Editing Jul 'Mdama

{{Status|Canon|Featured}}
{{Character infobox
|variant=Cov
|name=
|image={{Pageimage|H5G-Jul&BOS.png}}[[File:H5G-Jul Mdama.png|300px]]
|homeworld=[[Mdama]], [[Sanghelios]]
|birth=[[2489|March 5, 2489]]{{Ref/Book|Id=VIS|H4EVG|Page=27}}
|death=[[2558#October|October 23, 2558]]<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/jul-mdama ''Halo Waypoint'': ''Jul 'Mdama'']</ref>
|causeofdeath=Stabbed in the neck by Spartan [[Jameson Locke]]
|parents=
|siblings=
|spouses=[[Raia 'Mdama]]
|children=*[[Dural 'Mdama]]
*[[Asum 'Mdama]]
|species=[[Sangheili]]
|gender=Male
|height={{Convert|239.9|cm|ftin|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|VIS}}
|mass={{Convert|327|lb|kg|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|hair=
|eyes=Gray{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]] {{C|formerly}}
*[[Covenant separatists]] {{C|formerly}}
*[[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] {{C|formerly}}
*[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]
|rank=[[Supreme Commander]]{{Ref/Reuse|VIS}}
|sn=
|notable=
}}
{{Quote|Embittered by decades of hatred towards humanity and the loss of his own wife at their hands, the Sangheili warrior wanted revenge.|[[Curator]] on Jul 'Mdama{{Ref/Book|Id=Mythos140|HM|Page=140}}}}

'''Jul 'Mdama''' (formerly ''''Mdamaee'''), known to his followers as the "'''Didact's Hand'''"{{Ref/Reuse|S1E3}} or the '''"Hand of the Didact"''',{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} was a [[Sangheili]] [[shipmaster]] previously in the service of the [[Covenant]] during its [[Human-Covenant War|war against humanity]]. Fueled by hatred for humanity after the death of [[Raia 'Mdama|his wife]], 'Mdama became the [[Supreme Commander|Supreme Commander]] and founder of a [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|new Covenant faction]] in the wake of the [[Great Schism]]. Despite years of eluding the public light, his activities on the [[shield world]] [[Requiem]] established him as a highly valued target for the [[United Nations Space Command]]. Because of this, [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IVs]] notably trained against a simulated version of him in [[Warzone]].

'Mdama was eventually killed by [[Spartan Locke]] during the [[Battle of Kamchatka]]. The rest of his Covenant faction was destroyed shortly after during the [[Battle of Sunaion]], having lasted for five years.

==Biography==
===Early life and military career===
Jul was born on [[2489|March 5, 2489]], in the state of [[Mdama]] on [[Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Reuse|VIS}} Years later he would marry [[Raia 'Mdama]], with whom he had two sons, [[Dural]] and [[Asum]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=Gla2|Gla|Chapter=2}} At some point he became the [[elder]] of [[Bekan keep]] in Mdama. During the last third of the Human-Covenant War he served in the [[Covenant military]] under the name 'Mdama''ee'' as the [[shipmaster]] of a Covenant {{Pattern|Varric|heavy cruiser}}, the ''[[Blight of the Profane]]''.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Gla7|Gla|Chapter=7}}{{Ref/Site|Id=CFReqlamation|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-reqlamation-begins|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Reqlamation Begins|D=23|M=12|Y=2019}} While he was away he left the management of his ancestral estate of Bekan keep to Raia and her grandbrother, [[Naxan]].{{Ref/Reuse|Gla2}}

Like many other Sangheili, when Jul 'Mdamaee was forced out of the [[Covenant]] during the [[Great Schism]], he abridged his surname to ''''Mdama''', dropping the "ee" suffix and renouncing his service of the [[High Prophet]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|CFReqlamation}}

===Post-war===
After the end of the war and the fall of the Covenant, 'Mdama still felt mistrust and resentment toward humanity, comparing them to the [[Flood]] in some respects, believing the species would not stop their colonization efforts. He did, however, grudgingly admit that while they were not the best at anything, they were good enough at everything to survive. In [[2553|January 2553]] he attended a meeting with [[Kaidon]] [[Levu 'Mdama]] and [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]. He asked the Arbiter what his plans were for the humans and expressed his desire to finish them off while they were still recovering. After 'Vadam announced he would try to make peace with the humans, Jul and his fellow shipmaster [[Forze 'Mdama]] decided that humanity would not change and that they must be stopped.{{Ref/Reuse|Gla2}} Jul later met with Levu in private. Although the kaidon disliked humanity and believed they were a threat to the Sangheili, Levu did not believe that the Sangheili had the capability to wipe out the entire species and that peace was currently a better option.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Gla3|Gla|Chapter=3}}

On February 1, 2553,{{Ref/X|bsangel|694237634420297729|Jessica Shea|Y=2016|M=2|D=1|Quote=#TodayInHalo 2/1/2553 Jul 'Mdama joins Avu Med 'Telcam and the Servants of the Abiding Truth, standing in opposition of the Arbiter.}} 'Mdama and Forze allied with [[Avu Med 'Telcam]] purely out of pragmatism, as his cult, the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]], were best equipped to assassinate 'Vadam. 'Telcam took them on a tour of the [[Temple of the Abiding Truth]], pointing out symbols that may lead to the [[Halo Array|Halos]].{{Ref/Reuse|Gla7}} The three met with [[Buran 'Utaral]], another member of the Abiding Truth and a former shipmaster. Together the four traveled to the [[Aanrar Shipyard]] to steal Buran's former frigate, ''[[Unflinching Resolve]]''. After simply going to the bridge of the ship and stealing the vessel, telling the shipyard's dockmaster they were taking the frigate for assessments, ''Unflinching Resolve'' was brought to 'Mdama and hidden in [[Bekan quarry]] near Jul's keep.{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Chapter=8}} Shortly after, 'Telcam left to meet with his [[Kilo-Five|weapons supplier]]. 'Mdama suggested that they should move ''Unflinching Resolve'' to the planet where 'Telcam received his weapon shipments, but 'Telcam refused to reveal its name or location. 'Mdama became suspicious of 'Telcam's benefactors and secretly followed him to [[New Llanelli]]. After he discovered 'Telcam receiving weapons from the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], 'Mdama was discovered and captured by [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[Naomi-010]].{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Chapter=12}}

===Imprisonment on Trevelyan===
Detained aboard the {{UNSCShip|Port Stanley}}, Jul was interrogated by [[Evan Phillips|Professor Evan Phillips]] and the shipboard AI, [[Black-Box]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=Gla13|Gla|Chapter=13}}{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Chapter=14}} 'Mdama was then transferred to [[Trevelyan|ONI Research Facility Trevelyan]], where he was placed in captivity under the supervision of Dr. [[Irena Magnusson]].{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Chapter=16}}

[[File:HM-Jul.png|thumb|200px|Jul 'Mdama with his followers.]]
Meanwhile, 'Mdama plotted his escape. While he no longer believed that the [[Forerunner]]s were gods, he pretended to remain a devout follower of the [[Covenant religion]] as a cover for visiting Forerunner sites, enabling him to learn about various parts of Forerunner history. During his stay on the planet he was fed genetically modified versions of food from Sanghelios, causing him to feel very sick.{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=62}} 'Mdama had several conversations with his [[Huragok]] escort, [[Prone to Drift]]; he learned about the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]] and how he was sealed away on a [[shield world]], [[Requiem]], as well as that Requiem's location was kept from the Huragok. During this time, he also learned of the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s plans to eradicate the Sangheili.{{Ref/Novel|Id=ttw275|TTW|Page=275}} He was later reunited with Professor Phillips. Jul asked Phillips for news about his wife Raia, whom Phillips had last seen in company with Forze. Phillips promised him that he would find out what had happened to her.{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Chapter=??}}

Eventually, after regaining his strength, he forced Prone to disable his explosive collar and to allow him through a malfunctioning portal that he found. This led him to [[Hesduros]], a Sangheili colony world.{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=398-399}} Given the colony's isolation from the galaxy since before the [[Great Schism]] and its inhabitants' continued devotion to the Forerunners, Jul was able to win them over by portraying his experience on Trevelyan in a religious light.{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=414}} After contacting Sanghelios and learning of his wife's death, Jul was enraged by humanity's responsibility and grieved by the Forerunner ruins he had arrived in. He eventually identified the markings on the ruins as coordinates to Requiem and convinced the inhabitants of Hesduros to aid him in his search for the Didact and the eradication of humanity.{{Ref/Novel|TTW|Page=441}} Jul began to assemble a large fleet for his new faction, with the {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Song of Retribution]]'' serving as his [[flagship]].{{Ref/Site|Id=HWSOR|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/song-of-retribution|Site=Halo Waypoint|Section=Universe, Vehicles|Page=Song of Retribution|D=26|M=11|Y=2015}} It was here that Jul would establish a [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|new faction]], giving it the same name as the original Covenant.

===Requiem and the Didact===
[[File:H4 JulAndRequiem.png|thumb|left|275px|Jul 'Mdama inspecting a hologram of Requiem.]]
{{Quote|Requiem's treasures shall be ours.|'Mdama after discovering Requiem}}
'Mdama and his followers arrived at Requiem in [[2554]]. Over the next three years his Covenant tried to enter the planet, but to no avail. In [[2557#July|July 2557]], several of his ships identified a human vessel, {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, drifting toward the planet. 'Mdama ordered his troops to board the ship and keep the humans away from Requiem.{{Ref/Game|Id=terminal|H4|H4:Terminals|Prologue terminal}} They were unsuccessful as the human and Covenant ships in the area were pulled inside Requiem's outer shell. Jul and his forces were eventually able to find their way to [[Core of Requiem|the core]], where the Didact's [[Cryptum]] was located. Jul landed near the Didact's Cryptum and personally engaged [[Promethean]] forces under the [[Librarian]]'s control. [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] unknowingly opened the Cryptum, releasing the Didact. 'Mdama and his forces stopped fighting immediately to bow to the Promethean; Jul quickly recognized the Forerunner and called out "Didact!"<ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2013/01/16/The-Halo-Bulletin-11613.aspx ''Halo Waypoint:'' ''The Halo Bulletin: 1.16.13'']</ref> After the Didact collapsed the core and translocated his Cryptum into [[Slipstream space|slipspace]], both Jul's forces and the Didact's [[Promethean]] forces in the Cryptum chamber were sent to [[The Refuge (Requiem location)|The Refuge]], where Jul then forged an alliance with the Forerunner and was named "the Hand of the Didact."{{Ref/Site|Id=CFAuditory|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-auditory-additions|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Auditory Additions|D=16|M=12|Y=2022}} His Covenant later engaged the crew of {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} after the ship's arrival{{Ref/Level|H4|H4:Infinity|Infinity}}{{Ref/Level|H4|H4:Reclaimer|Reclaimer}}{{Ref/Level|H4|H4:Shutdown|Shutdown}} and eventually followed the Didact to ONI's [[Ivanoff Station]].{{Ref/Level|H4|H4:Composer|Composer}}

===The Librarian===
{{Main|Requiem Campaign}}
{{Quote|I know what the [[Librarian]] will say, Glassman. She will tell us where all things sacred are hidden in this galaxy. Ships, weapons, bounties beyond our imagining. And she will tell us how to make those miracles our own.|Jul 'Mdama rallying his troops after speaking with Doctor [[Henry Glassman]]{{Ref/Reuse|S1E4}}}}
In [[2558#February|February 2558]], 'Mdama continued to lead his Covenant forces on Requiem, and due to his earlier alliance with the Ur-Didact, maintained some control of the Promethean Knights on the shield world. With his forces engaged in multiple conflicts, 'Mdama leaked his plans for Requiem to human intelligence services, planning to draw the UNSC into a war of attrition. Not only would this allow him to cement control of his Covenant but also sacrifice those forces he did not feel were entirely loyal. ONI took the bait, with the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} arriving in [[2558#February|February 2558]].{{Ref/Book|HM|Page=178}} A [[Requiem slipspace artifacts|Forerunner artifact]] secured by [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan]] [[Fireteam Crimson]] and brought aboard ''Infinity'' [[Slipspace translocation|transported]] Doctor [[Henry Glassman]] to a Covenant base on the planet. 'Mdama came to oversee his soldiers when Glassman, alive but injured, was brought before him by several other Sangheili.{{Ref/SpOps|Id=S1E3|Catherine}} 'Mdama put Glassman to work at a Forerunner "shrine", which he correctly believed contained the remnants of the [[Librarian]]'s consciousness in AI form. He intended to use Glassman to reactivate the shrine, allowing him to communicate with the Librarian and ask for her aid in reclaiming the Forerunners' technological wonders.{{Ref/SpOps|Id=S1E4|Didact's Hand}}

[[File:H4-SO-S1E6-Cinematic-JulMdama.jpg|thumb|300px|Jul 'Mdama approaches the Librarian's "shrine".]]
After [[Fireteam Castle]] were killed by Covenant forces the UNSC began searching for 'Mdama, now know by the epithet "the Didact's Hand". [[Fireteam Crimson]] was sent to 'Mdama's location, [[Two Giants]]; however, soon after Crimson engaged [[Promethean]] forces 'Mdama escaped through a [[slipspace]] portal. When Crimson followed him to the [[Fortress]], he escaped through yet another portal to [[the Cauldron]]. When Crimson tracked 'Mdama through the Cauldron he tried to escape again, but not before Commander [[Sarah Palmer]] called in an airstrike on 'Mdama's location. He managed to escape, but not before dropping [[Didact's Gift|another Forerunner device]].{{Ref/SpOps|Didact's Hand|The Didact's Gift}} 'Mdama oversaw his Covenant's attempt to retrieve the device from [[Galileo Base]] with his lieutenant, [[Gek 'Lhar]], but was only creating a diversion for the humans. 'Mdama was actually using the artifact recovered by Fireteam Crimson as a communication terminal, allowing Jul to anonymously communicate with Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]] via her datapad and to spy on ''Infinity''.{{Ref/SpOps|Id=S1E5|Memento Mori}} After Halsey was removed from the room by Commander Palmer and [[Thomas Lasky|Captain Lasky]], Glassman managed to activate something in the shrine, prompting all the present Sangheili (save him) to bow before the artifact. With his captors distracted, Glassman escaped from the antechamber. After the artifact's energy sphere rejected Jul, the Sangheili commander directed his fury at the now-missing Glassman; six Sangheili pursued the scientist in the tunnels but Jul held Gek back. Stating that Glassman's escape was unacceptable, Gek reassured Jul that he would deal with the matter personally, leaving Jul and his two guards alone with the artifact.{{Ref/SpOps|Id=S1E6|Scattered}}
[[File:H4 SO Halsey with Jul 'Mdama.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Jul 'Mdama talking with Dr. Halsey.]]
Some time later Dr. Halsey contacted 'Mdama, informing him that she had deduced he was her helper but that their alliance could free the Librarian. However, the ship's AI, [[Roland]], was able to recover from Halsey's subterfuge and cut off the connection. After this 'Mdama ordered his Covenant and Prometheans to board ''Infinity'' through the artifact to capture Dr. Halsey.{{Ref/SpOps|Id=S1E7|Invasion (Spartan Ops)|EpisodeLinkText=Invasion}} Despite significant losses the Prometheans managed to capture the doctor. She was then taken to "Librarian's Rest", where 'Mdama had her disable the shield previously erected by Doctor Glassman's attempts to access the shrine. As the shield deactivated, she quickly entered the beam of light being produced by the shrine; she vanished, to 'Mdama's great anger.{{Ref/SpOps|Id=S1E8|Expendable}}

When Halsey returned from the shrine she was clutching the Librarian's "gift": the [[Janus Key]]. She flew out right into 'Mdama's arm; he immediately grabbed half of the Key he saw her holding. Thinking that it was actually the whole device, 'Mdama seemed disappointed and frustrated that the gift he had sought at great length was nothing more than a useless artifact. At that moment, however, Spartan [[Fireteam Majestic]] infiltrated [[Copernicus Base]] and killed 'Mdama's guards, with Halsey quickly tossing to Thorne her half of the Key, leaving 'Mdama with only his stolen half. 'Mdama quickly summoned several Promethean Knights to protect him, just as [[Sarah Palmer|Spartan Palmer]] arrived with orders to kill Doctor Halsey. She shot Halsey in the shoulder, wounding her, before 'Mdama managed to grab Halsey and summon another Knight to teleport him and Halsey away.{{Ref/SpOps|Id=S1E9|Key}} Following this, 'Mdama put Requiem on a collision course with [[Epoloch system|its star]] and announced that any Covenant who did not flee the planet would die with it.{{Ref/SpOps|Id=S1E10|Exodus (Spartan Ops)|EpisodeLinkText=Exodus}}

After fleeing Requiem aboard ''Song of Retribution'', Jul learned of the Janus Key's nature — specifically that the UNSC had the other half. He confronted Halsey over her betrayal, saying he should have let her bleed to death from her injury. Halsey retorted that the UNSC had tried to kill her and that he would need to offer her more than threats if he wanted her to help him. 'Mdama asked her what she wanted, to which Halsey replied that she wanted revenge.{{Ref/Reuse|S1E10}}

===After Requiem===
Approximately one month after the destruction of Requiem, ''Infinity'' had yet to locate 'Mdama or Halsey. The destroyer {{UNSCShip|Vociferous}} was given the task of tracking down 'Mdama while ''Infinity'' was reassigned to provide security for a diplomatic conference between Thel 'Vadam and the Jiralhanae on [[Ealen IV]].{{Ref/Comic|HE|Issue=1}}

[[File:HE14 Traitor 4.jpg|250px|thumb|Jul 'Mdama kills a traitor.]]
At some point while on Requiem, Jul's forces had recovered a Forerunner [[Requiem communication artifact|artifact]] that could "speak" to ''Infinity's'' engine systems. The artifact would be able to render the ship immobile and allow Jul to steal the other half of the Janus Key. On [[2558#July|July 15, 2558]], Jul's forces [[Battle of Oban|attacked]] [[Oban]], a human colony in the midst of settlement. The attack was advocated by Dr. Halsey, who believed that a bold move was the only way to attract ''Infinity''. After the attack failed 'Mdama's lieutenants called for Halsey's execution, though Jul defended her actions. After ''Infinity'' attempted to enter slipspace for [[Galileo II]] base, 'Mdama's Forerunner artifact forcefully brought it back into normal space and trapped the vessel in an uncharted system. Aboard a {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}, Halsey informed Jul that they did not need to attack the ship as ''Infinity'' would now be willing to hand over the other half of the Janus Key directly.{{Ref/Comic|HE|Issue=13}} One of 'Mdama's commanders revealed to him that a group of mutineers had been discovered. While some were killed and one was captured, many of them escaped to nearby planet [[Aktis IV]]'s surface. 'Mdama briefly interrogated one of the captives and learned that the [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealot]] [[Sali 'Nyon]] led the rebellion. Upon hearing this he killed the captured insurgent and ordered that all other rebels be killed on sight.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE14|HE|Issue=14}}

[[File:HE16 Next destination The Absolute Record.jpg|thumb|220px|left|The Absolute Record's location revealed to Halsey and Jul.]]
Meanwhile, at Halsey's urging, 'Mdama had a fake Forerunner artifact placed in a Forerunner structure on Aktis IV. Per Halsey's plan, Glassman and a team of Spartans discovered the artifact and believed that it was related to the Janus Key. Halsey and Jul watched Glassman's investigation from ''Song of Retribution''; when 'Mdama expressed mock abhorrence at creating a copy of a "holy" Forerunner object, Halsey revealed that she knew Jul's public persona is a mere façade. Glassman requested for ''Infinity'' to deliver their half of the Janus Key to him on the planet's surface for further analysis. Anticipating this, 'Mdama had troops ready to ambush the UNSC convoy carrying their half of the Key. Much to 'Mdama's surprise, the dropship carrying the other half was shot down before he could give an order. In the confusion, the rest of his Covenant strike force began the attack. 'Mdama decided to scourge the [[D79H Pelican|Pelican]] crash site himself and ordered Halsey to remain aboard his carrier. Unknown to him, Sali 'Nyon was responsible for shooting down the Pelican and he claimed half of the Janus Key for himself.{{Ref/Reuse|HE14}} Upon arriving planetside, 'Mdama and his forces began to eliminate the [[Treason|traitors]]. Jul ignored a [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealot]]'s suggestion for him to return to his carrier for safety. Upon learning that his forces had almost broken past the human fortifications, he ordered troops to kill all the humans once they gained access to their site; however, he told them to spare Glassman as a special punishment awaited him.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE15|HE|Issue=15}}

'Mdama later had Halsey brought planetside from ''Song of Retribution''.{{Ref/Reuse|HE15}} Upon discovering the location of 'Nyon's base, Jul witnessed his forces lay siege to the base from afar. 'Mdama was informed that a [[Unidentified Sangheili Minor (Aktis IV)|defector]] from 'Nyon's forces had made contact with Halsey's convoy. The defector gave Halsey the half of the Janus Key he had stolen from 'Nyon and Jul diverted most of the Phantoms to deal with the UNSC forces elsewhere on the island, confident that the battle would soon be won. When the insurgent faction was eliminated, 'Nyon was captured, restrained, and brought before Jul by a Zealot. As punishment, 'Mdama decided that 'Nyon would be kept alive. Elsewhere on the island, Halsey's escort was ambushed by Spartans Sarah Palmer, [[Gabriel Thorne]], and [[Naiya Ray]]. However, during the ensuring conflict, Halsey managed to escape with her half of the Janus Key. She contacted 'Mdama, who sent for a Phantom to return her to ''Song of Retribution''. With both halves of the Janus Key in their possession, 'Mdama and his fleet fled the system. Jul and Halsey used the combined Janus Key to project a holographic map, which pinpointed the location of the [[Absolute Record]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE16|HE|Issue=16}}

===The Absolute Record===
[[File:HE21 Begone.jpg|thumb|250px|'Mdama barely saving himself from death.]]
With both halves of the Janus Key, Jul and his fleet worked to find the exact location of the Absolute Record, while hiding within the [[Urs system]]. Since the battle at Aktis IV, Jul's forces had grown and the losses from the previous battle were less severe than he had feared. Jul kept Sali 'Nyon in captivity aboard his flagship and personally interrogated him, though the failed revolutionist only implied that Jul will soon realize the amount of insurgents that remain in his ranks. On [[2558#September|September 15, 2558]], Halsey finished another analysis of the Janus Key and believed to have finally pinpointed the Absolute Record's exact location. Two days later, as the fleet prepared to depart for the Absolute Record, a Phantom carrying Spartans Palmer, Thorne, [[Holly Tanaka]], Dr. Glassman, and [[Ayit 'Sevi]]—a mercenary and ONI operative within Jul's ranks—boarded ''Breath of Annihilation'', intent on revealing the location of the Absolute Record to the UNSC. Jul's fleet arrived at an apparently artificial gas giant with a slipspace portal leading to the Absolute Record. Before the fleet could press forward, slipspace ruptures materialized around the fleet, destroying at least two ships and damaging ''Breath of Annihilation''.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE19|HE|Issue=19}} Furious about the damage done to his fleet, 'Mdama threw Halsey into a bulkhead, blaming her for the fleet's losses. As the two argued about their situation, Halsey reminded him that the technology they discover at the Absolute Record will more than compensate for his losses. To further calm down the enraged 'Mdama, Halsey told him that once he is in control of the installation's "treasures", 'Mdama will be seen as a god.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE20|HE|Issue=20}}

'Mdama decided to make a second attempt to travel to the Absolute Record, though he determined that only ''Song of Retribution'' would enter the portal; the rest of the fleet would wait on the other side of the portal, with ''Breath of Annihilation'' making repairs at a nearby [[moon]]. Once they learned of 'Mdama's intentions, Palmer, Tanaka, and Glassman traveled aboard ''Retribution'' to follow him to the Absolute Record, while 'Sevi and Thorne remained behind on ''Annihilation''. Meanwhile, rumors of a Spartan presence within the fleet reached 'Mdama, though his worries were dismissed by Halsey who did not believe that the Spartans could stop them. ''Retribution'' entered the portal and arrived at the Absolute Record's exterior. The carrier was observed by the site's [[Invariant Bias|Custodian]] [[ancilla]], who detected the humans aboard the ship. Arriving at the platform alongside dozens of Zealots, 'Mdama and Halsey encountered the AI. Halsey asked to be given access to the Absolute Record, but the AI denied her request and had its [[Aggressor Sentinel|Sentinel]]s transport the humans hiding aboard ''Retribution'' to the platform, much to the surprise of 'Mdama and Halsey.{{Ref/Reuse|HE20}} The AI intended to have each human explain their reason for accessing the Absolute Record before taking any action. However, an impatient Zealot attacked the Sentinels, leading to the constructs attacking the Sangheili and humans. Suddenly, the AI removed the platform from under the feet of the Sangheili with Tanaka, Palmer, and Glassman remaining on one platform and Halsey standing on another, while 'Mdama managed to grab onto Halsey's platform as his soldiers plummeted to their deaths. T