View source for Attack on Ealen IV

==Background==
{{Main|Great Schism}}
Following an escalation in [[Jiralhanae]] raiding attacks along the joint-occupation zones, Ealen IV was chosen as a place for peace negotiations between the [[Sangheili]] and Jiralhanae. [[UNSC]] [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]] acted as a mediator between [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] and [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Lydus]]. Captain [[Thomas Lasky]] and the UNSC ''Infinity'' were assigned to provide security for the diplomats. Unfortunately, [[Daniel Clayton]], a UNSC captain and defector to the [[New Colonial Alliance]] bent on revenge against Lord Hood, placed a bounty on the heads of the diplomats, hiring [[Covenant remnants|Covenant]] [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|mercenaries]] under the command of Shipmaster [[Vata 'Gajat]] to stop the negotiations. The mercenaries launched a surprise attack on the conference, forcing [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IV]] [[fireteam]]s [[Fireteam Jackknife|Jackknife]] and [[Fireteam Bailey|Bailey]] to defend and evacuate the ambassadors.{{Ref/Reuse|HE1}} 'Gajat chose to keep the attack, as well his involvement with the New Colonial Alliance, secret from the [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|new Covenant]]'s leader [[Jul 'Mdama]].{{Ref/Reuse|HE3}}{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE5|HEsc|Issue=5}}