Tem'Bhetek: Difference between revisions

|death=[[2553]]<ref name="SoI79">'''Halo: Shadow of Intent''', ''pages 79-80'' (Google Play edition)</ref>

|affiliation=*[[Covenant]] {{C|formerly}}

*[[Tem'Bhetek's faction]] {{c|formerly}}

|rank=[[Prelate]]

'''Tem'Bhetek''' was a [[San'Shyuum]] [[Prelate]] of the [[Covenant]] [[Ministry of Preparation]]. At the dawn of the [[Great Schism]], Tem and his fellow Prelates led Covenant forces during the [[fall of High Charity]], which resulted in the death of Tem's family and left him as the only surviving Prelate. After the [[Human-Covenant War]], Tem sough revenge against the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], whom he blamed for the death of his family, particularly [[Rtas 'Vadum]] who had led the Sangheili forces over [[High Charity]].<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-staten-it-plainly '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Staten It Plainly'']</ref> Ultimately, Tem's pursuit for revenge left him betrayed by his [[Boru'a'Neem|only ally]] and he sacrificed himself to aid 'Vadum.<ref name="SoI79"/>

Tem'Bhetek lived on [[High Charity]], the holy city of the Covenant. Tem had been born to a bloodline that had grown too large due to overbreeding. Due to the San'Shyuum's limited population, Tem was placed on the [[Roll of Celibates]] to prevent his genes from being passed down. However, Tem was selected to become augmented as a Prelate (a San'Shyuum supersoldier) by the Ministry of Preparation. The [[Minister (title)|Minister]] of Preparation, [[Boru'a'Neem]], had Tem and fellow Prelates brought to the ministry's [[Sacred Promissory]], where modified [[Forerunner]] machines altered the Prelates' genes and enhanced their mental and physical capabilities.<ref name="SoI28"/> After the enhancements, Tem and the other Prelates underwent intense training at the Sacred Promissory, where they learned to control their augmentations.<ref name="SoI50">'''Halo: Shadow of Intent''', ''pages 50-61'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Afterwards, Tem was able to petition for his removal from the Roll and he was even matched with a suitable female for [[reproduction]]: [[Yalar'Otan'Elat]]. The two fell in love and lived together in a tower in the [[lower districts]]. However, Tem's career as a Prelate often had him serving away from High Charity. Yalar eventually became pregnant with Tem's child.<ref name="SoI28"/>

Upon the orders of the [[High Prophet of Truth]], Tem and his fellow Prelates were assigned aboard older Covenant [[warship]]s entrusted to particularly loyal [[Jiralhanae]] [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|chieftains]] and their [[clan]]s to aid in the emerging war with [[humanity]] around [[2525]]. Officially, the Prelates were to serve as technical advisers to the Jiralhanae, though in reality they were tasked by Truth with refitting the warships and training the Jiralhanae in preparation for the [[Hierarch]]'s inevitable betrayal of the [[Sangheili]].<ref name="soi44">'''Halo: Shadow of Intent''', ''pages 44-46'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Tem was assigned to the {{Class|CRS|light cruiser}} ''[[Spear of Light]]'', where he spent many years training for battle against the Sangheili.<ref name="SoI38">'''Halo: Shadow of Intent''', ''pages 38-42'' (Google Play edition)</ref> During one of the Prelate's many training missions, ''Spear of Light'' traveled to the Sangheili [[Sangheili colonies|frontier colony]] of [[Duraan]], where Duraan's [[Duraan's red dwarf star|unstable star]] emitted solar interference that caused the cruiser's [[energy shielding]] to deplete. The Prelate took note of this, and sought to apply it in the future.<ref name="SoI51">'''Halo: Shadow of Intent''', ''page 51'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Following the [[Battle of Installation 04|destruction]] of [[Halo]] [[Installation 04]] in [[2552#September|September 2552]], Tem and the other Prelates seemingly redoubled their efforts.<ref name="soi44"/>

On [[2552#November|November 3, 2552]], when High Charity was in orbit over Halo [[Installation 05]], the Prophet of Truth gave the order for the Covenant to eliminate the Sangheili. At the time, Tem and other Prelates were aboard their ships and promptly engaged the Sangheili [[fleet]]s in combat as the [[Great Schism]] began.<ref name="SoI38"/> At the time, ''Spear of Light'' was tasked with supporting the Sangheili-crewed {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Eternal Reward]]'', along with two other [[Covenant cruiser|cruisers]] and five [[Covenant destroyer|destroyers]], all crewed by Jiralhanae. Tem led the eight ships in attacking ''Eternal Reward''; while the carrier was able to destroy all of its attackers with the exception of ''Spear of Light'', ''Eternal Reward'' was badly damaged and its crew were forced to abandon the ship before the carrier was destroyed. Afterwards, ''Spear of Light'' was able to destroy or disable six more Sangheili ships, two of which were cruisers of larger classes.<ref name="soi44"/> While the Prelates were succeeded in leading a surprise attack on the Sangheili, the [[Flood]]-infected [[Stalwart-class light frigate|frigate]] {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} suddenly entered High Charity and the Flood quickly began spreading throughout the city. Several Prelates retreated from the battle to aid in the evacuation of the San'Shyuum as the Covenant was forced onto the defensive.<ref name="SoI38"/>

With the Human-Covenant War over and the Covenant destroyed, Tem and the Minister worked to get revenge on the Sangheili, along with the loyal Jiralhanae and [[Yanme'e]] crew of ''Spear of Light''. Using coordinates gained at some point during the war from Truth, the two San'Shyuum departed the rest of their species and were able to locate a Forerunner installation orbiting a rogue planet. Within the installation, they discovered a [[Prototype Halo installation|miniature, prototype]] [[Halo Array|Halo installation]].<ref name="SoI38"/> While Tem largely only sought revenge on 'Vadum, the Minister intended to use the captured ''Shadow of Intent'' to transport the ring to [[Sanghelios]] and then use the carrier to power the ring to eradicate all life in [[Urs system|the system]].<ref>'''Halo: Shadow of Intent''', ''page 75'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Taking the Jiralhanae aboard ''Spear of Light'', Tem traveled to the Sangheili frontier colony [[Rahnelo]] to [[Attack on Rahnelo|attack]] the planet and gain the attention of the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], which would lead to 'Vadum traveling to the planet to investigate. Upon arriving at the planet, ''Spear of Light'' [[Orbital bombardment|orbitally bombarded]] the colony's [[spaceport]] and bastion compounds before the Prelate led Jiralhanae infantry to the planet's surface. While engaging the residents at Rahnelo's largest settlement, Tem captured [[Kaidon]] [[Tulum 'Juranai]] and his two eldest sons.<ref name="soi19">'''Halo: Shadow of Intent''', ''pages 19-21'' (Google Play edition)</ref>

Bringing the captured Sangheili back to the installation, the Prelate witnessed the Minister test the Halo on the prisoners. After the test proved successful, the Minister had Tem move to capture 'Vadum and ''Shadow of Intent''.<ref name="SoI5"/> Returning to Duraan, Tem intended to use the interference emitted by the planet's star to disable ''Shadow of Intent''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s energy shielding, allowing Tem to enact his trap. Once in orbit over the planet, ''Spear of Light'' was spotted by Duraan's largely defenseless inhabitants. Tem allowed them to send distress signals to the Swords of Sanghelios to lead 'Vadum to the planet.<ref name="SoI38"/> Three days later, ''Shadow of Intent'' arrived at Duraan. ''Spear of Light'' immediately destroyed the planet's largest settlement, leading to ''Shadow of Intent'' attacking to prevent further casualties. However, the carrier's energy shielding and [[plasma]] armaments were both rendered useless by solar interference. ''Spear of Light'' maneuvered towards ''Shadow of Intent'' and, when the cruiser passed closely by the carrier, Tem led the ship's complement of fifty Jiralhanae into [[Covenant escape pod|escape pods]]. The escape pods abandoned ''Spear of Light'' and were directed towards a [[hangar bay]] of ''Shadow of Intent''. Entering the carrier, Tem and his Jiralhanae engaged Sangheili forces. As the Prelate pressed on to engage 'Vadum at the bridge, he was attacked by [[Sangheili Ranger]]s, [[Unggoy]] [[Unggoy Ranger|Ranger]] [[Stolt]], and [[Tul 'Juran]]—the daughter of Tulum 'Juranai who intended to rescue her father and brothers after Tem had captured them. Tem had most of his Jiralhanae engage the Sangheili and Unggoy, while the rest followed him towards the carrier's [[bridge]]. Escaping the firefight, Tem and his remaining Jiralhanae soon encountered 'Vadum and [[Blademaster]] [[Vul 'Soran]] near the carrier's primary [[gravity lift]]. Before the Prelate could move towards 'Vadum, he was attacked by Stolt, 'Juran, and several Rangers. Tem became locked in a duel with 'Juran, where he revealed that her family had been killed. He managed to nearly kill 'Juran with her own [[energy lance]], but his attack was blocked by 'Vadum. Overwhelmed by 'Vadum, Tem attempted to escape to the bridge, but he was knocked unconscious by 'Soran and Stolt.<ref name="SoI50"/>

Tem was deeply in love with his mate, [[Yalar'Otan'Elat]]. She had accepted that Tem's career caused him to be away more often than he was home, dishonest about his dealings with the Minister of Preparation, and uncertain whether or not that his augmentations would interfere with their chance to have a healthy child. Eventually, Yalar became pregnant with his child; the only reward Tem had wanted from his career as a Prelate was to have a complete family.<ref name="SoI28"/> However, Tem was never able to even discover the gender of his child, as his entire family was lost when the [[Flood]] [[Fall of High Charity|invaded]] [[High Charity]]. For the rest of his life, Tem regretted not being with his family at the time of their death, as he was unable to save them.<ref name="SoI36">'''Halo: Shadow of Intent''', ''pages 36-37'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Believing his rage would prove useful in getting his revenge on the [[Sangheili]],<ref name="SoI73"/> the Minister lied to Tem that [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] and [[Shipmaster]] Rtas 'Vadum had created a pact with the Flood's [[Gravemind]] to attack High Charity, giving the Sangheili an excuse to destroy the San'Shyuum.<ref name="SoI38"/> Just as the Minister had anticipated,<ref name="SoI73"/> Tem developed a strong hatred for Sangheili, with 'Vadum in particular as he believed him to be responsible for his family's death. However, upon Tem's interrogation aboard ''Shadow of Intent'', 'Vadum insisted that the Minister of Preparation had lied to Tem about his family's fate and claimed that it was likely his family was still alive while the Minister had said otherwise. After 'Vadum had sincerely apologized and showed genuine remorse for Tem's losses at High Charity, the Prelate began to question the Minister's motives and reflected that his personal matters no longer appeared black-and-white, but his anger was "growing stronger in the gray". After discovering the truth from the Minister, Tem felt empty and defeated, realizing he had the opportunity to save his family and confused as to why his apparent ally had lied to him despite the Prelate's continued loyalty.<ref name="SoI73"/> Tem ultimately sought to redeem himself by sacrificing himself to destroy the Minister's [[Prototype Halo installation|Halo installation]].<ref name="SoI79"/>

His enhancements were intended to allow him to defeat any foe in combat, including [[Sangheili]] and possibly even [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II supersoldiers]] as the [[Boru'a'Neem|Minister of Preparation]] had hoped. Tem proved to be a skilled combatant against numerous Sangheili foes, managing to nearly kill [[Tul 'Juran]] and wounding [[Rtas 'Vadum]] in a duel, as well as having killed numerous [[Sangheili Ranger]]s during his [[Ambush at Duraan|raid]] on ''[[Shadow of Intent]]''<ref name="SoI50"/> and many more Sangheili during his [[Attack on Rahnelo|attack]] on [[Rahnelo]].<ref name="soi19"/> His augmentations allowed him to move at high speeds and quickly charge opponents, while using his [[hard light]] shield to deflect accurate shots or his [[anti-gravity belt]] to avoid inaccurate ones.<ref name="soi19"/><ref name="SoI50"/> In a close-quarters fight aboard a [[Type-52 Phantom|Phantom]], Tem was able to escape despite being surrounded by many Sangheili.<ref name="SoI70"/> Tem was also an adept naval commander, and was successful in destroying or disabling {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Eternal Reward]]'' and six other Sangheili [[warship]]s during the [[Great Schism]] over [[High Charity]], having trained for the conflict for many years.<ref name="soi44"/>

As a [[Prelate]], Tem'Bhetek donned vacuum-rated, battle [[armor]] created by the [[Ministry of Preparation]]'s foundries. Equipped with personal [[energy shielding]], the armor was composed of deep black plates that were light, though durable and strong. Interlocking bands of armor covered his neck and his helmet was smooth with a glazed, chevron visor.<ref name="SoI38"/> The visor itself was equipped with low-level optics that allowed him to have some vision in dark environments and a [[motion tracker]]. Tem's armor had a reactive gel layer that provided protection from sudden acceleration.<ref name="SoI50"/> The armor had [[Antigravity pack|thruster]]s that enabled him to move in zero-gravity environments with ease.<ref name="SoI73"/> The armor featured self-repair systems that removed damage sustained by the armor within days. Tem armed himself with a [[Type-25 plasma rifle]] [[Type-25 Brute plasma rifle|variant]] modified for [[Jiralhanae]] use.<ref name="SoI38"/> In addition, he used a gauntlet that projected a bright blue, crescent-shaped [[hard light]] shield he could activate with the snap of his forearm after donning the gauntlet. The hard light shield was capable of also being used as a close-quarters weapon, as the shield's sharp, photonic edge was easily able to slice through armor and bone. To aid in maneuvering, Tem also equipped himself with an [[anti-gravity belt]].<ref name="SoI50"/>