Imperium Reclamation Progress: 50%
An encrypted transmission arrived from frontline intelligence: T'au civilization detected; primary habitat sectors confirmed.
The Imperial fleet formally initiated the T'au conquest operation.
Giant War Moons slowly entered the orbit of the T'au homeworld, casting massive shadows. Thousands of hundred-kilometer-class capital ships swarmed the void, forming an inescapable containment net. Titan Legions stood upon the decks of the warships, their weapon systems fully preheated and primed.
The moment the T'au satellite defense network detected the anomaly, sirens wailed across the entire planet.
T'au High Commander Carlos stood in the command center, staring in shock at the holographic projections displaying an overwhelming number of human vessels.
"Is this the Imperium of Man?" the adjutant's voice trembled.
Carlos did not respond, his gaze locked onto those massive War Moons. The space fleet that the T'au took such pride in appeared utterly insignificant before them.
"Activate all defense systems. Notify all forces to enter maximum alert status."
The T'au were not weak. They possessed advanced weapon technology, a well-constructed defense line in their home system, and well-equipped ground forces. Among the many races of the galaxy, the T'au were considered a formidable power.
Yet, before the war even officially began, it showed a one-sided trend.
The human fleet did not utilize conventional warfare methods.
Portal technology allowed their assault forces to appear directly behind the T'au defensive lines. The Imperium's sensory technology rendered the T'au's meticulously arranged defenses completely useless.
After the first wave of impact, all T'au defensive positions fell.
Carlos stood in the war command center as holographic screens flashed one red alert after another.
"Third Fleet—90% vessel damage!"
"Southern defense line breached!"
"Western weapons base struck—complete loss of combat capability!"
"Sir, what should we do?" the adjutant's voice was hoarse.
Carlos fell silent for a moment, complex emotions flashing through his eyes.
"Surrender."
This single word declared the end of the T'au's history of independence.
Smoke permeated the battlefield. The sounds of explosions, the hum of energy weapons, and the roar of mecha engines intertwined. The T'au soldiers suffered heavy casualties. Survivors hid behind crumbling ruins, their eyes hollow. Their proud military might was fragile and powerless before the Imperium of Man.
The Imperial army continued to systematically dismantle the T'au fortifications. The T'au's titan-class suits were no match for the Imperial Titans; with a single punch from an Imperial Titan, the opponent was reduced to mere fragments.
"Cease fire!" In the communication channels, Carlos's command spread to the entire army.
T'au soldiers lowered their weapons, their eyes filled with confusion and resentment.
On the human side, Guilliman stood within the command room of the flagship. Holographic projections showed the real-time status of the battlefield.
"It seems they are sensible," Guilliman said, his gaze calm.
An adjutant handed him an intelligence slate. "The T'au request peace negotiations. They hope to retain a degree of autonomy."
Guilliman frowned slightly. "Tell them we only accept unconditional surrender. The T'au must become a vassal race of the Imperium."
Subsequently, a symbolic negotiation took place on a giant human warship hovering above the T'au homeworld. During the talks, the warship's cannons remained locked onto the planet. Should any abnormality occur with the T'au negotiators, their homeworld and countless kin would vanish from existence forever.
Carlos led the T'au delegation into the negotiation room. The atmosphere was solemn and majestic, with the banner of the Imperium of Man hanging on the walls. Guilliman sat in the primary seat, watching the approaching T'au expressionlessly, his aura so powerful it was suffocating.
"Welcome."
Carlos took a deep breath. "We hope to reach a mutually beneficial agreement."
The corners of Guilliman's eyes twitched slightly. "Mutually beneficial? You think you are worthy? We can crush you at any moment. Your only choices are submission or extinction."
The T'au negotiators were furious, but they dared not show it, for the Imperium of Man truly possessed the power to easily annihilate them.
Still, the T'au representatives tried to fight for more freedom. "We are willing to become part of the Imperium, but we hope to retain autonomy over technological research and the right to cultural heritage."
Guilliman's gaze was like fire. "Any technological research that could potentially threaten the security of the Imperium must be subject to supervision."
Carlos attempted to bargain. "Our Warp technology can provide great assistance to the Imperium. If we can retain some autonomy..."
Calgar, representing the military, interrupted, "This is not a commercial negotiation. This is a surrender agreement."
"You, whose hands are stained with human blood, have no choice. Furthermore, we do not lack your weak technology," Guilliman stated. "If the God-Emperor hadn't said we must preserve the diversity of cosmic species, you wouldn't have even lived to see our warships."
As the negotiations deepened, the T'au gradually recognized reality. They truly had no choice.
Carlos finally bowed his head and said sadly, "We accept Imperial rule, but we request to keep our culture."
Guilliman showed a satisfied expression. "A wise move. The Imperium respects all alien races loyal to humanity. You are qualified to retain your culture."
After three days and nights of negotiations between the T'au and human civil officials, the final agreement was reached. The core content established the T'au as a vassal race of the Imperium of Man, retaining limited autonomy and cultural rights. All military forces were to be integrated under unified Imperial command, and all technological research was to be supervised by the Imperium.
When Carlos signed the agreement, his hand trembled slightly. This stroke of the pen was not just an agreement, but a turning point in T'au history.
Guilliman personally stamped the agreement. "From this day forward, the T'au are members of the Imperium's vassal races. You shall enjoy a portion of the resources provided by the Imperium while fulfilling the duty to defend all that the Imperium stands for."
Following the signing, the Imperium swiftly dispatched administrative officials and military advisors to occupy the primary T'au planets. The T'au were no longer an independent civilization but a part of the map of the Imperium of Man.
In the initial days, the T'au populace felt complex emotions. Some missed the days of independence, while others marveled at the Imperium's technology and overwhelming military power.
Carlos was appointed by the Imperium as the Governor of the T'au, responsible for managing his people. He stood in the newly built Imperial Administrative Center, looking out the window at the Imperial flag. Losing independence was painful, but he felt a sliver of comfort knowing the T'au had avoided extinction.
As time passed, the T'au gradually adapted to their new identity. They discovered that under Imperial management, their standard of living improved significantly. T'au Warp technology experts were invited to join Imperial research teams to assist in developing new warship propulsion systems. Elite T'au units were incorporated into the Imperial Expeditionary Force, participating in reclamation actions in other sectors. Their combat capabilities earned the praise of Imperial officers.
When Carlos reported his work to Guilliman, he found that this human Primarch showed genuine respect for T'au culture. This gave him more hope for the future.
In later T'au history, this period—known as the "Great Integration"—was recorded as a turning point for their civilization. Though they lost their independence, the T'au found a new position within the vast Imperial system, and their technological and military talents provided support for the Imperium's reclamation of the galaxy.
On the Imperial map, the T'au sectors became vital strategic strongpoints, providing forward bases for further conquest.
Now, the Imperium's reclamation progress had officially reached 50%. Half of the galaxy's territory had returned to human rule.