[Excerpt| Crisis of Faith] Farsight warns the Tau not to underestimate Humanity

As Farsight and his commanders prepare to invade a heavily defended Imperial planet during the aftermath of the Damocles Gulf Crusade, he becomes irritated at one of the Tau who seem to be excessively dismissive of humans.

I think this is a key part of his strength as a character. He always makes sure to respect his enemies and take them seriously, even if his fellow warriors do not. It also shows an evolution of his character from the Damocles Gulf Crusade era where he initially dismissed the humans as being a race of simple primitives.

‘This is Commander Bravestorm of Dal’yth,’ said Farsight, motioning to the iridium XV8. ‘He is here only to kill.’

‘He will not be short of opportunity,’ said Moata.

‘This planet has inestimable potential,’ said Farsight. ‘If we can scour it clean, burn away the Imperial spoor encrusting it, I feel sure the earth caste could harness it to drive the Second Sphere Expansion even further into the stars.’

‘The humans will not give it up without a fight,’ said Moata.

‘A show of strength, to the Imperial mind-set, is almost always taken as a challenge.’ ‘These gue’la are much like the kroot ape,’ agreed Ob’lotai, ‘even making eye contact is an invitation for an exchange of grievous violence.’

‘I would welcome that,’ said Bravestorm. ‘We tore apart their cordon on the fringes easily enough. We can eradicate every trace of them if we so desire.’

‘So simple!’ snapped Farsight. ‘Were you not present at Dal’yth? Did the earth caste not scrape you from the corridors of the Dawn Pioneer after a squad of gue’ron’sha overcame you?’

Bravestorm said nothing, his XV8 taking a step back as if physically struck.

‘To underestimate a powerful foe is to give him your sword!’ continued Farsight. ‘These humans have colonised the galaxy through strength, obstinacy and misplaced faith. That is a dangerous combination. Their gue’ron’sha are more than a match for our finest, the Imperials have nearly killed you twice over, and yet you still speak of them as if they were no more than insects waiting to be crushed underfoot. It makes me ashamed to think that we once shared a rank!’

Bravestorm shook his sensor head, clumsily raising his shield in a gesture of utmost defence. The sight made Farsight’s rage dissipate like mist in the sun.

‘This planet is vital, commander,’ he sighed. ‘Even with its geothermic power harnessed by the humans’ crude capacitor coils, Vior’los forms the energy breadbasket for the worlds around it. Yet they waste more than they could ever use. They have not the wit to employ the tau infrastructure we installed here, nor the technology to capture the potential of the neighbouring systems without years of construction beforehand. But they have more than enough raw power to shatter our expedition into ruin if we give them a chance.’