Shadow of Intent

"Hail humans, and take heed. This is the carrier Shadow of Intent. Clear this sector, while we deal with the Flood."

- Rtas 'Vadum

Shadow of Intent is a Covenant separatist. Commanded by the Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum, it served as the flagship of the Fleet of Retribution.

Battle of Installation 05
The Shadow of Intent was re-captured by the Sangheili (and perhaps the Unggoy and Mgalekgolo of the Covenant separatists) on Installation 05 from the Covenant loyalists. After the Flood had infested High Charity, the Shadow of Intent and its accompanying Sangheili Fleet engaged in quarantine tactics over High Charity, trying their best to prevent the Flood from escaping the borders of the infested city while also dealing with the Loyalist's threat.

Quarantine outbreak
However, a Flood-infested cruiser broke through their lines and jumped to Earth. A Sangheili battlegroup led by Rtas 'Vadum broke off their blockade and followed it, intent on preventing it from infecting the planet. It took part in the later stages of the Battle of Earth, where it supported local United Nations Space Command units by landing troops, vehicles and supplies into the area. Later, it glassed the city of Voi and outskirts of Kenya in Africa, to prevent the Flood from spreading across Earth.

Assault on Installation 00


The ship later led a joint UNSC-Covenant separatist force through the slipspace portal to Installation 00, where it engaged and defeated the Prophet of Truth's fleet despite facing forces three times their own strength numerically.

During the assault on Truth's position, the Shadow of Intent sent down soldiers, vehicles and supplies to aid the Human and Sangheili forces. There, it then took part in a diversionary bombardment of the shield protecting the Citadel.

When the shield was deactivated by a combined Human and Sangheili strike team, led by the Master Chief and the Arbiter, Shadow of Intent moved in to destroy the Citadel by bombardment. Before the Shadow of Intent could get into position, however, the Flood-infested High Charity arrived via Slipspace and crashed on the surface of the Ark, shedding debris as it fell. A large fragment smashed through the Shadow of Intent amidships and inflicted severe damage, knocking out all of the carrier's weapon systems. Despite the damage, the ship managed to stay in commission and return to Earth with all the surviving humans and Sangheili.

Post-war
The Shadow of Intent was repaired and refitted at a mobile shipyard on December 30th, 2552. Between February 28th and March 3rd, 2553, the Shadow of Intent remained stationed on Earth for a diplomatic mission, involving the Arbiter's attendance in the Voi Memorial service, held for those killed in the Human-Covenant War. After the memorial, the Arbiter was given command of the vessel by Rtas 'Vadum and set a course to return to Sanghelios.

Between March 6th and August 24th, 2553, the Shadow of Intent was believed to be retrieving former Covenant long-range exploratory fleets. On April 22nd, 2554, the Shadow of Intent was rendered combat ineffective after a battle with Jul 'Mdama's forces. Up to November 6th, 2556, the Shadow of Intent was still used against both Jul's Covenant and Jiralhanae forces.

Between May 6th and June 1st, 2557, Shadow of Intent participated in naval exercises with the UNSC Navy in a Joint Occupation Zone against pirates and was noted to have had its weapons and hull plating improved. Between June 1st, 2557, and March 3rd, 2558, Shadow of Intent was tasked with the protection of Sanghelios and Sangheili colonies. Sometime around March 2558, three ONI prowlers tasked to monitor the Shadow of Intent were destroyed. These losses were not reported to the UNSC Navy.

Trivia

 * There is a Marathon symbol on the table on the Shadow of Intent's bridge.
 * The Secret Room On The Ark is actually the Shadow of Intent's bridge.

List of appearances

 * Halo 3