Marcus Stacker: Difference between revisions

{{Status|Apocrypha}}

{{Character infobox

|variant=Human

|name=Marcus Stacker

|image=[[File:H2A Beach Stacker.png|300px]]

|species=[[Human]]{{Ref/Reuse|TF-Chptr4}}

|gender=Male{{Ref/Reuse|TF-Chptr4}}

|rank=*[[UNSC rank structure#Marine Corps|Gunnery Sergeant]]<ref name="HR-Armory">''Halo: Reach'', ''[[Armor customization (Halo: Reach)|The Armory]]'' - Firefight Voices</ref> {{C|Formerly}}

*[[Master Sergeant]]<ref name="H4-Reclaimer">''Halo 4'', campaign level ''[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]''</ref>

|sn=

|notable=

'''Master Sergeant Marcus P. Stacker''' ([[service number]] '''41009-31545-MS'''){{Ref/Reuse|H4-Reclaimer}} is a veteran [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] and [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]] who fought during the [[Human-Covenant War]] and the subsequent conflicts.<ref name="H2-ADatB">''[[Another Day at the Beach]]''</ref> As of [[2557|July 2557]], he was stationed on the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.{{Ref/Reuse|H4-Reclaimer}}

==Biography==

===Fall of Reach===

{{Quote|Kilo 26, this is Kilo 40; Covenant Corvette's raining hell on us. Final protective fire one, danger close, my command, over.|Stacker coordinates artillery fire against one of the Covenant Corvettes assaulting [[New Alexandria (location)|New Alexandria]].}}

 

===Battle of Installation 04===

Stacker was later reassigned to serve aboard the ''Pillar of Autumn'' as part of it’s Marine contingent and managed to make it off Reach before the planet fell. Though the ship arrived at the [[Soell system]] and discovered Installation 04, it quickly came under attack by the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]], who had pursued it to the system. The ship was soon boarded by innumerable {{Pattern|Brhi Xur|Leech}} boarding craft, and Captain [[Jacob Keyes|Keyes]] was forced to give the order to abandon ship. Stacker was presumably among those who made it to the surface of the ring alive and intact, and was able to link up with other surviving elements of the ''Pillar of Autumn''{{'}}s crew and complement, who went on to mount a guerrilla resistance against the Covenant.<ref name="TF-Chptr4">''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', ''Section II: Halo'', Chapter 4</ref>

Both the extent of Stacker's participation in the battle<ref name="CE-Halo">''Halo: Combat Evolved'', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|Halo]]''</ref><ref name="CE-AotCR">''Halo: Combat Evolved'', campaign level ''[[Assault on the Control Room]]''</ref><ref group="Note">Sergeant Stacker can appear as the leader of the group of Marines hiding in the hills in the level ''[[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|Halo]]'', as part of the final group of Marines in ''[[Assault on the Control Room]]'', and the group of Marines encountered on the surface in ''[[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]]''. However, whether he actually does is down purely to chance. As a result, it is unclear if he was actually present during these skirmishes. The novel ''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' substitutes Gunnery Sergeant [[Waller]] for Stacker in his role leading the beach assault in ''[[The Silent Cartographer]]''. For the record of all his appearances in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', see [[Marcus Stacker#Gameplay|here]].</ref> and the method of his survival are unknown, as he was not on-board John-117's [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longsword]] or [[Shiela Polaski]]'s [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelican]], the only two known UNSC craft to escape the ring's obliteration.

[[File:StackerBattleRifle.png|left|thumb|250px|Stacker carefully lining up a headshot with his [[BR55 battle rifle|Battle Rifle]] in [[Old Mombasa]].]]

{{Quote|Cook the bastard...|Stacker instructs [[Butkus]] to drain the shields of a [[Sangheili]] who held Lance Corporal Jones hostage with an [[Type-1 energy sword|energy sword]].}}

A clean-shaven Stacker was present at the October 20th awards ceremony on Cairo Station, minutes prior to the Battle for Earth beginning. Outfitted in his official Naval uniform, he aided SPARTAN John-117 and Sergeant Major Avery Johnson in defending the station's command center from Covenant forces. While accompanying Johnson and Commander Miranda Keyes to board the frigate {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}, the party was ambushed by Covenant and pinned down. John-117's timely arrival and aid allowed the ''In Amber Clad's'' leadership to board safely.<ref name="H2-Cairo">''Halo 2'', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station]]''</ref>

During the Battle for Earth, Stacker served in the [[7th ODST Battalion|7th Battalion]] of the [[105th ODST Division|105th Shock Division]]. He was dispatched from the In Amber Clad under the command of Sergeant Major Johnson, leading a squad of ODSTs in a [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelican]]. Upon entering a section of the city under heavy assault by the Covenant, Stacker's Pelican was shot down by a [[Protos-pattern Scarab|Scarab]] over [[Old Mombasa]] and crashed landed on an open beach near [[Hotel Zanzibar]], killing the pilots and [[O'Brien (Mombasa)|one of Stacker's squad]]. The surviving four ODSTs were immediately engaged by a Covenant patrol led by a [[Special Operations Sangheili|Special Operations]] [[Sangheili]]. During the brief assault, the Sangheili held [[Walpole|one of his troopers]] hostage momentarily before Stacker shot the Sangheili in the head.{{Ref/Reuse|H2-ADatB}}{{Ref/Note|Id=beach|In the original ''Halo 2'' cinematic by Bungie, it was Fones who said, "Cook the bastard" to Butkus, and shot the Sangheili with his battle rifle. In the remastered cinematic by Blur Studio, the role was given to Stacker.}}

Stacker and his squad then holed up in the nearby Hotel Zanzibar, following the instructions of UNSC [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] [[Cortana]] while Spartan John-117 cleared a path to them. They were soon attacked by another group of Covenant infantry, and were pinned down in the hotel's lobby by a [[Shepsu-pattern plasma cannon|plasma cannon]] by the time John-117 arrived. Stacker then assisted the Chief in clearing the nearby beaches and tunnels of Covenant.<ref name="H2-Outskirts">''Halo 2'', campaign level ''[[Outskirts]]''</ref>

Later in the battle, Stacker once again crossed paths with John-117 in [[New Mombasa]]. Caught alone behind enemy lines, Stacker was driving a [[Gauss Warthog]] through a Covenant-filled park when he encountered the Chief and a squad of Marines emerging from the nearby tunnels. He suggested the SPARTAN-II commandeer the [[M68 Gauss Cannon|Gauss cannon]], and assisted him in liberating the nearby Marine command post, which was under the bombardment of several [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraiths]], reinforced by waves of [[Karo'etba-pattern Ghost|Ghosts]]. Clearing out the attacking Covenant, they reached the command post, where Stacker remained as John-117 lead survivor Sergeant [[Banks]] and a squad of marines in pursuit of the Scarab walker.<ref name="H2-metropolis">''Halo 2'', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref>

Stacker was preumably evacuated to ''In Amber Clad'' alongside the survivors of A Company's First Platoon. Minutes later, the ship pursued the [[Regret|Prophet of Regret's]] carrier through a slipspace portal that inflicted heavy damage upon the city.

[[File:StackerDeltaHalo.jpg|thumb|250px|Stacker and his ODSTs awaiting a vehicle delivery, moments after a perilous [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|orbital insertion]].]]

{{Quote|no=four|q1=Proceed to the objective, we'll hold out as long as we can! ''(screams fearfully)'' Get it off me!|Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Stacker|q2=Suppressive fire, suppressive fire!|[[Banks|Staff Sergeant Banks]]|q3="Negative, ma'am! They are ''not'' Covenant!|Sergeant Stacker|q4=Cover that doorway!|Sergeant Banks|Stacker communicates with [[Miranda Keyes]] as he and his forces in battle [[Flood]] within the [[Sentinel Wall]].}}

Stacker was among the first wave of UNSC forces deployed on Installation 05.<ref>''Halo 2'', campaign level ''[[Delta Halo#Helljumpers|Delta Halo]]''</ref> The Gunnery Sergeant, alongside Spartan [[John-117]] and several [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODSTs]] from [[First Platoon (ODST)|First Platoon]], made a hard drop on the Halo Ring and secured multiple [[Forerunner]] ruins. The ODSTs suffered almost total casualties upon insertion, however their efforts allowed [[M12 Chaingun Warthog|vehicular support]] and [[M808B Scorpion|armor]] to be delivered via Pelican. Stacker and his surviving troopers supported the SPARTAN-II as he pushed through heavy Covenant defenses on the way to his target; the [[Prophet of Regret]]. Upon discovering the location of Installation 05's [[Library]], Commander Miranda Keyes ordered Sergeant Major Avery Johnson to extract his forces and rendezvous with the ''In Amber Clad'' for a [[Battle of the Quarantine Zone|retrieval operation]].<ref name="Regret">''Halo 2'', campaign level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]''</ref> Alongside the majority of the forces supporting John-117, Stacker was pulled out via Pelican and headed towards the Library.

After rendezvousing with ''In Amber Clad'', Stacker lead a Platoon-sized force of Marines into the Sentinel Wall surrounding the [[Quarantine Zone]]. The Marines moved through the outer wall with ease, unmolested by local Sentinel defenses - likely due to being recognized by the automated guardians as [[Reclaimers]].<ref name="icon">''Halo 2'', campaign level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref>

[[File:HTMCC-H2A Marines Resistance.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Stacker and Banks fighting their Jiralhanae captors at the Bastion of the Brutes.]]

Spread throughout the wall in small fireteams, Stacker's men swiftly fell to the Flood parasite and the now-hostile Sentinels. With his force decimated but the [[Containment Shield]] now disabled, Stacker contacted ''In Amber Clad'' suggesting Keyes proceed straight to the Library while his troops attempted to hold their position. As he relayed the message, Stacker was set upon by a [[Pod infector|Flood Infection Form]], screaming for his Marines to remove it from him. A short time later, Stacker made contact with Keyes once again, confirming their engagement with non-Covenant hostile lifeforms, while [[Staff Sergeant]] [[Banks]] and other Marine survivors could be heard staging a desperate defense.{{Ref/Reuse|icon}} It is unknown how Stacker escaped the Quarantine Zone, however himself, Banks<ref name="journey">''Halo 2'', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref> and his surviving Marines<ref>''Halo 2'', campaign level ''[[Gravemind (level)#Inside Job|Gravemind]]''</ref> were ultimately captured by Covenant forces.

Later, as High Charity was overrun by the Flood-infested ''In Amber Clad'', captive Sergeants Stacker, Johnson and Banks were brought to a [[Bastion of the Brutes|series of structures]] held by the Jiralhanae. The three were moments away from execution when the Jiralhanae were attacked by [[Sangheili]] [[Covenant separatists|forces]] lead by the Arbiter [[Thel 'Vadamee]]. Taking advantage of the confusion, Johnson managed to board the nearby [[Protos-pattern Scarab|Scarab]] walker, and forged a hasty alliance with 'Vadamee in order to stop Tartarus from activating the installation. The UNSC-operated Scarab cleared a path to the Installation's Control Room, while the Arbiter provided air support.{{Ref/Reuse|journey}} After the neutralization and subsequent blockading of Installation 05, Stacker was presumably evacuated by the Arbiter and his allies alongside Johnson and Miranda, returning to Earth around November 15, 2552.<ref name="lootcrate2">''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]'', [[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]</ref>

 

 

 

 

===Battle of Installation 00===

{{Quote|Bravo, flank and cover! I want everybody supportin' the Chief; he'll take it down!|Stacker, leading an armored UNSC force against a Scarab on [[Installation 00|The Ark]]}}

During the Battle of Installation 00, Sergeant Major Johnson organized a makeshift UNSC armored unit from the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} for an assault on the Ark's [[Cartographer]]. Stacker commanded the platoon of [[M808B Main Battle Tank|Scorpion]]s against a battalion-sized Covenant armored force outside of the complex and managed to eliminate a Scarab with John-117's help.<ref name="H3-Ark">''Halo 3'', campaign level ''[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]''</ref>

Later in the battle, he led an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper squad accompanying John-117 in the three-pronged assault on the [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel's]] shield generators. The small force were able to storm the Covenant-held beach, mount vehicles, and fight their way into the highly-fortified generator tower high in the hills. After clearing the structure interior of a large pack of Jiralhanae, Stacker and his men fell back to guard the entrance while the SPARTAN ascended the tower. After disabling their target, John-117, Stacker and his troopers boarded [[AV-14 Hornet|Hornets]] and helped the Arbiter's force liberate the third and final tower.

 

 

===Conflict on Requiem===

In the years after the Human-Covenant war, Stacker's service throughout the long conflict was recognized with a promotion to Master Sergeant. By February 21, 2557<ref>''[[Halo 4 Limited Edition]]'', UNSC Infinity briefing packet</ref> Stacker was assigned to the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} as it was tasked with finding and decommissioning the rest of the Halo Array.

 

When the ''Infinity'' was caught by the [[Gravity well (physics)|gravity well]] of the [[shield world]] [[Requiem]] in [[2557#July|July 2557]], Stacker survived the ship's impact, as well as the subsequent assault on the crashed ship by [[Promethean]] and [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant]] forces.

 

Later, during the ''Infinity's'' assault on several [[Z-8060 particle cannon|particle cannons]] and the [[Gravity well|gravity well generator]], Stacker remotely commanded a platoon of armored vehicles making a ground assault on Jul's Covenant forces. The group had taken heavy losses when Master Chief John 117 arrived, and Stacker ordered his troops to rally behind the Spartan-II. With John-117's aid and Stacker's direction, the force was able to push through multiple waves of Covenant armor and clear a path to the generator.{{Ref/Reuse|H4-Reclaimer}}

 

== Personality and traits ==

Identified by his strong southern American accent, Stacker is a tough, charismatic Marine. He is easily able to inspire confidence in his troops, often with jests or taunts at the enemy. A dependable leader in the face of adversity, Stacker has survived important roles in countless major battles. Having survived the Human-Covenant War, as well as engagements against [[Flood]], [[Promethean]] and [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant remnant]] forces, Stacker is one of the more hardened veterans in the entire UNSC.

Stacker has served alongside Spartan-II [[John-117]] on many occasions, often providing assistance in vital situations. Having firsthand experience of John-117's prowess on the battlefield, Stacker has often directed troops under his command to follow the Master Chief's lead. Whether it be offering a vehicle, weapon, or compliment, Stacker displays tremendous respect for the Spartan.

In-game, Stacker behaves and acts just as any other Marine NPC would, though like other Marine Sergeants, he will sometimes pause to shout and motion orders to other Marines. The player can trade weapons with him (in games where it is possible), and he can be killed during the course of gameplay. If he is killed, he will reappear in later appearances regardless, even within the same level.

=== Additional Appearances in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' ===

[[File:HTMCC-HCEA Terminal 3.jpg|thumb|300px|Stacker as a member of the ill-fated [[Fire Team Charlie]] on the level ''[[The Truth and Reconciliation]]''.]]

The full extent of Stacker's participation in the Battle of Installation 04 are unknown, as he does not appear in ''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' depiction of events, nor is his presence guaranteed in his ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' appearances (with the exception of his appearance representing [[Waller]].) He was also not on-board John-117's [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longsword]] or [[Shiela Polaski]]'s [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelican]] in ''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' the only two known UNSC craft to escape the destruction of the ring, despite participating in the [[Battle for Earth]] a month later.{{Ref/Reuse|H2-ADatB}}

{{Linkbox|quote=yes|gallery=yes}}

*Stacker takes his first name from [[Marcus Lehto]], whom his face was also modelled after in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''Halo 3''.{{Ref/Reuse|H4-Reclaimer}}

*Stacker takes his middle initial{{Ref/Reuse|H4-Reclaimer}} and surname from [[Pete Stacker]], the voice actor who plays him in every one of his appearances. Pete Stacker also voices a number of other characters in the [[Halo universe|''Halo'' universe]], including [[Jacob Keyes]], [[Echo 004]], [[Oscar 18]], Gunnery Sergeant [[Waller]] and a number of unnamed NMPD officers and Marine Sergeants in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. Pete was not credited for playing Sergeant Stacker in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved|Halo: CE]]''; he only receives credit for his portrayal of [[Jacob Keyes]].<ref>''[[Halo: Combat Evolved credits]]''</ref>

*Stacker was first named in their [[Joyride_Studios/Halo_1_Series_3#Marine|Joyride Studios action figure]] released in January 2004, where the character is identified as "SERGEANT STACKER".<ref> ''[[Joyride_Studios/Halo_1_Series_3#Marine|Joyride Studios' Sergeant Stacker action figure]]'' </ref> In ''Halo 2''{{'}}s credits, Pete Stacker is credited for portraying "Sergeant Stacker".<ref>''[[Halo 2 credits]]''</ref> Despite this, ''Halo 3''{{'}}s credits listed him as "Marine Sergeant".<ref>''[[Halo 3 credits]]''</ref>

*Stacker's rank of Gunnery Sergeant was first revealed in ''Halo: Reach''{{'}}s [[Armor customization (Halo: Reach)|Armory]]. While he was referred to as "GYSGT STACKER" in the Armory, Pete Stacker was only credited for voicing "TROOPER SGT 1"<ref>''[[Halo: Reach credits]]''</ref>

*Stacker appears outfitted in both [[UNSC Marine Corps Battle Dress Uniform|standard Marine attire]] and [[ODST armor|ODST Armor]] throughout ''Halo 2'' and ''3''. Strangely, he is depicted as a regular Marine during the ''Halo 2'' levels ''Outskirts'' and ''Metropolis'', yet he and his fireteam wear ODST armor in the cutscene ''[[Another Day at the Beach]]''. This is possibly a symptom of Bungie's hesitance to include Orbital Drop Shock Troopers in ''Halo 2'' during its development, despite pressure from the Microsoft Franchise Development Group.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151109053509/http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/8/2/3/823a5cd1ac38d28e/Episode_005_final.mp3?c_id=3307764&expiration=1447051643&hwt=9c0743cdf3432035c7a154a6ebfa9d8e ''The Sci Fi Show'': Episode 005: DC Reboot/Eric Trautmann (Archived)]</ref> Stacker and his squad's appearance as Orbital Drop Shock Troopers in the remastered version of ''Another Day at the Beach'' likely confirms the cutscene as the definitive depiction of events.

*Stacker's dress uniform in Halo 2 features a gold star and 4 stripes. In ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'', this was amended to a gold star and 1 stripe. It is unknown whether or not this correctly reflects his rank at the time of Gunnery Sergeant.{{Ref/Reuse|H2-Cairo}}

*In the original ''Another Day at the Beach'' by Bungie, [[Fones]] and Stacker shared the same facial model, but Stacker was distinguished by the blood on his left cheek. In the remastered cinematic by Blur Studio, Fones' appearance was given a unique facial model which featured a blonde mohawk. In addition, in the original cinematic, it was Fones who said, "Cook the bastard" to Butkus, and shot the Sangheili with his battle rifle. In the remastered cinematic, the role was given to Stacker.

*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 3'' Stacker's in-game texture bitmap is named "[[Marcus]]", after the game's Art Director [[Marcus Lehto]]. He shares this bitmap with several generic Marines in both titles.

*In ''Halo 2'', Stacker's in-game texture bitmap is named "Morgan". He shares this bitmap with several generic Marines. Interestingly, Sergeant [[Reynolds]] uses an updated version of the "Morgan" bitmap in ''Halo 3''.

*Stacker's face bitmap used to portray him in ''Halo Reach''{{'}}s Armory is shared with several generic Army Troopers throughout Reach's campaign. His "model" shown in the Armory appears to actually be a combination of this face bitmap with [[Duvall]]'s character model.

*The Anniversary editions of both ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 2'' give Stacker a new, unique face bitmap that is not shared with generic Marines. Additionally, the Anniversary edition of ''Combat Evolved'' actually has two different face bitmaps for Stacker. If encountered in his full combat armor (as pictured above) his face will bear a resemblance to his original face (i.e. beard and scar). If encountered in combat fatigues he will not have a beard or scar, instead he more closely resembles how he looks in ''Halo 2'' The only two levels that the difference can be seen in are ''Halo'' and ''343 Guilty Spark'' as he will always wear his combat armor in other missions.

 

*In ''Halo 2'' on the level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]'', a glitch can occur in which Stacker will appear, but have Sergeant [[Banks]]' voice, or vice versa.

*In ''Halo 3'' on the levels ''[[Tsavo Highway]]'' and ''[[Floodgate]]'', a glitch can occur in which Stacker will appear, but have Reynolds' voice, or vice versa. This is most notable on ''Tsavo Highway'', where both Sergeants have a multiple lines of scripted mission dialogue.

 

*Stacker's voice is usable in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''{{'}}s [[Firefight]] mode. Stacker has the least expensive Firefight voice, costing only 5,000 [[credit]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|HR-Armory}} In ''[[Season 1: Noble]]'' of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'', Stacker can be unlocked for {{SeasonPoint|1}} as the seventh unlock in the first tier.

*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 3'', he has a scar under one of his eyes which is not present in his other depictions.

*In the ''Halo: Reach'' campaign level ''[[New Alexandria]]'', if played on [[Cooperative Play|co-op]], an army trooper with Stacker's Firefight voice will appear as the gunner on the second Falcon. An Army Trooper using his combat dialogue can also spawn as part of the Pelican Reinforcements that appear in ''Long Night of Solace''.

*Stacker's Firefight voice description in ''Halo Reach'', and his dialogue in ''Halo 4'' directly reference his own lines from ''Halo 3''.

File:HCE-GunSgtStacker1-Front.jpg|A profile of Stacker's ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' model.

File:CE Sgt Stacker Toy.png|The back of a ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' toy with Sergeant Stacker on it.

File:StackerHalo2.jpg|Sergeant Stacker wearing ODST armor in ''Halo 2''.

File:H3-Sgt-MarcusPeteStacker-Portrait.png|A full-body portrait of Stacker in ''Halo 3''.

File:Marines in the Jungle.jpg|Stacker and [[First Squad]] in the Kenyan jungle, after awakening John-117.

File:H3 Stacker Marines Arrival.jpg|Stacker, taking his first steps on the Ark.

File:HR Stacker Firefight Icon.png|Stacker as he appears in ''Halo Reach''{{'}}s Armory.

File:HCEA MPS 42.JPG|Sergeant Stacker's model in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.

File:StackerHalo2A.jpg|A profile of Sergeant Stacker in ''Halo 2 Anniversary''.

File:HTMCC-H2A Stacker and Dubbo Gondola.jpg|Stacker and Dubbo fighting aboard a gondola in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.

{{Ref/Sources}}

[[Category:Human characters]]