Fleetmaster

The Fleet Master is a very high-ranking Elite within the Covenant Navy. This grade of Elite commands Task Forces and small Fleets.

Rank
Fleet Master is the highest military office for an Elite except for Supreme Commander, or perhaps an Imperial Admiral. Politically, the highest rank obtainable by an Elite is the rank of Councilor. Fleet Masters are one step higher than an Elite Ship Master. Whenever a small Fleet is needed for any mission away from the entirety of the Covenant Navy, a Fleet Master will be assigned and given command of several starships for that task. This shows they could be the Covenant equivalent to a UNSC Rear Admiral. Since Fleet Masters are such a high rank, it is assumed that they may also command the entire Fleet should their Supreme Commander or Imperial Admiral be incapacitated during space combat, though this is still unconfirmed.

They normally operate from a large warship, such as a Reverence-class Cruiser. This can especially be seen in Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, as the Imperial Admiral Xytan 'Jar Wattinree commanded a Supercarrier, while the Fleet Master Voro Nar 'Mantakree, operated from a Reverence-class Cruiser.

The Arbiter, should their role ever require it, could probably be assigned the role of Fleet Master. As well, should Councilors decide to get involved in military operations, they too could probably have the authority of rank to command an entire Fleet, even having Zealots subordinate to them.

Only one Fleet Master is officially known, Voro Nar 'Mantakree, who commanded a small task force to the planet of Onyx in order to acquire the holy relics and technologies from the planet.

Physical Appearance
Fleet Masters don't appear to have any changes on their armor from other Elites of the same rank (for example, it is impossible to tell a Zealot Fleet Master apart from a Zealot Field Master based on armor alone).

Trivia

 * Rtas' Vadum actually counts as a fleet master even though he is called a ship master.
 * When Voro 'Mantakree was promoted from Major Domo to a Zealot Fleet Master, an extra part was added to his name, making it Voro Nar 'Mantakree.
 * A Fleet Master may prospectively have more authority and than a Field Master, since delivering an army to the battlefield may fall into one of the responsibilities performed by a Fleet Master.

Known Fleet Masters

 * Voro Nar 'Mantakree - Ship Master of the Incorruptible, who led a Fleet to follow the Bloodied Spirit to Onyx.
 * Rtas 'Vadum - Ship Master of the Assault Carrier Shadow of Intent and Fleet Master of the Fleet of Retribution.