner.
“I prefer to think of it as breaking down cultural barriers”

The stillness of the air was abruptly shattered by the shot of another rail rifle.

“Sorry Kier’es, sounds like you lost” teased Daith.

Before Kier’es could respond, another shot rang out, followed by another, and another. Savon’s entire sniper team were firing one after the other. Further down the network additional sniper teams joined the chorus of long ranged firepower.

Ro’yan sprang to his feet cupping his comm antenna
“Savon! What is happening?” He questioned sternly.

A trio of three dark silhouettes suddenly launched themselves over the trench, clearing the entire width in a single bound. They landed hard on the opposite side kicking up dirt and gravel with their heavy strides as they continued sprinting full pelt. A flare shot up into the sky illuminating the field as it passed, bathing the three figures in light.
They were Kroot.
One of the warriors spun to face the fire team in the trench as he ran. His orange warpaint was ruined by scars and blood, his left eye had been burned shut, and he cupped a gory stump where his right arm had once been.
In his avian tone, he screeched a single word back to the fire warriors:
“RUN!”

The Chorus of rail rifles intensified above as Savon’s voice, now strained with concentration but possessed of the same calm bluntness, rose over the comm

“--click-- we are out of time --click--“

The team slammed themselves into the outer wall of the trench, clipping on helmets and powering up rifle cells as a single transmission burst over all channels, overriding any chatter.
The Voice of Shas’O Kar’tyr’Vash filled every helmet and burst across every loud speaker

“ALL STATIONS! PREPARE FOR IMMINENT CONTACT”

ATT member Tiuku has been kind enough to share with me her input through pm over the past couple of days regarding the story (which i greatly appreciate). When she told me that she had done some sketches of the characters in her free time, I was overjoyed to see them brought to life. I think you will all agree with me that she has done a fantastic job in her rendition of Nel'un, Ro'yan and Jarroth.



Round of applause for Tiuku

(make sure to check out her thread linked above for more of her work)

Fear

It didn’t matter the species, it moved in the same ways.
Like an infectious disease it spread; needing but a single ill prepared heart in which to take hold, a single point of weakness in which to fester and build.

O'Vash knew well the nature of fear. He had spent a lifetime entangled in unceasing conflict with it. He had seen it in the eyes of a thousand warriors on a hundred battlefields. He knew full well the habits of this beast as it ensnared its prey.

The victim draws in slow deep gulps of air through his hanging jaw. His face locks unwittingly aghast as his eyes make short rapid movements. His chest heaves with each breath, with every expansion his lungs feel as if near bursting as panic builds. His eyes burn from the wind but he refuses to blink, his gaze fixating on no particular point on the horizon. His senses are ablaze, the particles of dirt in his mouth, the gentle symphony of the wind circling in his ear, a bead of sweat rolling over his throbbing temple, he feels them all with excruciating clarity.
He chances a hurried sideways glance over each shoulder as his instincts scream for an escape. Who would see? who would bear witness to his shame? Those in front are rooted in place by the eyes of their comrades. They freeze, held in place by a judgemental gaze, they are caught helplessly between the horror of battle and the shame of retreat.
Those behind are free of such burdens though. They stare blankly forward into the rear panel of the helmet in front while the breeze of the open air laps tantalizingly at their back. Surely none would notice if they were to quietly slip away?
He stumbles with a single cautious backward step. He stops and hesitates for a moment. Has anyone seen? He stands out of sync with the ordered ranks, like a boil on an otherwise smooth face he lingers. He waits, expectant of a shrill call in reprimand; but it doesn't come. The severity of his predicament dawns upon him. He can no simply step back into line. There is no going back now, instinct takes over. Having broken free from the shackles of uniformity, he throws caution to the wind. He turns on his heel and breaks into an animalistic dash. He forgets all reason, all logic, his single desire to create distance .
The next soldier in line senses the vacancy to his side. He is exposed now, doubt begins to set in as he re-calculates the odds of his survival. He takes a backwards step…
and so it spreads.



O’ Vash leaned forward onto the heavy stone balustrade and observed the predations of the universal instinct unfolding in the feeds of his tactical visor. In the holographic screen before him he watched the constitution of the Gue’La begin to buckle. It was not anger or rage that filled his mind though, only pity. He had anticipated a degree of desertion. What remained to be seen was its extent.

He sighed and dismissed the screen with a wave of his hand as he continued to gaze over the balustrade. In the distance faint shapes burst from the tree line like puss from an infected wound. They writhed and slithered as they flowed onto the open field from the bleeding gash in the woods.

It was time.

A distinctive voice crackled over Vash’s personal channel. It strained with interference as the channel bubbled with static. Even so the voice remained unmistakable. It cawed roughly in a gravelled avian tone, his words laced with slow clicks and whines hidden beneath each syllable.
“Vash, my warriors have done all that they can” he calmly spoke. “This tide can be held back no longer”

Vash nodded slowly to himself in recognition. Even if Master Shaper Pasch’s voice would not betray it, Vash knew that the kindreds had suffered greatly in order to delay the inevitable advance of the swarm. Their sacrifice had been great, but their service had been invaluable. Whether they knew it or not, all within the city owed the Kroot kindreds a great deal.
“Thank you, old friend. Your people have done their part. Disengage your warriors and withdraw them to the east. You may yet find the eastern approach to the city open if you are swift”

“Always we are swift, young one. Always” Pesch crowed in response before disengaging his signal.

He wanted to smile at this assertation, but the immediacy of the situation stole all energy from it. With a flick on his transmitter, Vash altered his channel and spoke again
“Shas’Vre Hier’Ka, are you receiving”

Several seconds passed before a hushed response arrived.
“Yes, Shas’O. Your orders?” he whispered.

“Disengage your stealth teams. Conceal and evade until the main body of the swarm passes. Once the enemy has advanced, reengage and strike at high value targets in the enemy’s back field at your discretion.”

“Understood, Shas’O. Hier’Ka, out” He responded before his signal dropped off aswell.


Vash continued to stare into the distance over the balcony for a moment longer before turning away to face the assembled war council behind him; a collection of Shas’El and ‘Vre representing each individual cadre under his command. With dour faces they awaited silently for his words.

Vash surveyed the group slowly. He knew the face of every warrior assembled. Many, he had been privileged to known for cycles on end. Che’lel, korst’la, his own pupil, Suam’ta; on this day they were Heroes to the Empire one and all. He knew himself lucky to have counted them amongst his friends. He inhaled deeply and privately hoped that these would not prove to be his final words to them.

“My friends” he spoke gently. “Our time has arrived”
Vash paced forward and smiled softly.
“Destiny has called to us. And in response, here we now stand.
Here we stand in the Empire’s name, ready to face those who would bring ruin and misery. Here we stand before the very avatar of insatiable hunger and reckless greed. Our task is great, but so too is our conviction.
Take heart my friends. Know that today your actions build the empire taller than it has ever risen. Know that today you nurture the radiant blossom of the greater good as it unfurls throughout the stars. Stand proudly in your noble duty.
Each of you have your tasks. Go now with honour and wisdom my friends. Return now to your warriors, and together seize your destinies. May we all meet again.
Tau’Va Friends”

The assembly quickly bowed their heads and responded in unison
“Tau’Va”

With that the delegation hurriedly dispersed, already springing to action as they issued orders into their individual comm units. Vash continued to watch them as they exited the chamber. As the final member slipped away from view, Vash muttered to himself once more
“Tau’Va…”