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The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' was a [[Sphere of Expansion]] of the [[Tau Empire]].
 
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' was a [[Sphere of Expansion]] of the [[Tau Empire]].
  
Launched in the aftermath of the [[Third Sphere of Expansion]], which had ground to a halt due to [[Imperial]] counterattacks in the [[Damocles Gulf]], the Fourth Sphere was an ill-fated expedition. Its forces were deployed at the time of the formation of the [[Great Rift]] and subsequently lost. When the [[Warp Storm]]s caused by the formation of the Great Rift began to die down, the Tau would launch a [[Fifth Sphere of Expansion|Fifth Sphere]].{{Fn|1}}
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==History==
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In the aftermath of the [[Second Agrellan Campaign]], the [[Tau]] faced a difficult strategic situation. The path to continue expand through [[Mu'Gulath Bay]] was blocked, and to the [[Galaxy|galactic]] east was a sea of dead space thanks to [[Hive Fleet Gorgon]]. To the west, the [[Necron]] [[Sautekh Dynasty]] reigned supreme. It was at this moment of crisis that the [[Great Rift]] formed, further exacerbating the Tau situation with vicious stellar storms that killed millions.{{Fn|3}}
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Ultimately, the [[Etheral Council]] decided to renew the Tau's expansion with a dangerous plan. The [[AL-38 Slipstream Module]] was developed after many years of studying [[Imperial]] [[FTL]] technology. The new technology allowed for the Tau Fleet to move at incredible speeds and a new Sphere of Expansion was declared under the command of [[Commander Surestrike]]. Surestrike's armada gathered at [[Numenar Point]], but due to the sheer size of the fleet to utilize Slipstream technology disaster struck. The multiple disruptions in reality caused by anti-matter fields created a chain reaction that created a massive wound in [[Materium|realspace]]. The rift swept across the Tau fleet, devouring it whole. The disaster was broadcast across the entire Tau Empire and the [[Ethereal]]s scrambled to contain all knowledge of the catastrophe.{{Fn|3}}
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However, the Fourth Sphere was not entirely destroyed. A significant portion of it survived and emerged on the otherside of the rift in the [[Chalnath Expanse]] deep within the [[Imperium of Man]]. After many years, contact through the rift was reestablished using communications [[Drone]]s. The Wormhole was dubbed [[Startide Nexus]] and was used to launch the [[Fifth Sphere of Expansion]].{{Fn|3}}
  
It's possible that elements of the Fourth Sphere lost in the Warp may have reappeared elsewhere, as evidenced in the [[Red Scar Campaign]].{{Fn|2}}
 
  
 
==Sources==
 
==Sources==
 
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Warhammer 40,000 8th Edition Rulebook]] pg.134
 
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Warhammer 40,000 8th Edition Rulebook]] pg.134
 
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Blood Angels (8th Edition)]] pg.22
 
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Blood Angels (8th Edition)]] pg.22
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*{{Endn|3}}: [[Codex: Tau Empire (8th Edition)]] pg.22-23
 
[[Category:Battles (Tau)]]
 
[[Category:Battles (Tau)]]

Revision as of 07:39, 18 March 2018

The Fourth Sphere of Expansion was a Sphere of Expansion of the Tau Empire.

History

In the aftermath of the Second Agrellan Campaign, the Tau faced a difficult strategic situation. The path to continue expand through Mu'Gulath Bay was blocked, and to the galactic east was a sea of dead space thanks to Hive Fleet Gorgon. To the west, the Necron Sautekh Dynasty reigned supreme. It was at this moment of crisis that the Great Rift formed, further exacerbating the Tau situation with vicious stellar storms that killed millions.[3]

Ultimately, the Etheral Council decided to renew the Tau's expansion with a dangerous plan. The AL-38 Slipstream Module was developed after many years of studying Imperial FTL technology. The new technology allowed for the Tau Fleet to move at incredible speeds and a new Sphere of Expansion was declared under the command of Commander Surestrike. Surestrike's armada gathered at Numenar Point, but due to the sheer size of the fleet to utilize Slipstream technology disaster struck. The multiple disruptions in reality caused by anti-matter fields created a chain reaction that created a massive wound in realspace. The rift swept across the Tau fleet, devouring it whole. The disaster was broadcast across the entire Tau Empire and the Ethereals scrambled to contain all knowledge of the catastrophe.[3]

However, the Fourth Sphere was not entirely destroyed. A significant portion of it survived and emerged on the otherside of the rift in the Chalnath Expanse deep within the Imperium of Man. After many years, contact through the rift was reestablished using communications Drones. The Wormhole was dubbed Startide Nexus and was used to launch the Fifth Sphere of Expansion.[3]


Sources