Editing Jul 'Mdama's Covenant

|type=*[[terrorism|Terrorist]] organization{{Ref/Reuse|WaypointSpartanOps7}}{{Ref/Reuse|Catherine}}

|head=The "Didact's Hand"{{Ref/Reuse|Catherine}}

'''Jul 'Mdama's Covenant''',{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos179}} simply referred to as '''“the Covenant”''' by its followers,<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-puzzled-expression ''Halo Waypoint'': ''Canon Fodder - Puzzled Expression'']</ref><ref name="escalation5" /> was a newly created [[Covenant remnants|splinter faction]] and [[terrorism|terrorist organization]] formed from assets of the former [[Covenant|Covenant Empire]].{{Ref/Site|Id=WaypointSpartanOps7|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/detail/5c532d0f-55ff-44f6-8ad4-94e9572f8f86/spartan-ops-episode-7-trailer|LocalArchive=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213061609/https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/detail/5c532d0f-55ff-44f6-8ad4-94e9572f8f86/spartan-ops-episode-7-trailer |Site=Halo Waypoint|Quote=As Lasky confronts Halsey for her actions, the Infinity is invaded by Promethean Knights and Sangheili terrorist Jul 'Mdama gets closer to unlocking the secrets of the Librarian.}}{{Ref/Reuse|Catherine}} Founded and led by [[Supreme Commander]] [[Jul 'Mdama]],{{Ref/Game|H4|Id=terminal|Detail=[[Terminal (Halo 4)|''Terminal 1'']]}} this faction continued to worship the [[Forerunner]]s while also rejecting the [[Prophet]]s for their [[Great Schism|betrayal]],{{Ref/Novel|Id=ttwchapt16|HTTW|Chapter=16}} and opposed the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] following the end of the [[Human-Covenant War]]. It was later bolstered by the [[Ur-Didact|Didact's]] [[Promethean]]s and fought against the [[United Nations Space Command]] during the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|post-war era]].<ref name="Spartan Ops">''[[Spartan Ops]]''</ref> The faction lasted for five years, crumbling after Jul's death in the [[Battle of Kamchatka]] and finally falling during the [[Battle of Sunaion]].{{Ref/Game|Id=Guardians2|H5}}

Although the faction was generally recognized as a Sangheili attempted re-creation of the original Covenant and referred to as “the Covenant”,<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-US/halo4guide ''Halo Waypoint'': ''Halo 4 Field Guide (Enemies)'']</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|escalation5}} its members were identified as cultists by the UNSC{{Ref/Book|Id=Briefing|[[Halo 4 Limited Edition]] Mission Briefing|Quote=Fireteam Majestic will aid in the initial assault on covenant cultists holding continent loc Req-931}} and the organization itself was regarded as terrorists as opposed to an empire like the original Covenant.{{Ref/Game|[[Spartan Ops|Halo 4: Spartan Ops]]|Id=Catherine|Detail=[[Catherine]]|Quote=Covenant terrorist Parg Vol has been located again. There is no better opportunity to eliminate him.}}

===Origins===

Jul 'Mdama was held in ONI custody on the [[shield world]] [[Trevelyan]] during the battle, yet managed to escape via a Forerunner [[Slipspace portal|portal]] to the Sangheili colony world [[Hesduros]]. His hatred for humanity was strengthened when learned that his wife, Raia, was killed in the civil conflict.{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=442}} Jul gained a small following on the planet, the populace of which was unaware of the Great Schism and the war's end.{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=441}} Jul informed them of the [[San'Shyuum|Prophet]]'s treachery as well as how the Arbiter had made an alliance with humanity.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=ttwchapt16}} Feigning religious devotion to the Forerunners, he resolved to recover Forerunner technology from the shield world [[Requiem]] to the Sangheili residents, much as the humans had done on Trevelyan. Though Jul believed it unlikely that any Forerunners still lived, he also planned to find the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], the leader of the [[Warrior-Servant|Forerunner military]] who also shared disdain for humanity.{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=436}} It was here where Jul 'Mdama would establish a new faction with the residents of Hesduros, self-proclaimed to be ''“the Covenant”''.{{Ref/Comic|Id=escalation5|HE|Issue=5|Quote=What does it mean to be 'Covenant' today? A hundred warlords claim they rule the Covenant, but each of them leads only a small faction.}}

 

One of the earliest actions of this Covenant in late 2553 was to begin gathering resources on [[Sephune III]].{{Ref/Comic|HLW|Issue=2}}

On [[2554|April 22, 2554]], Jul 'Mdama's forces fought against the [[Swords of Sanghelios]]' ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' and managed to leave the ship combat ineffective.<ref name="Catalog">[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969315_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969315 ''Halo Waypoint'': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 14'']</ref> Later that year, 'Mdama's fleet arrived at Requiem but were not able gain access.{{Ref/Reuse|terminal}} The fleet subsequently took up position around the shield world. For the next three years, Jul 'Mdama's Covenant frequently dispatched raiding parties to [[Piracy|steal supplies]],{{Ref/Game|Id=H4TerminalP|H4|[[Terminal (Halo 4)]]: [[Terminal (Halo 4)/One|Prologue]]|Quote=Shipmaster 'Mdama! The raiding parties have returned. They bring supplies and news of a human ship!}} while continuing their attempts to awaken the Didact by broadcasting his name from orbit in thirty minute intervals,{{Ref/Level|Id=Requiem|H4|[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]}} though their calls received no response. Due to many of the former Covenant's infrastructure and shipyards falling inactive,{{Ref/Site|Id=Bulliten|URL=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013072843/https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/the-halo-bulletin-4-16-14|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=''The Halo Bulletin: 4.16.14''|Quote=While a handful of their local shipyards still exist, most are inactive, forcing many Sangheili to fight over what remained at the close of the war.}} Jul 'Mdama's faction had to scavenge for most of their resources and salvage what they could find.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=H4TerminalP}} They were not outfitted like standard military,{{Ref/Level|Id=Dawn2|H4|[[Dawn]]|Quote=The good news is these Covenant aren't outfitted like standard military}} with most of their infantry [[Storm harness|lacking sleeves]] compared to more affluent factions like the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Level|Id=Alliance|H5|[[Alliance]]}}

By [[2557#July|July 2557]], the group had gathered a sizable [[fleet]], consisting of multiple {{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}}s and a single {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}, the ''[[Song of Retribution]]'', as their [[flagship]]. At this time one of the returning raiding parties noticed a human ship, {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, drifting toward the planet. 'Mdama ordered the fleet to stop it from entering.{{Ref/Reuse|terminal}} Multiple boarding parties attempted to take the crippled ship, but were fought off by [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]], who had been awoken from cryo-sleep and was bewildered by the existence of their faction. A cruiser then attempted to destroy the ''Forward Unto Dawn'', but the Master Chief manually launched a [[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system|Hyperion nuclear missile]] and destroyed the cruiser before it could open fire.{{Ref/Reuse|dawn}} At that moment, the installation detected the presence of a [[Reclaimer]], causing an entrance portal to open; both the ''Dawn'' and several Covenant ships were pulled crash landing into the shield world by the gravity well emitted by the portal.

The Didact would transport the Covenant forces still in the core to [[The Refuge (Requiem location)|The Refuge]] and would recognize the Sangheili, telling them they were "loyal and strong" and they would serve well.{{Ref/Novel|Id=vertical|Halo: Vertical Umbrage}} This is despite the Didact seeing 'Mdama's Covenant as little more than "beasts" and "primitives."{{Ref/Reuse|Forerunner}} It would be here at the Refuge that 'Mdama would formally take the name ''Hand of the Didact''.{{Ref/Reuse|vertical}}

 

'Mdama's Covenant aided the Didact's forces in their attack on the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, though the ship's point defenses disabled two cruisers and forced the Didact to retreat.{{Ref/Level|H4|[[Infinity (Halo 4 level)|Infinity]]}} Later, they defended a network of [[particle cannon]]s which protected the shield world's gravity well generator, preventing ''Infinity'' from escaping; they were again unsuccessful.{{Ref/Level|H4|[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]}} 'Mdama's Covenant later dispatched a flight of [[Ru'swum-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] and [[Kmiro'sish-pattern Lich|Lich dropships]] to accompany the Didact's [[Mantle's Approach|flagship]] to [[Ivanoff Station]], an [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] facility.{{Ref/Level|H4|[[Shutdown]]}} 'Mdama's Covenant spearheaded an [[Raid on Ivanoff Station|attack on the station]] in order to acquire the [[Composer]], a Forerunner superweapon. The attack caught the defenders off-guard and despite John-117's efforts the Didact acquired the Composer.{{Ref/Level|Id=Composer|H4|[[Composer (level)|Composer]]}} The Didact then [[New Phoenix Incident|attacked Earth]] and tried to digitize its population, though he was defeated by the Master Chief. However, the millions-strong population of [[New Phoenix]], [[Unified Republic of North America|URNA]], was composed{{Ref/Level|H4|[[Midnight]]}} and the victims' essences were transported to Requiem and converted into new [[Promethean Knight]]s; there they would fall under the command of Jul 'Mdama himself and would fight alongside his Covenant in the battles that followed.<ref name="memento">''Spartan Ops'', ''[[Memento Mori]]''</ref>

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

However, the activation of the Conduit also opened a portal in an Office of Naval Intelligence facility in New Phoenix, allowing Jul 'Mdama's Covenant and Promethean forces to briefly [[Skirmish in New Phoenix|invade]] the city. Believing the Conduit could be used to deactivate the portal, the Spartan embarked to Earth with the device. The Spartan rendezvoused with a group of ONI researchers and escorted them through 'Mdama's Covenant and Promethean forces to the ONI facility to allow them to use the Conduit to stop the minor invasion. While the Spartan continued to protect the researchers by holding off the invading forces, ONI learned that the portal was being powered by a [[unidentified Forerunner machine|Forerunner device]] they had been studying. As the researchers interfaced with the device to shut down the portal, Covenant and Promethean forces assaulted their location in an effort to stop them. However, the Spartan succeeded in protecting the researchers from the invading forces and the portal was successfully shut down, resulting in the Conduit entering slipspace and being lost to both the UNSC and Jul 'Mdama's Covenant.{{Ref/Level|Id=opd|SS|[[Operation D: Adamantine Shield]]}}

ONI, having taken Jul 'Mdama's bait, sent all five branches of the UNSC to Requiem: [[Spartan Operations|Spartans]], [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]], [[UNSC Navy|Navy]], [[UNSC Air Force|Air Force]] and [[UNSC Army|Army]]. Jul 'Mdama's Covenant ships in orbit around the planet were swiftly defeated and scattered, due to the technological advancement of the UNSC since the end of the war.{{Ref/Reuse|Departure}} Arriving on Requiem's surface, [[Fireteam Majestic|Majestic]], [[Fireteam Crimson|Crimson]], and other [[Spartan-IV]] fireteams began to disrupt Covenant operations across Requiem and recover Forerunner artifacts for study. 'Mdama's Covenant in turn made several attempts to destroy ''Infinity''. 'Mdama's Covenant and their Promethean allies engaged in numerous skirmishes with the UNSC expeditionary force. Territories and facilities around Requiem traded hands multiple times.{{Ref/Reuse|memento}} During one such battle, [[Parg Vol]], a Sangheili terrorist, assassin and arms dealer acting as a high-ranking ground commander in 'Mdama's Covenant, was [[Assassination of Parg Vol|assassinated]] by [[Fireteam Crimson]].<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Catherine/Hunting Trip|S103 Hunting Trip]]</ref>

In a plot to acquire the other half of the Janus Key onboard the UNSC ''Infinity'', Doctor Catherine Halsey and Jul 'Mdama launched an offensive against the human colony of [[Oban]] solely in order to draw ''Infinity'' out into a vulnerable position. This allowed Halsey to use [[Requiem communication artifact|an artifact]] capable of contacting ''Infinity''{{'}}s Forerunner components to deny this ship access into slipspace. The following day, when the ''Infinity'' jumped into slipspace, its slipspace drive experienced an anomaly which trapped them in an [[Aktis system|uncharted system]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE13|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 13|Issue 13]]''}} Furthermore, 'Mdama's Covenant had created a faux Forerunner artifact that appeared to require the Janus Key to be functional and planted it on one of the system's planets, [[Aktis IV]], in order to prompt the UNSC to take their half of the Key to the planet.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE14|HE|Detail=''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 14|Issue 14]]''}}

At some point in late 2558, the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] launched an assault on Hesduros, forcing Jul’s faction to abandon the planet entirely. {{Ref/Novel|Id=LoO5|LoO|Chapter=5}} However, a long-dead [[Forerunner]] communications hub on the remote planet of [[Kamchatka]] activated. This drew the attention of Jul and his followers, leading them to relocate to the Kamchatka. While on the planet, Halsey discovered that her old [[Artificial Intelligence|AI]] [[Cortana]] was responsible for the recent attacks on [[human colonies]] by [[Guardian emergences|awakening]] [[Guardian]]s. She contacted the UNSC about her discovery but they did not take any action for three weeks.

Cortana soon took control of Jul's [[Promethean]]s, unleashing them against their former allies. A huge battle broke out across Kamchatka, with Jul deploying massive numbers of forces including a [[Shuul'se-pattern Kraken|Kraken]] siege tower in an attempt to hold back the constructs. Around the same time, the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} deployed [[Fireteam Osiris]], a [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IV]] special operations unit to Kamchatka with the objectives of rescuing Halsey and assassinating Jul 'Mdama. Using the chaos of the ongoing Covenant-Promethean battle to their advantage, Osiris were able to enter the temple where Halsey and Jul were located. Taking the Covenant [[Supreme Commander]] by surprise, Osiris were able to quickly neutralise Jul's [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealot]] guards and [[Jameson Locke]] personally assassinated 'Mdama, severing the head of his Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|Osiris}}

*'''[[Jul 'Mdama]]''' – Known to his followers as the "'''Didact's Hand'''"; self-appointed [[Supreme Commander]] of the faction;{{Ref/Reuse|Catherine}} killed by [[Jameson Locke]] of [[Fireteam Osiris]] during the [[Battle of Kamchatka]].

|[[Commander (Covenant)|Commander]]<br>[[Sangheili Zealot|Zealot]]

|[[Field Master]]<br>[[Shipmaster]]<br>[[Supreme Commander]]

Although a less formidable force than the original Covenant, this reorganized Covenant had amassed a considerable pool of military assets, though it had been observed that they "aren't outfitted like standard military."{{Ref/Reuse|dawn}} Many of the faction's Sangheili personnel were from [[Hesduros]], though the majority hailed from the species' homeworld, [[Sanghelios]], and other core worlds.<ref>[https://twitter.com/awesumsauce1/status/418136164457914368 ''Twitter''] (''@HaloWaypoint For Storm Elites it says their homeworld is Sangheilios, but they come from Hesduros, is it meant to be the species homeworld?'')</ref> Most matériel, such as the [[Type-25 plasma pistol]], {{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun}}, [[Type-33 Needler]], {{Pattern|Elo'Nakada|concussion rifle}}, {{Pattern|Mosa|carbine}}, {{Pattern|Pek|plasma cannon}}{{Ref/Game|Id=H4|H4}} and rarely the {{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}},{{Ref/Reuse|HE16}} {{Pattern|Nakata'vho|plasma repeater}}, and {{Pattern|M'tara|focus rifle}},{{Ref/Reuse|H:SS}} has been carried over from the pre-Schism Covenant, though more recently developed weapons like the {{Pattern|Tufasumo|plasma caster}}, [[Type-54 plasma pistol]], {{Pattern|Kelos'vaarda|storm rifle}}, {{Pattern|Gespu|fuel rod gun}}, and {{Pattern|Shea'p|plasma cannon}} were also common.{{Ref/Reuse|Guardians2}} In other cases, the faction used older models, such as the {{Pattern|Zubo|beam rifle}} rather than the [[Sulok-pattern beam rifle|Type-50]], due to the scarcity of modern weapons. Some older weapons and vehicles were produced by new manufacturers but are generally unchanged in design. Infantry were equipped with armor that appears to be a mix of new variants and styles used by the original Covenant; for example, Unggoy Storm troops were equipped with rebreathers modeled on traditional Unggoy diving apparatuses, whereas Sangheili Commanders wore armor that is very reminiscent of the armor worn by [[Sangheili Officer|Sangheili officer]]s during the war.<ref name="H4 Interactive Guide">[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-US/halo4guide ''Halo 4 Interactive Guide'']</ref>  

As under the hegemony's reign, the {{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}} and {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}} were the mainstays of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant's vehicular ground forces as well as the {{Pattern|Karo'wark|Ghost}} and {{Pattern|Kemu|Wraith}}. The {{Pattern|Ogab'd|anti-aircraft Wraith}} was used in relatively small numbers. The [[Type-26 Banshee|T-26B Banshee]] and {{Pattern|D'nomlhe|Banshee}} were the organization's primary ground support aircraft; modifications to the T-26B and T-54 allowed them to serve in a limited exoatmospheric scouting capacity akin to the purpose-built {{Pattern|Elsedda|Banshee}},{{Ref/Reuse|Guardians2}}{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=119}} though the [[Type-31 Seraph|Seraph]] remained the primary space fighter in 'Mdama's Covenant. The {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}} had become primary dropship in 'Mdama's Covenant. Though by October 2558 the {{Pattern|Mikpramu|Phantom}} had seemingly replaced the Type-44 Phantom. The {{Pattern|Dextro Xur|Spirit}} and {{Pattern|R'shwupa|Phantom}} were both used, but not in the same numbers as the T-44 and T-57 Phantoms. The {{Pattern|Nuro'k Xur|Spirit}} was also common by October 2558.{{Ref/Reuse|Guardians2}} The {{Pattern|Kmiro'sish|Lich}} provided ultra-heavy transport capability when needed. The faction also frequently used the {{Pattern|Gloto|Breaching Carapace}},{{Ref/Book|Id=H4EVGCDropPod|H4EVG|Section=Vehicles, Non-human|Page=121 (Covenant Drop Pod)}} the [[Covenant drop pod#Multiple-occupant pod|Type-53 Squad Breaching Carapace]], and the {{Pattern|Gloto'kas|Assault Carapace}} to deploy troops from orbit. 'Mdama's forces used the {{Pattern|Rizsheda|Shade}}, {{Pattern|Mamua'uda|Shade}}, {{Pattern|Shuku|sentry turret}}s, {{Pattern|Sho'riru|Shade}}, and {{Pattern|Upisa'weri|Shrike}} for static defense, along with an unclassified type of [[Ra'aam-pattern burst cannon|stationary artillery]] and {{Pattern|Cheru|Tyrant}}s. An unknown amount of {{Pattern|Za'zayara|Harvester}}s{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=140}} and {{Pattern|Shuul'se|Kraken}}s{{Ref/Reuse|Guardians2}} were used as excavation<ref name="Switchback">''Spartan Ops'', ''[[Scattered]]''</ref> and assault platforms.{{Ref/Reuse|HE16}}

The faction's armada was composed of vessels formerly used by the Covenant hegemony. The core of 'Mdama's fleet comprised two {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}s, including 'Mdama's flagship, ''[[Song of Retribution]]'' and the ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'',<ref name="Have S'moa">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-have-s-moa ''Halo Waypoint'': ''Canon Fodder: 2-20-15'']</ref> numerous {{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}}s,{{Ref/Reuse|terminal}} several {{Pattern|Maugen|armored cruiser}}s, several {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s, at least one {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}}, {{Pattern|Mjern|agricultural support ship}}s,{{Ref/Reuse|HE21}} {{Pattern|Hekar Taa|blockade runner}}s, {{Pattern|Lursu|brigantine}}s, {{Pattern|Rwaru|carrack}}s and {{Pattern|R'sikosh|man o' war}}s. The ''CRS'' filled much the same role within the new Covenant's fleet as the ''CCS'' played during the war, though it is much smaller and less powerful than the latter. In addition to these staple ship types, a number of other vessels had augmented the faction's fleet on different occasions.{{Ref/Reuse|Have S'moa}} During Gek 'Lhar's time spent [[salvager|salvaging]] and pillaging for Jul 'Mdama, he commanded a [[war-freighter]].{{Ref/Novel|SaS}}