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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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The expedition under [[Commander Shadowsun]] first crossed the [[Damocles Gulf]] and moved into [[Imperial]] space. Thanks to [[Water Caste]] agents, [[Gue'vesa]] [[human]]s were mobilized to conduct reconnaissance against Imperial forces. Some Imperial worlds simply surrendered at the first sight of the Tau, welcoming the Water Caste ambassadors and pledging for their cooperation. However most humans rejected Tau overtures due to their distrust of all [[xenos]] and Shadowsun and her armies were forced to sweep down in a series of precision strikes. The sparsely deployed imperial defenders proved unable to stem the Tau advance. Soon the northernmost sector of the Damocles Gulf was in Tau hands while the Galactic West was cleared of [[Hrud]], [[Ork]]s, and rebel humans. New [[Sept]]s established during the Third Sphere of Expansion include [[Ksi'm'yen]], [[Mu'gulath Bay]], and [[Fi'rios]].{{Fn|1}}
Bowed by her initial success, Shadowsun rapidly led deeper advances. However the deeper she advanced, the greater the resistance she encountered. Seeking to avoid over-extension and the depletion of her forces, she instead broke up her forces into fleets, scattering them to a dozen different headings. Each began a devastating series of hit-and-run attacks which the Imperium proved unable to effectively counter. A pivotal battle was fought on the [[Hive World]] of [[Agrellan]], where Shadowsun's Warriors were accompanied by [[Aun'va]] himself, who sought to inspire the Empire's troops. During the battle, the newly deployed [[XV104 Riptide]] [[Battlesuit]] was unleashed and laid waste to hordes of [[Imperial Guard]] heavy tanksand static defensive lines. Agrellan was renamed Mu'gulath Bay and soon the entire system fell with it.{{Fn|1}}
The Imperium would counterattack with elite [[Space Marine]] forces at the [[Zeist Sector]], but this too was part of Shadowsun's plan. As a diversion, this system was sacrificed for the [[Greater Good]] and forces there was instructed to stall the Space Marines for as long as possible. Meanwhile, Shadowsun struck deeper into more desirable neighboring systems. The worlds of the Imperium toppled one after another in the face of this precision assault.{{Fn|1}}
