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[[File:SHIPMASTER RTAS VADUM by victortky.jpg|500px|thumb|right|Rtas 'Vadum aboard the ''Shadow of Intent'']]
{{Era|HCW|Post|FA}}
'''Rtas 'Vadum''', or '''Rtas 'Vadumee''', was an [[Elite]] Ship Master for the [[Covenant]]. He is the Ship Master on the ''Shadow of Intent'' and the Fleet Master of the Fleet of Retribution. 'Vadam was a key element during the battle of [[Installation 05]] and the Human-Elite alliance. While serving with the Covenant, he was commanded to hunt down Sesa 'Refumee, the leader of the heretics.  
{{Ratings}}
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{{references}}
{{Covenant Character Infobox
|name= Rtas 'Vadum
|image= [[File:Rtas 'Vadum.jpg|300px]]
|homeworld= [[Sanghelios]], state of Vadum.
|birth=
|rank= [[Special Operations Commander of the Covenant]] (before [[Great Schism]])<br>
[[Ship Master]] of the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]''<br>
[[Fleet Master]] of the [[Fleet of Retribution]] (post Great Schism)
|species= [[Sangheili]]
|gender= Male
|height= 7'10''
|weapons=
*[[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword]]
*[[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle]]
|equipment=
*[[Elite Personal Energy Shield|Sangheili Personal Energy Shield]]
*[[Sangheili Point Defense Gauntlet]]
*[[Active Camouflage]]
|vehicles= ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', ''[[Wraith]]'', ''[[Spectre]]''
|eyes= Green ([[Halo 2]]), Orange ([[Halo 3]])
|nomenclature=
|cyber=
|era=
*[[Human-Covenant War]]
**[[Great Schism]]
|types=
|notable= Lost two mandibles in battle against an infected [[Kusovai]] in combat.
|affiliation= [[Covenant]], later [[Covenant Separatists]]
|hideb= true
}}
{{Article Quote|If it takes my death, so be it. You will not defeat the Covenant.}}
'''Rtas 'Vadum''' (known as '''Rtas 'Vadumee''' before the [[Great Schism|Covenant Civil War]]) was a [[Sangheili]] [[Special Operations Commander of the Covenant|Commander]] of the [[Covenant Army]] before the Great Schism, and later served as a high-ranking Separatist official.  


While the battle of Earth raged between [[Flood]], [[UNSC]], and Covenant separatists, Rtas 'Vadum aided [[Lord Hood]] and traveled through the portal to [[The Ark]]. He lent his troops to the UNSC to help defeat the [[High Prophet of Truth]]. After Truth's death, 'Vadum and Thel 'Vadam ([[The Arbiter]]) helped the [[Master Chief]] defeat the [[Gravemind]] and rescue [[Cortana]] aboard [[High Charity]]. After the end of the conflict, both 'Vadum and 'Vadam travel back to their homeworld, Sanghelios.
He was the only known [[Special Operations Commander of the Covenant|Special Operations Commander]] of the Covenant Army in the Halo series, a title in which he served before the civil war. As the Ship Master of the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' and the Fleet Master of the [[Fleet of Retribution]], 'Vadum played a pivotal role during and after the [[Battle of Installation 05]].  


[[File:Thel Vadam and Rtas Vadum.jpg|600px|thumb|left|'Vadum speaks to Thel 'Vadam while commanding his fleet]]
==Biography==
==='''Service with the Covenant'''===
====The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor====
{{Quote|Though you leave this world, you will come on the [[Great Journey]] when the time comes. Die with honor.|Rtas 'Vadumee mercy-killing a [[Flood]] infected Elite.}}
{{Main|The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor}}
Rtas is first seen attached to the ''[[Fleet of Particular Justice]]'' orbiting [[Installation 04]]. When the agriculture ship ''[[Infinite Succor]]'' was boarded by an unknown threat during the battle there, Rtas 'Vadum<!-- This happened BEFORE he changed his name; please do not remove the "ee". -->ee, fresh from a training duel with his second-in-command, Sub-Commander [[Bero 'Kusovai]], led a team there to investigate. This team was comprised of [[Special Operations Elite|Special Operations Elites]] and [[Special Operations Unggoy|Special Operations Grunts]]. In addition to eliminating the boarders, 'Vadumee's team was tasked with securing a Legate known as the [[Minister of Etiology]]. There they encountered the Flood for the first time. During this battle, Rtas displayed great care for the soldiers under his command, even for the Grunts, whom he tells to get behind the Elites. Such concern for the lower caste is particularly atypical for Elites.


[[Category:Covenant]] [[Category:Covenant Separatists]] [[Category:Elites]]
[[Image:HGN3.jpg|thumb|Rtas 'Vadumee on the ''Infinite Succor''.]]
In an attempt to kill the Flood, 'Vadumee used the Engineering station to set a Slipspace course towards the sun. During that time, it was revealed that the Legate had become infected, and Rtas had to battle his infected sub-commander 'Kusovai. He was able to make a mortal strike at the infected 'Kusovai by allowing the Sub-Commander to strike him along his arm and face, severing his left mandibles. He managed to escape on board a Phantom called the [[Glorious Advance]] two minutes before the Slipspace jump occurred. 'Vadumee is believed to be the only survivor of the ''Infinite Succor'' mission.<ref>''The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor''</ref>
 
Given the fact that Rtas had sufficient downtime to engage in a training duel prior to the Infinite Succor mission, and due to the extensive wounds incurred in said mission, it is unknown what, if any, fighting Rtas would have seen during the greater Battle of Installation 04.
 
====Battle against the Heretics====
{{Quote|You are the [[Arbiter (Rank)|Arbiter]], the will of the [[San 'Shyuum|Prophets]], but these are my [[Sangheili|Elites]]. Their lives matter to me, yours does not.|Rtas 'Vadumee}}
 
[[Image:Arbiter and Half-Jaw.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Rtas 'Vadumee speaks to [[Thel 'Vadamee]].]]
Rtas 'Vadumee was assigned to hunt down the [[Heretics (Faction)|Heretic]] leader, [[Sesa 'Refumee]], on a [[Forerunner]] [[Gas Mine]] above the gas giant [[Threshold]] (it is this first depiction of Rtas that shows his color scheme is different from a standard Ultra). Joining him was [[Thel 'Vadamee|the newly assigned Arbiter]], formerly the Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice. Rtas 'Vadumee was to aid the Arbiter with his [[Spec Ops Elites]] and Grunts to silence the Heretic. Aboard a [[Phantom]] for the majority of the mission, he provided valuable reinforcements to the Arbiter as he progressed through the facility. 'Vadumee joined the Arbiter in his search on foot<ref>[[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]]</ref> as they closed in on the Heretic leader.
 
[[Image:Half-jaw.jpg|150px|right|thumb|The Special Operations Commander in the gas mine.]]
After clearing the area of the [[The Flood|parasite]], Rtas split up with the Arbiter to regroup with reinforcements. A short time later, they further pursued 'Refumee until he locked himself behind an unbreakable energy barrier. Forced to give up, Rtas was about to turn away when the Arbiter volunteered to cut the cables holding up the mine in a risky attempt to draw out the fugitive. The Commander agreed, loaning the [[Arbiter]] his [[Energy Sword]] for the task. Leaving the Arbiter to his work, Rtas and his remaining forces evacuated in a [[Phantom]] and returned to ''[[High Charity]].''<ref>[[The Oracle (Level)]]</ref>
 
====Changing of the Guard====
{{quote|This is unprecedented. Unacceptable.|Commander Rtas 'Vadum}}
[[Image:Half jaw.JPG|120px|left|thumb|'Vadumee listens to the [[Prophet]]s speak of the [[Changing of the Guard]].]]
 
Back on ''[[High Charity]]'', the [[Jiralhanae]] were [[Changing of the Guard|taking over]] the position of [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Honor Guard]] to the [[High Prophets]], allegedly due to the fact that the [[John-117|"Demon"]] had successfully assassinated the Prophet of Regret and none of the Honor Guard Elites or the Grunts guarding the High Prophet could stop him. Because of his position, Rtas expressed his disdain to the Prophets of Truth and Mercy, disgusted by this radical switch in tradition and customs, also noting his belief that Regret could have been saved had Truth not halted their reinforcement attempt. However, the Prophet of Truth denied his complaints and sent Rtas 'Vadumee and his two Elites away.
 
====The Search for the Sacred Icon====
{{Quote|We shall cut into the heart of this infestation, retrieve the Icon, and burn any Flood that stand in our way!|Rtas 'Vadumee}}
 
Soon after the [[Battle of the Gas Mine]], Rtas was involved in the operation against the Flood and the [[Marines|UNSC Marines]], rendering aid to the Arbiter as he searched for the [[Activation Index|Sacred Icon]] deep inside the [[Quarantine Zone]] on [[Delta Halo]]. Rtas landed inside the Quarantine Zone in an [[Orbital Insertion Pod]] but was separated from his squad during the fall. He held the Covenant camp at the foot of the [[Sentinel Wall]] alone until his squad and the Arbiter joined him. Afterward, Rtas left in a [[Phantom]] to command the Elite assault towards the Library. Later, he rejoined the Arbiter in a [[Spectre]] and helped him push through a Flood barricade to access one of the Gondolas that were the only way to enter the [[Library]]. Rtas stayed behind to hold off the Flood while the Arbiter took the second [[Gondola]] to reach the Sacred Icon.
 
===The Great Schism===
====Deactivating Halo====
{{Quote|The Brutes control that Cruiser, Arbiter. I'll remain here, make sure no reinforcements get in behind you. Then, I'm going to take the Cruiser back!|Rtas Vadum's last words in ''Halo 2''}}
[[File:RtasVadumWraith.jpg|thumb|Rtas 'Vadum prepares to escort the Arbiter to the [[Bastion of the Brutes]].]]
 
Commandeering a [[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraith]], Rtas spotted a [[Scarab]] walker outside a Brute encampment. Making his way along the coast, a surprised Rtas met up with the Arbiter, this time on a quest to find the Icon before
[[Installation 05]] could be activated. From the Arbiter he learned of the murder of the Council and the treachery of the Brutes. The Elites were interrupted by the arrival of [[Tartarus]]' [[Phantom]] and its escorts as they entered the [[Control Room]]. Wishing to avenge their fallen brothers, Rtas and the Arbiter attacked them by surprise and met up with a squad of [[Lekgolo|Hunters]] and other Elites.
 
There, Rtas again split up with the Arbiter to prevent any Jiralhanae reinforcements from attacking the Arbiter's rear, and was not present when he escorted [[Avery Johnson|Sgt. Johnson]] to the Control Room. It is unknown exactly what happened to him, though it is assumed he attempted to take back a Covenant [[CCS-class Battlecruiser]] that was hovering a distance from the battle area, as the last line spoken by Rtas was "Then, I'm going to take the Cruiser back!"<ref>[[The Great Journey (Level)]]</ref> It is not known what became of that ship as he appears in ''Halo 3'' with the [[Assault Carrier]], ''Shadow of Intent''.
 
[[Image:shipmaster02.jpg|200px|thumb|'Vadum argues with Lord Hood aboard the ''Shadow of Intent''.]]
 
====Battle of Earth====
{{Quote|One single Flood spore can destroy a species. Were it not for the Arbiter's counsel, I would have glassed your entire ''planet!''|Rtas 'Vadum to Lord Hood after glassing [[Voi]] to eliminate the Flood threat}}
 
After learning the truth of the Halo Rings, he changed his name to '''Rtas 'Vadum''', dropping the "ee" suffix and signifying his secession from the Covenant along with most (if not all) of his kind. Shortly after, Rtas took on the role of a Ship Master in the Separatist Fleet during the late [[Battle of Earth]]. He came to the aid of the [[Human]]s by glassing "half a continent" (as put by [[Lord Terrence Hood]]) to destroy the infestation of the Flood. Later, he joined the Arbiter, [[John-117]], [[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]], [[Lord Terrence Hood]] and Commander [[Miranda Keyes]] when a message from [[Cortana]] was found in the crashed Flood ship.
 
[[File:Halo 3 - Shipmaster Rtas Vadum.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Rtas on the bridge of the ''Shadow of Intent''.]]
 
==== Battle of Installation 00 ====
{{Quote|Brute ships! Staggered line! Ship Master, they outnumber us, three to one!|}} A [[Major Elite]] reporting to the Ship Master.
 
{{Quote|Then it is an even fight. All cruisers fire at will. Burn their mongrel hides!|Rtas 'Vadum, in response}}
 
[[Image:Thel_Vadam_and_Rtas_Vadum.jpg|left|thumb|Ship Master Rtas 'Vadum and Arbiter Thel 'Vadam depart for Sanghelios.]]
Rtas went through the portal to lead the [[Battle of Installation 00]] in space, joining forces with Commander [[Miranda Keyes]] to destroy Truth's much larger fleet. After devastating Truth's fleet and discovering that [[Truth]] was located on the Ark's surface, 'Vadum led the assault on the [[Barrier Tower]]s from the ''Shadow of Intent'', bombarding the shield with plasma torpedoes. After the barrier was deactivated, 'Vadum moved the ship over the [[Citadel]] and prepared to destroy it, but was knocked off-course by [[High Charity]] appearing out of [[slipspace]]. 'Vadum's ship was incapacitated and left the task of killing Truth to the Arbiter and Spartan 117. 'Vadum then gathered all [[Human]] and Elite forces on the ship and returned to [[Earth]] through [[The Portal]].
 
Rtas was last seen aboard the ''Shadow of Intent'' after the end of the war, where he gave the Arbiter the command of the ship and stated that he would like to see his own world to know that it is safe. The Assault Carrier then departed for Sanghelios.
 
==Physical Appearance==
Rtas 'Vadum wears white armor in all of his appearances. In ''[[Halo 2]]'', he wears standard combat armor, while in ''[[Halo 3]]'' he wears the [[Assault Harness|Assault variant]], with a Combat helmet. He has green eyes in ''Halo 2'', but orange eyes in ''Halo 3''. He stands an imposing 7 feet 10 inches in ''Halo 2'' (though he is still shorter than Thel 'Vadam) and can use either hand to wield a weapon. Perhaps the most memorable feature of his appearance is that he is missing his two left mandibles, as they were cut off in a fight with a Flood-infected 'Kusovai, his second in command. As such, among Halo fans, he is commonly known as "Half-Jaw."
 
==Personality==
Rtas 'Vadum is known for being a quick, smart, and ingenious tactician and an unparalleled fighter, especially with an Energy Sword and is an excellent leader. He expresses great care for his soldiers, even the [[Unggoy]]. He is eager to exact revenge on the [[Brute]]s after the Great Schism. He usually speaks in a formal tongue, i.e he doesn't say "I'm" or "won't". In time, Rtas begins to have respect for certain humans, [[John-117]] in particular.
 
Rtas held great trust and respect for [[Thel 'Vadam]] after the events of the [[Battle of the Gas Mine]]. His trust was unwavering during the [[Changing of the Guard]] despite the fact that Thel (as the current Arbiter) answered only to the Prophets. Later during the [[Great Schism]], Rtas and Thel became the catalysts who [[Covenant Separatists|united]] the Sangheili against the Prophets and the Brutes. He acknowledged Thel's "counsel" enough to convince himself that the Humans were worthy allies.
 
It is noted that 'Vadum becomes more calm in ''Halo 3'', possibly because he spends less time fighting on the ground and more time commanding ships. Though he pledges much respect for the humans, 'Vadum is still willing to argue with Hood on matters regarding both the Loyalist and Flood threats, as shown when he revealed that he originally planned to destroy Earth after the Flood ship crashed in Voi. However, this was not because of the general hatred 'Vadum once held towards the humans but to protect the rest of the galaxy from infection, as he did not want to gamble that even one [[Flood Spores|spore]] might survive the glassing, and most probably would have had [[humanity]] die with what dignity they had left than be used as tools by the [[Gravemind]]. His experience on the ''[[Infinite Succor]]'' gave him unique insight into the terrifying nature of the Flood and he takes any threat of infection very seriously.
 
==Production Notes==
{{Quotes Link}}
*Rtas 'Vadum was voiced by [[Robert Davi]] in ''Halo 2'' and also in ''Halo 3''.
*The Rtas 'Vadum model for ''Halo 2'' was created by [[Marcus R. Lehto]].
 
== Trivia ==
[[Image:20506827-Medium.png|right|thumb|A dead Elite Ultra on [[Floodgate (Level)|Floodgate]] that looks like Rtas 'Vadum due to the missing mandibles and armor.]]
*"Vadum" translates from Latin as "ford, shallows"<ref>http://www.translation-guide.com/free_online_translators.php?from=Latin&to=English</ref>
*Rtas is the only known Ship Master to bear silver armor instead of golden armor.
*Rtas is one of few elites that actually cares for the Grunts under his command.
*There is an interesting glitch in ''Halo 2'' which allows you to make 'Vadum fly through the air, being eaten by Flood Infection forms. For more information, go [[Flying Half-Jaw|here]].
*'Rtas is one of only three Elite [[NPC]]s shown carrying his weapon in his left hand at least once (the others are a Spec Ops Elite in the level, The Oracle, and the Arbiter in a cutscene, which is also from The Oracle). This occurs during the level [[Quarantine Zone]], in which he leaves the Arbiter to do battle with the Flood, saying "On your way, Arbiter. I'll deal with these beasts."
*'Vadum is one of only two Elites, the other being the Arbiter, to call John-117 "[[Spartan]]" rather than "[[Demon]]".
*In ''Halo 2'', no matter what you try, Rtas 'Vadum will not die. He can survive lethal drops that the player cannot survive, much like [[Sgt. Johnson]].
*Rtas is the only Sangheili to feature the "Eye Glitch" when he uses [[Active Camo]]; his green eyes are still visible even though his body is not. It is only seen on the Arbiter level titled, [[The Oracle (Level)|the Oracle]].
*He is one of the few characters to propose a trade in-game, saying to the [[Arbiter]], "Take my blade, I doubt the cable can withstand its bite." Another example of character proposing a trade is an Elite Major in The Great Journey that says, "Take my Banshee, Arbiter."
*[[Joyride Studios]] had originally planned to produce ''Rtas 'Vadumee'' [[Action Figures]] in the eighth series of the ''Halo 2'' 8-inch figures, but the production was canceled because they felt it was pointless to release another Sangheili figure with a different paint job. However, [[McFarlane Toys]] have made the action figure in the new series 6 action figures.
*His Assault shoulder pads are noticeably larger than multiplayer models.
*Even though he is referred to as a Ship Master in ''Halo 3'', he actually bears the title of Fleet Master.
*The fleet that Rtas 'Vadum commands in ''Halo 3'' is known as the ''[[Fleet of Retribution]]'', a branch of the [[Sangheilian Armed Forces]].
*It is a notable habit of Rtas in ''Halo 2'' to assist the Arbiter but suddenly leave to attend to other matters, usually just before the more difficult part of the mission. This tendency is noticed by Tartarus, who refers to him as a coward. This is most likely to balance the game, since Rtas is invincible.
*The action figure of him is called, "Rtas 'Vadumee", even though he broke away from the Covenant and removed the "ee" suffix by the time of ''Halo 3''.
 
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="150" orientation="landscape" captionalign="left">
File:Vadum on the Shadow of Intent.jpg|Ship Master Rtas 'Vadum with his Sangheili aide on the Shadow of Intent.
File:Vadum & Vadam.jpg|'Vadum respectfully acknowledges the counsel of 'Vadam, which united Humans and Sangheili.
The Special Ops Leader.png|A frontal view of Rtas from Halo 2, showing his missing mandibles.
</gallery>
 
==Sources==
<references/>
 
{{Elites}}
 
[[de:Rtas 'Vadum]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:Elites (Characters)]]
[[Category:Characters|Vadum, Rtas]]
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