Shipmaster

Ship Master is a Covenant Sangheili (Elite) rank. Ship masters usually have bodyguards, such as a Hunter pair.

Description
A Ship Master is a Covenant title for a high ranking Covenant Elite who is in command of a single starship. While Ship Masters hold their individual commands, they still fall under the command of their fleet's commanding Supreme Commander or Imperial Admiral. As with other Zealots beside Supreme Commanders, Ship Masters wear golden armor.

From what the UNSC has observed, Ship Masters command from the heart of Covenant ships, in its control center. They command from a raised circular platform overlooking the rest of the room. Holographic controls line the outer perimeter of the raised dais, and they act as viewscreens which can display external views of the ship or internal views from security cameras, to allow more efficient co-ordinating of attacks or defenses.

Also, as everything in the Control Centre (including the holographic projections) are purple in colour, it can be assumed that Elites favour the purple end of the EM-Spectrum as they are the main controllers of the ship.

When UNSC infiltrators first entered the CCS-Class battlecruiser, the Truth and Reconciliation, the Ship Master Orna 'Fulsamee was wielding his Energy Sword. It is then fair to assume that Ship Masters wield their Energy Swords (or their weapon of choice) at all times, as it is unlikely that Orna 'Fulsamee had prior warning that a boarding action was inbound. This can be seen from the fact that the Grunts probably on guard duty were sleeping. It is probably for an ornamental, rather than defensive purpose however.

Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo: PC

 * Truth and Reconciliation

Ranks
Zealots (with the exception of Prophets), usually command ships (As can be seen from their rank, "Ship-master") in the Covenant fleet. However, Halo: Ghosts of Onyx confirms lower ranks holding the position of Ship Master. Voro 'Mantakree was forced to kill his former superior officer, a Zealot by the name of Tano 'Inanraree, and was given command of the Reverence-class Cruiser ship Incorruptible. At that point in time, he was a Major Domo Elite, but was later promoted to a De facto Commander so that he could command a small task fleet sent to Onyx to hunt down the Bloodied Spirit. This confirms that when a Zealot isn't available (due to death, injury or some other reason), or perhaps isn't required, a lower rank may hold the title of Ship Master.

After the Covenant Civil War broke out, the Covenant Loyalists needed a rank to fill the gap created by the defection of the Elites, the original Ship Masters of the Covenant, to the side of the Covenant Separatists. Hence, Alpha Jiralhanae now serve as Ship Masters for the Covenant Loyalists.

Trivia

 * Ship Masters are equal to UNSC Navy Captains.
 * Thus far, only Zealots have been featured as Ship Masters, with the exception of one Major Domo Elite.

Known Ship Masters

 * Orna 'Fulsamee
 * Tano 'Inanraree
 * Voro 'Mantakree
 * 'Qunu

Related Links

 * Zealot
 * Elite