The Covenant is a fictional militaristic and theocratic alliance of alien races who serve as the main antagonist body of the Halo science-fiction video game series. They are composed of a variety of diverse species,^[1] united under the religious worship of the Forerunners and their belief that the Halos will provide a path to salvation.^[2] Seen as technically superior to humans, they are fighting a war of attrition against the human United Nations Space Command; the Hierarchs declared humanity an affront to the Forerunners and ordered their destruction.^[3] Militarism is an ideology which claims that military strength is the source of all security, and that the military represents the forward direction of the society as a whole, as it expands into the world, asserting its influence. ... Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      For the metal band, refer to Theocracy (band). ... Green people redirects here. ... Halo is video game series created by Bungie Studios. ... One of the Forerunners Halo ringworlds, in orbit over the gas giant Threshold. ... In Amber Clad approaches Installation 05, otherwise known as Delta Halo. ... For other uses, see War of Attrition (disambiguation). ... United Nations Space Corps Defense Force Emblem. ... The Prophet Hierarchs are fictional characters featured in the video game Halo 2. ...

The Covenant were first introduced in Halo: Combat Evolved as the protagonist Master Chief and the AI Cortana are escaping from the UNSC ship Pillar of Autumn in orbit over Halo; the Covenant disable the ship and board it via landing craft. On Halo, the player encounters the Covenant in force all over the ring, and they are the primary enemies until the Covenant release the Flood from stasis.^[4] The Covenant is greatly expanded and elaborated upon in Halo 2, with two new races introduced and the society's underlying hierarchy revealed throughout the game. The player also plays as a Covenant character, the Arbiter, during the events of Halo 2; the Arbiter and two other Covenant Characters, N'tho 'Sraom and Usze 'Taham, are playable in Halo 3's four player co-op. Halo: Combat Evolved, or simply Halo, is a video game in the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, created by the Microsoft-owned Bungie Studios. ... This article is about the fictional character. ... // This disambiguation page covers alternative uses of the terms Ai, AI, and A.I. Ai (as a word, proper noun and set of initials) can refer to many things. ... Cortana is a fictional artificial intelligence in the Halo series of video games. ... In Amber Clad approaches Installation 05, otherwise known as Delta Halo. ... The Flood is a fictional parasitic alien life form in the Halo video game series. ... The term stasis has several meanings: A state of stabilty, in which all forces are equal and opposing, therefore they cancel out each other. ... Halo 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios. ... The Arbiter is a fictional ceremonial and political rank bestowed upon special Covenant Elites in the Halo universe. ... Halo 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios. ... This is a list of major fictional characters from the Halo franchise. ... This is a list of major fictional characters from the Halo franchise. ... For the Nine Inch Nails release, see Head Like a Hole. ... For the Nine Inch Nails release, see Head Like a Hole. ...

Game development

Like most of the other characters and species in the Halo universe, the Covenant were slowly developed during the initial concept phase and refined as Halo: Combat Evolved progressed. To design the various races of the Covenant, Bungie's artists looked at live animals and movies for inspiration;^[5] as a result, the species within the Covenant bear simian, reptilian, avian and ursine characteristics.^[5] Bungie is an American video game developer founded in May 1991 under the name Bungie Software Products Corporation (more popularly shortened to Bungie Software) by two undergraduate students at the University of Chicago, Alex Seropian and Jason Jones. ... Families Cebidae Aotidae Pitheciidae Atelidae Cercopithecidae Hylobatidae Hominidae The simians (infraorder Simiiformes) are the higher primates very common to most people: the monkeys and the apes, including humans. ... Reptilia redirects here. ... For other uses, see Bird (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Bear (disambiguation). ...

During the course of development of Halo, the designers decided upon three "schools" of architecture, for each of the races represented — the humans, Covenant, and Forerunners. For the Covenant, the team decided on "sleek and shiny", with reflective surfaces, organic shapes, and use of purples.^[6][7] According to art director Marcus Lehto, the principle designs for the race came from environmental artist Paul Russell.^[7] The Forerunner are a race of aliens referred to in the Halo universe. ...

Like the character designs, Covenant technology, architecture, and design continually changed throughout development, occasionally for practical reasons as well as aesthetics.^[8] According to Eric Arroyo, the Covenant cruiser Truth and Reconciliation, which plays a major role in Halo: Combat Evolved, was to be boarded by the player by a long ramp. However due to technical considerations of having a fully textured ship so close to the player, the designers came up with a "gravity lift", which allowed the ship to be farther away (thus not requiring as much processing power for detail) as well as adding a "visually interesting" component of Covenant technology.^[9]

The art team also spent a large amount of time on Covenant weaponry, in order to make them suitably alien yet still recognizable to players.^[10] At the same time, the designers want all aspects of Covenant technology, especially the vehicles, to act plausibly.^[11] The designers ended up looking at movies and other media for inspiration on almost every aspect of the race.^[12]

Belief system

In Halo 2, the central component of the Covenant's beliefs is revealed to be the "Great Journey", a spiritual equivalent of a pilgrimage and the ultimate goal of the Covenant. The Covenant believe that their forebears, the Forerunners, used the Sacred Rings to cleanse the universe of all that was unworthy, and led them to salvation. The Covenant wish to wipe out humanity and the Flood, and follow the Forerunners to their mysterious destination. The Covenant's execution of the Great Journey consists of the activation of at least one Halo installation, the "divine wind" of which will sweep all those who are worthy on the path to the beyond.^[2] This article is about the religious or spiritual journey. ... One of the Forerunners Halo ringworlds, in orbit over the gas giant Threshold. ... In Amber Clad approaches Installation 05, otherwise known as Delta Halo. ...

Such radical devotion is a large portion of dramatic irony in the story's plot. As the story develops, the player and in-game characters are informed by the AI Cortana that the rings are not the spiritual, transcendent vessels the Covenant seek, but superweapons designed to wipe out all life in the galaxy in an effort to starve the Flood, a highly infectious alien parasite, into defeat.^[13] Additionally, the Covenant's belief that the Forerunners transcended is also revealed as false. The Forerunners were forced to activate the ring network to eradicate the Flood, wiping themselves out in the process.^[14] In Halo 3, a log written by one of the few Forerunners to survive the event describes going on a "great journey", thus explaining the source of the Covenant's belief. Ironic redirects here. ... Cortana is a fictional artificial intelligence in the Halo series of video games. ... The Flood is a fictional parasitic alien life form in the Halo video game series. ...

Most of the Covenant is ignorant of the true purpose of Halo. A group of Elites learn of the truth from the Forerunner Monitor 343 Guilty Spark, but are killed by the Arbiter as "heretics". Guilty Spark also reveals the truth to the Arbiter and Tartarus when the former asks him to explain the real purpose of the ring; Tartarus chooses to deny the truth.^[15] The High Prophet of Truth, last of the Covenant Prophet Hierarchs, is killed after attempting to activate all the Halos from the The Ark in Halo 3. Covenant Elites (Sangheili) are a fictional alien race in the video games Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo Wars, which acts as one of the two primary commanding species in their caste system. ... 343 Guilty Spark (pronounced three-four-three) is a fictional character featured in the video games Halo: Combat Evolved (and its novelisation, Halo: The Flood) Halo 2 and Halo 3. ... This is a list of major fictional characters from the Halo franchise. ... The Prophet Hierarchs are fictional characters featured in the video game Halo 2. ... In Amber Clad approaches Installation 05, otherwise known as Delta Halo. ... For the Nine Inch Nails release, see Head Like a Hole. ...

Appearances

The events in the primary story arc of the Halo series occur during the "Ninth Age of Reclamation." The Covenant's organization of time and dates is not elaborated in detail in the game or during any of the novelizations. Joe Staten, in an interview on halo.bungie.org, stated explicitly that the Covenant's date system is split into seven epochs, detailed as follows:^[16] the Ages of Abandonment, the Ages of Conflict, the Ages of Discovery, the Ages of Reconciliation, the Ages of Conversion, the Ages of Doubt, and the Ages of Reclamation. The Ninth Age of Reclamation takes place during the events of the war between the humans and the Covenant.^[17] Each named "Age" is not continuous, rather ages are defined arbitrarily by major periods of the Covenant's history and each age is assigned one of the seven names based on the Covenant's general state at the time and assigned a number incremented based on how many previous ages of that name that the Covenant has gone through. For example, the time of first-contact between the Covenant and humanity was at the end of the Twenty-third Age of Doubt, a period of restructuring and ordering in the wake of the Grunt Rebellion. The discovery of Forerunner artifacts on the human-populated colony world of Harvest prompted the Covenant's attack on humanity and ushered in the Ninth Age of Reclamation, a period of crusade distinguished by the acquisition of many Forerunner artifacts.^[18] This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Contact Harvest and The Fall of Reach

A Covenant Fleet glassing Reach.

Humanity's first encounters with the Covenant are described in the novels Halo: Contact Harvest and Halo: The Fall of Reach. The Covenant first discover humanity on the outer colony Harvest, where a lone Covenant ship "glassed" the world, bombarding its surface with plasma, which turned the surface into molten glass and presumably killed all its inhabitants.^[19] The lone ship, broadcasting the Covenant edict, "Your destruction is the will of the Gods... and we are their instrument", destroys the UNSC ship Argo, as well as several other human ships before being destroyed itself.^[20] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Spoiler warning: Halo: The Fall of Reach is a 2001 novel based on the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... The Halo universe is a fictional setting for the video games Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, the future games Halo 3 and Halo Wars, and the books related to the Halo series. ... A vitrification experiment for the study of nuclear waste disposal at Pacific Northwest National Labs Vitrification is a process of converting a material into a glass-like amorphous solid which is free of any crystalline structure, either by the quick removal or addition of heat, or by mixing with an... United Nations Space Corps Defense Force Emblem. ...

The Covenant's superior technology allow them to decimate the human Outer Colonies within four years; the Covenant begin to destroy the Inner Colonies in short order as well.^[21] However their efforts are stymied by the Cole Protocol, which stops UNSC ships from directly traveling to inhabited human worlds and which requires the destruction of navigational databases on ships at imminent risk of capture.^[19] United Nations Space Corps Defense Force Emblem. ...

In 2552, the Covenant assault the human colony Sigma Octanus IV in an effort to recover an ancient artifact with Forerunner glyphs on it,^[22] but are repelled by a UNSC battlegroup. Victorious, the Iroquois departs the system; unbeknownst to its crew or the UNSC, a Covenant transmitter attaches to the Iroquois and reveals the location of Reach, Earth's best defended colony, to the Covenant.^[23] The Halo universe is a fictional setting for the video games Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, the future games Halo 3 and Halo Wars, and the books related to the Halo series. ... One of the Forerunners Halo ringworlds, in orbit over the gas giant Threshold. ... The Halo universe is a fictional setting for the video games Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, the future games Halo 3 and Halo Wars, and the books related to the Halo series. ... The Halo universe is a fictional setting for the video games Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, the future games Halo 3 and Halo Wars, and the books related to the Halo series. ...

The Covenant are quick to attack; despite taking heavy losses from Reach's Magnetic Accelerator Cannons, Covenant ground forces destroy the MAC guns' planet-side generators.^[24] With the majority of UNSC forces destroyed, the Covenant begin glassing the planet, but do not totally destroy the surface as usual; instead, Covenant ground forces search for a space-warping crystal hidden on the surface.^[25] This article or section contains a plot summary that is overly long. ...

Halo: Combat Evolved

Meanwhile, a sizable detachment of Covenant follow the human vessel Pillar of Autumn to Alpha Halo.^[3] Wary of accidentally damaging the sacred ring, which the Covenant recognize as Forerunner,^[26] the Covenant are forced to fight the humans on foot. At some point, the Covenant accidentally release the Flood, a virulent parasite, from stasis; the Flood infect many human and Covenant, and board the damaged Truth and Reconciliation, as well as the Infinite Succor, in attempts to escape the ring. The Covenant know of the Flood from their religious texts,^[27] and recognize the threat of the parasite. They send in a strike team to retake the Truth and Reconciliation and divert their attention to stopping the Flood. In the meantime, the Master Chief, whom the Covenant view as a "Demon", detonates the Pillar of Autumn's engines, destroying the ring and much of the Covenant fleet. Not soon after this serious loss, the Master Chief and his fellow SPARTAN-IIs destroy the Unyielding Heirophant, taking a significant portion of a Covenant attack fleet with it. The Pillar of Autumn is a heavily modified United Nations Space Command Halcyon-class cruiser in the Halo: Combat Evolved video game. ... In Amber Clad approaches Installation 05, otherwise known as Delta Halo. ... The Flood is a fictional parasitic alien life form in the Halo video game series. ... This article is about the fictional character. ... This is a list of major fictional characters from the Halo franchise. ...

Halo 2

Halo 2 sees the beginnings of civil war throughout the Covenant. At the start of the game, the Covenant High Prophet of Regret arrives at Earth with a small escort fleet. Having not known that Earth was the human home world, his escorts are destroyed by the network of MAC guns orbiting the planet. With his fleet gone, Regret jumps to Delta Halo with the human ship In Amber Clad riding their jump. The Master Chief is sent to assassinate Regret, succeeding despite the arrival of High Charity and the largest Covenant fleet ever seen. In Amber Clad approaches Installation 05, otherwise known as Delta Halo. ... In the video game Halo 2, High Charity is the name of the mobile capital city of the Covenant. ...

Concurrently, a group led by Sesa 'Refumee, an Elite, briefly controls a Forerunner station on the gas giant planet of Threshold (the planet which Alpha Halo orbited). 'Refumee, having learned of the true purpose of Halo from 343 Guilty Spark, the "Oracle" in the Covenant faith, planned on turning all Elites to his cause.^[28] The commander of the fleet in the first game, blamed for the destruction of the ring, is given the position of Arbiter and sent to eliminate them. 'Refumee is ultimately killed by the Arbiter, but sows the seeds of doubt by presenting 343 Guilty Spark. 343 Guilty Spark is captured by Tartarus afterwards. This is a list of major fictional characters from the Halo franchise. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... In Amber Clad approaches Installation 05, otherwise known as Delta Halo. ... The Arbiter is a fictional ceremonial and political rank bestowed upon special Covenant Elites in the Halo universe. ...

343 Guilty Spark is interrogated at length by the Prophets and reveals the key to activate Halo: the Index, known to the Covenant as the "Sacred Icon". The Arbiter is sent to retrieve this item, and Tartarus is given orders to kill him should he succeed without getting himself killed. Once the Arbiter succeeds, Tartarus takes the Index and knocks the Arbiter into a chasm, though the Arbiter is rescued from his fate by Gravemind. Gravemind is a fictional character featured in the video game Halo 2. ...

The Brutes replace the Elites as the Honor Guards.

Meanwhile, the Hierarchs use the assassination of the Prophet of Regret at the hands of Master Chief as a pretext to transfer the Brutes into the position of their Honor Guards, a job the Elites had previously held, claiming that Elites could no longer guarantee their safety.^[29] This sudden displacement severely angers the Elites, who had been in such a position since the founding of the Covenant,^[30] and they threaten to resign from the High Council. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Prophet Hierarchs are fictional characters featured in the video game Halo 2. ... This article is about the fictional character. ...

Furthermore, once enough Brutes are in place, the Prophet of Truth secretly orders the Brutes to instigate a brutal genocide of the Elites, disguised as a Brute insurrection. This sparks a massive civil war between the Covenant. The loyalist forces are those primarily backing the Prophets' continuation of the search and following of the Great Journey; these include all seen Prophets (the Hierarchs and the lesser Prophets), Brutes, Jackals, Drones, and a handful of Grunts. The separatist Elites are joined by the Hunters and the majority of the Grunts. “Insurrection” redirects here. ... A civil war is a war in which parties within the same culture, society or nationality fight against each other for the control of political power. ...

Near the end of Halo 2, the Arbiter is sent by Gravemind to prevent Halo from firing. The Arbiter and the separatists on Installation 05 engage in a truce of necessity with the UNSC forces on the ring in order to stop Tartarus and his Brutes. They are ultimately successful, killing Tartarus in the process. Despite the peace on Installation 05, battles between the remainder of the UNSC and the entirety of the Covenant still continue on and around Earth and the Forerunner world of Onyx.

Halo 3

By the events of Halo 3, the Elites have split completely from the Covenant, though it becomes apparent during the course of the game that at least some of the Grunts and Hunters still remain loyal to the High Prophet of Truth. The war has taken a heavy toll on the Covenant; since the events of Halo 2, they have lost a large portion of their main fleet from the space fight around High Charity, High Charity itself after it was invaded and assimilated by the Flood, and the High Prophets of Regret and Mercy. Halo 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios. ... In the video game Halo 2, High Charity is the name of the mobile capital city of the Covenant. ... The Flood is a fictional parasitic alien life form in the Halo video game series. ...

The Brutes seem to have effectively taken the place of the Elites, taking over as field commanders, ship officers, and the Prophet's Honour Guard. The Brutes' leadership seems to have fully shifted to the High Prophet of Truth, likely because of the death of Tartarus, the Brutes' former leader. The Grunts follow them into battle as they once did for the Elites, and the rest of the Covenant forces seem to follow them as they would normally. Of note is the fact that the Grunts and the Hunters have sided with the Covenant instead of the Elites, as the Master Chief and the Arbiter encounter several of the hulking creatures throughout the game.

In a last ditch effort to make the Great Journey, the High Prophet of Truth has taken a Forerunner flagship to Earth and begins to activate the Ark. Before the combined attempts of the remaining UNSC forces and the Arbiter's Elite forces are able to stop him, Truth activates the Ark just as a force of Earth ships open fire, opening a slipspace portal in the sky into which Truth and his fleet flee from Earth.

The Prophet attempts to activate the core of the Ark, leaving his fleet of Brutes to deal with the smaller Elite fleet that follows them through the portal. The Elites defeat the Brutes, despite the three-to-one odds against the Elites. Meanwhile, the Prophet of Truth uses his ground forces, which include an army of Grunts, Drones, Hunters, Brutes, and Jackals, along with an array of heavy vehicles and ships, like Wraiths, Ghosts, Scarabs and other assorted forces to slow down the incoming threat enough to activate the Ark. At some point it becomes apparent to him that he requires a human to activate the Ark. As the Master Chief, the Arbiter and Johnson attempt to reach the Ark's core by deactivating the shield surrounding it, Johnson's team is wiped out and he is kidnapped.

In a later cut scene, the Prophet is shown ordering a Brute not to kill Johnson, as he needs Johnson alive. After some taunting words from Johnson, he admits, "I do need your help, but that secret dies with the rest." At that moment, Miranda Keyes blows her way into the room with a Pelican dropship and attempts to save Johnson, but is shot in the back by the Prophet of Truth. Truth then forces Johnson to activate the Ark as a combined effort of the Master Chief, the Arbiter and a force of Flood fight their way to the control center.

Upon reaching the control panel, they find the Covenant forces around the center have already been killed, the Prophet of Truth lying in front of the control panel. The Arbiter grasps Truth by the neck, and they argue briefly about the Great Journey. It becomes apparent that Truth has been subtly infected by the Flood when the Gravemind begins to speak through Truth. Truth's last words are "I am Truth! The voice of the Covenant!". The Arbiter responds to this by saying "And so, you must be silenced!" just before he stabs Truth through the back with his energy sword.

It is difficult to say what happens to the Covenant after Truth's death, the majority of the game then focuses on the acts against the Flood and the activation of the newly formed but incomplete Halo. In the end of the game Lord Hood makes a speech in commemoration of those lost in the war, and reveals that the war is over, apparently meaning that the Covenant has been defeated.

Technology

Technologically, the Covenant are shown to be mostly imitative rather than innovative — most of the time they weaponize technologies discovered rather than research them on their own.^[31] The technology the player is exposed to in-game and while reading mostly centers around the military weapons and deployment (guns, ships, and vehicles), while little seems to be commercial or domestic in nature. In addition, both the games and books note that since the Covenant has not researched the technologies they rely upon, they are incapable of utilizing them to their full potential. UNSC artificial intelligence units (Cortana in particular) have repeatedly been able to boost the efficiency and output of much of the Covenant's weaponry when given access to it,^[32] and likewise are able to easily infiltrate and overcome Covenant computer systems. AI redirects here. ... Cortana is a fictional artificial intelligence in the Halo series of video games. ...

Infantry weaponry

The Covenant's arsenal in the games is comprised primarily of energy-based projectile weapons, often centered around plasma generation. Covenant weapons trade power for reliability in most cases: the standard Covenant plasma weapons (pistols and rifles) do not need to be reloaded, but neither can their ammo be replenished. They also overheat temporarily if excessively fired, and function erratically if their battery is low. This also supports UNSC AI Cortana's discovery that the Covenant only emmulated their technology from the Forerunners' and rely on very trivial functions to operate correctly and therefore are not as advanced as humanity first found them to be. Other specialized weapons function in the same manner as human weapons. In the first game, the selection of Covenant weapons is somewhat limited, but variants based on human weapons are added in the following games. For other uses, see Plasma. ...

As revealed in Halo: First Strike, Covenant weapons are based on Forerunner technology. Plasma weapons are built around a battery that generates plasma and discharges it at a target.^[33] Frank O'Connor, Bungie Studios' Public Relations head, hints there may be something more to the Covenant's weaponry, saying: "The actual technology is not plasma as we know it, but something far more dangerous, arcane, and destructive."^[34] A battery is of one or more electrochemical cells, which store chemical energy and make it available in an electrical form. ...

Vehicles

It has been suggested that Covenant Vehicles in Halo be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

Main article: Covenant Vehicles in Halo

The player encounters numerous Covenant ground and air vehicles throughout the Halo series. Covenant vehicles predominantly use anti-gravity propulsion systems, causing them to hover a few feet above the ground. They are also painted a deep, solid purple, a stark contrast to the more camouflage-oriented designs of human vehicles. Image File history File links Mergefrom. ... In the Halo series, the Covenant possess a wide array of vehicles. ... In the Halo series, the Covenant possess a wide array of vehicles. ... An example of common camouflage The Bronze Horseman camouflaged from the German aircraft during the Siege of Leningrad (August 8, 1941) Camouflage became an essential part of modern military tactics after the increase in accuracy and rate of fire of weapons at the end of the 19th century. ...

Vessels

The Covenant's space-faring navy consists of several classes of ships loosely related to wet navies of human origin. Specific ships mentioned in the game and novelizations are classed according to human standards. Several important vessels have been named over the course of the series. Covenant vessels utilize the same basic principle for faster-than light travel as humans vessels, but the Forerunner-derived technology they use is more refined so that it is faster, easier, and uses less energy to complete slipspace jumps. However, when the ship makes a pinpoint jump, as Human vessels are unable to do due to humanity's inaccurate slipspace navigation, the ship is vulnerable for a short time once it leaves Slipspace while it restores power reserves drained by the jump.^[35] Weaponry for their vessels are essentially very large versions of the directed-plasma technology they use for their troop's guns. Utilizing intensely powerful electromagnets, the turrets direct superheated plasma over extreme distances in space, where they literally boil away the armor of any other ship. This technology, however, is shown to be inefficient, as Cortana was able to use far less energy by creating a tight beam to slice through enemy ships at will. Expressing her surprise, she notes that human's knowledge could have improved this, and reflects that it's likely that the Covenant are unwilling to modify their "Gods'" technology, showing their ignorance. Defense on Covenant vessels come in similar form the Elite's shields, only on a truly grand scale. These shields were, at first, only taken down by three to five MAC rounds, or a direct nuclear attack. It was later shown at the Battle of Reach that Super MAC rounds are able to obliterate any Covenant vessel, regardless of protection. Naval redirects here. ... Cortana is a fictional artificial intelligence in the Halo series of video games. ... This article or section contains a plot summary that is overly long. ... The Halo universe is a fictional setting for the video games Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2 and Halo 3, the future game, Halo Wars, and the books related to the Halo series. ...

Every Covenant vessel is equipped with a device called a Luminary. The Luminaries are all derived from technology discovered aboard the Forerunner ship that sits in the center of High Charity, and thus they are considered sacred to the Covenant. The believed function of these Luminaries is to detect signs of Forerunner technology, hence why they are mandatory and tampering with a Luminary is punishable by death.^[36] However, in reality these Forerunner-designed devices are not meant solely to detect their technology, rather they are meant to detect their reclaimers, humans. The Covenant had misinterpreted this as saying that they should "reclaim" anything detected by the devices, and this was one of the contributing factors to their motivation to exterminate humanity.^[37]

Truth and Reconciliation

Truth and Reconciliation above Installation 04.

The Truth and Reconciliation is a fully-equipped cruiser capable of anti-ship and anti-ground attacks. It is boarded by the player twice during the campaign of Halo: Combat Evolved; both times are rescue missions to save Captain Jacob Keyes. At some point during the story, the ship is attacked by the Flood and largely disabled.^[38] The Covenant send in strike teams to prevent the Flood from leaving the ring by repairing the cruiser, and the last UNSC forces eventually liberate the cruiser, planning on piloting it back to Earth. It is eventually scuttled to prevent a Flood infestation from departing Halo.^[39] Image File history File links Truth_reconciliation_CCS_Cruiser. ... Image File history File links Truth_reconciliation_CCS_Cruiser. ... In Amber Clad approaches Installation 05, otherwise known as Delta Halo. ... USS Port Royal (CG-73), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser (really an uprated guided missile destroyer), launched in 1992. ... Captain Jacob Keyes (voiced by Pete Stacker) is a fictional character in the Halo franchise. ... Scuttling is the act of deliberately sinking a ship, either to dispose of an old vessel or to prevent the vehicle from being captured by an enemy force. ...

Ascendant Justice

The Ascendant Justice is a Covenant flagship that is captured by the Master Chief and fellow survivors of Installation 04's destruction during the events of Halo: First Strike. The Chief and company use the ship to return to Reach, where they rescue human survivors on the planet.^[40] The ship is heavily damaged while fighting Covenant in slipspace. Danforth Whitcomb, along with an Office of Naval Intelligence officer, use the ship as a lure to draw the Covenant towards the Unyielding Hierophant. This ship is destroyed in the following explosion.^[41] In Amber Clad approaches Installation 05, otherwise known as Delta Halo. ... Spoiler warning: Halo: First Strike is a 2003 novel based off the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... The Halo universe is a fictional setting for the video games Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, the future games Halo 3 and Halo Wars, and the books related to the Halo series. ... Slipspace travel, also called slipstream travel, is a fictional means of faster-than-light travel used by spaceships. ... This is a list of major fictional characters from the Halo franchise. ... The Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) was established in the United States Navy in 1882. ...

Unyielding Hierophant

The Unyielding Hierophant is a space station used as a staging area for forward deployed forces throughout Covenant space. The station is destroyed by the Master Chief, who with fellow SPARTAN-IIs, rigs the station to blow. Admiral Danforth Whitcomb uses the Ascendant Justice as a lure, drawing the Covenant towards the station, destroying the armada as the station explodes.^[41] This action delays the Covenant attack on Earth. USMC convoys staging prior to going north into Iraq in March of 2004 A staging area is a temporary location where military units, aircraft and warships plus their matériel are assembled ahead of an attack or invasion. ... This article is about the fictional character. ... This is a list of major fictional characters from the Halo franchise. ... This is a list of major fictional characters from the Halo franchise. ...

High Charity

High Charity is the Covenant Holy City and also serves as its capital. The ship is powered by a large Forerunner ship in the center of the city, which the Prophet of Truth takes to Earth. Using the In Amber Clad as a vector, Gravemind infests the city at the end of Halo 2, and brings the ship to the Forerunner Ark during Halo 3. After the Master Chief retrieves Cortana from within the ship, he destabilizies the city's reactors, destroying the ship and much of the Flood. In the video game Halo 2, High Charity is the name of the mobile capital city of the Covenant. ... One of the Forerunners Halo ringworlds, in orbit over the gas giant Threshold. ... The Prophet Hierarchs are fictional characters featured in the video game Halo 2. ... United Nations Space Corps Defense Force Emblem. ... In epidemiology, a vector is an organism that does not cause disease itself but which spreads infection by conveying pathogens from one host to another. ... Gravemind is a fictional character featured in the video game Halo 2. ... In Amber Clad approaches Installation 05, otherwise known as Delta Halo. ... For the Nine Inch Nails release, see Head Like a Hole. ...

Infinite Succor

The Infinite Succor is an agricultural support ship present at Installation 04 during Halo: Combat Evolved. It is taken over by Flood, who manage to board it using a Covenant dropship, "Brilliant Gift", scoured from the swamps of Halo. A Covenant strike force later neutralizes the threat by sending the ship into a nearby sun.^[42] Installation 04 is the official name of the fictional ring-shaped space station called Halo (or Alpha Halo in full) in the Halo: Combat Evolved video game. ... Halo: Combat Evolved, or simply Halo, is a video game in the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, created by the Microsoft-owned Bungie Studios. ...

Shadow of Intent

Shadow of Intent is a Sangheili carrier that is taken by R'tas Vadum and the other elite insurregents at the end of Halo 2 This carrier was the flag command of Ship Master R'tas Vadum in the subsequent fight over the elite homeworld, as well as being the ship R'tas commanded in the fleet action at the Ark. In the level "The Covenant" in Halo 3, it was struck by flood drop pods from High Charity, which disable the Intent's weapons and shields. However, R'tas and the other elites are able to effect repairs and use the ship to escape the Ark. This is also the ship that R'tas Vadum and the Arbiter use to return to the Sangheili homeworld at the end of Halo 3. The Intent is equipped with both ship to ship and orbital bombardment plasma launchers, as well as several drop pod launching arrays. Halo 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios. ... In the video game Halo 2, High Charity is the name of the mobile capital city of the Covenant. ...

Species

Covenant society is a caste system composed of many races, some of which were forcibly incorporated. Each race is required to provide a specific number of battle-ready troops in order to remain within the Covenant.^[43] The races are identified by their common UNSC designation.^[44] Caste systems are traditional, hereditary systems of social classification, that evolved due to the enormous diversity in India (where all three primary races met, not by forced slavery but by immigration). ... United Nations Space Corps Defense Force Emblem. ...

Prophets

Main article: Hierarchs (Halo)

A Prophet

Prophets (Covenant: San 'Shyuum) are the highest ranking species forming the Covenant, originally from a planet once inhabited by the Forerunners.^[45] They form the Covenant's political and spiritual leadership, and have absolute control over day-to-day operations. The primary executors of the Covenant's will is a theocratic triumvirate of Hierarchs, the Prophets of Truth, Mercy and Regret.^[44] Together, they form the core of power for the Covenant government. There are also lower-ranked Prophets who are responsible for individual aspects of Covenant culture, society, and military operations. While only making a very minor appearance, these lower Prophets are discussed in the series' novelizations. The Prophet Hierarchs are fictional characters featured in the video game Halo 2. ... This is a screenshot of a copyrighted computer game or video game. ... This is a screenshot of a copyrighted computer game or video game. ... An executor is a person named by a maker of a will to carry out the directions of the will. ... Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      For the metal band, refer to Theocracy (band). ... The term triumvirate is commonly used to describe a political regime dominated by three powerful political and/or military leaders. ... The Prophet Hierarchs are fictional characters featured in the video game Halo 2. ...

Prophets can be seen in-game as physically frail yet mentally agile. While the Hierarchs are confined to levitating thrones, they are more than capable of defending themselves. Guarding them, depending on the player's progression through the series, are handfuls of Honor Guard Elites or Brutes. Should their guards fail, they also possess a high-powered energy weapon mounted on the underside of their thrones.^[44] The thrones themselves also have short-range teleporters and powerful shields. For other uses, see Levitation (disambiguation). ...

Prior to the formation of the Covenant, the Prophets faced utter defeat by the Elites. It was not until the discovery of Forerunner artifacts on the Prophet home world that the two sides were able to form a peace treaty, thus laying the foundation for the Covenant. Since then the Prophets have put considerable effort into extending their own lifespans, as well as breeding to preserve specific genetic traits. These eugenics effort involve declaring many individuals unable to breed, not from unfitness, but because their traits are already too common.^[46] After their home world was destroyed, the majority of the Prophet population began to reside within High Charity and its surrounding fleet. After the outbreak of the Flood within High Charity as well as the Elites' turning against the Prophets, their population has dwindled to near-extinction levels. Eugenics is the self-direction of human evolution: Logo from the Second International Eugenics Conference [7], 1921, depicting it as a tree which unites a variety of different fields. ... In the video game Halo 2, High Charity is the name of the mobile capital city of the Covenant. ... The Flood is a fictional parasitic alien life form in the Halo video game series. ...

The Prophets were primarily designed by Shi Kai Wang and Eric Arroyo. Originally, the Prophets were designed in a more unified way, with their gravity thrones fused with the Prophet's organic structures.^[47] The characters were also designed to be feeble, yet sinister.^[47] The three Prophet Hierarchs were each individually designed.^[48]

Elites

Main article: Covenant Elite

An Elite

The Elites (Covenant: Sangheili, their name for themselves as a species) were originally the core of the Covenant military before their eventual replacement by the Brutes. Standing 8' 6", the Elites are excellent soldiers, very loyal to the Prophets, brilliant tacticians, and disciplined, aggressive fighters.^[49] Faster, stronger, and tougher than any human (with the exception of the MJOLNIR-equipped SPARTAN IIs and SPARTAN IIIs) they fight in relatively small numbers but often lead squads of Grunts. All Elites, regardless of profession or rank, are fairly capable fighters. The most skilled swordsmen are forbidden to marry, instead being encouraged to breed as often as possible so as to preserve their "swordsman genes". Elites wear armor of varying color, which signifies their rank and relative strength. A Covenant Elite from Halo: Combat Evolved. ... http://bungie. ... http://bungie. ...

The Elites were the first to join the Covenant when the Prophets discovered evidence of the Forerunners' "Great Journey" and called for a truce in the war between the two. Although the Elites were on the verge of defeating the Prophets, they settled for a subservient role within the Covenant. They were the guardians of the Prophets and the frontline troops for most of Covenant history.^[50] However, a combination of the Elites' apparent inability to guarantee the safety of the Prophets (specifically from the Master Chief), their growing skepticism of the Covenant religion, and the Brutes' greater devotion to the same eventually leads the Prophets to begin a genocide against their race. The Elites, in turn, left the Covenant so as to eradicate the Prophets, sparking a civil war and allowing them to combat the Brutes after years of mutual animosity. They side with the humans in this endeavor,^[49] though after the events of Halo 3 it is unknown if this alliance will last.

The Elite's standout feature is a four-part lower jaw. Early in Halo: Combat Evolved's game development, and in the E3 2000 promotional video, the Elites had more simple jaws and carried shields instead of the personal shields they came to use.^[51]

Brutes

A Brute

Resembling rhino-skinned gorillas, the Brutes (Covenant: Jiralhanae) are first introduced in the novel Halo: First Strike, and later as an enemy in Halo 2. Brutes stand 9' tall, possess immense strength, and have incredible endurance, putting them on the same level as the Elites. Brutes are organized tribally and are led by their chieftain; Tartarus is the first example of this, though numerous other chieftains are seen in Halo 3. Halo 3 also introduces a color-based ranking system for the Brutes, much like that of the Elites. This is a screenshot of a copyrighted computer game or video game. ... This is a screenshot of a copyrighted computer game or video game. ... For other uses, see Rhinoceros (disambiguation). ... Type species Troglodytes gorilla Savage, 1847 distribution of Gorilla Species Gorilla gorilla Gorilla beringei The gorilla, the largest of the living primates, is a ground-dwelling omnivore that inhabits the forests of Africa. ... Spoiler warning: Halo: First Strike is a 2003 novel based off the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... This is a list of major fictional characters from the Halo franchise. ...

The Brutes have a long-standing rivalry with the Elites,^[52] due in great part to the Brutes' unquestioning loyalty to the Covenant religion and, in turn, the Prophets. This animosity eventually culminates into civil war between the two sides and splits the Covenant in two. Simultaneously, the Brutes fill the void of the Elites' departure from the Covenant, assuming leadership roles within the Covenant military and becoming the sole protectors of the Prophets. Prior to their new position in the Covenant, the Brutes primarily acted as occupying muscle, and thus were rarely seen by humans prior to Halo 2. A Covenant Elite from Halo: Combat Evolved. ...

In battle, Brutes are normally deployed in packs and are able to work together and fight as such. When their pack is killed, a remaining Brute will often go berserk, abandoning its weapon and charging the enemy to deliver a succession of melee attacks. Though the Brutes rely on their thick skin and strategically-positioned pieces of armor in Halo 2, Brutes in Halo 3 utilize ablative armor technology, similar in effect to the Elite's personal shielding, making them even more deadly. Brutes often utilize their own, less-sophisticated weaponry in Halo 3; in comparison to the plasma and radiation-based weapons used by most of the Covenant, Brute-engineered weaponry relies on projectiles, chemical-based ammunition, or powerful gravity effects.

Grunts

A Grunt

Grunts (Covenant: Unggoy) serve as the primary infantry of the Covenant's military forces, yet are the lowest creatures in the caste system. In addition to their role in the Covenant military as (primarily) cannon fodder, Grunts are used for labor, and on rare occasions exceptionally intelligent Grunts may be trained as Deacons, helping to see that the Covenant's religious doctrine is followed.^[53] Grunts do not breathe the same atmosphere as humans and the rest of the Covenant species. In order to survive in oxygen-based environments, they must wear an apparatus allowing them to breathe methane gases, which can be shot or knocked off their backs in Halo 3. Standing at approximately five feet tall,^[54] cowardly, and possessing little in the way of armor or relative endurance, a single Grunt is rarely a match for either the Master Chief or any standard Marine, instead relying on numbers to overwhelm opposition. If not being led by either an Elite or a Brute, Grunts will often panic and retreat at the sight of an enemy. Furthermore, in certain missions, players will often find Grunts sleeping on the job. Grunts, like the Elites, come in a variety of different colors, indicating rank. Image File history File links Halo_grunt. ... Image File history File links Halo_grunt. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I Infantry or footmen are very highly disciplined and trained soldiers who fight primarily with small arms(rifles), but are trained to use everything from their bare hands to missle systems in order to neutralize... General Name, symbol, number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series nonmetals, chalcogens Group, period, block 16, 2, p Appearance colourless (gas) colourless (liquid) Standard atomic weight 15. ... Methane is a chemical compound with the molecular formula . ...

Though not a significant threat to the player on their own, Grunts rarely fight by themselves. When in large groups and emboldened by a higher-ranking unit, such as an Elite, they can overwhelm any opponent with massed fire or through sheer numbers.^[55] The Covenant views Grunts as disposable in nature, and thus uses them as cannon fodder to either reveal enemy positions or take the brunt of more devastating attacks. In Halo 3, Grunts are shown exercising a kamikaze-like mentality by charging enemies with a primed plasma grenade in each hand. Before this, they are also one of the few enemies to actually utilize the plasma grenades they carry. Despite their small stature, Grunts are more than capable of wielding the more powerful Covenant weapons. In particular, Grunts often man stationary weapons such as plasma turrets, grunts have also been known to wield fuel rod cannons, and have the ability to pilot vehicles. Because Grunts can take in knowledge more quickly than other members of the Covenant, they are often tasked with monitoring communications or radar for human activity. As a result, Grunts tend to be somewhat knowledgeable of one or more human languages.

During the Covenant Civil War, the Grunts opt to join both sides, with most being shown siding with the Elites. However, most Grunts are quick to think of self-preservation, and hence are rarely seen to engage the Brutes on their own. In Halo 3, some of the Grunts appear to have abandoned the Elites altogether, having sided with the Brutes; the Arbiter comments that this decision was born out of fear of the Brutes.^[56]

Jackals

A Jackal

Jackals (Covenant: Kig-Yar) were originally recruited as replacements for the Grunts, though their temperament made such a transition impossible. They are higher in status, if not necessarily rank, than the Grunts.^[57] They have superior senses compared to both humans and other Covenant races, resulting in their role as either scouts or snipers for the Covenant. Some Jackals in Halo: Combat Evolved wear armor that masks their features. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

The Jackals have a two-sex gender system of male and female, and each sex can be distinguished by the differences in their heads. Males possess spiky protrusions, similar in appearance to an Iguana, the color of which change with their mood making their feelings easy to read for one familiar with their society. Unlike the males, Jackal females have no cranial plumage, but do have thick brown calluses on the top and backs of their heads.^[58] It is known that many Jackal ships are commanded by females, with ownership of the ships being kept in a clan through matrilineal descent.^[59] For other members of the family Iguanidae, see Iguanidae. ... Closeup on a single white feather A feather is one of the epidermal growths that forms the distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on a bird. ... This article is about calluses and corns of human skin. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

When deployed as ground troops, Jackals are equipped with arm-mounted energy shields (more formally known as Point Defense Gauntlets)^[60] and a plasma pistol. Their shields are more than capable of deflecting ballistic projectile weapons and Covenant needler rounds, but their strength fades considerably under sustained fire from plasma-based weaponry. Like other shields in the game, their arm-shields will recharge after a short period of inactivity. The shield color varies, and range from green to blue to orange, the latter being much tougher and indicating a higher rank. Jackals can also utilize the overcharge capacity (a supercharged plasma burst that depletes any shield instantly) of their plasma pistols. Jackals usually create defensive, dug-in positions with their large shields, using them to block all attacks while firing from a small hole on the side. In this position, only powerful attacks or explosives will dislodge a Jackal from their position, after which they tend to be easily killed.^[57] A deflector shield is a fictional technology commonly found in science fiction. ...

In Halo 2, some Jackals begin carrying a high-powered particle beam rifle, the Covenant analog to the human sniper rifle. Snipers tend to fire from cover or elevated positions, often beyond the player's ability to effectively spot them without taking fire. Jackal snipers are capable of cutting down all but the hardest of targets with one or two well-placed rounds, particularly on the higher difficulty levels, and rarely miss thanks to the almost instantaneous travel time of the shots. In Halo 3, Jackal sharpshooters also appear, these versions armed with carbines, and like the snipers will support other Covenant from concealed or elevated positions; these Jackals wear helmets equipped with blue-glowing optics to assist them in hunting for targets, which also gives their position away to attentive players. A marksman (also designated marksman) is a profession which is mostly to be found in military context. ...

Traditional Jackal culture is based on piracy, raiding others for what they need. As they filled up their own world, revealed in the Bestiarum to be a fictional satellite of the extrasolar planet HD 69830 d, differences between clans lessened and they united to turn towards piracy against other species.^[61] When the Covenant absorbed the Jackals, they accepted the Covenant cause grudgingly, paying only occasional lip service to the Covenant religion. Jackal-commanded ships often act as scouts for the Covenant, discovering new worlds and species to bring into the Covenant hegemony, which will overlook their occasional looting behavior of said worlds and species provided that the Jackals do not take or harm Forerunner artifacts, which must be turned over directly to the Prophets.^[62] In this sense, they are somewhat like privateers. As such, they interact with the Covenant leadership through the Ministry of Concert and express their dissent about something by limiting access to their services.^[43] Reflecting this, Jackals often use their fellow Covenant as a distraction in battle, typically attacking while the player is engaged with other targets. This article is about maritime piracy. ... An extrasolar planet, or exoplanet, is a planet beyond the Solar System. ... HD 69830 d is an extrasolar planet orbiting the orange dwarf star HD 69830 every 197 days. ... Looting (which derives via the Hindi lut from Sanskrit lung, to rob), sacking, plundering, or pillaging is the indiscriminate taking of goods by force as part of a military or political victory, or during a catastrophe or riot, such as during war,[1] natural disaster,[2] or rioting. ... For other uses, see Privateer (disambiguation). ...

Hunters

A Hunter

Hunters (Covenant: Lekgolo) are incredibly dangerous foes, deployed more like equipment than soldiers. They stand 12' tall or 8' while contracted, and are brought in for demolition or heavy defense. They always work in a pair with their mate (Bond brother). Their massive size, near-impenetrable armor, large shields (which double as melee weapons), and arm-mounted fuel rod gun essentially make them walking tanks in combat.^[63] This is a screenshot of a copyrighted computer game or video game. ... This is a screenshot of a copyrighted computer game or video game. ...

Hunters are the most populous member of the Covenant, nearing two trillion in number. This is because each Hunter entity is actually a conglomerate colony of sentient orange symbiotic eels, held together by their armor.^[64] Small breaches in the armor at their torso and necks reveal this, also serving as weak points for the creatures. This grouping allows the normally unintelligent eels to work together, dramatically increasing their overall intelligence and strength. These eels can be grouped into different "shells" for different purposes; the Hunters seen in the Halo series are specifically designed for use within the Covenant military, and are provided in limited numbers.^[43] Hunters that fight in pairs (as all Hunters encountered in the game do) are considered to be "bonded"; that is, both hunters are actually part of a single colony that is too large to fit inside a single suit of armor and thus must occupy two suits. Bonded Hunters will have spikes on their suit to represent this bond.^[65] Not to be confused with sapience. ... For other uses, see Symbiosis (disambiguation). ...

Other times, smaller numbers of individual Hunter eels will be used to explore the internal mechanisms of large Forerunner artifact. Though the individual eels are not intelligent, they can be fed small tracking devices that later pass out of their system like any other food, and thus help the Prophets to "map" the inner workings of such devices.^[66] The eels prove very adept at burrowing through Forerunner architecture; this is because a large amount of such structures were left behind on their homeworld, and Hunter eels dwelled in them like termites in wood. The Prophets found this desecration of sacred relics appalling, so they tried to exterminate the Hunters. When attempts to do so proved difficult, the Arbiter of the time suggested "taming" the Hunters instead of destroying them, in order to use their abilities for the good of the Covenant.^[67] Families Mastotermitidae Kalotermitidae Termopsidae Hodotermitidae Rhinotermitidae Serritermitidae Termitidae Termites, sometimes known as white ants, are a group of social insects usually classified at the taxonomic rank of order Isoptera. ...

Hunters usually show nothing but contempt towards the lesser Covenant races (even intentionally killing them if they become an obstruction during battles) and rarely communicate with any other race apart from the Elites. They are believed to have their own religion; it is noted in Halo: Ghosts of Onyx that some Hunters even recite poetry and meditate in their spare time. Hunters do not take part in Covenant activity outside of battle, as they only remain within the Covenant so as to utilize its space travel technology.^[43]

Hunters do not seem to have any particular loyalty to either of the warring parties in the Covenant civil war; some side with the Elites in Halo 2 and Ghosts of Onyx, but none fight alongside the player against the Covenant in Halo 3 while several fight against the player, suggesting that like the Grunts, some remained loyal to the Covenant after the war began.

Engineers

An Engineer

Engineers (Forerunner: Huragok) are the scientific engineering backbone of the Covenant and its economy. The name Huragok was given to them by the Forerunners themselves, indicating their Forerunner connection; most Engineers are found residing within Forerunner facilities, and, as indicated in Halo 3's Beastiarum, were created by the Forerunners. Despite this connection, they have been unhelpful in divulging the secrets of their creators, as they are more concerned with an item's repair than its function or purpose. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... One of the Forerunners Halo ringworlds, in orbit over the gas giant Threshold. ...

It is notable that Engineers are not actually birthed creatures, but rather biological machines whose parts are so indistinguishable from evolved analogs that it would require medical technology on par with the Forerunners themselves to discern the difference. This also plays into their methods of reproduction; when enough raw biological material is available, one or more Engineers will work together to form it into a new Engineer. The creation's knowledge base is a direct result of how many "parents" it has (with a maximum of three), and thus it is more beneficial to use multiple Engineers for this process.^[68] While all Engineers are built to a certain standard, there are many quirks involved in constructing something so complex and the unique challenges involved in the creation of each one lends that Engineer its individuality. The Engineer naming convention follows this, with each Engineer being named by its parent-builders after things observed during its construction, especially in the challenge of giving its floation bladders the proper mix of gasses. This results Engineer names such as Far Too Heavy, Easy to Adjust, or Lighter Than Some.^[69] This article is about evolution in biology. ...

Engineers float via air sacs and their tentacles are able to split into many fine cilia, with which they are able to manipulate machinery. Their motivations are unknown, but they appear to draw no distinction between friend and foe, preferring to spend their time inspecting or repairing technology. They will, however, utter a high pitched keening sound when a Forerunner artifact is under any sort of threat. Their vocal range is limited to screeches and small chirps, which they only use to alert or add emphasis. Their actual language is communicated in sign, using their tentacles to make words. With practice, others can learn to read Engineer signing and duplicate their language using their own fingers as analogs for the Engineers' tentacles. Additionally, an Engineer's float-bladders will pulsate differently depending on an Engineer's mood. While their language can be learned, it seems that few other members of the Covenant have the patience or need to do so, as the Engineers typically carry out their tasks of examining and maintaining technology of any sort without external direction.^[70] They are extremely apathetic to any sort of combat, and will just float along with their one desire: to fix things. Engineers can even repair themselves or others of their kind assuming there is no significant damage, allowing them to theoretically extend their lives indefinitely. Two sign language Intepreters working as a team for a school. ...

Engineers do not appear in any of the Halo games, though their character models are coded into Halo: Combat Evolved. They are only mentioned in the various spin-off media for the series.

Drones

A Drone

Drones (Covenant: Yanme'e) are the only insectoid race within the Covenant. They talk in a chirpy, clicking noises, but it is not certain if this is a hive communication or individual conversation. Their exoskeleton is pale green and thick in texture. Because of their mobility, they can sometimes be difficult to kill, often flying in large groups and attacking from multiple angles with their plasma pistols or Needlers. However, their overall resistance to damage is quite low and they possess no energy shielding or other such defenses. They first appear in Halo 2, appearing to be new additions to the Covenant fighting force,^[71] though they have been with the Covenant for at least three decades by the time of the games, where they were often used for upkeep on ships when Engineers were not available.^[72] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Drones are suited for aerial combat, and like most of the Covenant races breathe the same atmosphere as humans; however, Drones apparently do not require air and can withstand the vacuum of space, since they can maintain Covenant warships in space. They prefer to stay at a distance and use long-range tactics. They have the useful ability to cling to walls and ceilings, which does not impede their ability to attack. Despite their preference to attack from long-range, Drones are skilled close-range combatants if pushed, utilizing their climbing claws in close-quarters. Drones have been noted to land on vehicles and use their claws for vicious and surprisingly powerful attacks against the occupants. They are also used as technicians; in Halo 3, a Brute Chieftain orders them to scour human computer systems for military intelligence.

The Drones, like the Grunts, are a conquered race that was forced into service by the Covenant. They strictly follow Covenant religion and obey unquestioningly, but do not take part in social norms due to a difficulty in communication with other species. They view the Prophets as their "queens", a remnant of their former hive lifestyle.^[43]

Critical impact

See also

• List of extraterrestrials in fiction

This is a list of extraterrestrial species that have appeared in various works of fiction featuring aliens. ...

References

GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. ... is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Halo 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios. ... The Xbox is a sixth generation era video game console produced by Microsoft Corporation. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. ... is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Halo: Combat Evolved, or simply Halo, is a video game in the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, created by the Microsoft-owned Bungie Studios. ... The Xbox is a sixth generation era video game console produced by Microsoft Corporation. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... Halo 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Halo 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Halo 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... This article is about the state. ... Spoiler warning: Halo: The Fall of Reach is a 2001 novel based on the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... Spoiler warning: Halo: The Fall of Reach is a 2001 novel based on the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... Spoiler warning: Halo: The Fall of Reach is a 2001 novel based on the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... Spoiler warning: Halo: The Fall of Reach is a 2001 novel based on the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... Spoiler warning: Halo: The Fall of Reach is a 2001 novel based on the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... Spoiler warning: Halo: First Strike is a 2003 novel based off the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... Halo: The Flood is a 2003 novel based on the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... Halo Graphic Novel Front Cover On March 17, 2006 Bungie Studios announced that it would partner with Marvel Comics to release the Halo Graphic Novel. ... Halo 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Halo 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Halo 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Spoiler warning: Halo: First Strike is a 2003 novel based off the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... Spoiler warning: Halo: First Strike is a 2003 novel based off the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Halo: The Fall of Reach is a 2001 novel by Eric Nylund based on the Halo series of computer and video games and acts as a prequel to Halo: Combat Evolved, the first game in the series. ... Halo: Combat Evolved, or simply Halo, is a video game in the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, created by the Microsoft-owned Bungie Studios. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... Halo: The Flood is a 2003 novel based on the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... Spoiler warning: Halo: First Strike is a 2003 novel based off the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... Spoiler warning: Halo: First Strike is a 2003 novel based off the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... Halo Graphic Novel Front Cover On March 17, 2006 Bungie Studios announced that it would partner with Marvel Comics to release the Halo Graphic Novel. ... Halo Graphic Novel Front Cover On March 17, 2006 Bungie Studios announced that it would partner with Marvel Comics to release the Halo Graphic Novel. ... Halo: The Flood is a 2003 novel based on the video game Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... This article is about the state. ... Halo 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 41st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 41st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Bungie is an American video game developer founded in May 1991 under the name Bungie Software Products Corporation (more popularly shortened to Bungie Software) by two undergraduate students at the University of Chicago, Alex Seropian and Jason Jones. ... For the Nine Inch Nails release, see Head Like a Hole. ... Microsoft Corporation, (NASDAQ: MSFT, HKSE: 4338) is a multinational computer technology corporation with global annual revenue of US$44. ... It has been suggested that Xbox 360 Elite be merged into this article or section. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... This article is about the state. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... This article is about the state. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... This article is about the state. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... This article is about the state. ...

External links

• Halopedia - Halo Knowledge center
• Halo Story Page & Staten, Joe (2005). Joe Staten Interview. Retrieved January 9th, 2005.