Shipmaster

Summary
A Ship Master is a high ranking Elite in the Covenant. Ship Masters are Zealot Elites that command a particular ship in a Covenant Fleet.

Rank
A Ship Master is a Covenant title for a high ranking Covenant member who is in command of a ship. This rank is equivalent to the UNSC naval "Captain". Ship Masters command Starships within the Covenant, but they still fall under the command of their fleet's Supreme Commander or Imperial Admiral. It is one of the Zealot Elite ranks, who are Field Masters, Ship Masters, and Fleet Masters of the Covenant alien juggernaut. An example of this is Orna 'Fulsamee, who was the Ship Master of the Truth and Reconciliation.

Appearance
Ship Masters wear the golden armour of a Zealot, but there may possibly be some Ultras as Ship Masters, which would then wear the white armour of an Ultra. Ship Masters always use energy swords in combat, and are extremely tough enemies.

The Role of Ultras
It is highly probable, and implied, that Ultras are also given the title of Ship Master. An Ultra would probably not be the Ship Master of a capital ship such as an Assault Carrier. At most, an Ultra would be the Ship Master of a CCS-class battlecruiser.

Further evidence of this might be when the character Rtas 'Vadumee in Halo 2 remarks "I'm going to take the cruiser back.", referring to a CCS-class cruiser in the distance during The Great Journey (Level). If he intended to take and then hold the ship, using it for the Elite's cause against the Prophets and Brutes, he would most likly already have the authority of rank to command such a ship.

Related Links

 * Zealot
 * Elite