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{{Title|''Shadow of Intent''}}
{{Title|''Shadow of Intent''}}
{{Era|HCW|Post}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Outofdate|[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]}}
{{Disambig header|the assault carrier|the novella|Halo: Shadow of Intent}}
{{Disambig header|the assault carrier|the novella|Halo: Shadow of Intent}}
{{Individual ship infobox
{{Individual ship infobox
|name=''Shadow of Intent''
|name=''Shadow of Intent''
|image=[[File:Shadow of Intent.png|300px]]
|image=[[File:HTMCC-H3 ShadowOfIntent.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=[[Lathe of the Enlightened]], [[Song of Victory]]<ref name="Warfleet>''[[Halo: Warfleet]], pgs. 70-71''</ref>
|naval architect=*[[Giehel Vange|Prophet of Expediency Giehel Vange]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|class={{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/shadow-of-intent '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Shadow of Intent'']</ref>
*[[Ministry of Sacral Assembly|Vice-Minister of Sacral Assembly]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|role=[[Flagship]]<ref name="universe"/>
|manufacturer=[[Lathe of the Enlightened]], [[Song of Victory]]<ref name="Warfleet">''[[Halo: Warfleet]]'', Shadow of Intent - p.70-71</ref>
|length={{Convert|5347|m|ft|sigfig=6|sp=us}}<ref name="universe"/><ref>[[:File:CapitalShips-scale.gif|HBO image that demonstrates the size and scale of warships in the Halo Universe]]</ref>
|class={{Pattern|Kerel|assault carrier}}{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/shadow-of-intent|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Shadow of Intent|D=21|M=07|Y=2021|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/shadow-of-intent.html}}
|width={{Convert|2118|m|ft|sigfig=5|sp=us}}<ref name="universe"/>
|role=[[Flagship]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|height={{Convert|746|m|ft|sigfig=5|sp=us}}<ref name="universe"/>
|length={{Convert|5347|m|ft|sigfig=6|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|engine=3 Raphyus-pattern repulsor engines<ref name="Warfleet/>
|width={{Convert|2118|m|ft|sigfig=5|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|slipspace drive=Primus-pattern borer<ref name="Warfleet/>
|height={{Convert|746|m|ft|sigfig=5|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|hull=[[Nanolaminate hull plating]]<ref name="Catalog"/>
|engine=3 ''Raphyus''-pattern [[repulsor engine]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*Equipped with [[energy shielding]]
|mass=2.7 billion metric tons{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|slipspace drive=''Primus''-pattern [[borer]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|hull=*[[Nanolaminate hull plating]]{{Ref/Reuse|Catalog}}
*[[Runic plating]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|shielding=''Tantalus''-pattern [[energy shielding|dispersal field generators]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|complement=40,000 warriors{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*250× [[Covenant drop pod|Insertion pods]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*44× [[Dextro Xur-pattern Spirit|Spirit]]/[[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom dropships]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*600× [[Banshee|Banshee flyers]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*20× [[R'sisho-pattern Tick|Tick boarding craft]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*44× [[Type-29 Shadow|Shadow transports]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*64× [[Seraph|Seraph strikecraft]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*192× [[Elsedda-pattern Banshee|Banshee Fighter strikecraft]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*3× [[Scarab|Scarab platforms]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*196× [[Wraith|Wraith mortar tanks]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*700× [[Ghost|Ghost scouts]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|countermeasures=
|countermeasures=
|armament=*1x [[Energy projector|Infernus-pattern superheavy excavation beam]]<ref name="Warfleet/>
|armament=*[[Energy projector|''Infernus''-pattern superheavy excavation beam]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*2x [[Energy projector|Urpeon-pattern superheavy plasma lances]]<ref name="Warfleet/>
*[[Energy projector|''Urpeon''-pattern superheavy plasma lances]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*8x [[Energy projector|Luxor-pattern heavy plasma beam emitters]]<ref name="Warfleet/>
*[[Energy projector|''Luxor''-pattern heavy plasma beam emitters]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*24x [[Plasma torpedo|Mictix-pattern heavy plasma torpedo silos]]<ref name="Warfleet/>
*24× [[Plasma torpedo|''Mictix''-pattern heavy plasma torpedo silos]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*700x [[Pulse laser turret|Ferriel-pattern pulse lasers]]<ref name="Warfleet/>
*700× [[Pulse laser turret|''Ferriel''-pattern pulse lasers]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*Multiple [[Plasma cannon (starship)|Plasma cannon]]s<ref name="The Covenant">''Halo 3'', campaign level "[[The Covenant]]"</ref>
*Multiple [[Plasma cannon (starship)|plasma cannons]]<ref name="The Covenant">''Halo 3'', campaign level [[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]</ref>
|firstuse=
|firstuse=
|commission=c. 2135<ref name="Warfleet/>
|commission=c. [[2135]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|lastsight=
|lastsight=
|destroyed=
|destroyed=
|battles=*[[Battle of Installation 05]]<ref name="enc284">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''pages 284-285'' (2011)</ref>
|battles=*[[Battle of Installation 05]]<ref name="enc284">''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]'', p.284-285 (2011 edition)</ref>
*[[Battle of Voi]]<ref name="enc284"/>
*[[Battle of Voi]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc284}}
*[[Battle of Installation 00]]<ref name="enc284"/>
*[[Battle of Installation 00]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc284}}
|fleet=[[Fleet of Retribution]]
|fleet=[[Fleet of Retribution]]
|namedcrew=*[[Blademaster]] [[Vul 'Soran]]
|namedcrew=*[[Blademaster]] [[Vul 'Soran]]
*[[Unggoy Ranger|Ranger]] [[Stolt]]
*[[Unggoy Ranger|Ranger]] [[Stolt]]
*[[Tul 'Juran]]
*[[Tul 'Juran]]
|captains=[[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]<ref name="enc284"/>
|captains=[[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc284}}
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]] {{C|formerly}}
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]] {{C|formerly}}
*[[Covenant separatists]] {{C|formerly}}
*[[Swords of Sanghelios]]
*[[Swords of Sanghelios]]
}}
}}


'''''Shadow of Intent''''' is a {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} of the [[Sword of Sanghelios]] formerly assigned to the [[Covenant fleet]]. Commanded by [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]], it served as the [[flagship]] of the [[Fleet of Retribution]] at the outbreak of the [[Great Schism]] and the end of the [[Human-Covenant War]].<ref name="EVG">''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'', page 173</ref><ref name="Floodgate">'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, "[[Floodgate]]"</ref> The vessel continues to serve the Swords of Sanghelios following the [[Treaty of 2552|cessation of war]] with [[humanity]] in [[2553#March|March 2553]],<ref name="Catalog"/> and is both feared and revered as a herald of the Swords of Sanghelios.<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/shadow-of-intent '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Shadow of Intent'']</ref>
'''''Shadow of Intent''''' is a {{Pattern|Kerel|assault carrier}} of the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] formerly assigned to the [[Covenant fleet]]. Commanded by [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]], it served as the [[flagship]] of the [[Fleet of Retribution]] at the outbreak of the [[Great Schism]] and the end of the [[Human-Covenant War]].<ref name="EVG">''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'', page 173</ref><ref name="Floodgate">''[[Halo 3]]'', campaign level[[Floodgate]]</ref> The vessel then served the reformed Swords of Sanghelios following the [[Treaty of 2552|cessation of war]] with [[humanity]] in [[2553#March|March 2553]],{{Ref/Reuse|Catalog}} and is both feared and revered as a herald of the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter's]] government.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}


==History==
==History==
===Battle of Installation 05===
===Pre-Covenant War===
At the dawn of the [[Great Schism]], shortly after the [[Sangheili]]'s betrayal by the [[Hierarchs]] and [[Jiralhanae]] on [[2552#November|November 3, 2552]], ''Shadow of Intent'' was attached to one of the [[Covenant fleet]]s at [[High Charity]] when the [[Covenant]] holy city was at [[Installation 05]]. Under the control of the Jiralhanae, ''Shadow of Intent'' attacked the Sangheili fleets over High Charity as the Covenant civil war began. [[Special Operations Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]] led a strike-force that boarded ''Shadow of Intent'' and seized control of the carrier.<ref name="universe"/><ref name="EVG"/> Becoming the [[flagship]] of 'Vadum's [[Fleet of Retribution]], ''Shadow of Intent'' was thereafter one of two [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carriers]] used against the Jiralhanae-led forces loyal to the [[San'Shyuum]], the other being ''[[Eternal Reward]]''. However, ''Eternal Reward'' was destroyed when the carrier was attacked by ships led by [[Prelate]] [[Tem'Bhetek]]'s ''[[Spear of Light]]''.<ref name="soi46">'''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''', ''pages 46-47'' (Google Play edition)</ref>
The ''Shadow of Intent'' was originally designed by the [[Prophet of Expediency]] in conjunction with the [[Vice Minister of Sacral Assembly]] during the Third [[Ages of Discovery|Age of Discovery]] (circa. [[2135]]).{{Ref/Note|There are two contradictory references to the Ages of Discovery in ''Halo: Warfleet''. The entry for the ''Shadow of Intent'' states it was built during the Third Age of Discovery, circa 2135 in the human calendar, while the entry for the ''[[Ardent Prayer]]'' gives 2070 as the human date for the Twentieth Age of Discovery.}} The ship's construction was performed by the [[Lathe of the Enlightened]] at [[Song of Victory]].{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} Much of the ship's history was later lost following the [[Fall of High Charity]] and loss of Ministry records.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}


''Shadow of Intent'' used its [[ventral beam]] to partially [[glass]] High Charity in an attempt to combat the Flood aboard it. Following the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s escape to [[Earth]], most of the ships commanded by [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] remained near [[Halo Array|Halo]] [[Installation 05]] to quarantine the local [[Flood]] threat by [[glassing]] the surface.<ref>[[Eleventh Hour reports]]</ref> However, the infected {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}} ''[[Indulgence of Conviction]]'' broke through the blockade and jumped to Earth. The Fleet of Retribution, consisting of ''Shadow of Intent'' and nine battlecruisers, followed the Flood-controlled vessel to the human homeworld.<ref name="Floodgate"/><ref name="EVG"/>
===Human-Covenant War===
During the [[Human-Covenant War]], the Unggoy [[Stolt]] joined the crew of the ''Shadow of Intent''. The ship's [[Sangheili Ranger]] complement were initially skeptical of the Unggoy, but eventually grew to respect him. During the war, the databases of ''Shadow of Intent'' concerning Sangheili colonial scientific surveys became outdated. Throughout the war, the carrier was the bane of many human and Covenant vessels alike, and was a prodigious troop carrier that played a key role in the ground invasions of many [[human colonies]].{{Ref/Reuse|SOI}}


===Actions on Earth===
====Battle of Installation 05====
{{Main|Battle of Voi}}
{{Main|Fall of High Charity}}
At the dawn of the [[Great Schism]], shortly after the [[Sangheili]]'s betrayal by the [[Hierarchs]] and [[Jiralhanae]] on [[2552#November|November 3, 2552]], ''Shadow of Intent'' was attached to one of the Jiralhanae-led [[Covenant fleet]]s at [[High Charity]] when the [[Covenant]] holy city was at [[Installation 05]]. Under the control of the Jiralhanae, ''Shadow of Intent'' attacked the Sangheili fleets over High Charity as the Covenant civil war began. [[Special Operations Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]] led a strike-force that boarded ''Shadow of Intent'' and seized control of the carrier.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} The damage taken during the hand-to-hand combat of these boarding actions was hastily sealed off and much left without full repair.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} Becoming the [[flagship]] of 'Vadum's [[Fleet of Retribution]], ''Shadow of Intent'' was thereafter one of two [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carriers]] used against the Jiralhanae-led forces loyal to the [[San'Shyuum]], the other being ''[[Eternal Reward]]''. However, ''Eternal Reward'' was destroyed when the carrier was attacked by ships led by [[Prelate]] [[Tem'Bhetek]]'s ''[[Spear of Light]]''. ''Shadow of Intent'' led the blockade of High Charity, trading plasma torpedoes with San 'Shyuum-controlled vessels to prevent any ships from escaping the quarantine of the station. The loyalists had no vessels capable of matching ''Shadow of Intent'' in firepower and intended to overwhelm it with multiple cruisers once its support vessels had been eliminated, though this plan went awry following the emergence of the Flood. During the blockade, ''Shadow of Intent'' used its [[ventral beam]] to partially [[glass]] High Charity in an attempt to combat the Flood aboard it.<ref name="SOI">''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''</ref>
 
Following the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s escape to [[Earth]], most of the ships commanded by [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] remained near [[Halo Array|Halo]] [[Installation 05]] to quarantine the local [[Flood]] threat by [[glassing]] the surface.<ref>[[Eleventh Hour reports]]</ref> However, the infected {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} ''[[Indulgence of Conviction]]'' broke through the blockade and jumped to Earth. A [[battle group|portion]] of the Fleet of Retribution, consisting of ''Shadow of Intent'', at least one another assault carrier and at least fourteen battlecruisers, followed the Flood-controlled vessel to the human homeworld.<ref name=heretic>'''[[Halo 3]]''', multiplayer level ''[[Heretic]]''</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|Floodgate}}{{Ref/Note|See the [[Fleet of Retribution#Notes|Fleet of Retribution's notes]]}}
 
====Battle for Earth====
{{Main|Outbreak on Earth}}
{{Quote|Hail humans, and take heed. This is the carrier ''Shadow of Intent''. Clear this sector while we deal with the Flood.|Rtas 'Vadum}}
{{Quote|Hail humans, and take heed. This is the carrier ''Shadow of Intent''. Clear this sector while we deal with the Flood.|Rtas 'Vadum}}


The fleet arrived minutes after ''Indulgence of Conviction'', which crash-landed in the city of [[Voi]], [[Kenya]], which in turn occurred only moments after [[Truth's fleet]] passed through a nearby [[The Portal|slipspace portal]] to the [[Forerunner]] facility known as [[Installation 00|the Ark]].<ref>''Halo 3'', campaign level "[[The Storm]]"</ref> Flood forms were dispersed across the city, quickly overrunning the local [[UNSC]] personnel. Shipmaster 'Vadum hailed the human troops, instructing them to evacuate as the ship landed [[Special Operations Sangheili|Special Operations forces]] into the ruins of Voi. Soon ''Shadow of Intent'' and the battlecruisers glassed the city and the surrounding region to prevent the Flood from spreading across Earth. 'Vadum would have glassed the entire planet were it not for the counsel of the Arbiter.<ref name="Floodgate"/>
The fleet arrived minutes after ''Indulgence of Conviction'', which crash-landed in the city of [[Voi]], [[Kenya]], which in turn occurred only moments after [[Truth's fleet]] passed through a nearby [[The Portal|slipspace portal]] to the [[Forerunner]] facility known as [[Installation 00|the Ark]].<ref>''Halo 3'', campaign level "[[The Storm]]"</ref> Flood forms were dispersed across the city, quickly overrunning the local [[UNSC]] personnel. Shipmaster 'Vadum hailed the human troops, instructing them to evacuate as the ship landed [[Special Operations Sangheili|Special Operations forces]] into the ruins of Voi. Soon ''Shadow of Intent'' and the battlecruisers glassed the city and the surrounding region to prevent the Flood from spreading across Earth. 'Vadum would have glassed the entire planet were it not for the counsel of the Arbiter.{{Ref/Reuse|Floodgate}}


===Assault on Installation 00===
====Battle of Installation 00====
[[File:ShadowOfIntent H3 LevCovenant1.jpeg|thumb|225px|''Shadow of Intent'' being hit by a fragment of High Charity.]]
[[File:H3 - SoI Damaged.png|thumb|left|225px|''Shadow of Intent'' being hit by a fragment of High Charity.]]
{{Main|Battle of Installation 00|Battle of the Citadel}}
{{Main|Battle of Installation 00|Battle of the Citadel}}
{{Quote|I will beat the Prophet's shield like a drum. By the time the barrier falls, he will beg for mercy.|Rtas 'Vadum}}
{{Quote|I will beat the Prophet's shield like a drum. By the time the barrier falls, he will beg for mercy.|Rtas 'Vadum}}
After a period of deliberation among the Sangheili and UNSC leaders, ''Shadow of Intent'' and the human [[Charon-class light frigate|frigate]] ''[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|Forward Unto Dawn]]'' passed through the portal to the Ark. The Fleet of Retribution was immediately met by Truth's fleet as ''Forward Unto Dawn'' deployed troops to the installation's surface. The Sangheili forces soon emerged victorious despite their enemies' three-to-one numerical advantage.<ref name="The Covenant">''Halo 3'', campaign level "[[The Covenant]]"</ref>
After a period of deliberation among the Sangheili and UNSC leaders, ''Shadow of Intent'' and the human [[Charon-class light frigate|frigate]] ''[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|Forward Unto Dawn]]'' passed through the portal to the Ark. The Fleet of Retribution was immediately met by Truth's fleet as ''Forward Unto Dawn'' deployed troops to the installation's surface. The Sangheili forces soon emerged victorious despite their enemies' three-to-one numerical advantage.{{Ref/Reuse|The Covenant}}


''Shadow of Intent'' sent down soldiers, vehicles, and supplies to aid the human forces on the surface of the Ark following the victory in orbit. The ship then took part in a diversionary bombardment of the shield protecting the Ark's [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]], the point from which the entire [[Halo Array]] could be fired.<ref name="The Covenant"/>
''Shadow of Intent'' sent down soldiers, vehicles, and supplies to aid the human forces on the surface of the Ark following the victory in orbit. The ship then took part in a diversionary bombardment of the shield protecting the Ark's [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]], the point from which the entire [[Halo Array]] could be fired.{{Ref/Reuse|The Covenant}}


When the shield was deactivated by a joint UNSC-Sangheili strike team, led by the [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] and the Arbiter, ''Shadow of Intent'' moved in to destroy the Citadel. Before the carrier could get into position, however, the Flood-infested [[High Charity]] arrived via [[slipspace]] and crashed onto the surface of the Ark, shedding debris as it fell. A large fragment smashed through ''Shadow of Intent'' amidships and inflicted severe damage, knocking out all of the carrier's weapon systems. Despite the damage the ship remained operational. Following Truth's assassination by the Arbiter ''Shadow of Intent'' evacuated the surviving Sangheili and human forces; only the Arbiter, John-117, the AI [[Cortana]], and [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]] remained behind to activate the newly discovered Halo [[Installation 04B]], thereby defeating the Flood.<ref name="The Covenant"/>
When the shield was deactivated by a joint UNSC-Sangheili strike team, led by the [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] and the Arbiter, ''Shadow of Intent'' moved in to destroy the Citadel. Before the carrier could get into position, however, the Flood-infested [[High Charity]] arrived via [[slipspace]] and crashed onto the surface of the Ark, shedding debris as it fell. A large fragment smashed through ''Shadow of Intent'' amidships and inflicted severe damage, knocking out all of the carrier's weapon systems. Despite the damage, the ship remained operational. Following Truth's assassination by the Arbiter, the ''Shadow of Intent'' evacuated the surviving Sangheili and human forces; only the Arbiter, John-117, the AI [[Cortana]], and [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]] remained behind to activate the newly discovered Halo [[Installation 08]], thereby defeating the Flood.{{Ref/Reuse|The Covenant}}


===Post-war===
===Post-war===
[[File:Attend2.PNG|right|thumb|225px|''Shadow of Intent'' presides over the [[Voi Memorial]]'s commemoration prior to the ship's final departure from Earth.]]
[[File:Attend2.PNG|thumb|225px|''Shadow of Intent'' presides over the [[Voi Memorial]]'s commemoration prior to the ship's final departure from Earth.]]
''Shadow of Intent'' was repaired and refitted at a mobile shipyard on [[2552#December|December 30, 2552]].<ref name="Catalog"/> Between February 28 and March 3, [[2553]], ''Shadow of Intent'' remained stationed on Earth for a diplomatic mission involving [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter's]] attendance in the [[Voi Memorial]] service, held for those killed in the Human-Covenant War. After the memorial 'Vadum gave the Arbiter command of the vessel, whereupon the ship returned to [[Sanghelios]].<ref>''Halo 3'', ''Epilogue''</ref><ref name="Catalog"/>
''Shadow of Intent'' was repaired and refitted at a mobile shipyard on [[2552#December|December 30, 2552]].{{Ref/Reuse|Catalog}} Between February 28 and March 3, [[2553]], ''Shadow of Intent'' remained stationed on Earth for a diplomatic mission involving [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter's]] attendance in the [[Voi Memorial]] service, held for those killed in the Human-Covenant War. After the memorial 'Vadum gave the Arbiter command of the vessel, whereupon the ship returned to [[Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Reuse|Catalog}}<ref>''Halo 3'', Epilogue</ref> Even following its return to Sanghelios, ''Shadow of Intent'' continued to serve in many roles, and as such full repairs for damage incurred during the war with humanity and the Great Schism have been deferred. The deeper compartments of the ship have been sealed following damage sustained during [[Naval boarding|boarding]] actions taken during the Schism, with many more remaining inaccessible due to battle damage and damage control foam, entombing the corpses of those who died fighting aboard the ship years prior. The ship runs on a skeleton crew due to lack of manpower, including employing "consultants" from [[Venezia]] to help Sangheili [[artisan-armorer]]s crew the engineering deck.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
 
====Attempted capture and later missions====
[[File:HM - SOI.jpg|thumb|left|[[Tem'Bhetek]] and [[Tul 'Juran]] dueling inside the ''Shadow of Intent's'' gravity lift bay in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''.]]
Following his taking command of the ship, Thel 'Vadam offered Rtas the mission to take the ''Shadow of Intent'' far away from Sanghelios, due to the increasing threat of [[Blooding Years|Sangheili civil war]]. By this time, ''Shadow of Intent'' was the only operational ''CAS''-class carrier in the Swords of Sanghelios fleet, and 'Vadam wanted the ship out of reach of allies whose loyalties were not as certain as 'Vadum's. 'Vadum took the ship and its crew to the frontiers of the former-Covenant territory in an attempt to find rest and recuperation after the war.{{Ref/Reuse|SOI}} Between March 6 and August 24, 2553, in which time ''Shadow of Intent'' was believed to be retrieving former Covenant long-range exploratory fleets.{{Ref/Reuse|Catalog}}
 
At some point following August 2553{{Ref/Note|Following the end of the prelate's scheme, Rtas intended to take the ship out to hunt down the remaining San'Shyuum. Given that until August 24 the ship was retrieving Covenant exploratory fleets, this places the events of ''Halo: Shadow of Intent'' as taking place some time after August 24 at the earliest.}} this time, the ship became the target of a plot by [[Tem'Bhetek's faction]], intending to capture the carrier. The [[prelate]] led an [[Attack on Rahnelo]], with his Jiralhanae troops slaughtering civilians in the streets. The colony sent out a distress call, and three days later ''Shadow of Intent'' arrived at the scene to assist though were too late. The crew assisted the survivors in clearing the dead bodies, and ultimately took on the [[scion]] daughter of the [[keep]]'s [[kaidon]], [[Tul 'Juran]]. The scion proclaimed the [[right of release]] and requested the help of ''Shadow of Intent'' and its crew in hunting down the prelate to rescue her father. Tem'Bhetek later attacked [[Duraan]], allowing the colony to send a distress call to ensure that ''Shadow of Intent'' would hear it and respond. ''Shadow of Intent'' arrived at Duraan after three days of travel, in time to see the prelate's {{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}} ''[[Spear of Light]]'' opening fire on Duraan's largest settlement. This attack [[Ambush at Duraan|turned out to be a trap]], with the prelate intending to use the system's turbulent star and its solar flares to knock out the carrier's energy shields and disable it. The carrier attempted to fire a plasma cannon, only to discover that the prelate's trap meant that the energetic star neutralized the containment fields confining the plasma. With the carrier's shields down and weapons now requiring recharging, ''Spear of Light'' maneuvered to prepare a boarding action. The prelate and fifty Jiralhanae boarded the carrier via its port [[hangar]] bay, and proceeded to head for the command deck. The prelate engaged Rtas and Tul in melee combat, but was ultimately captured in the ship's brig.{{Ref/Reuse|SOI}}
 
The carrier's crew took the data they could from ''Spear of Light'' after repelling the boarders, determining the location of the [[Prototype Halo installation]] from which the cruiser had been operating from. Unfortunately, all of the ship's forward plasma cannons and most pulse laser defenses had been taken down during the battle. The carrier travelled there, with only two [[Phantom]]s' worth of crew, and deployed the two dropships immediately upon entering the system. The carrier was left on autopilot, slaved to Rtas' Phantom. The prelate was able to escape and begin a spacewalk to the space station base, and eventually met up with the [[Boru'a'Neem|Minister of Preparation]], who informed the prelate of the full reality of their plan; their lone light cruiser would never be able to slip past the Sangheili defenses surrounding their homeworld, but ''Shadow of Intent'' was more than adequate. The group could mount the prototype Halo weapon onto the carrier and then fire it at Sanghelios, wiping out everyone on the homeworld. Upon realising this scheme called for the prelate to die once his usefulness was over, he ceased his actions and the Minister of Preparation was killed by Tul 'Juran and Rtas. The installation was then destroyed, ending the threat to ''Shadow of Intent''.{{Ref/Reuse|SOI}}
 
''Shadow of Intent'' returned to Duraan to restock and repair for 10–20 days, before setting out on a mission to hunt down the [[San'Shyuum flotilla]] who had evacuated High Charity in 2552, to execute those who might try to continue the Prophet of Truth's schemes and rescue those who might be deemed innocent.{{Ref/Reuse|SOI}} On April 22, [[2554]], the ship was rendered combat-ineffective after a battle with [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|forces]]. Up to November 6, [[2556]], ''Shadow of Intent'' was still used against both 'Mdama's Covenant and Jiralhanae forces.{{Ref/Site|Id=Catalog|URL=https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969311_Catalog-Interaction.aspx|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=Catalog Interaction|D=13|M=10|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#Post #6}} Between May 6 and June 1, [[2557]], ''Shadow of Intent'' participated in naval exercises with the [[UNSC Navy]] in a [[Joint Occupation Zone]] against [[Piracy|pirates]], by which point her weapons and [[nanolaminate hull plating]] had been improved. Between June 1, 2557, and [[2558#March|March 3, 2558]], ''Shadow of Intent'' was tasked with the protection of Sanghelios and [[Sangheili colonies]] of the core world sphere. Around March 2558 three [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] [[prowler]]s tasked to monitor ''Shadow of Intent'' were destroyed. These losses were not reported to the UNSC Navy.{{Ref/Reuse|Catalog}} The ''Shadow of Intent'' has otherwise been involved with conducting diplomatic trips to remote colonies to grow support, eliminating marauders from resource worlds and pursuing San'Shyuum [[war criminal]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
 
In [[2559#November|November 2559]], the ship was still pursuing the San'Shyuum flotilla and was thus unable to help in the [[Battle of Netherop (2559)|Battle of Netherop]], something that [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] lamented.{{Ref/Novel|Out|4}}
 
==Design details==
===Superstructure and hull===
[[File:HWF Shadow of Intent.jpg|thumb|left|A cutaway of the carrier.]]
While the basic silhouette is similar to most other assault carriers, with a hooked prowl, immense hangar segment and a thick neck section connecting them, the ''Shadow of Intent'' does have a few differences. The most readily-noticed is its smoother hull which lacks the characteristic city-structures, and its distinctive rear cowling. These identify it as a rare ''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier, a [[Prophet]]-approved variant of the more common [[CAS-class assault carrier#Syfon-pattern|''Syfon''-pattern]]. The ''Shadow of Intent''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s ancient hull is pockmarked by scars and marks that tell of battles won and trials overcome through its centuries of service. The ship's armour plating is still damaged, bearing the marks of human [[nuclear weapon]]s, the weaponry of [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longsword]] fighters and hastily patched sections where [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] rounds pierced the ship. The ship also retains battle scars of Covenant loyalist-fired plasma torpedoes from the Great Schism.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|SOI}} One particularly close call during the blockade of High Charity left a bubbled streak on the starboard side of the carrier's prow.{{Ref/Reuse|SOI}}
 
The bridge is located in an armored command pod in the center of the carrier's neck, with the Blademaster's yard running along the outermost sides. This uses a mix of ancient ritual education with the latest [[War Games]] technology acquired from the UNSC to train the next generation of [[swordmaster]]s. At the aft is an elaborate shrine to the Forerunners known as the Nave of the Creators, which is kept in perfect condition thanks to the crewmembers who have not given up their [[Covenant religion|old beliefs]]. The damage to the warship's interior compartments attained from the Great Schism has still not been completely repaired, with the deeper crew compartments hastily sealed off, ruined hallways and collapsed chambers filled with damage-control foam and entombed corpses.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
 
Like most Covenant ships, the ''Shadow of Intent'' is primarily armored with [[nanolaminate hull plating]]. During the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|post-war era]], however, this has been supplemented with [[runic plating]] installed by the Arbiter's [[Huragok]] during repairs. This advanced plating uses lattices of Forerunner composites interwoven with mysterious energy conduits.


Between March 6 and August 24, 2553, ''Shadow of Intent'' was believed to be retrieving former Covenant long-range exploratory fleets. On April 22, [[2554]], the ship was rendered combat-ineffective after a battle with [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|forces]]. Up to November 6, [[2556]], ''Shadow of Intent'' was still used against both 'Mdama's Covenant and Jiralhanae forces.<ref name="Catalog">[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969315_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969315 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 14'']</ref>
===Armament and systems===
''Shadow of Intent'' is incredibly heavily armed, boasting a single ''Infernus''-pattern superheavy [[energy projector|excavation beam]] as a primary armament, two ''Urpeon''-pattern superheavy [[plasma lance]]s, eight ''Luxor''-pattern heavy [[plasma beam emitter]]s, twenty-four ''Mictix''-pattern heavy plasma torpedo silos as a tertiary armament and seven hundred ''Ferriel''-pattern [[pulse laser]]s as a quaternary point defense network.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} Seven of the ''Mictix''-pattern heavy [[plasma cannon]]s{{Ref/Note|''Halo: Shadow of Intent'' names these weapons as plasma cannons, but later describes a plasma torpedo being fired from one. Given the stated weaponry listed in ''Warfleet'', the ''Mictix''-pattern plasma torpedoes are the only plasma weaponry numerous enough to be arrayed in this manner.}} line the prow of the ship in the depression that runs port to starboard. These weapons can fire individually or combine their energy into a single devastating mass. However, the ship's shields must be lowered to fire any weaponry.{{Ref/Reuse|SOI}}


Between May 6 and June 1, [[2557]], ''Shadow of Intent'' participated in naval exercises with the [[UNSC Navy]] in a [[Joint Occupation Zone]] against [[Piracy|pirates]], by which point her weapons and [[nanolaminate hull plating]] had been improved. Between June 1, 2557, and [[2558#March|March 3, 2558]], ''Shadow of Intent'' was tasked with the protection of Sanghelios and [[Sangheili colonies]] of the core world sphere. Around March 2558 three [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] [[prowler]]s tasked to monitor ''Shadow of Intent'' were destroyed. These losses were not reported to the UNSC Navy.<ref name="Catalog"/>
''Shadow of Intent'' is fitted with a cluster of intelligent circuits capable of calculating a given spacecraft's speed, trajectory and other flight characteristics, though this computational matrix is primitive when compared to the [[Smart AI]] [[ship director]]s that often run [[UNSC starship]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|SOI}}
{{Expand-section}}


==Trivia==
===Complement===
In its role as a carrier, the ''Shadow of Intent'' is capable of carrying sixty-four [[Seraph]] and 192 {{Pattern|Elsedda|Banshee}} [[Space fighter|strikecraft]], twenty {{Pattern|R'sisho|Tick}} boarding craft, 44 [[Phantom]] [[dropship]]s, eight {{Pattern|R'shwupa|Phantom}} assault ships, three [[Scarab]]s, six hundred [[Banshee]] aircraft, 196 [[Wraith]] tanks, 44 [[Shadow]] troop transports, seven hundred [[Ghost]] scout craft and 250 [[drop pod]]s. The ship hosts 40,000 ground troops.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
 
==Crew==
As of 2553, ''Shadow of Intent'' had fewer than two hundred Sangheili (and one Unggoy) as part of its crew,{{Ref/Reuse|SOI}} compared to its total complement capacity of 40,000.
*[[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]
*[[Ranger]] commander [[Stolt]]
*[[Blademaster]] [[Vul 'Soran]]
*[[Tul 'Juran]]
 
==Production notes==
{{Other languages
{{Other languages
|es={{Explain|''Sombra de Intención''|Shadow of Intent}} in ''Halo 3''.
|es={{Tooltip|''Sombra de Intención''|Shadow of Intent}} in ''Halo 3''.
}}
}}
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
*''Shadow of Intent'' is the subject of a [[Halo: Shadow of Intent|novella of the same name]] by [[Joseph Staten]].
*''Shadow of Intent'' is the subject of a [[Halo: Shadow of Intent|novella of the same name]] by [[Joseph Staten]].
*The [[bridge]]'s holotable features the ''[[Marathon]]'' logo.
*The [[bridge]]'s holotable features the ''[[Marathon]]'' logo.
*A [[Secret Room On The Ark|secret room]] on the level "[[The Ark]]" is actually ''Shadow of Intent'''s bridge.
*A [[Secret Room On The Ark|secret room]] on the level "[[The Ark]]" is actually ''Shadow of Intent''{{'}}s bridge.
*The American deathcore band ''[[Wikipedia:Shadow of Intent|Shadow of Intent]]'' pays homage to both this ship, and the ''Halo'' series with their band name. The band's first two studio albums, Primordial and Reclaimer, were named after the being known as the [[Primordial]] and the [[Forerunner]] term, respectively. Many of the song names and lyrics from these two albums reference [[The Forerunner Saga]] of novels.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:H3-SOSUNSC.png|Humans and Sangheili aboard the ''Shadow of Intent'' in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:H3-SOSUNSC.png|Humans and Sangheili aboard the ''Shadow of Intent'' in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:Fleet of Retribution - Ark.jpg|''Shadow of Intent'' leads the [[Fleet of Retribution]] into battle against the Covenant above [[Installation 00]].  
File:H3 - Retribution - Ark.png|''Shadow of Intent'' leads the [[Fleet of Retribution]] into battle against the Covenant above [[Installation 00]].  
File:AC Fire.jpg|''Shadow of Intent'' firing at the shield protecting the Citadel.
File:Shadow of Intent.png|''Shadow of Intent''{{'}}s profile.
File:1659325227 a37cfd86a7 b.jpg|''Shadow of Intent'' preparing to assault the Citadel's shields.
File:H3-ShadowOfIntent-RightAngle.png|A cutout of the ''Shadow of Intent''.
File:H3 Shadow of Intent.jpg|''Shadow of Intent'' preparing to assault the Citadel's shields.
File:Floodgate3.jpg|''Shadow of Intent'' en route to the Ark.
File:Floodgate3.jpg|''Shadow of Intent'' en route to the Ark.
File:Ark Secret Room4.jpg|The ship's command center.
File:Ark Secret Room4.jpg|The ship's command center.
Line 94: Line 149:
File:Floodgate - Cutscene.jpg|Sangheili and humans gathered on the bridge.
File:Floodgate - Cutscene.jpg|Sangheili and humans gathered on the bridge.
File:Soiark.jpg|[[John-117]] and [[Thel 'Vadam]] fly over ''Shadow of Intent'' as the ship evacuates the Ark.
File:Soiark.jpg|[[John-117]] and [[Thel 'Vadam]] fly over ''Shadow of Intent'' as the ship evacuates the Ark.
File:HM - SOI.jpg|[[Tem'Bhetek]] and [[Tul 'Juran]] dueling inside the ''Shadow of Intent'' in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


Line 101: Line 155:
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' {{Im}}
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' {{Im}}
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]'' {{Mo}}
 
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


[[Category:CAS-class assault carriers]]
[[Category:CAS-class assault carriers]]
[[Category:Covenant ships]]
[[Category:Covenant ships]]
[[Category:Swords of Sanghelios ships]]
[[Category:Swords of Sanghelios ships]]

Latest revision as of 14:14, November 8, 2024

This article is about the assault carrier. For the novella, see Halo: Shadow of Intent.
Shadow of Intent
The Shadow of Intent on The Covenant.
Production information

Naval architects:

Manufacturer:

Lathe of the Enlightened, Song of Victory[1]

Class:

Kerel-pattern assault carrier[2]

Role:

Flagship[2]

Specifications

Length:

5,347 meters (17,542.7 ft)[2]

Width:

2,118 meters (6,948.8 ft)[2]

Height:

746 meters (2,447.5 ft)[2]

Mass:

2.7 billion metric tons[1]

Engine:

3 Raphyus-pattern repulsor engines[1]

Slipspace drive:

Primus-pattern borer[1]

Hull:

Shielding:

Tantalus-pattern dispersal field generators[1]

Armament:

Complement:

40,000 warriors[1]

Service information

Commissioned:

c. 2135[1]

Participated battles:

Fleet:

Fleet of Retribution

Noteworthy crewmembers:

Known commanders:

Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum[5]

Affiliation:

 

Shadow of Intent is a Kerel-pattern assault carrier of the Swords of Sanghelios formerly assigned to the Covenant fleet. Commanded by Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum, it served as the flagship of the Fleet of Retribution at the outbreak of the Great Schism and the end of the Human-Covenant War.[6][7] The vessel then served the reformed Swords of Sanghelios following the cessation of war with humanity in March 2553,[3] and is both feared and revered as a herald of the Arbiter's government.[2]

History[edit]

Pre-Covenant War[edit]

The Shadow of Intent was originally designed by the Prophet of Expediency in conjunction with the Vice Minister of Sacral Assembly during the Third Age of Discovery (circa. 2135).[Note 1] The ship's construction was performed by the Lathe of the Enlightened at Song of Victory.[1] Much of the ship's history was later lost following the Fall of High Charity and loss of Ministry records.[1]

Human-Covenant War[edit]

During the Human-Covenant War, the Unggoy Stolt joined the crew of the Shadow of Intent. The ship's Sangheili Ranger complement were initially skeptical of the Unggoy, but eventually grew to respect him. During the war, the databases of Shadow of Intent concerning Sangheili colonial scientific surveys became outdated. Throughout the war, the carrier was the bane of many human and Covenant vessels alike, and was a prodigious troop carrier that played a key role in the ground invasions of many human colonies.[8]

Battle of Installation 05[edit]

Main article: Fall of High Charity

At the dawn of the Great Schism, shortly after the Sangheili's betrayal by the Hierarchs and Jiralhanae on November 3, 2552, Shadow of Intent was attached to one of the Jiralhanae-led Covenant fleets at High Charity when the Covenant holy city was at Installation 05. Under the control of the Jiralhanae, Shadow of Intent attacked the Sangheili fleets over High Charity as the Covenant civil war began. Special Operations Commander Rtas 'Vadum led a strike-force that boarded Shadow of Intent and seized control of the carrier.[2][6] The damage taken during the hand-to-hand combat of these boarding actions was hastily sealed off and much left without full repair.[1] Becoming the flagship of 'Vadum's Fleet of Retribution, Shadow of Intent was thereafter one of two assault carriers used against the Jiralhanae-led forces loyal to the San'Shyuum, the other being Eternal Reward. However, Eternal Reward was destroyed when the carrier was attacked by ships led by Prelate Tem'Bhetek's Spear of Light. Shadow of Intent led the blockade of High Charity, trading plasma torpedoes with San 'Shyuum-controlled vessels to prevent any ships from escaping the quarantine of the station. The loyalists had no vessels capable of matching Shadow of Intent in firepower and intended to overwhelm it with multiple cruisers once its support vessels had been eliminated, though this plan went awry following the emergence of the Flood. During the blockade, Shadow of Intent used its ventral beam to partially glass High Charity in an attempt to combat the Flood aboard it.[8]

Following the Prophet of Truth's escape to Earth, most of the ships commanded by Arbiter Thel 'Vadam remained near Halo Installation 05 to quarantine the local Flood threat by glassing the surface.[9] However, the infected Ket-pattern battlecruiser Indulgence of Conviction broke through the blockade and jumped to Earth. A portion of the Fleet of Retribution, consisting of Shadow of Intent, at least one another assault carrier and at least fourteen battlecruisers, followed the Flood-controlled vessel to the human homeworld.[10][6][7][Note 2]

Battle for Earth[edit]

Main article: Outbreak on Earth

"Hail humans, and take heed. This is the carrier Shadow of Intent. Clear this sector while we deal with the Flood."
— Rtas 'Vadum

The fleet arrived minutes after Indulgence of Conviction, which crash-landed in the city of Voi, Kenya, which in turn occurred only moments after Truth's fleet passed through a nearby slipspace portal to the Forerunner facility known as the Ark.[11] Flood forms were dispersed across the city, quickly overrunning the local UNSC personnel. Shipmaster 'Vadum hailed the human troops, instructing them to evacuate as the ship landed Special Operations forces into the ruins of Voi. Soon Shadow of Intent and the battlecruisers glassed the city and the surrounding region to prevent the Flood from spreading across Earth. 'Vadum would have glassed the entire planet were it not for the counsel of the Arbiter.[7]

Battle of Installation 00[edit]

The Shadow of Intent is damaged by by one of countless Flood dispersal pods from the High Charity as the ship was attempting to destroy the Installation 00 Citadel and kill the Prophet of Truth inside it.
Shadow of Intent being hit by a fragment of High Charity.
Main articles: Battle of Installation 00, Battle of the Citadel

"I will beat the Prophet's shield like a drum. By the time the barrier falls, he will beg for mercy."
— Rtas 'Vadum

After a period of deliberation among the Sangheili and UNSC leaders, Shadow of Intent and the human frigate Forward Unto Dawn passed through the portal to the Ark. The Fleet of Retribution was immediately met by Truth's fleet as Forward Unto Dawn deployed troops to the installation's surface. The Sangheili forces soon emerged victorious despite their enemies' three-to-one numerical advantage.[4]

Shadow of Intent sent down soldiers, vehicles, and supplies to aid the human forces on the surface of the Ark following the victory in orbit. The ship then took part in a diversionary bombardment of the shield protecting the Ark's Citadel, the point from which the entire Halo Array could be fired.[4]

When the shield was deactivated by a joint UNSC-Sangheili strike team, led by the Spartan John-117 and the Arbiter, Shadow of Intent moved in to destroy the Citadel. Before the carrier could get into position, however, the Flood-infested High Charity arrived via slipspace and crashed onto the surface of the Ark, shedding debris as it fell. A large fragment smashed through Shadow of Intent amidships and inflicted severe damage, knocking out all of the carrier's weapon systems. Despite the damage, the ship remained operational. Following Truth's assassination by the Arbiter, the Shadow of Intent evacuated the surviving Sangheili and human forces; only the Arbiter, John-117, the AI Cortana, and Sergeant Major Avery Johnson remained behind to activate the newly discovered Halo Installation 08, thereby defeating the Flood.[4]

Post-war[edit]

Shadow of Intent presides over the Voi Memorial's commemoration prior to the ship's final departure from Earth.

Shadow of Intent was repaired and refitted at a mobile shipyard on December 30, 2552.[3] Between February 28 and March 3, 2553, Shadow of Intent remained stationed on Earth for a diplomatic mission involving the Arbiter's attendance in the Voi Memorial service, held for those killed in the Human-Covenant War. After the memorial 'Vadum gave the Arbiter command of the vessel, whereupon the ship returned to Sanghelios.[3][12] Even following its return to Sanghelios, Shadow of Intent continued to serve in many roles, and as such full repairs for damage incurred during the war with humanity and the Great Schism have been deferred. The deeper compartments of the ship have been sealed following damage sustained during boarding actions taken during the Schism, with many more remaining inaccessible due to battle damage and damage control foam, entombing the corpses of those who died fighting aboard the ship years prior. The ship runs on a skeleton crew due to lack of manpower, including employing "consultants" from Venezia to help Sangheili artisan-armorers crew the engineering deck.[1]

Attempted capture and later missions[edit]

The Prelate and the Scion.
Tem'Bhetek and Tul 'Juran dueling inside the Shadow of Intent's gravity lift bay in Halo Mythos.

Following his taking command of the ship, Thel 'Vadam offered Rtas the mission to take the Shadow of Intent far away from Sanghelios, due to the increasing threat of Sangheili civil war. By this time, Shadow of Intent was the only operational CAS-class carrier in the Swords of Sanghelios fleet, and 'Vadam wanted the ship out of reach of allies whose loyalties were not as certain as 'Vadum's. 'Vadum took the ship and its crew to the frontiers of the former-Covenant territory in an attempt to find rest and recuperation after the war.[8] Between March 6 and August 24, 2553, in which time Shadow of Intent was believed to be retrieving former Covenant long-range exploratory fleets.[3]

At some point following August 2553[Note 3] this time, the ship became the target of a plot by Tem'Bhetek's faction, intending to capture the carrier. The prelate led an Attack on Rahnelo, with his Jiralhanae troops slaughtering civilians in the streets. The colony sent out a distress call, and three days later Shadow of Intent arrived at the scene to assist though were too late. The crew assisted the survivors in clearing the dead bodies, and ultimately took on the scion daughter of the keep's kaidon, Tul 'Juran. The scion proclaimed the right of release and requested the help of Shadow of Intent and its crew in hunting down the prelate to rescue her father. Tem'Bhetek later attacked Duraan, allowing the colony to send a distress call to ensure that Shadow of Intent would hear it and respond. Shadow of Intent arrived at Duraan after three days of travel, in time to see the prelate's Zanar-pattern light cruiser Spear of Light opening fire on Duraan's largest settlement. This attack turned out to be a trap, with the prelate intending to use the system's turbulent star and its solar flares to knock out the carrier's energy shields and disable it. The carrier attempted to fire a plasma cannon, only to discover that the prelate's trap meant that the energetic star neutralized the containment fields confining the plasma. With the carrier's shields down and weapons now requiring recharging, Spear of Light maneuvered to prepare a boarding action. The prelate and fifty Jiralhanae boarded the carrier via its port hangar bay, and proceeded to head for the command deck. The prelate engaged Rtas and Tul in melee combat, but was ultimately captured in the ship's brig.[8]

The carrier's crew took the data they could from Spear of Light after repelling the boarders, determining the location of the Prototype Halo installation from which the cruiser had been operating from. Unfortunately, all of the ship's forward plasma cannons and most pulse laser defenses had been taken down during the battle. The carrier travelled there, with only two Phantoms' worth of crew, and deployed the two dropships immediately upon entering the system. The carrier was left on autopilot, slaved to Rtas' Phantom. The prelate was able to escape and begin a spacewalk to the space station base, and eventually met up with the Minister of Preparation, who informed the prelate of the full reality of their plan; their lone light cruiser would never be able to slip past the Sangheili defenses surrounding their homeworld, but Shadow of Intent was more than adequate. The group could mount the prototype Halo weapon onto the carrier and then fire it at Sanghelios, wiping out everyone on the homeworld. Upon realising this scheme called for the prelate to die once his usefulness was over, he ceased his actions and the Minister of Preparation was killed by Tul 'Juran and Rtas. The installation was then destroyed, ending the threat to Shadow of Intent.[8]

Shadow of Intent returned to Duraan to restock and repair for 10–20 days, before setting out on a mission to hunt down the San'Shyuum flotilla who had evacuated High Charity in 2552, to execute those who might try to continue the Prophet of Truth's schemes and rescue those who might be deemed innocent.[8] On April 22, 2554, the ship was rendered combat-ineffective after a battle with Jul 'Mdama's forces. Up to November 6, 2556, Shadow of Intent was still used against both 'Mdama's Covenant and Jiralhanae forces.[3] Between May 6 and June 1, 2557, Shadow of Intent participated in naval exercises with the UNSC Navy in a Joint Occupation Zone against pirates, by which point her weapons and nanolaminate hull plating had been improved. Between June 1, 2557, and March 3, 2558, Shadow of Intent was tasked with the protection of Sanghelios and Sangheili colonies of the core world sphere. Around March 2558 three Office of Naval Intelligence prowlers tasked to monitor Shadow of Intent were destroyed. These losses were not reported to the UNSC Navy.[3] The Shadow of Intent has otherwise been involved with conducting diplomatic trips to remote colonies to grow support, eliminating marauders from resource worlds and pursuing San'Shyuum war criminals.[1]

In November 2559, the ship was still pursuing the San'Shyuum flotilla and was thus unable to help in the Battle of Netherop, something that Arbiter Thel 'Vadam lamented.[13]

Design details[edit]

Superstructure and hull[edit]

A cutaway of the carrier.

While the basic silhouette is similar to most other assault carriers, with a hooked prowl, immense hangar segment and a thick neck section connecting them, the Shadow of Intent does have a few differences. The most readily-noticed is its smoother hull which lacks the characteristic city-structures, and its distinctive rear cowling. These identify it as a rare Kerel-pattern assault carrier, a Prophet-approved variant of the more common Syfon-pattern. The Shadow of Intent's ancient hull is pockmarked by scars and marks that tell of battles won and trials overcome through its centuries of service. The ship's armour plating is still damaged, bearing the marks of human nuclear weapons, the weaponry of Longsword fighters and hastily patched sections where MAC rounds pierced the ship. The ship also retains battle scars of Covenant loyalist-fired plasma torpedoes from the Great Schism.[1][8] One particularly close call during the blockade of High Charity left a bubbled streak on the starboard side of the carrier's prow.[8]

The bridge is located in an armored command pod in the center of the carrier's neck, with the Blademaster's yard running along the outermost sides. This uses a mix of ancient ritual education with the latest War Games technology acquired from the UNSC to train the next generation of swordmasters. At the aft is an elaborate shrine to the Forerunners known as the Nave of the Creators, which is kept in perfect condition thanks to the crewmembers who have not given up their old beliefs. The damage to the warship's interior compartments attained from the Great Schism has still not been completely repaired, with the deeper crew compartments hastily sealed off, ruined hallways and collapsed chambers filled with damage-control foam and entombed corpses.[1]

Like most Covenant ships, the Shadow of Intent is primarily armored with nanolaminate hull plating. During the post-war era, however, this has been supplemented with runic plating installed by the Arbiter's Huragok during repairs. This advanced plating uses lattices of Forerunner composites interwoven with mysterious energy conduits.

Armament and systems[edit]

Shadow of Intent is incredibly heavily armed, boasting a single Infernus-pattern superheavy excavation beam as a primary armament, two Urpeon-pattern superheavy plasma lances, eight Luxor-pattern heavy plasma beam emitters, twenty-four Mictix-pattern heavy plasma torpedo silos as a tertiary armament and seven hundred Ferriel-pattern pulse lasers as a quaternary point defense network.[1][2] Seven of the Mictix-pattern heavy plasma cannons[Note 4] line the prow of the ship in the depression that runs port to starboard. These weapons can fire individually or combine their energy into a single devastating mass. However, the ship's shields must be lowered to fire any weaponry.[8]

Shadow of Intent is fitted with a cluster of intelligent circuits capable of calculating a given spacecraft's speed, trajectory and other flight characteristics, though this computational matrix is primitive when compared to the Smart AI ship directors that often run UNSC starships.[8]

Complement[edit]

In its role as a carrier, the Shadow of Intent is capable of carrying sixty-four Seraph and 192 Elsedda-pattern Banshee strikecraft, twenty R'sisho-pattern Tick boarding craft, 44 Phantom dropships, eight R'shwupa-pattern Phantom assault ships, three Scarabs, six hundred Banshee aircraft, 196 Wraith tanks, 44 Shadow troop transports, seven hundred Ghost scout craft and 250 drop pods. The ship hosts 40,000 ground troops.[1]

Crew[edit]

As of 2553, Shadow of Intent had fewer than two hundred Sangheili (and one Unggoy) as part of its crew,[8] compared to its total complement capacity of 40,000.

Production notes[edit]

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ There are two contradictory references to the Ages of Discovery in Halo: Warfleet. The entry for the Shadow of Intent states it was built during the Third Age of Discovery, circa 2135 in the human calendar, while the entry for the Ardent Prayer gives 2070 as the human date for the Twentieth Age of Discovery.
  2. ^ See the Fleet of Retribution's notes
  3. ^ Following the end of the prelate's scheme, Rtas intended to take the ship out to hunt down the remaining San'Shyuum. Given that until August 24 the ship was retrieving Covenant exploratory fleets, this places the events of Halo: Shadow of Intent as taking place some time after August 24 at the earliest.
  4. ^ Halo: Shadow of Intent names these weapons as plasma cannons, but later describes a plasma torpedo being fired from one. Given the stated weaponry listed in Warfleet, the Mictix-pattern plasma torpedoes are the only plasma weaponry numerous enough to be arrayed in this manner.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah Halo: Warfleet, Shadow of Intent - p.70-71
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Waypoint, Shadow of Intent (Retrieved on Jul 21, 2021) [local archive] [external archive]
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Halo Waypoint Forums, Catalog Interaction (Retrieved on Oct 13, 2014) [local archive] [external archive]
  4. ^ a b c d Halo 3, campaign level The Covenant
  5. ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), p.284-285 (2011 edition)
  6. ^ a b c Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 173
  7. ^ a b c Halo 3, campaign levelFloodgate
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Halo: Shadow of Intent
  9. ^ Eleventh Hour reports
  10. ^ Halo 3, multiplayer level Heretic
  11. ^ Halo 3, campaign level "The Storm"
  12. ^ Halo 3, Epilogue
  13. ^ Halo: Outcasts, chapter 4