>>13984995You're using the wrong metaphor.
You see, the Tau have a small empire, with short trade routes.
The Imperium encompasses the entire galaxy, smaller and bigger enclaves surrounded by the hostile void, or hostile alien empires. The Imperium consists of trillions of trading routes, quarantined zones, hazardous places, no-travel zones.
Then again, the enormous size of the Imperium makes it nearly impossible to destroy, as well giving it near endless resources and manpower.
Remember, the only things the Imperium runs short on, is time.
In a sense, they're a post-scarcity society. They just pour all their energy in war.
