Editing Jul 'Mdama's Covenant

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{{New content|[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]}}

{{ArticleName}}

|name=Covenant

|image=[[File:H4_SO_Jul'Mdama_with_Elites.jpg|300px]]

|type=Religious cult/[[terrorism|terrorist]] organization

|head=The "Didact's Hand"

|language=[[Sangheili (language)|Sangheili]] serves as ''lingua franca''; various languages spoken by different races<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'''</ref>

|script=[[Forerunner symbols|Forerunner glyph]]-based system

|notable=

|formed=[[2553#March|March 2553]], after the end of the Human-Covenant War

|dissolved=

|affiliation=*[[Ur-Didact]] and [[Requiem]]'s [[Promethean]] constructs

*[[Catherine Halsey|Doctor Catherine Halsey]]

{{Quote|multi=yes|q1=I thought we had a truce with the Covenant.|John-117|q2=A lot can happen in four years.|Cortana|The Master Chief during his first encounter with 'Mdama's Covenant<ref name="dawn">'''[[Halo 4]]''', campaign level, ''[[Dawn (level)|Dawn]]''</ref>}}

This '''Covenant faction''', known simply as the '''Covenant''' by its followers,<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-puzzled-expression '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Puzzled Expression'']</ref> is a major [[Covenant remnants|splinter faction]] of the former [[Covenant]] who continue to worship the [[Forerunner]]s and oppose the [[United Nations Space Command]] in the wake of the [[Human-Covenant War]], the [[Great Schism]], and the disappearance of the [[San'Shyuum]].<ref group="note">This group is referred to simply as "the Covenant" in official material. According to an inaccurate article by the ''Official Xbox Magazine'' and [http://www.examiner.com/article/halo-4-s-storm-covenant-faction-officially-revealed perpetuated by ''Examiner''], the Covenant forces encountered in ''Halo 4'' are known as "the Storm". However, this arose due to a misunderstanding of the Covenant's streamlined "Storm" ranking system and the new [[Type-55 storm rifle]]. The word "storm" is also used as a generic organizational directory in the ''Halo 4'' game files, although the directory encompasses multiple items that are not Covenant-related. These articles also claim that the "Storm" follow the religion of the San'Shyuum; while they do continue to worship the Forerunners, most have forsaken the Covenant's original religion after the fall of the [[Prophet of Truth]].</ref> The faction is led by [[Supreme Commander]] [[Jul 'Mdama]].<ref name="terminal">'''Halo 4''', [[Terminal/Halo 4|''Terminal 1'']]</ref>

Although the faction is generally recognized as a continuation of the original Covenant, and indeed is generally identified as "the Covenant",<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-US/halo4guide '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo 4 Field Guide (Enemies)'']</ref><ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #1''</ref> its members are identified as terrorists by the UNSC<ref name="Catherine">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Catherine]]''</ref> and the organization itself is regarded as closer to a religious cult as opposed to the full-fledged empire of the original Covenant.<ref>'''[[Halo 4 Limited Edition]]''', ''Mission Briefing''</ref>

[[File:H4-Terminal-JulMdama.jpg|thumb|250px|Jul 'Mdama, the leader of the post-war Covenant]]

After the Human-Covenant War and the initial phase of the [[Great Schism]], the Covenant's former member races returned to their home systems. Many [[Sangheili]] and [[Jiralhanae]] continued to fight each other, steadily dwindling both sides' military resources, though some Jiralhanae remained loyal to their Sangheili masters.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 225''</ref> A great number of Sangheili began to forsake the Prophets' false religion. The Sangheili soon fell into [[Sangheili civil war|civil war]], sparked by [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]'s desire to make peace with [[Human|humanity]]. In [[2553#March|March 2553]], a loose coalition of [[keep]]s opposed to the peace treaty launched [[Sangheili civil war|an assault]] on the state of [[Vadam]] and [[Swords of Sanghelios|the Arbiter's followers]], though the timely intervention of the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} turned the battle in the Arbiter's favor.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 361''</ref>

[[Jul 'Mdama]], a former [[shipmaster]] and an affiliate of the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]], became disillusioned with the Arbiter and humanity after being kidnapped by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]; his resolve was strengthened when his wife, [[Raia 'Mdama|Raia]], was killed in the civil conflict.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 442''</ref> After escaping ONI custody on the [[shield world]] [[Trevelyan]] via a Forerunner [[Slipspace portal|portal]], Jul gained a small following of Sangheili on the colony world [[Hesduros]], the populace of which was unaware of the Schism and the war's end.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 441''</ref> Feigning religious devotion to the Forerunners, he resolved to recover Forerunner technology from the shield world [[Requiem]], much as the humans had done on Trevelyan. Though he believed it unlikely that any Forerunners still lived, 'Mdama also planned to find the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], the leader of the [[Warrior-Servant|Forerunner military]], with whom he shared disdain for humanity.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 436''</ref>

In April 22, 2554, Jul 'Mdama's forces fought against the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' and managed to leave the ship combat ineffective.<ref name="Catalog">[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969315_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969315 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 14'']</ref>

'Mdama's fleet arrived at Requiem in [[2554]], though they could not gain access.<ref name="terminal"/> The fleet subsequently took up position around the shield world. For the next three years, the Covenant attempted to awaken the Didact by broadcasting his name from orbit in thirty minute intervals,<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level, ''[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]''</ref> though their calls received no response. Also during this time period, 'Mdama frequently dispatched raiding parties to steal supplies from other planets. By [[2557#July|July 2557]], the group had gathered a formidable [[fleet]], consisting of at least sixteen {{Class|CRS|light cruiser}}s and a single {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} (''[[Song of Retribution]]'') as their [[flagship]]. At this time one of the returning raiding parties noticed a human ship, {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, drifting toward the planet. 'Mdama ordered the fleet to stop it from entering.<ref name="terminal"/> Multiple boarding parties attempted to take the crippled ship, but were fought off by [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]], who had been awoken from cryo-sleep. A cruiser then attempted to destroy the ''Dawn'', but the Master Chief manually launched a [[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system|Hyperion nuclear missile]] and destroyed the cruiser before it could open fire.<ref name="Dawn">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Dawn (level)|Dawn]]''</ref> At that moment, the installation detected the presence of a [[Reclaimer]], causing an entrance portal to open; both the ''Dawn'' and several Covenant ships were pulled into the shield world by the gravity well emitted by the portal. Despite losing many ships, the surviving Covenant forces immediately began establishing positions all over the shield world, engaging SPARTAN-117, who had arrived in the wreckage of the ''Dawn''; they were also engaged by local Forerunner [[Aggressor Sentinel|Sentinels]].<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]''</ref> A trio of light cruisers eventually reached Requiem's core, where the Didact was imprisoned. By this point the forces of the revived Covenant had come under attack by the [[Promethean]]s, who tried to prevent them from reaching the Didact. Despite the mutual hostility of the Covenant and the Prometheans, John-117 soon reached the Didact's [[Cryptum]] and accidentally released him. Upon the Didact's release, the Covenant forces in the area (including 'Mdama himself)<ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/01/16/The-Halo-Bulletin-11613.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin - 1/16/2013'']</ref> bowed down in worship.<ref name="Forerunner">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]]''</ref>

Through their mutual hatred toward humanity, the Covenant and Promethean forces (now controlled by the Didact) quickly formed an alliance, despite the Didact seeing the Covenant as little more than "beasts" and "primitives."<ref name="Forerunner"/> The Covenant aided the Didact's forces in their attack on the {{UNSCship|Infinity}}, though the ship's point defenses disabled two cruisers and forced the Didact to retreat.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Infinity (Halo 4 level)|Infinity]]''</ref> Later, they defended a network of [[particle cannon]]s which protected the shield world's gravity well generator, preventing ''Infinity'' from escaping; they were again unsuccessful.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]''</ref> The Covenant later dispatched a flight of [[Type-44 Phantom|Phantom]] and [[Type-56 Lich|Lich dropships]] to accompany the Didact's [[Mantle's Approach|flagship]] to [[Ivanoff Station]], an [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] facility.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Shutdown]]''</ref> The Covenant spearheaded an [[Raid on Ivanoff Station|attack on the station]] in order to acquire the [[Composer]], a Forerunner superweapon. The attack caught the defenders off-guard and despite John-117's efforts the Didact acquired the Composer.<ref name="Composer">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Composer (level)|Composer]]''</ref> The Didact then [[New Phoenix Incident|attacked Earth]] and tried to digitize its population, though he was defeated by the Master Chief. However, the millions-strong population of [[New Phoenix]], [[Unified Republic of North America|URNA]], was composed<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Midnight]]''</ref> and the the victims' essences were transported to Requiem and converted into new [[Promethean Knight]]s; there they would fall under the command of Jul 'Mdama and would fight alongside the Covenant in the battles that followed.<ref name="memento">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Memento Mori]]''</ref>

[[File:HSS-Cinematic-Altar.png||thumb|left|Jul 'Mdama's forces on [[Installation 03]].|250px]]

{{Main|Battle of Installation 03|Battle of New Phoenix}}

{{Expand-section}}

[[File:Gek with 'Mdama.png|thumb|250px|Jul 'Mdama on Requiem with his lieutenant, [[Gek 'Lhar]]]]

This search brought them again into conflict with a combined force comprising all five branches of the UNSC: [[Spartan (branch)|Spartan]], [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]], [[UNSC Navy|Navy]], [[UNSC Air Force|Air Force]] and [[UNSC Army|Army]]. The Covenant ships in orbit around the planet were swiftly defeated and scattered, due to the technological advancement of the UNSC since the end of the war.<ref name="Departure"/> Arriving on Requiem's surface, [[Fireteam Majestic|Majestic]], [[Fireteam Crimson|Crimson]], and other [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IV]] squads began to disrupt Covenant operations across Requiem and recover Forerunner artifacts for study. The Covenant in turn made numerous attempts to destroy ''Infinity''. The Covenant and their Promethean allies engaged in numerous skirmishes with the UNSC expeditionary force. Territories and facilities around Requiem traded hands multiple times.<ref name="MM">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Memento Mori]]''</ref>

The Covenant forces discovered the Librarian's imprint at [[Librarian's Rest]] and set up a military base inside, with 'Mdama and his lieutenant [[Gek 'Lhar]] supervising the Covenant attempts at activating the imprint. Via a Forerunner [[Requiem translocation artifacts|artifact]] which was brought onboard the ''Infinity'' by its crew, the Covenant managed to abduct the ship's chief scientist, [[Henry Glassman|Doctor Henry Glassman]], and forced him to work on activating the imprint. Jul told his followers that the Librarian would gift them incredible bounties spread throughout the galaxy, such as weapons and ships. During this time, 'Mdama began to discretely communicate with [[Catherine Halsey|Doctor Catherine Halsey]] via [[data pad]]s while she was aboard the ''Infinity''.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Didact's Hand]]''</ref> Despite lacking adequate equipment, Glassman managed to activate the shrine which caused all Sangheili, except Jul, to bow. Glassman used this opportunity to flee, but when 'Mdama was thrown back by the shrine due to a protective shielding, the Sangheili noticed Glassman's disappearance. Meanwhile, two Sangheili were bringing the captured Spartan [[Gabriel Thorne]] to Librarian's Rest. When Glassman exited Librarian's Rest, he encountered the two Sangheili. Thorne used this as an opportunity to kill both Sangheili and the two humans escaped the area. Although Gek picked up their trail and pursued them.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Scattered]]''</ref>

Gek eventually tracked down and ambushed the pair, and a battle between the Sangheili and Spartan ensured. After gaining the upper-hand, Gek prepared to kill Thorne and Glassman, but was suddenly killed by Spartan [[Fireteam Majestic]]. Meanwhile, [[Promethean Knight]]s infiltrated the ''Infinity'', captured Halsey, and brought her to 'Mdama at Librarian's Rest. At the shrine, Halsey deactivated the shielding. She then quickly ran into the beam of light before 'Mdama.<ref name="expendable">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Expendable]]''</ref> Inside the shrine, Halsey met the Librarian's imprint, who offered her the two halves of the [[Janus Key]], an artifact capable of locating every piece of Forerunner technology in the galaxy. She asked her to bring it to the [[Absolute Record]] to help mankind and Halsey was subsequently ejected from the shrine. Jul immediately took the piece of the Janus Key that he had seen for himself, unaware of the second half. Suddenly, the shrine was attacked by Fireteam Majestic and Spartan [[Sarah Palmer]]. Palmer attempted to assassinate Halsey, but instead only wounded her in the arm. Halsey and 'Mdama were then translocated away by a Promethean Knight.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Key]]''</ref>

The battle culminated in Jul 'Mdama sending Requiem into the [[Epoloch system|the local star]] in a bid to destroy ''Infinity''. The Covenant and the UNSC fled the planet before its destruction. While the Covenant suffered considerable losses, including the mercenary [[Parg Vol]] and 'Mdama's lieutenant Gek 'Lhar, they escaped with two important assets: one half of the Janus Key and Dr. Halsey, who offered to further assist 'Mdama in exchange for his help in achieving revenge.<ref name="Exodus">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Exodus (Spartan Ops)|Exodus]]''</ref>

After the destruction of Requiem, the {{UNSCShip|Vociferous}} was given the task of tracking down Halsey and 'Mdama.<ref>'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 1|Issue #1]]''</ref>

{{Main|Battle of Ealen IV}}

In [[2558|March 2558]], one of 'Mdama's [[shipmaster]]s, [[Vata 'Gajat]], led a [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|mercenary force]] to attack a [[Sangheili]]-[[Jiralhanae]] peace summit on [[Ealen IV]]. 'Gajat told his human employer, [[Daniel Clayton|Captain Daniel Clayton]] of the [[New Colonial Alliance]], that he believed 'Mdama was unlikely to even notice his "moonlighting".<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|Issue #3]]''</ref> Two weeks later he apparently abandoned 'Mdama's faction entirely.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 5|Issue #5]]''</ref>

In a plot to acquire the other half of the Janus Key onboard the UNSC ''Infinity'', Doctor Catherine Halsey and Jul 'Mdama launched an offensive against the human colony of [[Oban]] solely in order to draw the ''Infinity'' out into a vulnerable position. This allowed Halsey to use [[Requiem communication artifact|an artifact]] capable of contacting ''Infinity''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Forerunner components to deny this ship access into slipspace. The following day, when the ''Infinity'' jumped into slipspace, its slipspace drive experienced an anomaly which trapped them in an [[Aktis system|uncharted system]].<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 13|Issue #13]]</ref> Furthermore, 'Mdama's Covenant had created a faux Forerunner artifact that appeared to require the Janus Key to be functional and planted it on one of the system's planets, [[Aktis IV]], in order to prompt the UNSC to take their half of the Key to the planet.<ref name="HE14">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 14|Issue #14]]</ref>

At the same time, Jul began to face other problems within his Covenant. Some of his followers began questioning his decisions, especially for allowing Requiem to be destroyed and letting Dr. Halsey work with them. Soon after, the Sangheili [[Sali 'Nyon]] began to recruit followers and plot against 'Mdama. Nonetheless, the Covenant succeeded in deceiving the crew of ''Infinity'' to bring the red half of the Janus Key to the surface of Aktis IV. While the UNSC half of the Janus Key was en route, the convoy carrying it was attacked and shot down by Sali 'Nyon's rebel forces. In the confusion, the shipmaster of ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'' believed the attack on ''Infinity'' had begun earlier than expected, and Jul's entire fleet engaged the human ship. While 'Mdama traveled to the crash site to reclaim the red Janus Key half himself, Sali 'Nyon managed to retrieve it first and he brought it back to his hidden base.<ref name="HE14"/>

As Jul and some of his ground forces began to eliminate the insurgents, the rest of his soldiers assaulted a Spartan reconnaissance team who had fallen back into a Forerunner structure. As the Spartans fled the structure using the planet's [[teleportation grid]], reinforcements were deployed by the UNSC to combat Covenant forces. Meanwhile, a [[Sangheili Minor]] who had defected from 'Nyon's faction with the red half of the Janus Key contacted 'Mdama's forces and offered them the Key. 'Mdama allowed Halsey to travel to the planet in order to authenticate the artifact in person.<ref name="HE15">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 15|Issue #15]]</ref> 'Mdama dispatched a group of Phantoms, with Halsey aboard one of them, to meet with the defector while he continued to eradicate Sali 'Nyon's rebels across the island. Expecting no ambush on the Janus Key retrieval group, 'Mdama had most of the Phantoms redirected to combat the UNSC forces elsewhere on the island. This proved to be a mistake as Spartans Palmer, Thorne and Ray ambushed Halsey's group. Meanwhile, Jul 'Mdama's forces destroyed the last of Sali 'Nyon's outposts and a captive 'Nyon was brought before 'Mdama, who had the rebel leader kept alive for his punishment. Palmer captured Halsey but the doctor was able to distract her and escape, with Palmer's pursuit of her promptly halted by one of 'Mdama's Harvester excavators. Halsey, still in possession of the red Janus Key half, contacted 'Mdama and was recovered by a Phantom. Halsey and 'Mdama subsequently reunited the halves of the Janus Key and used the artifact to pinpoint the location of the [[Absolute Record]].<ref name="HE16">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 16|Issue #16]]</ref>

With both halves of the Janus Key, Jul and his fleet worked to find the exact location of the Absolute Record, while hiding within the [[Urs system]]. Since the battle at Aktis IV, Jul's forces had grown and the losses from the previous battle were less severe than he had feared. Jul kept Sali 'Nyon in captivity aboard his flagship and personally interrogated him, though the failed revolutionist only implied that Jul will soon realize the amount of insurgents that remain in his ranks. On [[2558#September|September 15, 2558]], Halsey finished another analyzation of the Janus Key and believed to have finally pinpointed the Absolute Record's exact location. Two days later, as the fleet prepared to depart for the Absolute Record, a Phantom carrying Spartans Palmer, Thorne, [[Holly Tanaka]], Dr. Glassman, and [[Ayit 'Sevi]]—a mercenary within Jul's ranks working for ONI—boarded ''Breath of Annihilation'', intent on revealing the location of the Absolute Record to the UNSC. Jul's fleet arrived at an apparently artificial gas giant with a slipspace portal leading to the Absolute Record. Before the fleet could press forward, slipspace ruptures materialized around the fleet, destroying at least two ships and damaging ''Breath of Annihilation''.<ref name="HE19">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 19|Issue #19]]''</ref>

Sometime after the events at the Absolute Record Jul and his followers invaded Sanghelios. By the [[Battle of Sunaion]] Jul's Covenant was on the verge of defeat due to the combined efforts of the UNSC and Swords of Sanghelios.<ref name="H5G"/>

== Notable individuals==

*[[Jul 'Mdama]] – Known to his followers as the "'''Didact's Hand'''"; self-appointed leader of the faction<ref name="Catherine"/>

*[[Gek 'Lhar]] – Jul 'Mdama's lieutenant; killed during the Requiem Campaign<ref name="expendable"/>

*[[Parg Vol]] – Mercenary and commander of Covenant ground forces early in the Requiem Campaign;<ref name="Catherine"/> killed during the battle

*[[Vata 'Gajat]] – Abandoned the faction around [[2558#March|March 2558]] and formed his own mercenary force; attacked the Elite-Brute peace summit on Ealen IV under the employ of the [[New Colonial Alliance]]<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #5''</ref>

*[[Sali 'Nyon]] – After March 2558, he began to recruit followers and to plot against 'Mdama.

*Doctor [[Catherine Halsey]] – Reluctantly joined the faction after being kidnapped during the Requiem Campaign, seemingly wanting revenge against ONI<ref name="Exodus"/>

As in the Covenant hegemony's prime, the Sangheili serve as the modern incarnation's military leadership caste. The [[Unggoy]] still serve as cannon fodder.<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/05/09/The-Halo-Bulletin-5912.aspx '''The Halo Bulletin''': ''5.9.12'']</ref> Likewise, the [[Kig-Yar]] are still deployed as snipers and light infantry. The [[Mgalekgolo]] are still deployed as super-heavy infantry.<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/08/22/The-Halo-Bulletin-82212.aspx '''The Halo Bulletin''': ''8.22.12'']</ref> The faction also infrequently uses [[Jiralhanae]] and [[Yanme'e]] infantry.<ref>'''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]'''</ref>

'Mdama's Covenant use a streamlined version of the hegemony's long-standing rank hierarchy. Veterans of the war with humanity are organized into cadres of higher-ranked personnel. The highest-ranking Sangheili, most notably [[Zealot]]s, also hold sway in the restructured Covenant's civil arena.<ref>[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/intel/detail/8e70ae9a-11a0-4d04-b063-0631fb82bcca/elite-zealot- '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo 4 Intel: Enemies - Covenant'']</ref><ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/Detail/character-enemy-renders/421563ab-3b18-4e29-8487-3dd79b627a70#imageNumber=17 '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''New Halo 4 Renders'']</ref>

|colspan="7" | Ranks and type classes

|[[Stealth Sangheili|Stealth]]<br>[[Sangheili Ranger|Ranger]]

|[[Type-58 Harvester|Harvester]]

|[[Sangheili Commander|Commander]]<br>[[Sangheili Major|Majors]]

|[[Sangheili Warrior|Warrior]]<br>[[Sangheili Zealot|Zealot]]

|[[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]]

|colspan="7" | Titles

Although a less formidable force than before the Great Schism, the reorganized Covenant have amassed a considerable pool of military assets, though it has been observed that they "aren't outfitted like standard military."<ref name="Dawn"/> Many of the faction's Sangheili personnel are from [[Hesduros]], though the majority hail from the species' homeworld, [[Sanghelios]], and other core worlds.<ref>[https://twitter.com/awesumsauce1/status/418136164457914368 '''Twitter'''] (''@HaloWaypoint For Storm Elites it says their homeworld is Sangheilios, but they come from Hesduros, is it meant to be the species homeworld?'')</ref> Most matériel, such as the [[Type-25 plasma pistol]], [[Type-33 Needler]], [[Type-51 carbine]], and rarely the [[Type-25 plasma rifle]]<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 16|Issue #16]]''</ref>,[[Type-51 plasma repeater]], and [[Type-52 focus rifle]]<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Strike'''</ref>, has been carried over from the pre-Schism Covenant, though more recently developed weapons like the [[Type-55 storm rifle]] are also common. In other cases, the faction uses older models, such as the [[Type-27 beam rifle]] rather than the [[Type-50 particle beam rifle|Type-50]], due to the scarcity of modern weapons. Some older weapons and vehicles are produced by new manufacturers but are generally unchanged in design. Infantry are equipped with armor that appears to be a mix of new variants and styles used by the original Covenant; for example, Unggoy Storm troops are equipped with rebreathers modeled on traditional Unggoy diving apparatuses, whereas Sangheili Commanders wear armor that is very reminiscent of the armor worn by [[Sangheili Officer|Sangheili officer]]s during the war.<ref name="H4 Interactive Guide">[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-US/halo4guide '''Halo 4 Interactive Guide''']</ref>  

As under the hegemony's reign, the [[Type-32 Ghost|Ghost]] and [[Type-26 Wraith|Wraith]] are the mainstays of the Covenant's vehicular ground forces. The [[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Wraith]] is used in relatively small numbers. The [[Type-26 Banshee|T-26B Banshee]] remains the organization's primary ground support aircraft; post-war modifications to the variant used during the [[Fall of Reach]] allow the T26B to serve in a limited exoatmospheric scouting capacity akin to the purpose-built [[Type-27 Banshee]],<ref>''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide'', ''page 119''</ref> though the [[Type-31 Seraph|Seraph]] remains the Covenant's primary space fighter. The [[Type-52 Phantom]] see less extensive service than during the war, as the older [[Type-44 Phantom]] has become the Covenant's primary dropship. The [[Type-25 Spirit]] and [[Phantom gunboat]] are both used, but not in the same numbers as the Type-44 Phantom. The [[Type-56 Lich]] provides ultra-heavy transport capability when needed. The faction also frequently uses the [[Type-51 Individual Breaching Carapace]], the [[Covenant drop pod#Multiple-occupant pod|Type-53 Squad Breaching Carapace]], and the [[Type-54 Mass Deployment Carapace]] to deploy troops from orbit. 'Mdama's forces use the older [[Type-29 Shade]], [[Covenant automated plasma turret|automated plasma turrets]], and the newer [[Type-55 Shade]] for static defense, along with an unclassified type of [[Covenant burst artillery|stationary artillery]] and [[Type-38 Tyrant]]s. An unknown amount of [[Type-58 Harvester]]s<ref>'''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 140''</ref> and [[Unidentified Covenant excavator|unidentified tripods]]<ref name="H5G">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'''</ref> are used as excavation<ref name="Switchback">'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Scattered]]''</ref> and assault platforms.<ref name="HE16">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 16|Issue #16]]''</ref>

The faction's armada is composed of vessels formerly used by the Covenant hegemony. The core of 'Mdama's fleet comprises two {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}s, including 'Mdama's flagship, ''[[Song of Retribution]]'' and the ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'',<ref name="Have S'moa">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-have-s-moa '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder: 2-20-15'']</ref> numerous {{Class|CRS|light cruiser}}s,<ref name="terminal"/> multiple {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}},<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 41''</ref> several {{Class|RCS|armored cruiser}}s, and several {{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}}s. The ''CRS'' fills much the same role within the new Covenant's fleet as the ''CCS'' played during the war, though it is much smaller and less powerful than the latter. In addition to these staple ship types, a number of other vessels have augmented the faction's fleet on different occasions.<ref name="Have S'moa"/>

Unlike those of the original Covenant, much of the hardware utilized by the group bears green-glowing lights, as opposed to white, blue, or purple lighting. This difference may be for a number of reasons, as the lighting on Covenant ships and equipment is known to vary based on factors such as the manufacturer, the era of production, and a commander's personal preference.<ref>[https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/the-halo-bulletin-4-16-14 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: 4.16.14'']</ref>

The reformed Covenant fields a special operations unit known as the [[Silent Blade]], whose members are known to serve as assassins.<ref name="MM"/> It is unknown whether this group existed during the hegemony's reign.

Unlike the original Covenant, 'Mdama's group is not averse to using captured UNSC weapons. During the [[Requiem Campaign]] they hoarded several caches of stolen UNSC matériel, though it is unclear whether they used any of this equipment in combat. Most notably, they attempted to destroy ''Infinity'' using stolen [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon]]s. The faction also began to use Promethean weaponry during the battle, like the [[Z-110 Boltshot]], the [[Z-130 Suppressor]], and the [[Z-180 Scattershot]].<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', Episodes ''Scattered'' & ''Invasion''</ref>

{{Quote|These Covenant seem more fanatical than the ones we've fought before.|[[John-117]]<ref name="Dawn"/> }}

'Mdama's modern Covenant no longer believe in the [[Great Journey]], as the Prophets have been revealed as liars. However, 'Mdama's faction continues the practice of worshiping the Forerunners and their technology. Some members, including Jul 'Mdama himself, privately understand that the Forerunners are not gods, and are only interested in acquiring Forerunner technology for themselves.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''pages 344-345''</ref> Nevertheless, the majority of this faction consists of extremists and true believers. During his [[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn#Arrival at Requiem|first encounter]] with the the new Covenant, John-117 observed that they were more fanatical than any Covenant he had fought during the war.<ref name="Dawn"/> The faction is considered to be extremely conservative, as 'Mdama forbids his followers from speaking any [[Human languages|human language]]. However, the adherence to this rule has later started to slip as support for Jul 'Mdama's radicalism weakens, with many members of the group speaking English when encountering human forces.<ref name="GI">'''Game Informer''', ''July 2015 issue''</ref>

'Mdama's followers hold particular reverence for the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], who shares their hatred for humanity. This led the Covenant faction to quickly align themselves with the Didact upon his release from his [[Cryptum]]. Even after the Didact's apparent demise following his failed attack on Earth, the Covenant continued to display allegiance to the Didact, as evidenced by their continued cooperation with the Didact's Promethean constructs on Requiem. 'Mdama himself took on the title "The Didact's Hand".<ref name="Catherine"/>

In contrast to their worship of the Didact, members of the 'Mdama's Covenant appeared to have held an antagonistic opinion on the Librarian at the time of the Didact's rampage against humanity, with one Sangheili derisively referring to SPARTAN-117 as the "Librarian's pet", demonstrating that at least some of them were aware of the Librarian's favoring of humans and the Master Chief in particular.<ref name="Composer"/> Six months later, however, when attempting to activate the Librarian's "shrine" on Requiem, the Covenant treated her with a similar reverence as they did the Didact, seemingly oblivious to her actual intentions.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Didact's Hand]]'' - '''Jul 'Mdama''': ''"I know what the Librarian will say, Glassman. She will tell us where all things sacred are hidden in this galaxy. Ships, weapons, bounties beyond our imagining. And she will tell us how to make those miracles... our own."'')</ref>

After Requiem's destruction and Jul's alliance with Dr. Halsey, [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant faction|some members of the Covenant]] began to question 'Mdama's decisions, and prepared a rebellion against him,<ref name="HE14"/> though it was ultimately suppressed.<ref name="HE16"/> During the following months, Jul's authority started dwindling considerably, to the point of such changes as members speaking in English while fighting humans.<ref name="GI"/>

*In ''[[Halo 4]]'', the four member species of 'Mdama's Covenant are the same as those featured in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'': Elites, Grunts, Jackals, and Hunters.

*The [[Yanme'e]] could have been featured as a member species of the faction in ''Halo 4'', but the idea was cut during development, including the new [[Yanme'e Sniper]] rank.

File:H4 profile - Mgalekgolo.png|A Mgalekgolo in the the reborn Covenant

File:Halo Escalation 14.jpg|Jul 'Mdama and three Sangheili Storm on the cover of ''[[Halo: Escalation #14]]''

**''[[Terminal/Halo 4|Terminals]]''  

*''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]'' {{Mo}}

 

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[[Category:The Covenant]]