The Covenant Hierarchy reacted to it in an expected manner: shock, anger, and rage. The Halo's were supposed to be the tools necessary to perform the Great Journey and to ascend with the Forerunners. Instead, one of the great holy relics lay destroyed. Never mind that the Covenant were oblivious to the true nature of the Installations. The Hierarchy moved to strip Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice Thel 'Vadam of his rank. Thel 'Vadam was later given the rank of Arbiter to atone for his "heresy."