Warhammer 40,000 - Tau Mercenaries

The look of these Tau I made was greatly inspired by [link] which is in turn loosely based on the original Tau concept art [link] [link]

A few years after the Damocles Gulf Crusade, at 746.M41 the Ethereal Aun'Va had decided to launch an expeditionary group of several vessels from the Dal'yth Sept into space outside the Tau Empire. Having just witnessed the Imperiums might the Tau were curious to see what else is out there, this was the primary objective of this fleet. To enforce this rule, Ethereal Aun'El Na'Geka was sent to lead it. However, once the Fleet had left Tau space, all contact was lost and the Ethereals decided to scrap this project and name it a failure, deciding to instead tend to matters within. Unknown to the Empire, the Tau from the Exploratory Fleet had survived, but since they were isolated from home, they were forced to land on an uncharted world in the Eastern Fringe near the Realm of Ultramar, which the Tau refer to as Na'Geka'Muort. It is here that the Tau set their base of operations to gather resources and continue exploration, however at 748.M41 a splinter fleet of Hive Fleet Behemoth attacked, ravaging most of the planet. The Tau explorers tried to retreat, but were too hasty and in the end, their Ethereal, Aun'El Dal'yth Na'Geka had died, when he and his entire elite Honor Guard were torn to shreds by a Carnifex Brood. In the heat of battle, the current Tau Commander to lead the Tau had assumed leadership and rallied his warriors to a hasty retreat, he was known as Shas'O Su'Nan'Ol and it was by his decision that the Tau make their grieving short and continue his wish to further their objective, to seek and explore. But, the Tau fleet had still lacked leadership, to under the proposal of Shas'O Dal'yth Su'Nan'Ol, the Council of Four was forged to keep stability. The Council would be formed of a Por'O (in charge of resource balance and outside diplomacy), Fio'O (tasked with all the major construction and research operations), Kor'O (the one who decides the course of the fleet and distribution of ships) and a Shas'O (the main military commander upon whom lies the safety of all Tau in the fleet). The lack of resources was still an issue, so the Council of Four had reached a unanimous decision after much debate and talk: The Tau Fleet would trade their knowledge and technology with other races and in turn receive payment. Later on, the Tau Fire Caste would also work as Mercenaries for the highest bidder, and so both gain resources and much needed intel from the inside. This is how at 750.M41, the Tau Exploratory Fleet was officially named the Tau Mercenary Fleets.

The Mercenary Tau had made little appearance in history, preferring to stay low to evade the Imperiums intervention, although they did partake in many battles, working as a supporting allied detachment to many armies who found themselves lacking in firepower. The Mercenary Tau prefer to work with forces of the Imperium or Craftworld Eldar, but were seen fighting alongside Ork Freebooters and Dark Eldar Kabals, even some Necron Dynasties. The Tau Mercenary units are more hardy and experienced then the regular Fire Teams, for they had witnessed to many horrors and vile deeds the Galaxy has to offer, and have even started using their Bonding Knives for close combat when really necessary.
Their fleet is divided into smaller flotillas, so that if they get attacked, the entire fleet is not in danger, and when all of the ships are working separately, it makes it hard to pinpoint their exact whereabouts, however they mostly circle the area around the Farsight Enclaves, which is probably the only place where they might be accepted, for the Tau Empire had deemed them as Outcasts for they had twisted and adapted their concept of the Greater Good and do nothing to try and spread the belief system of the Tau, and so they are prohibited from entering Tau space ever again. This did not stop them from circling around it's borders, and picking off any distress signals, coming to aid and even picking off any deserters or volunteers and then assimilating them into their fleet. The Mercenary Tau also allow groups of Kroot Mercenaries to join them, granting them free reign, with no strings attached.

These Tau have few connections with the Imperium, and have even cooperated with radical branches of the Inquisition, therefore they had spread quite far within the Ultima Segmentum and never stay at the same place for a long period of time. They are nomads and whenever they land on a new world, be it uninhabited or already populated with Humans or Xenos, they do not leave roots and are prepared to leave at any time, for they live in a Galaxy with many enemies who would hunt them down, so mobility is the key to survival.
Their overall numbers are unknown but it is believed for there to be at least 100 Cruisers, and each would have a 1000 Tau, excluding any allied races such as Kroot, Vespid or indoctrinated Humans. The exact military might of the Tau Mercenaries is unknown, but it is not great enough for the Imperium to launch any large scale operations to wipe them out, nonetheless, the Tau still enter Imperial space and cooperate with many secret agents to better their own survival in this universe. Their motto is ''A client is a client'' and do what is needed to receive payment, without getting too involved with the ones they work for.

Notable Fleet Members:
-Shas'O Mont're: A veteran of a hundred wars, a warrior without compare within the Cadre. He is more then willing to wage war, and his lust for battle is unquenchable .When he and his Bodyguards march to war, the entire Cadre is fueled with confidence and determination to win. He has three students working beneath him, the Three Knights (listed below), who would follow him through Hell and worse. All four of them follow the teachings of Commander Puretide.
-Shas'El Kais'Tol: The most skilled of the three Knights, and the second in command of a Tau Mercenary force. With his skill and authority he can lead his troops into any battle and no matter what the odds, he will give his adversary a major sting, whether he is victories or defeated.
-Shas'El Aloh'Lasa: A more experienced soldier which had served her Cadre loyally for many years. She is not an assault commander, but a defensive one, but even so, she has little pity on her foes, and her cold blooded nature makes her all the more frightening.
-Shas'El D'verl: A ruthless warrior that shows no mercy to those who would oppose him. He and his Bodyguards lead the frontal assaults during battle while the rest follow his lead. Even outside his battlesuit, he is more then willing to pick up his pistol and blade and engage his foes head on.
-Kor'O Oi'Nan: The fleet Admiral, the one who determines the course of the fleet and how the battleships are distributed. He is new at his job, and had only recently replaced his former master. He is trying his best to make his equals proud and his subordinates inspired.
-Por'O Na'Qan: The Ambassador of this Tau Fleet. He supervises all the trading that is done and tries to maintain the proper economy in the fleet and distribution of resources. He is described as inquisitive and curious, and at times, a know-it-all.
-Fio'O T'Sho: The eldest of the 4 Counselors, with many years of experience behind him. He is the chief planner, and he is tasked with observing all the experiments performed on new technology, be it invented by Tau or got through trade. He has little patience and according to him, things should be done yesterday.

The Tau listed in the above picture are as follows (from left to right):
-Upper Row: Mercenary Tau Insignia, Shas'El D'verl, Shas'El Kais'Tol, Shas'El Aloh'Lasa
-Middle Row: Shas'O Mont're, Fio'O T'Sho, Kor'O Oi'Nan, Por'O Na'Qan (Council of Four)
-Lower Row: Tau Mercenary Fire Warriors with various weapon options and Gun Drone

Note: The beige fabric the Fire Warriors, Shas'O Mont're and Shas'El D'verl wear is a rugged and cheaper then the silky smooth and pure white one the others are, hence the coloration difference.

Tau Empire and Warhammer 40,000 - Games Workshop
The Mercenary Tau Fleet idea - me (albeit the look isn't)