TheRuma-pattern light carrier^[2] (UNSCthree-letter classification:DDS-class carrier)^[1], is a heavywarship within the now-defunctCovenant fleet. During the empire's heyday, theRuma served as a second-line vessel for reserve fleets - rarely encountered far fromharborages and naval depots.^[2] Although formally classed as light carriers,Ruma-pattern ships may sometimes colloquially be referred to as "supercarriers"; this is an informal term that can be applied toRumas alongside largerassault carriers andsupercarriers to distinguish three types of gargantuan carrier warship from theirmuch smaller cousins.^[3]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

Unlike the larger and more powerfulassault carriers andsupercarriers, theRuma is not intended for service on the front lines of a conflict. It measures 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) in length^[1][2] - just over double that of thesmaller, unidentified light carriers and just over half that of an assault carrier. Its form consists of three distinct prongs, similar in nature to adestroyer.^[6] The shieldlessnanolaminate hull of aRuma-pattern carrier is capable of withstanding heat of up to 300^oC, with no actual damage done to the carrier's structure. Only at extreme temperatures of over 1,700^oC does minor hull tearing and conduit melting occur.^[7]

The ship has a singlestrikecraft launch bay located on the ship's belly, capable of storing at least sixSeraph starfighters - and wide enough to accomodate aC709 Longsword.^[4] The hangar's interior layout is broadly similar to that of other Covenant ships such as theKet-pattern battlecruiser, with excessively high vaulted ceilings, low and indirect lighting, and purple walls stenciled with faintly luminescent geometric patterns. The back of the hangar contains a single, broadly hexagonal, door, which itself leads to the main corridor linking the hangar to the ship'sbridge. The ship is also fitted with numerous engineering corridors forHuragok use - too small for aSangheili to fit through. The engineering corridors share a vent that connects to a small corridor fitted withescape pods, which in turn serves as an alternate (albeit unintended) means of accessing the bridge. Under normal operating conditions, the escape pod bay is classed as an emergency system.^[8]

The bridge is circular in nature, and roughly 20 metres (66 ft) in diameter. The centre of the room has a raised platform ringed withholographic control surfaces, hovering over a pit in the floor. The walls of the bridge are coated in floor-to-ceiling displays showing the ship's status for the crew.^[8] Twenty decks below the bridge is the engineering deck containing the ship'spinch fusion reactor, which is linked by a series of intervening corridors and an elevator shaft. The reactor is ten metres high, and the centrepiece of the cavernous engineering bay.^[7]

The ship'sborer is considered fairly slow for ships of its mass - something which reinforces its reserve status.^[2]

Complement and crew[edit]

TheRuma carrierAscendant Justice had an official crew count of 3,000; consisting of a hundredSangheili, a light company ofUnggoy, and majority of the crew beingHuragok.^[8] It is unclear whether this represents a standard crew for other ships of the class. In more standard operation,Rumas serve as troop carriers,strikecraft tenders, and a posting forpilots. Their pilots are rarely stationed on aRuma for long, as fresh pilots are frequently rotated to other ships and replaced by battle-weary units coming back from the front for rest and recuperation.^[2]

Theshipmaster of aRuma is generally a junior officer, placed into such a role to gain experience and have their skills, devotion, and patience tested in a non-critical role. If successful, they arepromoted to more prestigous commands.^[2]

The ship's ventral hangar is capable of hosting and launching at least sixSeraph fighters.^[4]

Armaments[edit]

TheRuma is relatively lightly armed, given its size, and boasts fairly substandard offensive power for a ship of its mass - lacking any of the heavy or superheavy-grade weaponry that characterises other capital-grade warships in the Covenant inventory such as theKerel-pattern assault carrier andVarric-pattern heavy cruiser. The carrier's primary weapons system are twoIgnis-patternplasma lances, the same model as that equipped on theKet-pattern battlecruiser. These are augmented by seven^[7]Morfen-patternplasma cannons similar to those employed on the olderMaugen-pattern armored cruiser, eightArgament-patternplasma torpedo silos also shared with theMaugen, and an extensivepoint-defence network consisting of 75Pol-patternpulse laser turrets.^[2]

To guide the plasma, the ship is fitted with a magnetic field multiplier; a piece of Covenant technology that acts as a focusing lens of sorts to shape and guide the plasma projectiles fired from their naval weaponry. While aboardAscendant Justice,Cortana used this system to refine the ship's plasma cannons into firing plasma lance-like beams capable of overpowering other Covenant warships in combat.^[7]

Usage[edit]

TheRuma-pattern carrier's main functions are occupation and force deployment;^[1] where an assault carrier can serve as a potentspace warfare combatant and command ship in its own right, theRuma is more specialised into the role of troop and fighter transport. They are generally stationed asflagships for second-line and reserve fleets, meaning that they are rarely encountered far from a friendly port capable of servicing them.^[2]

In thethree-letter ship classification system used by theOffice of Naval Intelligence for classifying Covenant spacecraft, the "S", or Salvation, in the carrier's three-letter classification code, "DDS", indicates that the DDS-class carrier is a dedicated warship.^[3]

Ships of the line[edit]

• Ascendant Justice – Participated in theBattle of Installation 04, captured by UNSC, and was destroyed duringOperation: FIRST STRIKE.^[9]

Service history[edit]

Shiela Polaski'shelmet cam captures footage inside ofAscendant Justice.

At least one,Ascendant Justice, was assigned to theFleet of Particular Justice and pursued theUNSCPillar of Autumn toInstallation 04 after the battle. During the battle, it was the seat of theMinor Prophet of Stewardship until irreconcilable differences between him and Particular JusticeFleetmasterThel 'Vadamee forced 'Vadamee toboardAscendant Justice and confront the prophet. Stewardship fled to Installation 04 in this time, coming to use the battlecruiserTruth and Reconciliation as his base for the remainder of the campaign.^[10][3] Following theBattle of Installation 04,Ascendant Justice was captured byUNSC forces and captained by Vice AdmiralDanforth Whitcomb until its destruction duringOperation: FIRST STRIKE.^[9]

List of appearances[edit]

• Halo: The Flood
  • Adjunct(Mentioned only)
• Halo: First Strike(First appearance)

Sources[edit]

• Covenant ship classes
• Carrier classes