A contingent, or tio've in the T'au Lexicon, is a large military unit of the T'au Empire's Fire Caste. A contingent is a grouping of several cadres, normally three to six in number, equivalent to an Astra Militarum regiment. The most senior T'au Commander is designated as Contingent Commander, and their own cadre is nominated as a headquarters guard. An Ethereal might be present in such a force at cadre level, but there is always at least one present when a contingent is formed.
Ethereals often stay at the headquarters position, as it is a hub for incoming reports and their counsel can best be received there. Should an Ethereal wish a closer observation of a situation, they will attach to or even assume leadership over a given cadre.
Unlike a cadre, a contingent is not a permanent formation, though efforts are made to preserve contingents that have served efficiently together through prolonged campaigns. Once objectives are achieved -- such as a breakthrough of enemy lines or the elimination of a foe -- the contingent is dissolved or reformed into another arrangement.
Sources[]
- Codex: Tau Empire (6th Edition), pp. 8-12, 22-24
- Codex: Tau Empire (7th Edition), pp. 15-16