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Silent Shadow: Difference between revisions

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(Added information from Silent Storm, fixed some wording, and removed redundant/unnecessary portion from the article's introduction section.)
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{{Quote|We are the Silent Shadow. Once our charge was varied—assassination, extraction—direct and thorough acts of violence. Our goals, strategic—pointed and precise. Our ends, religious, verging on Godly. Those days are over. Or, at best, on hold. Now we have but one aim… the slaughter of [[Jiralhanae|beasts]].|Resa 'Azavayl{{Ref/Reuse|tfs}}}}
{{Quote|We are the Silent Shadow. Once our charge was varied—assassination, extraction—direct and thorough acts of violence. Our goals, strategic—pointed and precise. Our ends, religious, verging on Godly. Those days are over. Or, at best, on hold. Now we have but one aim… the slaughter of [[Jiralhanae|beasts]].|Resa 'Azavayl{{Ref/Reuse|tfs}}}}


The '''Silent Shadow''' was a unit of [[Special Operations Sangheili|special operations]] [[Sangheili]] within the [[Covenant]]'s [[Covenant Special Operations|Special Operations]] branch. It was made up of several individual squads. They were often dispatched by the [[Hierarchs]] when they wanted to remove a high-ranking commander from their post. In the event that they might one day be ordered to kill them, members of the Silent Shadow are forbidden to show their faces to any of their superiors.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS9|HSS|Chapter=9}} The Silent Shadow undertook numerous missions during the [[Human-Covenant War|Covenant War]], including assassinations and extractions.{{Ref/Reuse|tfs}}
The '''Silent Shadow''' was a unit of [[Special Operations Sangheili|special operations]] [[Sangheili]] within the [[Covenant]]'s [[Covenant Special Operations|Special Operations]] branch. It was made up of several individual squads. They were often dispatched by the [[Hierarchs]] when they wanted to remove a high-ranking commander from their post. In the event that they might one day be ordered to kill them, members of the Silent Shadow are forbidden to show their faces to any of their superiors.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS9|HSS|Chapter=9}} The Silent Shadow undertook numerous missions during the [[Human-Covenant War|Covenant War]], including assassinations and extractions.{{Ref/Reuse|tfs}}{{Ref/Reuse|HSS9}}
 
One such squad was led by [[First Blade officer]] [[Resa 'Azavayl]]. Following the [[Great Schism]], Resa's squad took it upon themselves to wipe out every [[Jiralhanae]] they encountered. However, [[Atriox]] was ultimately able to convince the rest of squad to betray 'Azavayl and join the [[Banished]].{{Ref/Reuse|tfs}}


==History==
==History==
===Covenant War===
===Covenant War===
The Silent Shadow were a well distinguished [[Covenant Special Operations]] unit of Sangheili Elites tasked with assassination operations.
The Silent Shadow were a well distinguished [[Covenant Special Operations]] unit of Sangheili primarily tasked with assassination operations against both [[human]] and [[Covenant]] targets alike.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS9}}{{Ref/Reuse|HSS18}}


=====Early war=====
=====Early war=====
{{Main|Operation: SILENT STORM|Battle of Netherop}}
{{Main|Operation: SILENT STORM|Battle of Netherop}}
During the [[Human-Covenant War]] in [[2526]] a [[Sangheili]] [[First Blade]] named [[Tel 'Szatulai]] led the [[Bloodstars]], a select group of [[Jiralhanae Stalker]]s including [[Orsun]] and [[Castor]], to find and destroy [[Spartan|Demons]].<ref name="HSS18">'''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''', ''Chapter 18''</ref><ref name="R">'''[[Halo: Retribution]]''', ''page 265''</ref> When [[Blue Team]] attempted to destroy the under construction [[Covenant supercarrier]] ''[[Hammer of Faith]]'' in its docks, Tel and several of his warriors attacked the Spartans directly. Most of Tel's warriors were killed by [[Linda-058]] and [[Frederic-104]] while Tel himself engaged [[John-117]]. After a fierce fight, Tel was disarmed by John and then killed by [[Kelly-087]] with a point-blank shot from an [[M90 shotgun]] to the head.<ref>'''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''', ''pages 367-369''</ref> Castor and Orsun were able to escape in [[Banshee]]s and reported back to [[Fleetmaster]] [[Nizat 'Kvarosee]] on the death of Tel and all of his Sangheili warriors.<ref>'''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''', ''page 377''</ref>
During the [[Human-Covenant War]] in [[2526]] a [[Sangheili]] [[First Blade]] named [[Tel 'Szatulai]] led the [[Bloodstars]], a select group of [[Jiralhanae Stalker]]s that included [[Orsun]] and [[Castor]], to find and destroy the [[Spartan-II program|Demons]].{{Ref/Reuse|HSS9}}<ref name="HSS18">'''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''', ''Chapter 18''</ref><ref name="R">'''[[Halo: Retribution]]''', ''page 265''</ref> However, before the Covenant realized the threat that the Spartans posed, 'Szatulai and his squad had been attached to then-[[Fleetmaster]] [[Nizat 'Kvarosee]]'s [[Fleet of Inexorable Obedience]] to stealthily scout out the defenses of human [[Human colonies|colonies]] that they planned to destroy. They would also be searching these worlds for any hint that they had once been occupied by the [[Forerunner|gods]]. While scouting the world of [[Amasa]], a courier from the [[United Rebel Front]] delivered a communications device to 'Szatulai's squad. It contained a message from [[General]] [[Harper Garvin]], who wished to form a tentative alliance with the Covenant in exchange for information on the UNSC and their Spartans, which he claimed to be very dangerous. 'Szatulai took the message to 'Kvarosee aboard ''[[Pious Rampage]]'' as the fleet was in the [[Attack on Etalan|process]] of [[glassing]] [[Etalan]]. The fleetmaster, as well as the [[Minor Minister of Artifact Survey]], instructed him to meet with the [[Insurrectionist|insurgents]] on [[Seoba]] to see what more information they could provide, especially pertaining to these Spartans.{{Ref/Reuse|HSS9}}
 
{{Expand-section}}
 
When the Spartans of [[Blue Team]] attempted to destroy the partially-constructed [[Covenant supercarrier|supercarrier]] ''[[Hammer of Faith]]'' within its docks on the [[Ring of Mighty Abundance]] over [[Zhoist]], 'Szatulai and several of his warriors attacked the Spartans directly. Most of these warriors were killed by [[Linda-058]] and [[Frederic-104]] while 'Szatulai himself engaged [[John-117]]. After a fierce fight, 'Szatulai was disarmed by John and then killed by [[Kelly-087]] with a point-blank shot from an [[M90 shotgun]] to the head.<ref>'''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''', ''pages 367-369''</ref> Castor and Orsun were able to escape in [[Banshee]]s and reported back to 'Kvarosee on the death of 'Szatulai and all his Sangheili warriors.<ref>'''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''', ''page 377''</ref>


In [[2526#June|June 2526]], the Silent Shadow were sent with the [[Fleet of Swift Justice]] to hunt down the now-renegade 'Kvarosee and his [[Flotilla of Unsung Piety]]. The Silent Shadow arrived at [[Netherop]] where they got caught in the middle of [[Battle of Netherop|a conflict]] between the UNSC and 'Kvarosee who hoped to use the Spartans to get rid of the Silent Shadow. However, despite suffering heavy casualties, the Silent Shadow was able to destroy the ''[[Steadfast Strike]]'' and capture the renegade Fleetmaster, bringing in Honor Guards and a [[Sangheili Ultra]] from [[High Charity]] itself to deal with him. When 'Kvarosee claimed to no longer have the [[Luminal Beacon]]s as they were supposedly destroyed with his ships, the Ultra had 'Kvarosee and his surviving warriors stripped of their armor and exiled on Netherop. Before leaving the planet, the Silent Shadow established an orbital minefield of self-targeting [[plasma torpedo]]s that would prevent even a drop pod from landing, thus keeping 'Kvarosee from being rescued by any of his surviving loyal Shipmasters.<ref>'''[[Halo: Oblivion]]'''</ref>
In [[2526#June|June 2526]], another squad of Silent Shadow were sent with the [[Fleet of Swift Justice]] to hunt down the now-renegade 'Kvarosee and his [[Flotilla of Unsung Piety]]. The Silent Shadow arrived at [[Netherop]] where they got caught in the middle of [[Battle of Netherop|a conflict]] between the UNSC and 'Kvarosee who hoped to use the Spartans to get rid of the Silent Shadow. However, despite suffering heavy casualties, the Silent Shadow was able to destroy the ''[[Steadfast Strike]]'' and capture the renegade Fleetmaster, bringing in Honor Guards and a [[Sangheili Ultra]] from [[High Charity]] itself to deal with him. When 'Kvarosee claimed to no longer have the [[Luminal Beacon]]s as they were supposedly destroyed with his ships, the Ultra had 'Kvarosee and his surviving warriors stripped of their armor and exiled on Netherop. Before leaving the planet, the Silent Shadow established an orbital minefield of self-targeting [[plasma torpedo]]s that would prevent even a drop pod from landing, thus keeping 'Kvarosee from being rescued by any of his surviving loyal Shipmasters.<ref>'''[[Halo: Oblivion]]'''</ref>


=====Late War=====
=====Late War=====
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[[File:HTFSS ElitesVsBrutes.png|300px|thumb|Silent Shadow Elites killing Banished Brutes out of hatred for their species.]]
[[File:HTFSS ElitesVsBrutes.png|300px|thumb|Silent Shadow Elites killing Banished Brutes out of hatred for their species.]]
{{Quote|I see you for what you are and what you could be. We can do great things together. Not as master and slaves, but as the warriors you truly are—free to continue your crusade without the shackles of outdated faith.|Atriox, offering the Silent Shadow a place within the Banished{{Ref/Reuse|tfs}}}}
{{Quote|I see you for what you are and what you could be. We can do great things together. Not as master and slaves, but as the warriors you truly are—free to continue your crusade without the shackles of outdated faith.|Atriox, offering the Silent Shadow a place within the Banished{{Ref/Reuse|tfs}}}}
After the Covenant's betrayal of the [[Sangheili]] and the outbreak of the [[Great Schism]], the squad led by First Blade [[Resa 'Azavayl]] dedicated themselves to eliminating all [[Jiralhanae]], as well as any forces under their control. The Silent Shadow wiped out a Jiralhanae [[pack]] in an armory on the fourth [[moon]] of [[Victors' Truth]], runaway Jiralhanae forces aboard the stolen [[Covenant corvette]] ''[[Adherent]]'', "butchers" encamped in a resource enclave in the northern highlands of [[Thalia]], Covenant holdouts aboard a derelict colonial substation in the low orbit of [[Sansar]], and the last remaining members of [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]]' crew aboard the [[Covenant cruiser]] ''[[Rapid Conversion]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|tfs}}
After the Covenant's betrayal of the [[Sangheili]] and the outbreak of the [[Great Schism]], the squad led by First Blade [[Resa 'Azavayl]] dedicated themselves to eliminating all [[Jiralhanae]] that they caem across, as well as any forces under their control. The Silent Shadow wiped out a Jiralhanae [[pack]] in an armory on the fourth [[moon]] of [[Victors' Truth]], runaway Jiralhanae forces aboard the stolen [[Covenant corvette]] ''[[Adherent]]'', "butchers" encamped in a resource enclave in the northern highlands of [[Thalia]], Covenant holdouts aboard a derelict colonial substation in the low orbit of [[Sansar]], and the last remaining members of [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]]' crew aboard the [[Covenant cruiser]] ''[[Rapid Conversion]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|tfs}}


At some point, the Silent Shadow embarked on a mission to eliminate Jiralhanae aboard the {{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}} ''[[Elegy's Lament]]''. Unbeknownst to the Silent Shadow, ''Elegy's Lament'' was crewed by the [[Banished]] and commanded by the faction's chief, [[Atriox]]. Infiltrating the [[corvette]], the Silent Shadow eliminated several Jiralhanae before entering the ship's [[bridge]]. Despite being [[Active camouflage|cloaked]], the Banished detected the Sangheili's infiltration and Atriox noticed the assassins' arrival when they entered the bridge. Atriox stated that he and the Banished are different from the Jiralhanae that [[Great Schism|betrayed]] the Sangheili.<ref>''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]'', ''[[Hunting Party]] -
At some point, the Silent Shadow embarked on a mission to eliminate Jiralhanae aboard the {{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}} ''[[Elegy's Lament]]''. Unbeknownst to the Silent Shadow, ''Elegy's Lament'' was crewed by the [[Banished]] and commanded by the faction's chief, [[Atriox]]. Infiltrating the [[corvette]], the Silent Shadow eliminated several Jiralhanae before entering the ship's [[bridge]]. Despite being [[Active camouflage|cloaked]], the Banished detected the Sangheili's infiltration and Atriox noticed the assassins' arrival when they entered the bridge. Atriox stated that he and the Banished are different from the Jiralhanae that [[Great Schism|betrayed]] the Sangheili.<ref>''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]'', ''[[Hunting Party]] -

Revision as of 03:58, April 25, 2021

Template:Newcontent

Silent Shadow
The crew of Rapid Conversion are slaughtered by members of the Silent Shadow in the wake of the Great Schism.

Affiliation:

Branch:

Covenant Special Operations (formerly)[1]

Type:

Special Operations Sangheili unit[1]

Role:

Assassinations, extraction[1]

Size:

Several squads[2]

Commanders:

Resa 'Azavayl[1]
Tel 'Szatulai[3]
Inslaan 'Gadogai[4]

 

"We are the Silent Shadow. Once our charge was varied—assassination, extraction—direct and thorough acts of violence. Our goals, strategic—pointed and precise. Our ends, religious, verging on Godly. Those days are over. Or, at best, on hold. Now we have but one aim… the slaughter of beasts."
— Resa 'Azavayl[1]

The Silent Shadow was a unit of special operations Sangheili within the Covenant's Special Operations branch. It was made up of several individual squads. They were often dispatched by the Hierarchs when they wanted to remove a high-ranking commander from their post. In the event that they might one day be ordered to kill them, members of the Silent Shadow are forbidden to show their faces to any of their superiors.[5] The Silent Shadow undertook numerous missions during the Covenant War, including assassinations and extractions.[1][5]

History

Covenant War

The Silent Shadow were a well distinguished Covenant Special Operations unit of Sangheili primarily tasked with assassination operations against both human and Covenant targets alike.[5][3]

Early war
Main articles: Operation: SILENT STORM, Battle of Netherop

During the Human-Covenant War in 2526 a Sangheili First Blade named Tel 'Szatulai led the Bloodstars, a select group of Jiralhanae Stalkers that included Orsun and Castor, to find and destroy the Demons.[5][3][6] However, before the Covenant realized the threat that the Spartans posed, 'Szatulai and his squad had been attached to then-Fleetmaster Nizat 'Kvarosee's Fleet of Inexorable Obedience to stealthily scout out the defenses of human colonies that they planned to destroy. They would also be searching these worlds for any hint that they had once been occupied by the gods. While scouting the world of Amasa, a courier from the United Rebel Front delivered a communications device to 'Szatulai's squad. It contained a message from General Harper Garvin, who wished to form a tentative alliance with the Covenant in exchange for information on the UNSC and their Spartans, which he claimed to be very dangerous. 'Szatulai took the message to 'Kvarosee aboard Pious Rampage as the fleet was in the process of glassing Etalan. The fleetmaster, as well as the Minor Minister of Artifact Survey, instructed him to meet with the insurgents on Seoba to see what more information they could provide, especially pertaining to these Spartans.[5]

Help.png This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

When the Spartans of Blue Team attempted to destroy the partially-constructed supercarrier Hammer of Faith within its docks on the Ring of Mighty Abundance over Zhoist, 'Szatulai and several of his warriors attacked the Spartans directly. Most of these warriors were killed by Linda-058 and Frederic-104 while 'Szatulai himself engaged John-117. After a fierce fight, 'Szatulai was disarmed by John and then killed by Kelly-087 with a point-blank shot from an M90 shotgun to the head.[7] Castor and Orsun were able to escape in Banshees and reported back to 'Kvarosee on the death of 'Szatulai and all his Sangheili warriors.[8]

In June 2526, another squad of Silent Shadow were sent with the Fleet of Swift Justice to hunt down the now-renegade 'Kvarosee and his Flotilla of Unsung Piety. The Silent Shadow arrived at Netherop where they got caught in the middle of a conflict between the UNSC and 'Kvarosee who hoped to use the Spartans to get rid of the Silent Shadow. However, despite suffering heavy casualties, the Silent Shadow was able to destroy the Steadfast Strike and capture the renegade Fleetmaster, bringing in Honor Guards and a Sangheili Ultra from High Charity itself to deal with him. When 'Kvarosee claimed to no longer have the Luminal Beacons as they were supposedly destroyed with his ships, the Ultra had 'Kvarosee and his surviving warriors stripped of their armor and exiled on Netherop. Before leaving the planet, the Silent Shadow established an orbital minefield of self-targeting plasma torpedos that would prevent even a drop pod from landing, thus keeping 'Kvarosee from being rescued by any of his surviving loyal Shipmasters.[9]

Late War
Main article: Mission to an unidentified moon

"You can sense your end, human. That is good. If it brings you any peace, the whole of your kind will soon follow suit."
— First Blade of Silent Shadow to Jonah[10]
Jonah captured by one of the members of the Silent Shadow.

At some point prior to December 2552, a unit of the Silent Shadow laid a trap for two two-person teams of Spartan-III Headhunters. On an unnamed moon, ten Covenant base camps were established to field crew for a Forerunner artifact dig site, which the Spartans were ordered to destroy. The Spartans observed the base for the next two days, identifying patrol routes, high-ranking enemies, and important control sites, unaware of the trap prepared for them. On the third day they infiltrated the base, eliminating all hostiles and setting demolition charges around the base. At the moment the Spartans let their guard down, the cloaked First Blade impaled one of the Headhunters with his energy sword, while his subordinates appeared and surrounded Jonah-B283. The First Blade suggested the Spartan surrender, informing him that the second Spartan team was already dead. Refusing, Jonah lured the Sangheili closer to the charges before setting them off, killing himself and the Elites.[10]

Post-war

Silent Shadow Elites killing Banished Brutes out of hatred for their species.

"I see you for what you are and what you could be. We can do great things together. Not as master and slaves, but as the warriors you truly are—free to continue your crusade without the shackles of outdated faith."
— Atriox, offering the Silent Shadow a place within the Banished[1]

After the Covenant's betrayal of the Sangheili and the outbreak of the Great Schism, the squad led by First Blade Resa 'Azavayl dedicated themselves to eliminating all Jiralhanae that they caem across, as well as any forces under their control. The Silent Shadow wiped out a Jiralhanae pack in an armory on the fourth moon of Victors' Truth, runaway Jiralhanae forces aboard the stolen Covenant corvette Adherent, "butchers" encamped in a resource enclave in the northern highlands of Thalia, Covenant holdouts aboard a derelict colonial substation in the low orbit of Sansar, and the last remaining members of Chieftain Tartarus' crew aboard the Covenant cruiser Rapid Conversion.[1]

At some point, the Silent Shadow embarked on a mission to eliminate Jiralhanae aboard the SDV-class heavy corvette Elegy's Lament. Unbeknownst to the Silent Shadow, Elegy's Lament was crewed by the Banished and commanded by the faction's chief, Atriox. Infiltrating the corvette, the Silent Shadow eliminated several Jiralhanae before entering the ship's bridge. Despite being cloaked, the Banished detected the Sangheili's infiltration and Atriox noticed the assassins' arrival when they entered the bridge. Atriox stated that he and the Banished are different from the Jiralhanae that betrayed the Sangheili.[11] He also offered the members of the Silent Shadow a place within the Banished, where they would serve as warriors and fight under their own free will. While the other members of the Silent Shadow were greatly tempted by Atriox's offer, 'Azavayl refused, citing that Atriox and the Banished deserved death for their "sins". The rest of the Silent Shadow squad tried to convince 'Azavayl that Atriox and the Banished were "other", but to no avail.[12] As 'Azavayl moved to attack, he was slain by the rest of his squad, who desired to join the Banished. Afterwards, Atriox allowed the remaining members of the Silent Shadow to join the Banished, offering to reward them with "blood and sport and spoils".[1]

Ranking structure

First Blade officer: This was a commanding rank in the Silent Shadow. Their helmets have a red visor instead of a blue one like the other members of the Silent Shadow.[13]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Gallery

  • The Silent Shadow confronts Atriox.

    The Silent Shadow confronts Atriox.

  • Concept of the Silent Shadow Sangheili wearing a heavily modified Infiltration harness in Headhunters.

    Concept of the Silent Shadow Sangheili wearing a heavily modified Infiltration harness in Headhunters.

  • Roland's death at the hands of the First Blade.

    Roland's death at the hands of the First Blade.

  • Silent Shadow faces explosion.

    Silent Shadow faces explosion.

  • Resa 'Azavayl is betrayed by his subordinates.

    Resa 'Azavayl is betrayed by his subordinates.

  • The aftermath of the betrayal.

    The aftermath of the betrayal.

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Halo: Tales from Slipspace, Hunting Party
  2. ^ a b Canon Fodder: Brute Force - "The Silent Shadow are a unique Sangheili special forces division made up of several different individual squads. In Halo: Tales from Slipspace, readers encounter one such squad led by Resa 'Azavayl, a 1st Blade officer in the Silent Shadow.", Jeff Easterling
  3. ^ a b c Halo: Silent Storm, Chapter 18
  4. ^ Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 3
  5. ^ a b c d e Halo: Silent Storm, chapter 9
  6. ^ Halo: Retribution, page 265
  7. ^ Halo: Silent Storm, pages 367-369
  8. ^ Halo: Silent Storm, page 377
  9. ^ Halo: Oblivion
  10. ^ a b Halo Evolutions, Headhunters pages 188-192
  11. ^ Halo: Tales from Slipspace, Hunting Party - "I am not Tartarus or some fanatic. I am not Truth. I am not Regret. I am their remedy."
  12. ^ Halo: Tales from Slipspace, Hunting Party - "Agreed. Atriox is of a kind with our enemies, but he is OTHER, and an ally worth considering."
  13. ^ Halo Waypoint - Community Update: Brute Force
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