Prophet of Objection

In the power vacuum left in the wake of the assassination of the Prophet of Regret and the murder of Prophet of Mercy, the Covenant was left with only a single Hierarch to command it. Some historians hold that the fracturing of the Old Covenant started with the death of Regret, and the threat of secession made by the Sangheili - such a bold move would certainly have shocked the other races, and perhaps inspired a number to make their own secession threats. But all agree that Truth managed to hold the ailing Covenant together long enough to devastate Earth and reach the Ark. His death ahd a devastating effect on the Covenant, but it was not the only mortal blow - many of the Alpha tribe Chieftains were also killed in combat against UNSC and Sangheili forces, depriving the Jiralhanae of their own leadership. In the era that followed, the Old Covenant split into more than fifty smaller entities. Most of these were rival warlords gathering power to themselves, or the Prophets trying to cling to whatever power they had left.

Into this vacuum stepped the Prophet of Objection. Long a member of the High Council, Objection was the senior Councillor, and the only candidate able to step into the role of Hierarch. Though he lacked the inspirational qualities of the Prophet of Truth, he was nevertheless a shrewd politician and diplomat, and his influence managed to restore some coherency to the Covenant. Under his banner, it managed to stop the massive hemmoraghing of personnel and resources, at least for a little while, and focussed on strengthening its defences and rebuilding its infrastructure. He was perhaps the only figure that stopped the complete and total collapse of the Covenant, and eventually the New Covenant would become one of the dominant players in the Orion Arm of the galaxy once again - but not for a long time, and not until a considerable amount of effort had been expended.