The appearance of the Custodes instilled some fear in these Water Caste diplomats; it was the oppression of higher-tier beings over lower-tier ones.
It was a life suppression from a genetic level of higher-tier beings over lower-tier beings, and this suppression made the Water Caste diplomats feel very uneasy.
"Aliens, we do not have time for so-called diplomatic talks with you. The only reason we called you here is to issue an ultimatum."
"We are giving you 12 standard hours to allow your fleet to leave our planet. You may take any race you wish, except humans. You may take anyone other than humans."
"We are giving you 12 hours to leave our planet, do you understand?"
The Custodes' tone was merciless. To be honest, the Terran Dominion rarely communicated with so-called aliens in such a manner, especially these Custodes.
The tau diplomat Kas'l'an's tendrils trembled violently, and his mercury-colored pupils contracted into thin lines from shock.
He had never expected to encounter such a blunt ultimatum—this was even more chilling than the mechanical indifference of the necrons.
Moreover, such an action caused them significant loss, rendering their proud diplomatic skills completely useless, as the other party had no intention of engaging in any diplomatic negotiations whatsoever.
However, he did not intend to compromise directly. As a Water Caste diplomat, he still wanted to secure the last shred of negotiable benefit for his colony.
Just as he was about to speak, the Custodes Commander stepped forward, his massive body standing before him, making him appear as small as a dwarf.
"This is not a request, but an order," a voice from beneath the faceplate echoed, cold as a machine. "After twelve hours, any non-human life forms remaining on the planetary surface will be considered hostile targets."
"This is our final tolerance for your so-called the greater good."
For this so-called T'au Empire, Zeke's feelings were quite complex. After all, these guys truly were the only 'normal' ones in the hellish galaxy.
But they would shout 'For the greater good!' for no reason, and this issue made Zeke's last bit of tolerance for them vanish without a trace.
However, Zeke was still willing to give them 12 hours to survive.
It wasn't that those who escaped within these 12 hours would live, but rather that Zeke, in his great mercy, allowed them to live for 12 more hours.
After speaking, the Custodes left. The other Custodes then stepped forward and collected all the gifts the T'au Empire had prepared.
Don't ask why such a thing was done; it was mainly because they were too poor. Zeke was out of money, and after acquiring this colonie, he would need to build it up from scratch.
Starforts also needed to be built within the star system.
Does this stuff not cost money? Are they supposed to rely entirely on mining from this planet?
Moreover, the Dominion Fleet hadn't brought any research vessels this time, so he didn't even know how many mining areas could be established here.
So, if they relied entirely on themselves, how long would that take?
Getting some money to buy raw minerals and other materials from the Imperium of Man was also a good way to speed things up.
Then, combining these with the AI legions inside the battleships, making these war-fighting AIs all go mining, was also a very good idea.
Honestly, when Zeke thought of this, he couldn't help but give himself a thumbs up. "Excellent, that's exactly what needs to be done."
Compared to the small foundation he had painstakingly built on a small asteroid after struggling for so long in this throne-like galaxy, the arrival of the Dominion Fleet had brought about immense changes for him.
The arrival of the Dominion Fleet represented not only military power but also industry, infrastructure, talent, and everything else he needed—all of these things had arrived.
Although this was only his technology from the mid-Dominion era, it had already far surpassed the technology of the throne world.
Null-material armor: As soon as he acquired this colony and built the first alloy factory, he could mass-produce it.
Perhaps after the first factory was built, the amount of alloy available would be far from enough to construct large battleships, but it could certainly supply his ground forces.
Zeke imagined various production plans he could implement once he acquired this colony, but the T'au Empire on the planet below was not experiencing such joy.
When their Water Caste diplomats were mercilessly expelled from the battleship and returned to the planet's surface, the Ethereal Supremes of the T'au Empire were furious.
Undoubtedly, this was an insult to their entire empire, but the question was, even with such contempt, what could they do?
A massive fleet was pressing down on their colony from above.
Those battleships were even larger than the T'au Empire's most powerful battleships, and they had even destroyed necron warships with a single shot.
From this perspective, the T'au Empire simply could not contend with this mysterious civilization.
"This is an utter disgrace!" a Fire Caste general slammed his hand on the table, his combat suit constantly indicating his desire to fight.
"We should immediately activate the planetary defense system and defend the dignity of the greater good with our lives!"
The elder Ethereal Supreme slowly shook his head: "Calm down, my child. Do you not see the scale of their fleet? Those powerful fleets are currently in our orbit; the weapons within the city cannot effectively strike them."
"What would be the result if one of those Lances, which can directly destroy necron warships, hit our city?"
"Ultimately, this planet is not our homeworld. If they want it, then let them have it.
It also serves to show them the goodwill of the greater good. Since they have also heard of the greater good, I believe we can win them over one day."
"Moreover, we need to prioritize the people on the planet. War is no longer an option. If we rashly start a war, our people will suffer heavy losses, and there is no need for that."
"Although the humans on this planet are also our people, at this point, we have no other choice. Let's save what we can."
The T'au Empire was such an entity; they always believed that their diplomacy and their the greater good could conquer many things. Even when facing an irresistible enemy, they still imagined bringing these people into the embrace of the greater good.
And in this hellish galaxy, an entity like the T'au Empire, which prioritizes protecting civilian facilities and evacuating its civilians in the face of war, is indeed rare.
They would try their best to protect civilians in safe places, then abandon some non-strategic positions. Such a civilization and nation, in this hellish galaxy, can be described as an oddity.
From a certain perspective, they were more human-like and more in line with Zeke's values.
It was precisely this point that initially made Zeke feel favorably towards them.
Becoming a vassal civilization was not an issue.
He just didn't like the Tau philosophy or 'the greater good'.