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Shadow of Intent

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Revision as of 16:19, May 22, 2015 by Dr Mutran (talk | contribs)
This article is about the assault carrier. For the digital novella, see Halo: Shadow of Intent.

Template:Individual Ship Infobox

Shadow of Intent is a CAS-class assault carrier 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.[1][2] The vessel continues to serve the Swords of Sanghelios following the cessation of war with humanity in March 2553.[3], both feared and revered as a herald of the Swords of Sanghelios.[4]

History

Battle of Installation 05

Main articles: Battle of Installation 05, Great Schism

Special Operations Commander Rtas 'Vadum seized control of the carrier shortly after the Sangheili's betrayal by the Hierarchs on November 3, 2552. The ship was thereafter used against the Jiralhanae-led forces loyal to the San'Shyuum.[1] 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.[5] However, the infected CCS-class 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.[2][1]

Actions on Earth

Main article: Battle of Voi

"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.[6] 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.[2]

Assault on Installation 00

File:ShadowOfIntent H3 LevCovenant1.jpeg
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.[7]

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.[7]

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 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.[7]

Post-war

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 by Rtas 'Vadum, whereupon the ship returned to Sanghelios.[8][3]

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 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]

Trivia

Gallery

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b c Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 173
  2. ^ a b c Halo 3, campaign level, "Floodgate"
  3. ^ a b c d e Halo Waypoint: Catalog Interaction - Page 14
  4. ^ Halo Waypoint - Universe: Shadow of Intent
  5. ^ Eleventh Hour reports
  6. ^ Halo 3, campaign level "The Storm"
  7. ^ a b c Halo 3, campaign level "The Covenant"
  8. ^ Halo 3, Epilogue

Template:Covenant carriers