Editing Usze 'Taham

{{Era|HCW|Post}}

{{Character Infobox|variant=Cov

|image= [[File:UszeTaham - Profile.png|300px]]

|homeworld=[[Bothaes]], [[Sanghelios]]<ref name="hitd87">'''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''', ''pages 87-89'' (Google Play edition)</ref>

|birth=

|height={{Convert|241.3|cm|ftin}}<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/usze-taham '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Usze 'Taham'']</ref>

|mass={{Convert|355|lb|kg|disp=flip}}<ref name="universe"/>

*[[Ascetics]]<ref name="universe"/>

*[[Covenant separatists]] {{C|formerly}}

*[[Swords of Sanghelios]]

|3=[[Otar 'Bemet]] and Usze 'Taham<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''page 47'' (Google Play edition)</ref>

'''Usze 'Taham''' is a [[Sangheili]] of the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] who was famed as one of the deadliest [[Covenant Special Operations|Special Operations]] commandos alive.<ref name="universe"/> During the final months of the [[Human-Covenant War]], he was assigned to the [[Fleet of Retribution]]'s [[Special Warfare Group]].<ref name="Coop">[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=thesoundofsack '''Bungie.net''': ''The Tru7h About Co-Op in Halo 3''] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20141114012308/http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=thesoundofsack backup link] on Archive.org)</ref> During the [[Great Schism]], he joined [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]'s uprising against the [[Hierarchs]] and took part in the [[Battle of Earth]] and the [[Battle of Installation 00]]. Usze continues to serve as a skilled warrior and valued liaison of the Swords of Sanghelios, as well as the [[Ascetics]].<ref name="universe"/>

{{Quote|Prior to the Great Schism, others sought to punish me and even take my life, but they would not succeed. My actions in combat, in the war and against my enemies, silenced all those who would contend with my standing.|Usze 'Taham, reflecting on his declination of the title of Honor Guard<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''page 88'' (Google Play edition)</ref>}}

Usze 'Taham was born into a respected merchant family in [[Sumai keep]] in the state of [[Bothaes]] on [[Sanghelios]].<ref name="hitd87"/> He was fathered by [[Toha 'Sumai]], one of the prominent [[Aristocrat|swordfighters]] of this age. Toha mated with Usze's mother, a privilege granted by being a swordsman, and Usze was raised by his mother and her husband. Per Sangheili custom, Usze did not know that Toha was his father.<ref name="Coop"/> Instead, Usze believed that Toha was an uncle and was trained by him in swordsmanship. When he was of age, Usze traveled to the top war college in the [[Iruiru]] region of [[Yermo]] on Sanghelios and graduated with honors,<ref name="hitd87"/> a distinction he shares with [[Rtas 'Vadum]].<ref name="Coop"/> Upon graduating, Usze's skills attracted the attention of influential individuals and he was posted on the [[Fleet of Faithful Ardor]].<ref name="hitd87"/>

After only serving a single tour in the [[Human-Covenant War]] with the Fleet of Faithful Ardor,<ref name="hitd87"/> several politicians offered Usze a place in the [[Covenant Honor Guard]],<ref name="Coop"/> putting him in service of the [[High Council]].<ref name="hitd87"/> He declined, despite warnings against his decision, citing "lack of practical experience". In truth, he had no desire to be part of a largely ceremonial unit. At the end of his third tour, Usze 'Taham again refused the post, even though his superiors warned him such behavior could be misinterpreted as [[Wikipedia:Apostasy|apostasy]]. Ultimately, no charges were ever filed or pursued against him.<ref name="Coop"/> Some Sangheili believed that superiors of Usze who felt "protective" towards him were responsible for the lack of punitive actions taken against Usze. He became respected by certain circles for dismissing the Honor Guard's offer in favor of pursuing combat.<ref name="hitd46">'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 46-50'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Since that time, Usze evaded countless punitive actions, as well as at least two assassination attempts, and served with distinction for two additional tours before the [[Great Schism]].<ref name="Coop"/> Usze's actions in the aforementioned combat tours against [[human]]ity eventually led his superiors to resign to his decision. Usze came into service of the [[Ascetics]] as a liaison for the Covenant.<ref name="hitd87"/> Prior to the Great Schism, 'Taham served under [[Special Operations Commander]] Rtas 'Vadumee.<ref name="universe"/>

On [[2552#November|November 3, 2552]], the remaining [[Hierarchs]] of the Covenant denounced the Sangheili and ordered [[Great Schism#Conflict erupts|the massacre]] of the [[Sangheili High Councilor]]s.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref> With this revelation, Usze sided with [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] and Commander Rtas 'Vadum.<ref name="Coop"/> Considering him to be one of the most deadly SpecOps commandos alive, Commander 'Vadum assigned Usze to the Sangheili's [[Fleet of Retribution]], under the [[Special Warfare Group]] in [[Fleet Security]].<ref name="universe"/> While 'Vadum sought to destroy the [[Flood]]'s presence on [[Installation 05]] with most of the fleet, Usze traveled to [[Earth]] with the Arbiter, [[N'tho 'Sraom]], [[UNSC]] Commander [[Miranda Keyes]], and Sergeant Major [[Avery Johnson]].

{{Expand-section}}

On November 17, 2552, the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] activated the [[Portal at Voi]]. Soon after, the Fleet of Retribution traveled through the portal and arrived at [[Installation 00]] where they started their naval attack on Covenant loyalist ships. Usze was sent to the surface with a squad of Sangheili soldiers commanded by [[Thel 'Vadam]] to assist [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces with [[Battle of the Citadel|deactivating the three shield generators]] protecting the [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]]. Usze and the rest of the squad succeeded in deactivating one of the generators while [[John-117]] deactivated another, however the UNSC forces in the third generator were overrun and were forced to retreat. Usze left the generator building with the squad and linked up with the other UNSC forces and they managed to deactivate the final generator, causing a section of the shield to fall.<ref name="Cov">'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> Usze and the rest of the UNSC and Sangheili forces fought their way to the Citadel and eventually reached the [[light bridge]] leading to the entrance. Usze, accompanied by the [[Arbiter]], John-117 and a few [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] and Sangheili fought their way through the Citadel,<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''page 252''</ref> allowing John-117 to deactivate the [[Halo Array]] and the Arbiter to kill the [[Prophet of Truth]].<ref name="Cov"/>

Following the onset of the [[Great Schism]], he was once again approached by the Ascetics to become one of their emissaries to the navy of the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].<ref name="Coop"/> He eventually became a liaison to the [[United Nations Space Command]], and remained active following the end of the war.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/n-tho-sraom-and-usze-taham/54170db8-f414-4e5d-a983-4f622bf990d4/posts?page=1#post9 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''N'tho 'Sraom and Usze 'Taham''] ([[Catalog/Archive/2014#N'tho 'Sraom and Usze 'Taham|backup on site]])</ref> He also served as a valued liaison between several Sangheili factions and feuding keeps. In addition, 'Taham increasingly diverted his attention to dealings of his families' keep and the legacy of Toha 'Sumai. 'Taham helped resurrect the Ascetic guard, allowing its members to battle the [[Jiralhanae]].<ref name="universe"/>

In [[2555]], he served the Arbiter during the ongoing [[Blooding Years|civil war]] that encroached Sanghelios. Upon learning of a plot to assassinate Thel 'Vadam, Usze helped track down half a dozen conspirators and either killed or interrogated them. The interrogated Sangheili revealed that the plan was engineered by [[Otar 'Bemet]] and Usze traveled to his location in [[Qish'tani]], [[Tolvuus]] aboard a [[Type-26 Banshee|Banshee]]. Otar attempted to convince Usze to join his cause against the Arbiter and humanity, though he refused. A duel began between the two in which Usze feigned incompetence. Otar overestimated his skills and was taken by surprise when Usze avoided his attack, which gave Usze an opening to kill the rebel Sangheili.<ref name="hitd46"/> After the mission, though he wished to return to his keep, the Arbiter ordered for Usze to visit [[Vadam keep|his own keep]]. Upon arriving in [[Vadam]], the Arbiter informed Usze that UNSC scientists had discovered that the Halo Array's firing sequence had been activated. Thel assigned him and N'tho to lead the Swords of Sanghelios half of a joint human–Sangheili team tasked with journeying to Installation 00 with the intentions of deactivating the sequence.<ref name="hitd52">'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 52-57'' (Google Play edition)</ref>

Usze traveled to Earth aboard the [[Covenant corvette|corvette]] ''[[Mayhem]]''. Upon arriving, he descended to the surface in a [[Type-52 Phantom|Phantom]] at [[Research Center Alpha|the site]] of the deactivated [[Portal at Voi|portal]] in [[Kenya]], [[Africa]] that led to the Ark. Along with N'tho and [[Huragok]] [[Drifts Randomly]], he greeted the humans and began working to reactivate the portal.<ref name="hitd64">'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 64-68'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Two days after their arrival, Usze was watching Drifts work, alongside [[Olympia Vale]]. When the Huragok successfully managed to activate the portal, the three returned to the surface to witness its activation. Shortly after, Usze noticed a [[Retriever]] exiting the portal. As the massive construct began collecting resources from Earth's surface nearby, Usze grabbed Vale and escaped Retriever's path of destruction, with Drifts Randomly following closely behind them.<ref name="hitd98">'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 98-105'' (Google Play edition)</ref> After the Retriever was destroyed by UNSC forces, all members of the expedition team met aboard ''Mayhem'', at N'tho's request.<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''page 110'' (Google Play edition)</ref> When Captain [[Annabelle Richards]] insisted that they required [[Serin Osman|her superior]]'s permission before entering the portal, N'tho regardless moved the corvette towards the portal as he and Usze felt that they could not waste time waiting for administrative consent. As they prepared to enter, ''Mayhem'' was attacked by another Retriever. The corvette managed to destroy the [[Sentinel]] and continued through the [[slipspace portal]].<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 113-118'' (Google Play edition)</ref> The trip only took several hours rather than several weeks, as expected<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''page 120'' (Google Play edition)</ref>—due to an increase in the portal's power by [[monitor]] [[000 Tragic Solitude]].<ref name="hitd256">'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 256-260'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Upon exiting slipspace, ''Mayhem'' was attacked by dozens of heavily armed Retrievers and the corvette ultimately crash landed on the surface of the Ark.<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 123-129'' (Google Play edition)</ref>

[[File:UszeArk.png|thumb|250px|left|Usze prepares to do battle with a [[chaefka]].]]

The mission's team—Usze, N'tho, [[Kola 'Baoth]], [[Zon 'Vadum]], Vale, Richards, Holt, Spartan [[Frank Kodiak]], [[Luther Mann]], [[Henry Lamb]], ten [[UNSC Marines]], and Drifts—left the ''Mayhem'' and began venturing towards the Ark's [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]] to stop the Halo Array's activation. After encountering peaceful [[olfmeri]], the group was attacked by a pack of [[Morolaath|blind wolves]]. The group remained silent and still at Vale's insistence, and the blind wolves moved on.<ref name="hitd140">'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 140-150'' (Google Play edition)</ref> However, they were promptly attacked by [[chaefka]]. During the skirmish, Vale was knocked unconscious and was subjected to the psychotropic effect generated by an agent released by a chaefka which caused her to leave the area with the animal.<ref name="hitd152">'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 152-155'' (Google Play edition)</ref> When Vale's disappearance was noticed, Richards ordered Usze, Holt, and Lamb to track her down by following her footprints in the snow leading towards the center of the Ark while the rest of the team continued towards the Citadel.<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 160-161'' (Google Play edition)</ref> While searching for Vale, the three lost communications with the rest of the team and increased snowfall prevented them from following Vale's footprints. The group resolved to continue to the Citadel, hoping to either encounter Vale or the rest of the team. Along their journey, they were attacked by four [[armiger]] constructs. The armigers attempted to kill the group by rolling trees and rocks down mountains towards them. Having barely avoided the attacks, the three chose to make a stand against the armigers and destroyed the constructs. More armigers arrived at their location via slipspace portals, though Usze and Holt, with some help from Lamb, managed to destroy most of the armigers, while the surviving constructs fled. However, the armiger's attack further displaced the group from tracking down Vale's location.<ref name="hitd176">'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 176-187'' (Google Play edition)</ref> As they continued towards the Citadel, the three were suddenly attacked by a mobile, [[carnivorous plant]], which forced them to take cover in a nearby cave up on a cliffside. However, communications were enabled between both groups by Tragic Solitude, allowing Holt to contact Spartan Kodiak and request for support. Kodiak arrived and engaged the plant, allowing Usze to sneak behind it and kill it with his energy sword.<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 206-214'' (Google Play edition)</ref>

Eventually, both groups met up at the entrance of the Citadel and continued on together. Inside the structure, Mann shut down the firing sequence, but the team was promptly attacked by armigers. As the constructs arrived at their position in waves, Usze, Mann, Lamb, Drifts, and Kola retreated down an elevator shaft, while the rest of the team escaped through a portal created by an Armiger.<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 218-225'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Finding themselves within the Citadel's inner tunnels, the group discovered its damaged, central power station. While Drifts worked on repairing the station, Lamb was killed by a Sentinel, which was immediately destroyed by Usze. Utilizing a local map, Drifts discovered the Citadel's exit. However, the group came across a heavy, locked door blocking their path, with the [[Foundry]]'s control suite on the other side, followed by the Citadel's exit. Usze and Kola managed to lift the door, which allowed Mann and Drifts to slide through.<ref name="hitd236">'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 236-247'' (Google Play edition)</ref> While waiting for Drifts to gain access to the controls and open the door, the two Sangheili were ambushed and attacked by dozens of armigers. Meanwhile, Drifts infiltrated the Ark's systems and took control of the installation from the [[Rampancy|rampant]] Tragic Solitude. By the time Drifts managed to open the door, Usze and Kola had defeated the armigers, though they were moderately wounded.<ref name="hitd263">'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''pages 263-267'' (Google Play edition)</ref> While Drifts maintained control of the Ark's systems, the Spartans, N'tho, and Zon located Vale and engaged the monitor. After they managed to destroy Tragic Solitude, Usze, Kola, Mann, and Drifts arrived and regrouped with the rest of the team.<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''page 289'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Afterwards, the team returned to ''Mayhem'', only being threatened by a small pack of blind wolves along the way.<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''page 295'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Shortly afterwards, {{UNSCShip|Witness}} entered Earth's slipspace portal and arrived at the Ark. ''Mayhem'' and its crew were brought aboard the [[UNSC carrier]] and returned to Earth.<ref name="hitd298"/>

Usze 'Taham is an independent, resourceful, and vigilant [[Sangheili]].<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 137'' (2011)</ref> Usze is notably honorable, and was considered worthy enough to be recruited by the [[Ascetics]]. He is known to display a tempered zeal in combat that is considered to be unusual for a warrior of his relatively young age.<ref name="universe"/> Usze preferred to anticipate situations and problems and remain constantly on guard, rather than react to and deal with an unexpected situation as it occurred.<ref name="hitd52"/> Usze rarely chose to sit, as he believed that the action lacked a purpose and only contributed to a lack of preparedness to an unexpected difficulty.<ref name="hitd98"/> He declined his invitation to join the [[Covenant Honor Guard]] as he felt that his skills could be best used elsewhere. Additionally, Usze held less interest in ceremonial positions and honorable titles than in personal deeds and actions. He believes that he was born to fight, which he realizes that he does quite capably.<ref name="hitd87"/> Usze attempts to never hold regret in regards to how he handles a situation, but instead looks at the victories drawn from the situation's outcome.<ref name="hitd298"/> Usze found [[human]] laughter to be "ridiculous"; he believes humans only appear threatened or frightened when they express laughter.<ref name="hitd98"/>

Usze apparently holds some diplomatic skills, as he was twice approached by the Ascetics to become one of their liaisons for the [[Covenant]],<ref name="Coop"/> and later the [[Swords of Sanghelios]]. He was also selected by [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] to serve as an emissary of sorts to the [[Unified Earth Government]], during joint missions between the two governments.<ref name="hitd87"/> Usze has little to no disdain for humans; even after spending the entirety of his service in the Covenant slaughtering humans, he recognized that they had committed no crimes as the [[San'Shyuum]] decreed.<ref name="hitd46"/> Usze, as a warrior, held that ending the life of another individual was a grave responsibility, nor did he feel any pleasure from killing—particularly if he respected the said individual. However, he never experienced any pangs of regret, as Usze felt content with successfully completing a mission.<ref name="hitd52"/> Over the course of his return to the Ark, Usze developed a sense of respect for [[Olympia Vale]], finding her to be interesting.<ref name="hitd98"/> After the mission, Usze comforted Vale aboard ''[[Mayhem]]'', who was saddened that her diplomatic skills proved useless against [[000 Tragic Solitude]].<ref name="hitd298"/> 'Taham came to respect [[Luther Mann]] and [[Henry Lamb]], and was saddened upon his death. Stating that Lamb was a comrade and a warrior, Usze encouraged Mann to mourn the death of his friend.<ref name="hitd236"/>

|3=Otar 'Bemet and Usze 'Taham<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''page 50'' (Google Play edition)</ref>

Usze 'Taham is an incredibly skilled Sangheili, famed one of the deadliest [[Covenant Special Operations|Special Operations]] commandos alive. His skill in combat and war has proved invaluable in his service with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].<ref name="universe"/> Trained aggressively in his youth by [[Toha 'Sumai]], Usze 'Taham is a skilled combatant. He significantly refined his capabilities with an [[Type-1 energy sword|energy sword]] and other weaponry at [[Yermo]]'s war college and ultimately graduated with top honors. Having proven his skills at the war college, Usze attracted the attention of several individuals "in high places".<ref name="hitd87"/> As a warrior of [[Sumai keep]], Usze was trained to recognize and counter [['Anyame technique]]. During his duel with [[Otar 'Bemet]], Usze was able to recognize his opponent's use of the method and counter it by feigning incompetence and hiding his true skills.<ref name="hitd46"/> Even at a young age, 'Taham proved to be a prodigy in combat.<ref name="universe"/>

'Taham is renowned for displaying incredible prowess with the energy sword and [[Type-25 plasma rifle]].<ref name="universe"/> Known to deftly wield an energy sword, Usze operates the weapon with remarkable speed and power.<ref name="hitd152"/> Usze is able to use the blade of his energy sword to block shots from energy rifles. During [[Operation: FAR STORM]], Usze engaged numerous [[armiger]]s head-to-head and succeeded in destroying the constructs, despite the size, swiftness, and dexterity of the armigers.<ref name="hitd176"/> His skill against the constructs proved useful when Usze, along with [[Kola 'Baoth]], were forced to defeat dozens of armigers in a small room, with only his energy sword.<ref name="hitd263"/>

During the [[Fall of High Charity|initial]] outbreak of the [[Great Schism]] in late [[2552]], Usze wore a custom [[assault harness]] with a distinctive claret color.<ref name="universe"/> Having trained extensively in swordsmanship, Usze prefers to fight with his [[Type-1 energy sword]] whenever possible. Following the dissolution of the [[Covenant]], Usze began using some weapons of pre-Covenant design, which were considered to invoke ancient [[Sangheili]] heritage.<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''page 91'' (Google Play edition)</ref> His energy sword has a traditional, pre-Covenant design that displays intriguing ridges with an upper blade significantly longer than the lower blade.<ref name="hitd46"/> Usze armed himself with an old, modified design [[Type-51 carbine]].<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''page 149'' (Google Play edition)</ref> As of [[2555]], Usze began to don a [[Sangheili combat harness|combat harness]] with crimson and ivory coloring. Polished, though battle-scarred, Usze's armor was similar to the combat harness worn by [[N'tho 'Sraom]].<ref name="hitd64"/>

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*Usze 'Taham is the fourth playable character in ''Halo 3'' [[Co-Op|co-operative]] Campaign. However, neither Usze nor [[N'tho 'Sraom]], the third playable character in co-op, are seen in cutscenes.

*Claret, the color of Usze's armor, is not available to players. The color looks remarkably similar to that of the paint scheme on a [[Type-46 Infantry Support Vehicle|Spectre]]. He is also the only known Sangheili to have claret colored armour.

*Both Usze 'Taham and N'tho 'Sraom appear to holster weapons backwards on their legs. This is most apparent with the [[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|Needler]], with the side that has the protruding needles opposite the direction of other Sangheili models.

File:Usze ‘Taham and N’tho ‘Sraom.jpg|'Taham (right), along with 'Sraom (left).

{{Reflist|2}}

[[Category:Sangheili]]