Editing Vata 'Gajat

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Character infobox
|variant=Cov
|name=
|image=[[File:Gajat.PNG|290px]]
|homeworld=
|birth=
|death=[[2558#March|March 11, 2558]]
|causeofdeath=
|parents=
|siblings=
|spouses=
|children=
|species=[[Sangheili]]
|gender=Male
|height=
|mass=
|hair=
|eyes=Red
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]] {{C|Formerly}}
*[[Covenant separatists]] {{C|formerly}}
*[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] {{C|Formerly}}
*[[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]
*[[New Colonial Alliance]] {{C|Employer}}
|rank=[[Shipmaster]]
|sn=
|notable=*Mercenary leader
}}

'''Vata <noinclude>'</noinclude>Gajat''' was a [[Sangheili]] [[Shipmaster]] mercenary who once served in [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|reformed Covenant]].<ref name="HE2">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''' - ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 2|Issue #2]]''</ref><ref name="HE5">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 5|Issue #5]]''</ref>

==Biography==
At some point after the [[Human-Covenant War]], Vata 'Gajat joined Jul 'Mdama's Covenant. Eventually, 'Gajat and [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|the forces under his command]] left 'Mdama's Covenant and started working as mercenaries. By 2558 he was employed by the [[New Colonial Alliance]] and worked closely with [[Daniel Clayton]].

===Ealen IV===
In [[2558#March|March 2558]], he led [[Battle of Ealen IV|an attack]] on a Sangheili-[[Jiralhanae]] peace conference on [[Ealen IV]]. When informed by [[Tek]] of the envoy's retreat into a repair depot, he suggested they wait and let the Jiralhanae turn on the others. However, Clayton suggested he should hurry, so they could finish before the envoy's [[capital ship]]s responded. 'Gajat agreed to this.{{Ref/Reuse|HE2}}

Upon entering the repair depot, however, 'Gajat found it empty. He blamed Tek for the diplomats' escape and threatened to have Tek's share of the bounty taken and split amongst the others. 'Gajat then ordered his forces to prepare for deployment, noting that [[Vladimir Scruggs|his agent]] would soon provide the whereabouts of the envoy.{{Ref/Reuse|HE2}}

While overseeing the battle from his ship, 'Gajat was asked by Clayton about what would happen when Jul 'Mdama learned that he was in fact "moonlighting" for their mutual unknown employer. 'Gajat dismissed these concerns, stating that 'Mdama would probably ignore their secret activities due to his own ambition.<ref name="HE3">'''Halo: Escalation''' - ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|Issue #3]]''</ref> 

Later, when the envoy escaped the ambush and 'Gajat ordered a retreat. His fleet escaped into slipspace before the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} and their allied Sangheili and Jiralhanae ships could engage them.{{Ref/Reuse|HE3}}

===Ambushing ''Infinity''===
{{Main|Ambush at  Oth Lodon}}
Sometime after the Battle of Ealen IV, 'Gajat and Captain Clayton lured [[Terrence Hood|Admiral Hood]] and the UNSC ''Infinity'' into a trap, using assault craft supposedly recovered from the long-lost {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} to draw ''Infinity'' into Covenant-controlled territory near [[Oth Lodon]].  Once ''Infinity'' arrived, 'Gajat and Clayton opened fire on the ship with the massive [[energy projector|glassing cannon]] of their [[Oth Lodon station|hidden station]].{{Ref/Reuse|HE5}}

When the cannon overheated Clayton ordered 'Gajat to keep the ''Infinity'' busy while they brought the cannon back online. However, 'Gajat saw that an even greater profit could be made by destroying the ''Infinity''. When the station was boarded by Spartans, Clayton requested help from 'Gajat. He decided to ignore the call for help and pursue the ''Infinity''. When his [[SDV-class heavy corvette|ship]] targeted the ''Infinity'' he ordered a channel be opened so Clayton could watch only to find out the Spartans had seized control of the station. The Spartans opened fire with the cannon and destroyed 'Gajat's ship.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 6|Issue #6]]''</ref>

==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|quote=yes}}
Gajat's combat harness is based on a Sangheili armor concept piece for ''[[Halo 4]]''.<ref>[[:File:Halo_4_Sangheili_harness_concept_art.jpg|Sangheili harness concept art for ''Halo 4'']]</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Tek threatened.png|'Gajat threatening [[Tek]] for pointing out the obvious.
File:Tek abused.png|'Gajat throws Tek to the ground.
File:HE Gajat in his flagship.jpg|'Gajat at the [[bridge]] of a [[SDV-class heavy corvette|corvette]].
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' {{1st}}

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

[[Category:Sangheili characters|Gajat, Vata]]
[[Category:Covenant military personnel|Gajat, Vata]]
[[Category:Jul 'Mdama's Covenant members|Gajat, Vata]]
[[Category:Mercenaries|Gajat, Vata]]