On the fringes of Canis.

'Incoming vessels, captain Olgren.'

'Understood.'

Oh how well he understood, it was more like a revelation really. On that horizon of deep space the amount of growing specs he presumed to be Tau spacecraft were increasing. As he sat on his throne on the bridge of his Sword-class frigate, sweat began to roll down his neck. They could flee, the Imperial fleet was alerted to this threat and would be here in a matter of days. Yet, in a matter of days, the planet would be taken and for the most part, their job incomplete. Though he didn't like it, responsibility fell to him to negotiate with the Tau. A lone messenger waiting in the unforgiving silence of the void.

The Tau fleet closed the distance between them with aging slowness. It was terrifying watching such a colossal fleet circle about them to their front and flanks. He thought to himself how like the great kraken-beast of Fenris, the main body of the oncomer remained at a distance while it flexed tentacles about its prey to prevent it from escaping. He and his crew patiently waited, wide-eyed and silently.

Closing the circle, captain Olgren knew now there'd be no chance of escaping these xenos. Seconds flew by but it felt like an age had come to pass. The Tau just circled them, no sign of a messenger ship, no video contact, nothing. Then, like a swarm, Manta transports poured from the mouthes of Explorer-class starships. Panicked, the crew turned to him.

'Captain Olgren?'

Standing now, captain Olgren crossed his hands behind his back. A naval pistol rested in his grip. He no longer feared death for today it was certain.

'Lock onto incoming vessels with full firepower,' determination was in his voice, 'tell all available crew to ready weapons, construct barricades and give the Tau a welcome to remember. I want this alien scum to remember why they dont tangle with the Imperium of Mankind!'