The Tau encroachment into Imperial space must be stopped by any means.

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Author: Her Ladyship Georgene Serillian, Ordo Xenos
Strategic Update: Response to Tau Threat
Threat Level: Sigmus Prime
Thought of the Day: Death to the Xeno

Inquisitorial Warning: Access to this information is limited to Imperial officials with a Beta Primus security rating. Failure to comply is punishable by scourging prior to execution.

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To Senior Imperial Authorities,

I, Inquisitor Georgene Serillian of the Ordo Xenos, on 4 701 741.M41, hereby notify you that Segmentum Command, at the insistence of the Ordo Xenos and Adeptus Administratum, intends to declare an Imperial crusade against the burgeoning Tau threat.

Tentatively designated as the Damocles Gulf Crusade, this assault on the Tau is scheduled to begin on 3 001 742.M41.

Rationale

Although I have long urged a stronger response to the Tau’s encroachment on Imperial planets in the Corvus Cluster, senior military and ordo officials at Segmentum Command remained unconvinced.

Thanks to the work of myself and several colleagues operating in a variety of Imperial sectors that surround the nascent Tau empire, we have provided higher authorities with a thorough list of planets where members of the Tau water caste have been insinuating themselves into the courts of dozens of Imperial governors and ruling councils.

This xeno infiltration also has been identified in dissident factions on various Imperial worlds and, most disturbingly, even gained influence with officials in the Administratum and various Planetary Defense Forces (PDFs).

The result is that, through diplomatic negotiations, favorable trade agreements, the sharing of xeno technology, and, in some cases, outright military threat, the Tau have encouraged heresy and rebellion. At least a score of worlds are at risk of falling to xeno-influenced officials who may be convinced to declare independence from the Imperium.

Six months before the launch of the Damocles Gulf Crusade, Imperial Navy ships already are gathering in the Belliose System.

Growing Threats

It is well known that the insidious efforts of the Tau already have had a significant impact on the Corvus Cluster. Among the xenos’ crimes:

• The failed rebellion against Imperial rule on the world of Hyberia II in 725.M41.

• The successful overthrow of Imperial rule on Media III in the Sculptor System in 732.M41.

• The invasion of the agri-moon Dar Sai in the Sculptor System in 735.M41.

• A series of battles between Imperial and Tau naval forces in the Sculptor System from 735.M41 to the present.

All of this evidence along with reports of similar activity in a dozen other sectors, has convinced Segmentum Command that a massive and brutal military response against the Tau is required.

Although the Tau prefer to use diplomacy and subterfuge to overthrow Imperial rule, they are not hesitant to use military force when Imperial rulers are resistant.

Military Commitment

Over the next six months, significant military assets will be gathered in a number of stellar systems across the Segmentum. One gathering point will be the Beliose System, home of the Nguyen Naval Base, where the following deployments will occur:

Imperial Navy: A naval task force of more than two dozen capital ships, accompanied by scores of escort ships, will be redeployed from existing assignments to form the core of the crusade’s naval vanguard.

Adeptus Astartes: A number of Space Marine Chapters—including, most notably, the Blood Angels, Iron Hands, and White Scars—already have agreed to lend significant forces to this military action.

Imperial Guard: At least 19 regiments of the Astra Militarum, including two regiments mustered on Brimlock, will participate in the initial attack of the crusade.

Sculptor System Bypassed

Warships of all sizes and classifications are being gathered for the major campaign against the insidious Tau Empire.

Despite the xeno infestation in the region, Segmentum Command has determined that the crusade will sidestep the Tau presence in the Sculptor System and focus on several sub-sectors outside the Corvus Cluster.

The initial target of the Crusade will focus on sub-sectors between the Damocles Gulf and the Perdus Rift Anomaly, starting with the Timbra Sub-Sector, where the Garrus and Kliest colonies are in rebellion and seek to join the Tau Empire.

Although this may cause consternation with local military leaders, Segmentum Command argues that once the Tau are driven across the Damocles Gulf, the xeno presence in the Sculptor system will be isolated—and the xenos will be forced to withdraw.

It is the intention of Segmentum Command that, once a forward base has been established in the Timbra Sub-Sector, the Crusade will cross the Damocles Gulf and strike at the heart of the Tau Empire. The goal: Total extermination of the xeno threat . . . and species.

Until this strategic result is achieved, however, Imperial military forces will continue their utmost to defeat the xeno presence in the Sculptor System.

Conclusion

I cannot stress enough that the information disclosed here is classified as Sigmus Prime, and there will no mercy to any violation, by any rank or social position, of security protocols.

All military and Administratum officials are expected to do their utmost to prepare for this crusade. At the same time, Imperial Guard, Astartes, and Imperial Navy officials are reminded that they are expected to continue efforts to eliminate the Tau threat within the borders of the Corvus Cluster.

This means that every effort should be made to ensure that military forces in the Sculptor System are reinforced and fully supplied as they attempt to drive the xenos from Dar Sai and regain Imperial control of Media III.

Although it has taken years to recognize the xeno threat, Segmentum Command has finally roused itself to the task of defending the Emperor’s worlds, and with the grace of His benevolence, I have no doubt of our success.

Faithfully,

Lady Georgene Serililan

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Click here to see more artwork by The First Magelord.

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TheGM: Yes, it’s finally coming. Seven years ago, I set the beginning date of the Corvus Cluster as 735.M41, and I linked the real and fictional calendar years. My hope was that this narrative campaign would continue long enough to encompass the Damocles Gulf Campaign.

Well, with the end of 2021 (741.M41), the time of the Damocles campaign finally begins.

Of course, while there are plenty of Imperial Guard and Adeptus Mechanicus troops available for the crusade, my beloved Knights of Altair may miss much of the fun—they are so busy fighting orks on Hegira, the Tau on Dar Sai, the Death Guard on Dozaria, and the Necrons in the Dryillian Quarantine Zone. Ah, well.

Still, this “missive” is a forewarning: The Damacles  Gulf Crusade is only a few months away, and we should see the impact of this major historical event on the Corvus Cluster and its hundreds of billions of citizens.

Head’s up!

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The Corvus Cluster is a Warhammer 40K blog documenting our gaming adventures in the fantastical sci-fi universe of Games Workshop.