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With the Orks defeated in the [[Great War of Confederation]], [[Ethereal Supreme]] [[Aun'va]] knew the time was ripe for a new phase of expansion. The great war against the Orks had pushed Tau civilization to a setting of total war, and they now could support campaigns larger then any before. The large and newly experienced caste of [[Fire Warrior]]s would be bolstered with improved ship engines and stasis chambers, allowing for expeditions to be launched over much greater distances. Thus unlike past spheres of expansion which focused on specific star clusters, the Third Sphere encompassed a much larger region of space.{{Fn|1}}
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. {{Fn|1}} Imperial resistance was hampered, due to the first stirrings of the [[13th_Black_Crusade#Prelude| 13th Black Crusade]] making itself felt, and shifting the Imperium's attention towards [[Cadia]].{{Fn|6}}{{Fn|7}} 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 tanks and static defensive lines. Agrellan was renamed Mu'gulath Bay and soon the entire system fell with it.{{Fn|1}} Shortly after the victory at Mu'gulath bay however Shadowsun became overconfident and suffered a stinging [[Battle of Voltoris|defeat]] at [[Voltoris]].{{Fn|2}}
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Warhammer 40,000 8th Edition Rulebook]] pg. 134
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Codex: Tau Empire (8th Edition)]] pg. 22
*{{Endn|6}}: [[Codex: Eye of Terror (3rd Edition)]] pg. 9
*{{Endn|7}}: [[Fanatic_Online_080-089#Issue:_82| Fanatic Online Issue 82]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20220206065708/https://www.specialist-arms.com/fanatic/82gs.pdf Gue’senshi v7.3: The 1st Kleistian Grenadiers] ''(saved archive page, last accessed 7 November 2025, original link: https://www.specialist-arms.com/fanatic/82gs.pdf)'' {{FE}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sphere of Expansion, 3rd}}
[[Category:Battles (Imperium)]]
[[Category:Battles (Tau)]]
