Aun'Va - Third Sphere Expansion: In his most epic pronouncement to date, Aun'Va declared the beginning of the Third Sphere Expansion. Flanked by a full ceremonial guard, Aun'Va gave a slow, deliberate speech, culminating in a rousing call to arms, a demand to proliferate across the stars; an order for them to seize what must be taken.The guiding light of the Greater Good must reach those worlds trapped in the darkness of their barbaric ways. As his words echoed into silence, untold billions of T'au stood outside the council dome, or listened to the broadcast throughout the empire -- all bowed low as one.Aun'Va praised the works of his people, exhorting each to reach for yet greater heights. He expressed wonder at the latest Earth Caste inventions and applauded the Water Caste, noting the alien diplomats neatly arrayed in attendance.To the Air Caste, Aun'Va dedicated a moment of reflection for their contributions, and for the Fire Caste, the ancient being rose off his hover-dais and offered the old Hunter salute -- a deed no Fire Warrior could witness and remain unmoved.He even offered advice to his caste-brethren, the Ethereals, saying that the only way to lead was from the front. The barbaric races of the galaxy were desperate for enlightenment and only the castes combined, working for the Greater Good, could bring it to them. In this way, all castes were motivated as never before.Aun'Va's next act was to decry the renegade Farsight, naming Commander Shadowsun as the new hero and military leader of the T'au Empire. She would lead the Third Sphere Expansion, but the elderly Ethereal vowed that she would not lead alone, for he himself would lend his counsel, personally heading to the forefront to guide her and the largest armies ever assembled by the T'au Empire.Then, before departing, Aun'Va spoke one last time, reminding every listener that personal sacrifice for the Greater Good of the empire was required from every T'au.True to his word, during the initial stages of the Third Sphere Expansion, Aun'Va was constantly at the front, heedless of personal danger in his zeal.His presence instilled courage, helping to drive the Fire Warriors ever forward. The other Ethereals of the High Council attempted to dissuade Aun'Va from such risks; however, they realised the futility of their admonishments when the saw the holovid clips that were beamed back to the heart of the empire.Every T'au, whether a worker in a factory complex on the busiest Sept world, or an atmosphere engineer converting the air on a barren moon base of a future colony, was required to view such materials.There, they saw the battles of the front line, including Aun'Va on his hover-throne entering a breach in a battered Imperial fortress wall, Aun'Va directing the devastating volleys of a Fire Warrior line, and Aun'Va standing next to the new technological marvel of the XV104 Riptide - piles of recently destroyed enemy tanks in the background.None who saw Aun'Va's noble attempts to persuade the last Human defenders to lay down their arms could help but be impressed. Although the barbarians refused and in the end had to be eradicated, it was still a sight that stirred something in every T'au, triggering a reaction of pride and determination.Aun'Va knew that to achieve victory he needed commitment from the warriors at the tip of the spear, as well as from every citizen behind them. With the Third Sphere Expansion, the empire was on a total war standing; a whole realm committed to conquest and control in an overwhelmingly hostile galaxy.The zeitgeist of the people was pivotal, for belief in progress and continued faith in their own superiority would sustain them in the coming years.All across the T'au Empire morale was high, and all of the castes recognised that with Aun'Va to guide them, they could not fail in their destiny. The T'au would surely bring enlightenment to the galaxy.