Ussa 'Xellus: Difference between revisions

Ussa 'Xellus was born in the state of [[Xellus]] on [[Sanghelios]]. He served as a [[Sangheili Field Commander|military commander]] for Sanghelios.<ref name="hbc c1"/> During the [[San'Shyuum-Sangheili War]], he fought against the [[San'Shyuum]] in numerous battles serving as a field commander. He led Sangheili forces in a [[Skirmish of the Planet of Blue and Red|skirmish]] on the [[Planet of Blue and Red]] in [[860 BCE]], along with his second-in-command [[Ernicka|Ernicka the Scar-Maker]]. When he first arrived on the planet, he completely reorganized its defenses. During the battle, he was observed by [[High Lord|High Lord of Sacred Relics‎]], [[Mken 'Scre'ah'ben]]. Mken had 'Xellus marked for assassination, but realized that if the San'Shyuum were to capture and interrogate Ussa, they could learn more about the Sangheili and possibly have him convince the Sangheili to surrender. Instead, Mken hoped to find Ussa useful in the future and belayed the order. Ussa later led Sangheili assault teams that were approaching the San'Shyuum scientists and warriors. Mken deployed [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s to weaken the Sangheili's attacking army, but Ussa survived.<ref name="bc7">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 7-9''</ref> After Sangheili assassins forced Mken and other San'Shyuum to retreat to the planet's orbit, Ussa regrouped with his attack force. Ernicka did not believe the San'Shyuum would attack from orbit, since the San'Shyuum were not willing to risk causing damage to the planet's [[Forerunner]] structures. However, Ussa realized that the  San'Shyuum were intending to use a weapon from their [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] that was too weak to damage the structures and kill all exposed Sangheili. Ussa ordered for all the Sangheili to retreat into the interiors of the structures to survive the orbital attacks.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 11''</ref>

As the San'Shyuum [[orbital bombardment|orbitally bombarded]] the planet, Mken knew that Ussa was wise enough to survive the attack. Mken was discreetly glad that 'Xellus had survived the battle as he saw potential in the Sangheili commander. Mken predicted that he would encounter Ussa again.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 13-14''</ref> He eventually managed to escape the world and would later engage in many more battles in the war.<ref name="hbc c1"/> His first-born son, [[Ossis 'Xellus]], died in battle presumably during the war.<ref name="bc68">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 68''</ref>

When the war ended in [[852 BCE]], Ussa was opposed to the unification of the Sangheili and San'Shyuum to form the [[Covenant]], believing that the Sangheili were surrendering themselves to the San'Shyuum. In [[851 BCE]], 'Xellus warned the residents of Xellus to not trust the Covenant or the San'Shyuum. Some of the keep's residents did not agree with Ussa and reported his heresy to Covenant authorities. In response, attack fighters were sent by the Covenant to fire upon [[Xellus keep]]. The fighters dropped explosive charges on the keep's plaza, instantly killing numerous Sangheili. During the assault, Ussa succeeded in destroying one of the crafts. Ultimately, the keep was destroyed and hundreds of the keep's inhabitants were killed. However, the survivors were led by Ussa and they fled to the region of [[Nwari]] at Sanghelios' southern pole. Ussa and his followers hid within a dormant volcano in the region and used their clan's funds to purchase vehicles for the rebellion. Meanwhile, the [[Sangheili treaty commission]] sent out assassins to locate Ussa.<ref name="hbc c1"/>

Back in Nwari, Ussa's allies eagerly awaited his return. As Covenant assassins began to close in on Ussa's camp, he realized that there was likely a spy among his group. Without informing anyone else of his plan to detect the spy, Ussa delivered a speech to his followers informing them to prepare to leave for a new home of refuge. As the group began to pack up, [[Vertikus]] asked where they were going. Ussa avoided directly answering his question; he only told Vertikus that their new home was far from Sanghelios. Frustrated, Vertikus revealed himself as the spy and charged at Ussa with a [[burnblade]]. Ernicka defended Ussa and disarmed the spy. Although Ussa attempted to order his followers to capture Vertikus for interrogation, the spy was ripped apart by a mob of ten angry Sangheili before Ussa could finish giving out the command. Eventually, the Sangheili finished packing up and departed for the shield world.<ref name="hbc c1"/>

Some time later, Ussa was informed the 'Crolon had escaped. Ussa, Sooln, and Bias raced to the ship [[Hangar bay|hangar]] and arrived just as 'Crolon left the planet in ''Clan's Blade''. Although he did not believe that 'Crolon would return to the Covenant, he nonetheless began to prepare to activate the Disassembler process.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 155-158''</ref> Eventually, ''Clan's Blade'' was intercepted by Covenant patrols and 'Crolon offered to reveal the location of the Refuge in exchange for his life. For failing to kill Ussa at the Planet of Blue and Red, Mken 'Scre'ah'ben—now the Prophet of Inner Conviction—was sent by the [[Hierarchs]] to lead a fleet to quell Ussa's rebellion.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 164''</ref> When a [[Covenant fleet]] arrived over the shield world, Ussa intended to activate the Disassembler process but first decided to contact the fleet, hoping to possibly negotiate a deal.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 166''</ref> Mken's [[Pledge of Holiness|carrier]] sent a transmission that was picked up by Enduring Bias. Bias presented the transmission to Ussa, allowing the two to see and hear each other. Mken gave Ussa an offer: if Ussa and Sooln turned themselves in, the rest of the Ussans will be free to live on Sanghelios. Knowing that his people would still likely be killed, Ussa instead offered to hand over relics to the Covenant each [[cycle|solar cycle]] if the fleet withdrew. Mken told Ussa that the Covenant would not agree, and insisted that he surrendered for the sake of his people. Again, Ussa declined and told Bias to end the transmission.<ref name="bc171"/> As the [[Covenant military]] invaded the shield world, Ussa sent one final transmission to Mken. He warned the San'Shyuum that he was about to destroy the shield world and suggested for the Covenant to extract their warriors off the world.<ref name="bc178">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 178-181''</ref>

As the Covenant fleet retreated to the planet's orbit, Ussa and Enduring Bias activated the Disassembler process. The shield world was seemingly destroyed, along with all of its inhabitants. In truth, Ussa and his allies survived aboard large freight movers. Mken believed that he spotted the freighters within the debris of the Refuge, but chose to ignore as he knew Ussa would not present a threat to the Covenant.<ref name="bc178"/> When the Covenant fleet left the system, Enduring Bias set the fragmented habitats within the system's [[asteroid]] belt. The Ussans continued to inhabit the habitable sections of the Refuge, as Ussa pledged to one day have his people take back Sanghelios.<ref name="bc183"/> At some point, the [[Primary Section]] of the Refuge was struck by a comet and disabled Bias. Ussa would later write that he believed the monitor would repair himself and become active in the future.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 206''</ref>

Ussa was an intelligent and highly innovative individual. In battle, he was considered strong, quick, and very experienced. [[Mken 'Scre'ah'ben|High Lord Mken 'Scre'ah'ben]], a [[San'Shyuum]], believed that Ussa cast an aura of authority and sharp awareness on subordinates.<ref name="bc7"/> Ussa did not believe in the [[Covenant religion]] or the Great Journey; he noted that [[Enduring Bias]] spoke without dignity and never acted "divine", which contrasted with the Covenant's religious views on [[Forerunner]] [[ancilla]].<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 69''</ref> Ussa was widely respected by his followers, and even those that opposed him. He cared greatly for the individuals among his clan and for those who served under him. After addressing his followers, he would sometimes descend and walk among them, symbolically aiding them in their work—such as helping females care for eggs—a sign of a great leader among Sangheili.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 43''</ref> Ussa was noted to be unusually merciful for a Sangheili. He tolerated [[Salus 'Crolon]], despite his near-treasonous behavior, and Ussa later warned Mken to evacuate all of his troops off the shield world before he "destroyed" the planet.<ref name="bc178"/>

Ussa cared deeply for his mate, [[Sooln 'Xellus]]. He enjoyed the way she expressed herself, stating that it was one of her qualities that he found endearing. Whenever Ussa had to go into battle, he would still often be thinking of Sooln.<ref name="bc68"/> Ussa had great trust in [[Ernicka the Scar-Maker]], his close friend and second-in-command.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 45''</ref> Ussa even allowed [[Vertikus|a Covenant spy]] to charge directly at him, knowing Ernicka would act and defend Ussa.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 44''</ref> Ussa and Ernicka were reluctant to trust Enduring Bias,<ref name="bc171"/> but they knew it was necessary to survive on the Refuge and to remain hidden from the Covenant.<ref name="bc183"/> Over time, Ussa and the [[monitor]] formed a rapport of sorts, as Bias began to adhere to Sangheili culture and customs.<ref name="bc284"/>