>>64257956
>It is repeatedly stated that if the Imperium really wanted to, they could crush the Tau in an instant
And this has always been Imperium cope.

The Imperium so far has wasted countless Space Marine lives, several Titan legions, and committed exterimatus on several planets using irreplaceable archeotech weaponry that they have no capacity to reproduce.

The Imperium only has a million or so Space Marines. Their Titans are even fewer. We don't even know if they have ANY other archeotech bombs like what they used to set the nebula on fire, and committing exterminatus on a planet is considered a desperate measure of last resort since you can't go and reconquer what doesn't exist anymore.

The Imperium is not treating the Tau like you would treat a minor inconvenience. They're treating them like a major threat worth dedicating considerable resources to combatting.

Wish we got more glimpses into Tau civilian life.