Richard Lash

"Commander Keyes is the ball-siest officer in the fleet!"

- Richard Lash, Halo: Ghosts of Onyx

Commander Richard Lash was a UNSC naval officer who served from the mid-2540's til the end of the Human-Covenant War. He was one of the first humans to witness the outbreak of the Covenant Civil War.

Early Career
He transferred to the Prowler Corps in 2545, by 2552 he was the first officer of the prowler Dusk.

Lash's father was a welder on the Cradle and was killed when it was destroyed during the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV on July 17, 2552. Lash admired his father's heroism.

First Battle of Earth and the Covenant Civil War
Shortly before the First Battle of Earth, Captain Iglesias was injured and undergoing radiation treatment Earthside, forcing Lash to take command. Lash took the Dusk into the fight during The First Battle of Earth.

Lash eventually had to take the Dusk into Slipspace to follow the UNSC In Amber Clad as well as the Prophet of Regret's Assault Carrier. Once they arrived at Installation 05, Lash witnessed the Civil War of the Covenant, as the Second Fleet of Homogenous Clarity destroyed itself. Lash was the first Human to return to Earth and give details of the Covenant Civil War.

Battle of Onyx
Lash was quickly ordered to take the Dusk to Onyx to provide the UNSC Stalingrad and its battle group with tactical data as well as observe the battlefield. Against Lash's better judgment, the Stalingrad's battle group charged into Onyx and was crushed by superior Covenant forces, forcing the Dusk to float adrift in space until they could escape. This opportunity came when Onyx exploded into a Shield World. Lash was able to escape The Battle of Onyx and keep his crew alive.

Trivia

 * Lash owned an ancient gear watch, similar to the one Kurt got when he graduated from OCS.
 * Commander Keyes was most likely unaware that Lash was trailing her, as she had "kept a low profile" until In Amber Clad was operational again, and continued the mission isolated.