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(I've changed the post-war section substantially. This article is about Captain Cutter, not his ship.)
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<center>''"Cutter" redirects here. For other uses, see [[Cutter (disambiguation)]].''</center>
<center>''"Cutter" redirects here. For other uses, see [[Cutter (disambiguation)]].''</center>
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|image=[[File:JG Cutter.jpg|300px]]
|image=[[File:JG Cutter.jpg|300px]]
|homeworld=[[Reach]]  
|homeworld=[[Reach]]  
|birth=June 12th, [[2479]] <ref>'''[[Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide]]''', ''page 20''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 43''</ref>
|birth=[[2479|June 12, 2479]]<ref>'''[[Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide]]''', ''page 20''</ref><ref name="EVG">'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 43''</ref>
|death=  
|death=  
|species=[[Human]]
|species=[[Human]]
|gender=Male
|gender=Male
|height={{Convert|185|cm|ftin}} <ref>Halo Wars Leader Cards</ref>
|height={{Convert|185|cm|ftin}}<ref name="Cards"/>
|hair=Black (greying)
|hair=Black (graying)
|eyes=Blue
|eyes=Blue
|affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] [[UNSC Navy|Navy]]
|affiliation=[[UNSC Navy]]
|rank=[[Captain (Navy)|Captain]]
|rank=[[Captain (Navy)|Captain]]
|notable=Commanding officer of the ''{{UNSCship|Spirit of Fire}}''.
|notable=Commanded the first UNSC personnel to encounter the [[Flood]]
}}
}}


'''Captain James Gregory Cutter''' was a senior officer in the [[UNSC Navy]], serving as an officer during the [[Insurrection]] and early into [[Human-Covenant War]].<ref name = "Cards">[[:File:Halo Wars - Collectors Edition package.jpg|Halo Wars Collectors Edition Leader Cards]]</ref> He would later serve as the commanding officer of the modified colony ship, the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}.<ref name = "SOF">[http://www.halowars.com/GameInfo/SpiritOfFire.aspx HaloWars.com - Spirit of Fire facts]</ref> Cutter is known to have had a wife, [[Mary Cutter]], a [[Cutter's Daughter|daughter]] on [[Reach]],<ref name = "Sacrifices">[http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/halo-wars-character-profiles-captain-cutter-and-the-brute-chieftain/?page=7 Everyone makes sacrifices to fight the Covenant]. ''Game Daily''. Accessed on 2009-01-29</ref> and a mistress, with whom he had a son, [[Daniel Clayton]].<ref name="HE5">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''Issue #5''</ref>
'''Captain James Gregory Cutter''' was a [[Captain (Navy)|senior officer]] in the [[UNSC Navy]] who served during the [[Insurrection]] and in the early years of the [[Human-Covenant War]].<ref name = "Cards">[[:File:Halo Wars - Collectors Edition package.jpg|Halo Wars Collectors Edition Leader Cards]]</ref> He commanded the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}, a [[Phoenix-class colony ship|''Phoenix''-class support vessel]] in [[Vice Admiral]] [[Preston Cole]]'s [[Third Fleet]].<ref name="EVG"/><ref name="SoF">[http://www.halowars.com/GameInfo/SpiritOfFire.aspx '''Halo Wars Official Community Site''', ''Spirit of Fire Facts'']</ref> Cutter had a wife, [[Mary Cutter|Mary]], with whom he had a [[Cutter's daughter|daughter]] on [[Reach]];<ref name = "Sacrifices">[http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/halo-wars-character-profiles-captain-cutter-and-the-brute-chieftain/?page=7 ''Game Daily'' (defunct link)]</ref> he also had a mistress on [[Tribute]], with whom he had a son, [[Daniel Clayton]].<ref name="HE5">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #5''</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
===Early career===
===Early career===
Before joining the UNSC, Cutter earned respect for standing up to [[Insurrectionists|terrorists]] in the [[Epsilon Indi]] system. Over time, he became the captain of the ''Spirit of Fire'', and is known to walk the ship at night to check on the crew. He is so well respected that [[coffee]] houses give him free coffee beans to take with him on long trips.<ref>[http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/halo-wars-character-profiles-captain-cutter-and-the-brute-chieftain/?page=3 Give the man some coffee]. ''Game Daily''. Accessed on 2009-01-29</ref>
Before joining the UNSC, James Cutter earned respect for standing up to [[Insurrectionists|terrorists]] in the [[Epsilon Indi system]]. As the commanding officer of the ''Spirit of Fire'', he was known to have walked the ship at night to check on his crew. He was so well respected that Inner Colony [[coffee]] houses gave him free coffee beans to take with him on long deployments.<ref>[http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/halo-wars-character-profiles-captain-cutter-and-the-brute-chieftain/?page=3 ''Game Daily'' (defunct link)]</ref>


James Cutter entered the [[UNSC School of the North Star]] on September 15th, [[2500]], where he studied astro-navigation and political science. He was then sent to the [[Officer Candidate School]] on June 19th, [[2504]] where he was taught in Command and Navigation. There, he entered naval service as a [[Lieutenant (UNSC)|Lieutenant]] and Junior Navigation Officer on the {{UNSCShip|Brilliant Shores}} on November 16th, [[2507]]. He was later transferred to the {{UNSCShip|Final Summit}} on January 9th, [[2514]], where he became the Chief Navigation Officer.
Cutter entered the [[UNSC School of the North Star]] on [[2500|September 15, 2500]], where he studied astronavigation and political science. He was then sent to the [[Officer Candidate School]] on [[2504|June 19, 2504]] where he was taught in command and navigation. He entered the Naval service as a [[lieutenant]] and junior navigation officer aboard {{UNSCShip|Brilliant Shores}} on [[2507|November 16, 2507]]. He was later transferred to {{UNSCShip|Final Summit}} on [[2514|January 9, 2514]], whereupon he was appointed the ship's chief navigation officer. He achieved the rank of [[Commander (UNSC)|commander]] upon his transfer to {{UNSCShip|Glasgow}} on [[2519|August 8, 2519]], a post he stayed at until his transfer to the ''Spirit of Fire'' on the sixth anniversary of his transfer to ''Glasgow''. On [[2524|May 22, 2524]], he received a [[Bronze Star]] for his actions aboard UNSC ''Glasgow''.<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2534425_Today-in-Halo.aspx#post2534425 ''Halo Waypoint'' - '''Today in Halo''']</ref> He was given the rank of captain upon his arrival aboard ''Spirit of Fire''.


He achieved the rank of [[Commander (UNSC)|commander]] upon his transfer to the {{UNSCShip|Glasgow}} on August 8th, [[2519]], a post he stayed at until his transfer to the ''Spirit of Fire'' on the sixth anniversary of his transfer to the ''Glasgow''. He was given the rank of captain upon his arrival aboard the ''Spirit of Fire''.
Between 2524 and [[2525]], Cutter had an extramarital affair with a woman on [[Tribute]]. This liaison produced a son, [[Daniel Clayton]].<ref name="HE5"/>


On May 22th, [[2524]], he received a [[Bronze Star]] for his actions aboard the UNSC ''Glasgow''.<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2534425_Today-in-Halo.aspx#post2534425 ''Halo Waypoint'' - '''Today in Halo''']</ref>
In [[2530|December 2530]], Cutter gave his executive officer, [[Terrence Hood]], command of {{UNSCShip|Roman Blue}}.<ref name="HE5"/>


Between 2524 and [[2525]], Cutter had a affair with another woman, with whom he had a son called [[Daniel Clayton]].<ref name="HE5"/>
Before the Harvest campaign, Cutter was offered command of the {{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}} {{UNSCShip|Prophecy}}, though he turned it down.<ref name="Sacrifices"/>


On December [[2530]], Cutter decided to give his executive officer, [[Terrence Hood]], command of the {{UNSCShip|Roman Blue}}.<ref name="HE5"/>
===Harvest campaign===
{{Main|Harvest campaign}}
<!--This section needs more information from Halo Wars: Genesis.-->
With the outbreak of [[Human-Covenant War|war]] with the [[Covenant]], Cutter was handpicked by [[Vice Admiral]] [[Preston Cole]] to command the ''Spirit of Fire'' in her new role as center of repair, supply, and forward deployment operations for [[Battlegroup D]], [[Third Fleet]]. Cutter participated in the campaign to reclaim [[Harvest]], the first planet to fall to the Covenant, in early [[2531]]. He developed a close working relationship with the ship's [[Artificial intelligence|AI]], [[Serina]], but was initially suspicious of presence of [[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders]], a civilian consultant forcibly recruited by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]; he suspected that there was more to her than met the eye.<ref name="Crew">[http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/halo-wars-character-profiles-captain-cutter-and-the-brute-chieftain/?page=5 ''Game Daily'' (defunct link)]</ref> After making a log on the "five years of hell" that led to the reclamation of the planet, ''Spirit of Fire'' remained win the Epsilon Indi system. Cutter believed that although Harvest had been reclaimed by the UNSC, it was unlikely that the Covenant would simply back down.


Before the Harvest campaign, Cutter was offered command of the [[Marathon-class Cruiser]], the {{UNSCShip|Prophecy}}, though he turned it down.<ref>http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/halo-wars-character-profiles-captain-cutter-and-the-brute-chieftain/?page=7</ref>
His belief was soon vindicated when [[Sergeant]] [[John Forge]] alerted Cutter that the Covenant had uncovered a [[Forerunner]] [[Relic|structure]] in the planet's northern polar region, with [[Anders|Professor Anders]] giving further proof of this claim. Cutter thus ordered that [[Alpha Base (Harvest)|Alpha Base]] be brought back online<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Alpha Base (level)|Alpha Base]]''</ref> and the site be taken.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Relic Approach]]''</ref> Upon the discovery of a Forerunner starmap inside the structure,<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Relic Interior]]''</ref> Anders determined that the map pointed to her homeworld, [[Arcadia]], and advised Cutter to set course for the planet. His trust in Anders had been strengthened by the bravery she had displayed on Harvest,<ref name="Crew"/> so he came to agree with the professor's assessment; after informing Vice Admiral Cole of his intentions, Cutter ordered Serina to set a course for Arcadia.<ref name="Arcadia City">'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Arcadia City]]''</ref>


===Harvest Campaign===
===Battle of Arcadia===
{{Main|Harvest Campaign}}
{{Main|Battle of Arcadia}}
 
Upon arrival at Arcadia on [[2531#February|February 9, 2531]], Serina reported to Cutter that the colony had come under attack by the Covenant and was in the midst of a full invasion. Cutter ordered Marines to the planet to evacuate civilian population centers.<ref name="Arcadia City"/> After the Marines and [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[Red Team]] evacuated [[Pirth City]], Cutter was informed of a Covenant energy dome on the surface of the planet near an [[Arcadia ONI facility|ONI facility]], protecting Covenant forces searching for Forerunner artifacts and concealing their activities. Cutter ordered Anders down to the surface in order to deactivate the energy dome using plasma-based [[M145D Rhino|Rhino artillery tanks]].<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Dome of Light]]''</ref> After clearing out Covenant forces under the dome, Anders was captured by [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]] and taken aboard a Covenant [[CPV-class heavy destroyer|destroyer]]. Forge was in strong favor of rescuing Anders, though Spartan [[Jerome-092]] referred to Anders' capture as a "significant security breach" and suggested that the Covenant ship be destroyed. Cutter gave the order to pursue the enemy vessel through slipspace on to an unknown destination.<ref name="Anders' Signal">'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Anders' Signal]]''</ref> Though a log buoy detailing ''Spirit of Fire''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s whereabouts had been left near Arcadia, Captain [[Terrence Hood]]'s desire for vengeance against the Covenant caused the log buoy to become irretrievable; as such, Cutter and ''Spirit of Fire'' were lost to the UNSC.<ref name="HE5"/>


With the outbreak of [[Human-Covenant War|war]] with the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]], Cutter was handpicked by [[Admiral]] [[Preston Jeremiah Cole|Preston Cole]] to command the ''Spirit of Fire'' in her new role as center of repair, supply, and forward deployment operations for [[Battlegroup D]]. Cutter participated in the [[Harvest Campaign]] in [[2531]].<ref>[http://www.halowars.com/GameInfo/SpiritOfFire.aspx HaloWars.com - Spirit of Fire facts]</ref> He developed a close relationship with the ship's [[Artificial Intelligence|AI]], [[Serina]], but was suspicious as to the presence of [[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders]], suspecting that there was more to her than met the eye.<ref name = "Crew">[http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/halo-wars-character-profiles-captain-cutter-and-the-brute-chieftain/?page=5 Every Captain needs a well-trained crew]. ''Game Daily''. Accessed on 2009-01-29</ref> After making a log on the "[[Five Long Years Cinematic|five years of hell]]" that led to the reclamation of the planet<ref name = "Five Years">2008-14-07. [http://www.halowars.com/Dwnloads/Movies.aspx E3 2008: Five Long Years Cinematic]. ''[[Ensemble Studios]]. Accessed on 2008-14-07</ref>, Cutter and his ship still remained within the system. Cutter believed that although Harvest had been reclaimed by the UNSC, it was unlikely that the Covenant would simply back down. His belief was vindicated in a sense, considering that [[Sergeant (UNSC)|Sergeant]] [[John Forge]] alerted Cutter that the Covenant had uncovered something in the planet's northern polar region, with [[Anders|Professor Anders]] giving further proof of this claim. Cutter thus ordered that [[Alpha Base (Harvest)|Alpha Base]] be brought online and the site be taken.<ref name = "Field Trip">''[[Halo Wars]]'', ''[[Field Trip To Harvest]]''</ref> Upon discovery of the Forerunner starmap beneath Harvest, Anders was convinced that the map pointed to the human colony world of [[Arcadia]], and managed to convince Cutter to set course for the planet. In the aftermath of the Harvest 'field trip', Cutter's level of trust towards Anders increased, impressed by the bravery she'd demonstrated down on the planet. This may have been a deciding factor for Cutter's decision to plot a course to Arcadia.<ref name = "Crew"/>
===Shield World===
{{Main|Battle of Shield World 0459}}


===Battle of Arcadia===
''Spirit of Fire'' arrived at an [[Shield World 0459|uncharted, desert planet]] (in reality a Forerunner ([[shield world]]) on February 23; Anders' transponder signal was detected emanating from the planet's surface. Cutter sent several Marine reconnaissance teams to the planet, where a parasitic lifeform the ship's medical team believed to be a virus<ref>[[Halo Wars Timeline Events|Chief Medical Officer O'Neil's Log, 26 February 2531]]</ref> (actually the [[Flood]]) was soon found to have infested the biosphere.<ref name="Anders' Signal"/><ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[The Flood (level)|The Flood]]''</ref> ''Spirit of Fire'' was eventually drawn downward through a chasm beneath an artificial lake, though Cutter was adamant that all groundside personnel would be recovered rather than abandoned to the Flood.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Shield World (level)|Shield World]]''</ref> Once inside the artificial planet's superstructure the vessel came under attack from both the Flood and local Forerunner [[Sentinel]]s; Cutter ordered response teams to the dorsal surface to keep the ship's interior from being compromised.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Cleansing]]''</ref>
{{Main|Battle of Arcadia}}


Upon arrival at Arcadia on [[2531#February|February 9th, 2531]], Serina reported to Cutter that the colony had come under attack by the Covenant prior to their arrival, and was in the wake of a full invasion. Cutter ordered forces down onto the planet to evacuate civilian population centers. After evacuating [[Pirth City]], Cutter was informed of a Covenant energy dome on the surface of the planet, protecting Covenant forces searching for [[Forerunner]] artifacts and concealing their activities. Cutter ordered Anders down to the surface with Forge and UNSC forces for protection in order to deactivate the energy dome using plasma-based [[M-145D Rhino|Rhino artillery tanks]]. After clearing out Covenant forces under the dome, Anders was captured by [[Arbiter]] [[Ripa 'Moramee]] and brought aboard a Covenant ship. Forge was in strong favor of rescuing Anders, with [[Jerome-092]] referring to Anders capture as a "significant security breach", suggesting that the Covenant ship be destroyed. Cutter made the decision to pursue the Covenant ship, tracking Anders' signal.
''Spirit of Fire'' soon emerged within the shield world's interior and almost immediately collided with a [[CPV-class heavy destroyer|''CPV''-class destroyer]]. ''Spirit''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s reactor was severely damaged and required repairs before the ship could escape. Cutter was thus forced to coordinate a delaying action at metaphorical point-blank range while Sergeant Forge's Marines conducted repairs.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Repairs]]''</ref> Anders escaped and was soon found by Sergeant Forge. She had gained knowledge of a fleet of [[Forerunner dreadnought]]s that the Covenant planned to use against humanity.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Beachhead (Halo Wars level)|Beachhead]]''</ref> She quickly devised a plan to use the ''Spirit of Fire's'' [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine|FTL reactor]] to cause the [[Astroengineering#Stars|artificial star]] inside the shield world to go [[supernova]], thus destroying the ships before the Covenant could make use of them; Cutter understood that this would limit ''Spirit of Fire'' to sublight speed, though he considered the sacrifice necessary when weighed against the possible extinction of humanity.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Reactor (level)|Reactor]]''</ref> Forge and Spartan Red Team killed the Arbiter and his guards when delivering the FTL drive to [[The Apex|its destination]], although the reactor core was damaged. Forge stayed behind to manually overload the reactor. With the shield world's utter destruction eminent, the captain ordered Red Team and numerous Marines to deactivate the [[hard light]] barrier that enclosed the exit portal. Cutter ordered Serina to make a dangerous slingshot maneuver around the expanding [[Korinth Prior system|star]] and the ship escaped the ensuing explosion, after which ''Spirit of Fire'' began a long journey home. [[2531#March|Two weeks later]], Cutter forced Anders into [[Cryo chamber|cryo-stasis]], reassuring her that her plan had gotten everyone out of the shield world alive. As the pod closed, Anders reminded the captain that not everyone had survived. Cutter then paid his respects at the late Sergeant Forge's cryotube before making a round of the ship.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Escape]]''</ref>


===Battle of the Shield World===
==Legacy==
{{Main|Battle of Shield 0459}}
''Spirit of Fire'' was declared "lost with all hands" on [[2534|February 10, 2534]], the ship having previously been classified as [[missing in action]]. The reason for this change was kept top secret. A memorial service was held for the vessel's crew, but many family members chose not to attend, holding out hope that their loved ones were still alive.<ref>''[[Halo Wars Timeline Events]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 71''</ref> Various theories circulated throughout the UNSC as to the ship's fate, ranging from being lost during a covert mission for ONI, destroyed in orbit over Arcadia, defecting to Insurrectionist forces, or being stranded in space. When Captain Cutter's widow, [[Mary Cutter|Mary]], was asked about the defection theory, she physically assaulted the reporter.<ref>[http://www.graemedevine.com/graemedevine/Spirit_of_Fire/Entries/2009/3/14_The_Mystery_of_%E2%80%9CSpirit_of_Fire%E2%80%9D.html '''Graeme Devine''' - ''Spirit of Fire: Mystery of the Spirit of Fire'']</ref>


Following the Covenant ship where Anders was being held captive brought the ''Spirit'' to a [[Shield 0459|Forerunner installation]], where Anders' signal was found emitting from the "planet's" surface. Cutter sent Forge down to the surface, where a [[Flood|parasitic lifeform]] was found to have infested the installation. After much battle with Covenant forces on the interior of the Shield World, Anders was eventually found by Sergeant Forge after she had escaped. She had gained knowledge of a fleet of [[Unnamed Forerunner Starship|Forerunner warships]] that the Covenant planned to use against humanity. Anders soon devised a plan to use the ''Spirit of Fire's'' [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine|FTL reactor]] to cause the [[Astroengineering#Stars|artificial sun]] inside the Shield World to go [[supernova]], to destroy the ships before the Covenant could make use of them. Forge and [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN]] [[Red Team]] defeated 'Moramee and his guards, although the reactor core was damaged. Forge stayed behind to manually overload the reactor. Cutter, using a dangerous slingshot maneuver around the expanding sun, managed to escape the explosion of the sun, after which the ''Spirit of Fire'' began a long journey home. Two weeks later, Cutter forced Anders into [[Cryo-chamber|cryo-stasis]], stating that she "..got all of [them] out of there alive." As the pod closed, Anders reminded the captain that not everyone had survived.<ref>''[[Halo Wars]]''</ref>
After the Human-Covenant War's conclusion, ''Spirit of Fire'' and her crew were honored at the dedication of the [[Halo Living Monument|living monument]], along with numerous other ships that had been lost with all hands during the war.<ref>'''Halo Living Monument'''</ref>


===Supposed rediscovery===
===Daniel Clayton's revenge===
In [[2558|March 2558]] the freighter, ''[[Pilgrims Pride]]'', was carrying several [[AC-220 Vulture]]s and [[AV-22 Sparrowhawk]]s that were previously attached to the ''Spirit of Fire''. The ''Pilgrims Pride'' launched a surprise attack on the UNSC Infinity and attempted to self-destruct inside the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}'s bay. The Spartans managed to eject the freighter out of the bay. After recovering the remains of the attacking Vultures and Sparrowhawks, the crew used the ID numbers on the hulls to identify the ships as belonging to the ''Spirit of Fire''. Confusing matters, the crew discovered that ''Pilgrims Pride'' had been constructed only five years earlier. While Commander [[Sarah Palmer]] speculated that the assault craft may have been stolen from the ''Spirit of Fire'' before the ship was lost, [[Roland]] pointed out that the assault craft were in fairly good condition for their age. Roland also determined that the freighter itself had been launched from [[Oth Lodon]], a gas giant deep inside Jiralhanae-controlled space.<ref name="HE5"/>
<!--This section should be cut to the minimum of relevant information after Escalation's current story arc is completed. This article is about Cutter, not Spirit of Fire.-->
On [[2558|March 22, 2558]], the UNSC flagship [[UNSC Infinity|''Infinity'']] recovered the civilian freighter ''[[Pilgrims Pride]]'' after intercepting a distress call from the [[Artesia-702 system]]. Several [[AC-220 Vulture]]s and [[AV-22 Sparrowhawk]]s emerged from the freighter and launched a short-lived Trojan horse attack inside ''Infinity''. It was soon discovered that these craft had been previously assigned to ''Spirit of Fire''.<ref>'''Halo: Esclation''', ''Issue 4''</ref>


Despite the diplomatic risks, Lord Terrence Hood, who felt guilty over his role in the Spirit of Fire's disappearance, ordered the Infinity to investigate. When they arrived at the coordinates, they found not the Spirit but Shipmaster [[Vata 'Gajat]]'s ship, which was docked to a massive glassing cannon. His son now-Captain Daniel Clayton contacted the ''Infinity'', revealing himself to be aligned with the [[New Colonial Alliance]]. Intending to exact revenge on Lord Hood, Clayton fired a massive energy beam at the ''Infinity''.<ref name="HE5"/>  
Despite the diplomatic risks, Lord Terrence Hood, who felt guilty over his role in the ''Spirit of Fire''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s disappearance and the loss of his former commanding officer, ordered ''Infinity'' to investigate. When they arrived at the specified coordinates near [[Oth Lodon]], they found not the ''Spirit'' but a [[Oth Lodon|Covenant space station]]. Cutter's bastard son, [[Daniel Clayton|Captain Daniel Clayton]] contacted ''Infinity'', revealing himself to be aligned with the [[New Colonial Alliance]], an [[Insurrectionist]] group. Believing Lord Hood to be responsible for his father's death, Clayton ordered his crew to attack ''Infinity'' with the station's [[energy projector]].<ref name="HE5"/>  


==Decorations==
==Decorations==
*[[Bronze Star]] - Meritorious action aboard UNSC ''Glasgow'' (awarded [[2524|May 22, 2524]]).<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2482554_Today-in-Halo.aspx#post2482554 '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Today in Halo'']</ref>
*[[Bronze Star]] - Meritorious action aboard UNSC ''Glasgow'' (awarded [[2524|May 22, 2524]])<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2482554_Today-in-Halo.aspx#post2482554 '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Today in Halo'']</ref>
*Campaign Ribbon - [[Operation: TREBUCHET]] (Logistics Corps)
*Campaign Ribbon - [[Operation: TREBUCHET]] (Logistics Corps)<ref name="Genesis">''Halo Wars: Genesis''</ref>
*Campaign Ribbon - [[Operation: BREADCRUMB]]
*Campaign Ribbon - [[Operation: BREADCRUMB]]<ref name="Genesis"/>
*Campaign Ribbon - [[Operation: WHISPER AMONG STARS]] (classified)<ref>''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''</ref>
*Campaign Ribbon - [[Operation: WHISPER AMONG STARS]] (classified)<ref name="Genesis"/>
 
==Personality and traits==
{{Expand-section}}
He sometimes refers to ships in archaic nautical terms, although he has never seen an actual waterborne military vessel.<ref>Halo Wars Leader Cards</ref>
 
==Production notes and gameplay information==
Portrayed by the prolific voice actor [[Wikipedia:Gregg Berger|Gregg Berger]], Cutter is the central authority figure in ''[[Halo Wars]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> campaign. In the [[skirmish]] and [[multiplayer]] modes Cutter acts as a [[hero unit]] with a unique set of units, abilities, and upgrades.


==In-game information==
[[File:HWguide Cutter.png|300px|right]]
[[File:HWguide Cutter.png|300px|right]]
===Abilities===
===Abilities===
*Leader Power - [[MAC Blast]]
*Leader Power - [[MAC Blast]]
*Unique Unit - [[M312 Elephant HRV|Elephant]]
*Unique Unit - [[M312 Elephant|Elephant]]


===Upgrades===
===Upgrades===
*Base Bonus - New bases start as Stations and the starting base is a Fortress.
*Base Bonus - New bases start as Stations and the starting base is a Fortress.
*Super Unit - [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODST]]. Final upgrade for Marines.
*Super Unit - [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODST]]. Final upgrade for Marines.
*MAC Upgrades - Medium MAC Blast (fires two rounds) - Large MAC Blast (fires three rounds) - Super MAC Blast (fires four rounds).
*MAC Upgrades - Medium MAC Blast (fires two rounds) - Large MAC Blast (fires three rounds) - Super MAC Blast (fires four rounds).


Line 83: Line 95:
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
*Captain Cutter is the only person in ''Halo Wars'' that can order an Elephant to be transported down to the combat zone, as well as being able to initiate [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]] strikes, although in game these are incorrectly referred to as "Mass Accelerated Cannon".
{{Plain|[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/bastable/dr_02.jpg Early concept art]}} for Captain Cutter bears an uncanny resemblance to [[Wikipedia:Ian McDiarmid|Ian McDiarmid]], the actor best known for portraying [[w:c:starwars:Palpatine|Emperor Palptaine]] in the ''Star Wars'' franchise.
*Cutter's original concept art closely resembles [[w:c:starwars:Palpatine|Emperor Palpatine]] from the ''Star Wars'' universe, played by [[w:c:starwars:Ian_McDiarmid|Ian McDiarmid]].<ref>[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/bastable/dr_02.jpg early concept art]</ref>
*He sometimes refers to ships in old nautical terms, although he has never seen an actual waterborne naval vessel.<ref>Halo Wars Leader Cards</ref>
*Cutter is voiced by Gregg Berger.
*James Cutter is also the real name of Captain Spaulding from House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Cutter concept.jpg|Concept art of Cutter.
File:HW-CaptJGCutter-Portrait.png|Full-body portrait of Captain James Gregory Cutter
File:Captain Cutter (UNSC Navy).png|Early model of Cutter that resembles Palpatine from ''Star Wars''.
File:HW - CutterSerina.jpg|Cutter and Serina during their arrival at Harvest
File:HW-CaptJGCutter-Portrait.png|Full-body portrait of Captain James Gregory Cutter in ''Halo Wars''.
File:Cutters Anders over Harvest.png|Cutter and Anders on ''Spirit of Fire'''s observation deck
File:Anderssignal1.png|Captain Cutter, Sergeant Forge, and SPARTAN-092 discuss how to proceed after Professor Anders' abduction.
File:Anders Cutter Watching Explosion.png|Cutter and Anders watching [[Shield World 0459]]'s star
File:Cutter concept.jpg|Concept art of Cutter
File:Cutter Palpatine concept.png|An early study of Cutter, closely resembling actor Ian McDiarmid
File:IMG 0003.jpg|Front of Cutter's Leader Card
File:IMG 0003.jpg|Front of Cutter's Leader Card
File:IMG 0004.jpg|Back of Cutter's Leader Card
File:IMG 0004.jpg|Back of Cutter's Leader Card
File:Anders Cutter Watching Explosion.png|Cutter and Anders watching [[Shield 0459]]'s sun.
 
File:HW - CutterSerina.jpg|Cutter and Serina during their arrival on Harvest.
File:Cutters Anders over Harvest.png|Cutter and Anders on the ''Spirit of Fire'''s observation deck.
File:Anderssignal1.png|Captain Cutter, [[John Forge]], and [[Jerome-092]] discuss how to proceed after [[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders']] abduction.
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</gallery>


Revision as of 00:23, April 25, 2014

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"Cutter" redirects here. For other uses, see Cutter (disambiguation).

Template:Character Infobox

Captain James Gregory Cutter was a senior officer in the UNSC Navy who served during the Insurrection and in the early years of the Human-Covenant War.[1] He commanded the UNSC Spirit of Fire, a Phoenix-class support vessel in Vice Admiral Preston Cole's Third Fleet.[2][3] Cutter had a wife, Mary, with whom he had a daughter on Reach;[4] he also had a mistress on Tribute, with whom he had a son, Daniel Clayton.[5]

Biography

Early career

Before joining the UNSC, James Cutter earned respect for standing up to terrorists in the Epsilon Indi system. As the commanding officer of the Spirit of Fire, he was known to have walked the ship at night to check on his crew. He was so well respected that Inner Colony coffee houses gave him free coffee beans to take with him on long deployments.[6]

Cutter entered the UNSC School of the North Star on September 15, 2500, where he studied astronavigation and political science. He was then sent to the Officer Candidate School on June 19, 2504 where he was taught in command and navigation. He entered the Naval service as a lieutenant and junior navigation officer aboard UNSC Brilliant Shores on November 16, 2507. He was later transferred to UNSC Final Summit on January 9, 2514, whereupon he was appointed the ship's chief navigation officer. He achieved the rank of commander upon his transfer to UNSC Glasgow on August 8, 2519, a post he stayed at until his transfer to the Spirit of Fire on the sixth anniversary of his transfer to Glasgow. On May 22, 2524, he received a Bronze Star for his actions aboard UNSC Glasgow.[7] He was given the rank of captain upon his arrival aboard Spirit of Fire.

Between 2524 and 2525, Cutter had an extramarital affair with a woman on Tribute. This liaison produced a son, Daniel Clayton.[5]

In December 2530, Cutter gave his executive officer, Terrence Hood, command of UNSC Roman Blue.[5]

Before the Harvest campaign, Cutter was offered command of the Marathon-class heavy cruiser UNSC Prophecy, though he turned it down.[4]

Harvest campaign

Main article: Harvest campaign

With the outbreak of war with the Covenant, Cutter was handpicked by Vice Admiral Preston Cole to command the Spirit of Fire in her new role as center of repair, supply, and forward deployment operations for Battlegroup D, Third Fleet. Cutter participated in the campaign to reclaim Harvest, the first planet to fall to the Covenant, in early 2531. He developed a close working relationship with the ship's AI, Serina, but was initially suspicious of presence of Professor Ellen Anders, a civilian consultant forcibly recruited by the Office of Naval Intelligence; he suspected that there was more to her than met the eye.[8] After making a log on the "five years of hell" that led to the reclamation of the planet, Spirit of Fire remained win the Epsilon Indi system. Cutter believed that although Harvest had been reclaimed by the UNSC, it was unlikely that the Covenant would simply back down.

His belief was soon vindicated when Sergeant John Forge alerted Cutter that the Covenant had uncovered a Forerunner structure in the planet's northern polar region, with Professor Anders giving further proof of this claim. Cutter thus ordered that Alpha Base be brought back online[9] and the site be taken.[10] Upon the discovery of a Forerunner starmap inside the structure,[11] Anders determined that the map pointed to her homeworld, Arcadia, and advised Cutter to set course for the planet. His trust in Anders had been strengthened by the bravery she had displayed on Harvest,[8] so he came to agree with the professor's assessment; after informing Vice Admiral Cole of his intentions, Cutter ordered Serina to set a course for Arcadia.[12]

Battle of Arcadia

Main article: Battle of Arcadia

Upon arrival at Arcadia on February 9, 2531, Serina reported to Cutter that the colony had come under attack by the Covenant and was in the midst of a full invasion. Cutter ordered Marines to the planet to evacuate civilian population centers.[12] After the Marines and Spartan Red Team evacuated Pirth City, Cutter was informed of a Covenant energy dome on the surface of the planet near an ONI facility, protecting Covenant forces searching for Forerunner artifacts and concealing their activities. Cutter ordered Anders down to the surface in order to deactivate the energy dome using plasma-based Rhino artillery tanks.[13] After clearing out Covenant forces under the dome, Anders was captured by Arbiter Ripa 'Moramee and taken aboard a Covenant destroyer. Forge was in strong favor of rescuing Anders, though Spartan Jerome-092 referred to Anders' capture as a "significant security breach" and suggested that the Covenant ship be destroyed. Cutter gave the order to pursue the enemy vessel through slipspace on to an unknown destination.[14] Though a log buoy detailing Spirit of Fire's whereabouts had been left near Arcadia, Captain Terrence Hood's desire for vengeance against the Covenant caused the log buoy to become irretrievable; as such, Cutter and Spirit of Fire were lost to the UNSC.[5]

Shield World

Main article: Battle of Shield World 0459

Spirit of Fire arrived at an uncharted, desert planet (in reality a Forerunner (shield world) on February 23; Anders' transponder signal was detected emanating from the planet's surface. Cutter sent several Marine reconnaissance teams to the planet, where a parasitic lifeform the ship's medical team believed to be a virus[15] (actually the Flood) was soon found to have infested the biosphere.[14][16] Spirit of Fire was eventually drawn downward through a chasm beneath an artificial lake, though Cutter was adamant that all groundside personnel would be recovered rather than abandoned to the Flood.[17] Once inside the artificial planet's superstructure the vessel came under attack from both the Flood and local Forerunner Sentinels; Cutter ordered response teams to the dorsal surface to keep the ship's interior from being compromised.[18]

Spirit of Fire soon emerged within the shield world's interior and almost immediately collided with a CPV-class destroyer. Spirit's reactor was severely damaged and required repairs before the ship could escape. Cutter was thus forced to coordinate a delaying action at metaphorical point-blank range while Sergeant Forge's Marines conducted repairs.[19] Anders escaped and was soon found by Sergeant Forge. She had gained knowledge of a fleet of Forerunner dreadnoughts that the Covenant planned to use against humanity.[20] She quickly devised a plan to use the Spirit of Fire's FTL reactor to cause the artificial star inside the shield world to go supernova, thus destroying the ships before the Covenant could make use of them; Cutter understood that this would limit Spirit of Fire to sublight speed, though he considered the sacrifice necessary when weighed against the possible extinction of humanity.[21] Forge and Spartan Red Team killed the Arbiter and his guards when delivering the FTL drive to its destination, although the reactor core was damaged. Forge stayed behind to manually overload the reactor. With the shield world's utter destruction eminent, the captain ordered Red Team and numerous Marines to deactivate the hard light barrier that enclosed the exit portal. Cutter ordered Serina to make a dangerous slingshot maneuver around the expanding star and the ship escaped the ensuing explosion, after which Spirit of Fire began a long journey home. Two weeks later, Cutter forced Anders into cryo-stasis, reassuring her that her plan had gotten everyone out of the shield world alive. As the pod closed, Anders reminded the captain that not everyone had survived. Cutter then paid his respects at the late Sergeant Forge's cryotube before making a round of the ship.[22]

Legacy

Spirit of Fire was declared "lost with all hands" on February 10, 2534, the ship having previously been classified as missing in action. The reason for this change was kept top secret. A memorial service was held for the vessel's crew, but many family members chose not to attend, holding out hope that their loved ones were still alive.[23][24] Various theories circulated throughout the UNSC as to the ship's fate, ranging from being lost during a covert mission for ONI, destroyed in orbit over Arcadia, defecting to Insurrectionist forces, or being stranded in space. When Captain Cutter's widow, Mary, was asked about the defection theory, she physically assaulted the reporter.[25]

After the Human-Covenant War's conclusion, Spirit of Fire and her crew were honored at the dedication of the living monument, along with numerous other ships that had been lost with all hands during the war.[26]

Daniel Clayton's revenge

On March 22, 2558, the UNSC flagship Infinity recovered the civilian freighter Pilgrims Pride after intercepting a distress call from the Artesia-702 system. Several AC-220 Vultures and AV-22 Sparrowhawks emerged from the freighter and launched a short-lived Trojan horse attack inside Infinity. It was soon discovered that these craft had been previously assigned to Spirit of Fire.[27]

Despite the diplomatic risks, Lord Terrence Hood, who felt guilty over his role in the Spirit of Fire's disappearance and the loss of his former commanding officer, ordered Infinity to investigate. When they arrived at the specified coordinates near Oth Lodon, they found not the Spirit but a Covenant space station. Cutter's bastard son, Captain Daniel Clayton contacted Infinity, revealing himself to be aligned with the New Colonial Alliance, an Insurrectionist group. Believing Lord Hood to be responsible for his father's death, Clayton ordered his crew to attack Infinity with the station's energy projector.[5]

Decorations

Personality and traits

Help.png This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

He sometimes refers to ships in archaic nautical terms, although he has never seen an actual waterborne military vessel.[30]

Production notes and gameplay information

Portrayed by the prolific voice actor Gregg Berger, Cutter is the central authority figure in Halo Wars' campaign. In the skirmish and multiplayer modes Cutter acts as a hero unit with a unique set of units, abilities, and upgrades.

HWguide Cutter.png

Abilities

Upgrades

  • Base Bonus - New bases start as Stations and the starting base is a Fortress.
  • Super Unit - ODST. Final upgrade for Marines.
  • MAC Upgrades - Medium MAC Blast (fires two rounds) - Large MAC Blast (fires three rounds) - Super MAC Blast (fires four rounds).

Strategic tips

  • The cost for his Super Unit upgrade is 1800 resources. This upgrade allows the player to use the Hot Drop Ability, which deploys ODSTs to the selected area.
  • Cutter's leader power is the slowest and most noticeable of the three (Cutter's MAC Blast, Sgt. Forge's Carpet Bomb, and Anders Cryo Bomb). It is smart to use Cutter's leader power against a Scarab, or an enemy base.
  • Cutter's main advantage is that he can gain an early foothold in any Skirmish since his starting base is a Fortress, which makes him very good at rushing the enemy.
  • It is preferred to send a scout Warthog to see what the opponent foe is doing at the early stages of a Skirmish. However, since Cutter can produce Elephants, it is common to send an Elephant to an enemy base and continuously harass the foe with infantry while a larger force is assembled at the player's base.

Trivia

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Early concept art for Captain Cutter bears an uncanny resemblance to Ian McDiarmid, the actor best known for portraying Emperor Palptaine in the Star Wars franchise.

Gallery

  • Full-body portrait of Captain James Gregory Cutter

    Full-body portrait of Captain James Gregory Cutter

  • Cutter and Serina during their arrival at Harvest

    Cutter and Serina during their arrival at Harvest

  • Cutter and Anders on Spirit of Fire's observation deck

    Cutter and Anders on Spirit of Fire's observation deck

  • Captain Cutter, Sergeant Forge, and SPARTAN-092 discuss how to proceed after Professor Anders' abduction.

    Captain Cutter, Sergeant Forge, and SPARTAN-092 discuss how to proceed after Professor Anders' abduction.

  • Cutter and Anders watching Shield World 0459's star

    Cutter and Anders watching Shield World 0459's star

  • Cutter concept.jpg

    Concept art of Cutter

  • Cutter Palpatine concept.png

    An early study of Cutter, closely resembling actor Ian McDiarmid

  • IMG 0003.jpg

    Front of Cutter's Leader Card

  • IMG 0004.jpg

    Back of Cutter's Leader Card

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ Halo Wars Collectors Edition Leader Cards
  2. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named EVG
  3. ^ Halo Wars Official Community Site, Spirit of Fire Facts
  4. ^ a b Game Daily (defunct link)
  5. ^ a b c d e Halo: Escalation, Issue #5
  6. ^ Game Daily (defunct link)
  7. ^ Halo Waypoint - Today in Halo
  8. ^ a b Game Daily (defunct link)
  9. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Alpha Base
  10. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Relic Approach
  11. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Relic Interior
  12. ^ a b Halo Wars, campaign level Arcadia City
  13. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Dome of Light
  14. ^ a b Halo Wars, campaign level Anders' Signal
  15. ^ Chief Medical Officer O'Neil's Log, 26 February 2531
  16. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level The Flood
  17. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Shield World
  18. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Cleansing
  19. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Repairs
  20. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Beachhead
  21. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Reactor
  22. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Escape
  23. ^ Halo Wars Timeline Events
  24. ^ Halo Encyclopedia, page 71
  25. ^ Graeme Devine - Spirit of Fire: Mystery of the Spirit of Fire
  26. ^ Halo Living Monument
  27. ^ Halo: Esclation, Issue 4
  28. ^ Halo Waypoint - Today in Halo
  29. ^ a b c Halo Wars: Genesis
  30. ^ Halo Wars Leader Cards
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