Connor Brien

Connor Brien was a xeno-linguistic expert within the Office of Naval Intelligence. He has worked on multiple operations dealing with the Covenant, but focused most of his research on the Jiralhanae.

Early Career
Connor Brien was an extremely skilled worker in linguistic anthropology. He had deciphered the language and social structure of a long lost Native American tribe found in the tundra of North America by linking it to that of a 1970's charismatic cult. Brien was recruited by the Office of Naval Intelligence right after the First Battle of Harvest. He had ventured multiple times into Covenant space in order to learn more about the Brute society. At some point, he even managed to explore the Covenant holy city High Charity to a limited degree, likely the first human to set foot there.

Later Career
Learning of the Jiralhanae invasion of Beta Gabriel, Brien was granted permission to land on the planet and study their behavior. He is caught by the a group of Brute hunters while he watches from a tree, and is brought back to their encampment around a landed Covenant vessel. While there he witnesses the slow breakdown of the pack's unity and creates a diversion that allows for the escape of himself and the remaining prisoners. While at the camp he meets a prominent religious figure, Dasc Gevadim, who had hidden away on Beta Gabriel to increase the devotion of his followers. This leads to Brien's death, as Dasc shoots him in the head with his own M6 pistol before help can arrive, preferring that one man die so that the faith of millions can be preserved.