In the scorched ruins of a once-bustling outpost, a squad of Fire Warriors moved as one through the smoke and rubble, advancing steadily with rifles raised and shoulders squared. Shas’ui T’orash, the squad leader, raised his hand in a signal, and the squad fell into a crouch, blending into the shadows cast by broken walls and twisted metal.

Ahead of them, a group of Astra Militarum Guardsmen scrambled to form a defensive position, their armor was dented and smeared with ash. They were outnumbered and outgunned, and T'orash knew that every one of them could see it.

“Humans,” T’orash’s voice called out, amplified through his suit’s speakers. “There is no need for this conflict. Lay down your weapons. Join us in peace, and embrace the Greater Good.”

One of the Guardsmen, a corporal with a bloodied bandage over his eye. “Greater Good? We fight for the Emperor, you xenos scum! You think we’d betray humanity for your alien lies?”

T’orash’s gaze was unreadable behind his helmet, but his posture remained steady and unthreatening. How unfortunate. “The Greater Good serves all, even those outside the T’au Empire. Lay down your weapons, and-” he was cut off by a two lasguns fire. Two Guardsmen had faltered.

“Barbaric.” He muttered before he and his squad opened fire