Bero 'Kusovai

Special Operations Sub-Commander Kusovai is an Elite character first introduced in the Halo Graphic Novel. He was known for his great skill with the Energy Sword.

In Context
Kusovai is first seen in a practice duel with Rtas 'Vadumee. Later, he is with the group that boards the Infinite Succor and realizes that something is amiss. When they head into a hunting preserve, Flood-infected animals then begin attacking the group. The group fights its way through to the ship's bridge, where they find the controls have been disabled.

Kusovai is eventually infected by the Flood and fights the uninfected Rtas 'Vadumee, costing the latter, part of his jaw. The Flood are almost able to Slipspace jump out of the system, but not before Rtas 'Vadumee changes the course to the sun. It was here that Rtas 'Vadumee, while fighting an infected Kusovai, is injured as an Energy Sword cuts off his left mandibles. Rtas 'Vadumee defeats Kusovai and manages to escape two minutes before the Slipspace Jump occurred. Rtas 'Vadumee is believed to be the only survivor of the Infinite Succor mission.



Rank
His true rank is unknown, although he must have been lower ranked than Rtas 'Vadumee, but higher than normal Special Operations Elites. Most believable is that he was Special Operations Officer (also called Spec Ops Major), as Zuka 'Zamamee, but he could even be an Ultra Elite with the role as Sub-Commander.

Name
Kusovai's naming structure is odd, as he has neither the apostrophe before the last name nor the "-ee" suffix common to military Elites. However, given his mastery of the energy sword, it seems foolish to conclude that he is a civilian. More likely, it is an oversight, error, or piece of artistic license on the author's part.

However, the suffix "-ee" has never been featured being added to the first name. Kusovai's last name was never mentioned, but it is possible that Kusovai was his first name, or a nickname, thus explaining the lack of an "-ee" suffix in his name.

Another explanation is that Elites never put "-ee" after a vowel, only after consonants. Many Elites whose last name finishes in vowel don't have "-ee"(Toha 'Sumai). The reason for this is probably for the purposes of pronunciation and aesthetics, since "Kusovaiee" neither looks good nor sounds good.

It is also possible that like the Brutes, and Elite must wait until they are old enough to gain the "-ee" suffix. However this is probably not true, and is more than likely that it's for one of the reasons above.

Quotes
'''From Halo Graphic Novel: The Last Voyage Of The Infinite Succor.
 * "I apologize for injuring you, Commander. In the future I will handle my Blade with more skill." - After he was training Sword combat with Rtas 'Vadum.
 * "As you say, Commander. Hopefully, we will at least go to Halo and get to test ourselves against the Humans and their Demon." - After holographic message from the Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice, later Arbiter; to Rtas 'Vadum who ordered Kusovai to report to the Armory and meet him in the Primary Hangar.
 * "At least eight Unggoy died here and were dragged through this door." - On board of the Infinite Succor, which was boarded by forces suspected to be Humans.
 * "I was not aware that Humans were so interested with the dead. Maybe they are barbaric enough to eat our dead."
 * "This is Huragok blood." - When the Huragok remains were found.
 * "This room is a hunting preserve. It should be teeming with animals."
 * "Commander, more creatures incoming. Smaller, but lots of them." - When large Flood form was found.
 * "What are they, Commander?" - To Rtas 'Vadum.
 * "Commander, this path is cut off." - When they were going to the back of the ship.
 * "What are these things?"
 * "Commander, radio communications are offline." - In the Infinite Succor's Control Room.
 * "Self destruct system is not activating."
 * "I did." - When Rtas 'Vadum told him to use override codes.
 * "I was, Commander." - When Rtas 'Vadum asked if he was locking the doors.
 * "Understood." - When Rtas 'Vadum ordered him to take his men to the other side of the Plasma Battery and meet him in the Medical Bay.
 * "Commander, are you infected?" - To Rtas 'Vadum.
 * "No, Commander." - When Rtas 'Vadum asked him if he is infected.
 * "We stopped off at the ship's weapons locker on the way, Commander." - To Rtas 'Vadum.
 * "It seems the Plasma Turret overload has shorted out some of our equipment, including our radios." - To Rtas 'Vadum.
 * "Indeed, Commander." - When Rtas 'Vadum told him, that they're cut off from the Fleet of Particular Justice.
 * "You will... be with us." - Already infected, to Rtas 'Vadum.