Editing James Cutter

{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}

{{New content|[[Halo Wars 2]]}}{{Character Infobox|variant=Human

|name=James Cutter

|image=[[File:HW2-Trailer-Cutter.png|300px]]

|homeworld=[[Reach]]  

|birth=[[2479|June 12, 2479]]<ref name="OSG">'''[[Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide]]''', ''page 20''</ref><ref name="EVG">'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 43''</ref>

|death=  

|mass={{Convert|88.5|kg|lb}}<ref name="HWCutter"/>

|hair=Black, graying

|rank=[[Captain (Navy)|Captain]]

|notable=Commanded the first UNSC personnel to encounter the [[Flood]]

 

'''Captain James "Jim" Gregory Cutter''' ([[service number]] '''01730-58392-JC''')<ref name="HWCutter"/> 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]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 5|Issue #5]]''</ref>

[[File:cutteryoung.png|thumb|200px|left|James Cutter, captain of the UNSC Spirit of Fire]]

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 the ''[[Stick]]'', a diplomatic attaché vessel assigned to {{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.<ref name="Genesis">''Halo Wars: Genesis''</ref>

He achieved the rank of [[Commander (UNSC)|commander]] upon his transfer to {{UNSCShip|Glasgow}} on [[2519|August 8, 2519]]. On [[2524|May 22, 2524]], he received a [[Bronze Star]] for his actions aboard UNSC ''Glasgow'' against [[Terrorism|terrorists]] in the [[Epsilon Indi system]]; this gave him the attention of UNSC command.<ref name="Genesis"/> Cutter also served on two other ships during his career before he was given the rank of captain and command of an unidentified ship.<ref name="OSG"/>

Between 2524 and [[2525]], Cutter had an extramarital affair with a woman on [[Tribute]]. This liaison produced a son, [[Daniel Clayton]].<ref name="HE5"/>  

Shortly after 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]]. On August 8, 2525, Cutter arrived aboard ''Spirit of Fire''.<ref name="Genesis"/> 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 Colonies|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> Cutter's father also toured the ship with his son not long after Cutter was made captain of the ship. His father was impressed and reconciled with James, saying "I guess you knew something, after all. Your mom would be proud".<ref name="OSG"/>

On January 30, [[2528]], Cutter was offered command of the {{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}} {{UNSCShip|Prophecy}}, though he turned it down because he was happy with the ''Spirit of Fire'' and it being stationed near Reach. This, however, made it slim for Cutter to be offered something as prestigious as that again.<ref name="Sacrifices"/><ref name="OSG"/>

In at least [[2528]], [[Terrence Hood]] was Cutter's executive officer. By [[2530|November 2530]], Cutter gave him command of the {{UNSCShip|Roman Blue}}.<ref name="HE5"/>

{{quote|Five years, five long years. That's how long it took us to get Harvest back. At first it was going well. Then setback after setback... Loss after loss... Made what was going to be a quick and decisive win... Into five years of Hell. Of course, that's all Harvest really is today... It's Hell down there, but now it's ours again.|Cpt. Cutter about Harvest campaign}}

[[File:HaloWars-SOF-Holotable.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Cutter, Anders and Serina observing a holographic topographical map of Harvest]]

On [[2531|January 3, 2531]], Cutter was handpicked by [[Preston Cole]] to command the ''Spirit of Fire'' to assist the {{UNSCship|Prophecy}} over [[Harvest]]. Around February 4, 2531, when the Spirit arrived, it was too late, and Cutter sent a team to initiate the [[Cole_Protocol#Hypodermic-FXT-J|Hypodermic-FXT-J]] in the Prophecy.<ref name="HWTE">[[Halo Wars Timeline Events]]</ref><ref name="Genesis"/>

By the time [[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders]] arrived, Cutter had developed a close working relationship with the ship's [[Artificial intelligence|AI]], [[Serina]], and 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 in 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]] [[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>

{{Main|Battle of Arcadia}}

[[File:Anderssignal1.png|thumb|300px|Cpt. Cutter, Sgt. Forge and Jerome-092 discuss how to proceed after Prof. Anders's abduction]]

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"/>

===Shield World===

{{Main|Battle of Shield World 0459}}

{{quote|If the Covenant get their hands on these ships it will mean the end of the war. We'll take our chances here, to give humanity some hope.|Cpt. Cutter's gamble}}

[[File:Reaktor1.png|thumb|left|300px|Cutter, Anders and Serina planning the operation to destroy the shield world]]

''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 name="HWTE"/> (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>

''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 star and the ship escaped the ensuing explosion, after which ''Spirit of Fire'' began a long journey home.  

On [[2531#March|March 11, 2531]], Cutter forced Anders into [[Cryo chamber|cryostasis]], 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> The following day, Cutter walked the ship to check on the crew still recovering. He assured Nurse [[Lulu Hershey]] that she would get to see her fiancé again, and then returned to his cabin to write five more commendations, fourteen family condolences letters and a note to his wife, as well as to finally sleep for the first time in two weeks.<ref name="HWTE"/>

===Legacy===

[[File:HW20.png|thumb|300px|Cutter inside the ''Spirit of Fire'''s cryo room]]

''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 name="HWTE"/><ref group="note">Graeme Devine, the lead writer of ''Halo Wars'', wrote several essays about ''Spirit of Fire'' to assist the game's production team; however, he admits they are "basically fanfiction" and some [[HRUNTING Mark III (B) Exoskeleton#Note|blatantly contradict canon]]. According to {{Plain|[http://www.graemedevine.com/graemedevine/Spirit_of_Fire/Entries/2009/3/14_The_Mystery_of_%E2%80%9CSpirit_of_Fire%E2%80%9D.html Devine's blog]}}, 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>

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>

====Daniel Clayton's revenge====

{{Main|Ambush at Oth Lodon}}

On [[2558|March 11, 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: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 4|Issue #4]]''</ref>

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 station|Covenant space station]]. Cutter's illegitimate 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"/> Although ''Infinity'' was disabled by the attack, the Spartans were able to board the station and stop Clayton, delivering him and his underlings to UNSC captivity.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 6|Issue #6]]''</ref>

===Installation 00===

{{Quote|28 years, professor. Let's see what kind of galaxy we woke up to.|Cpt. Cutter after waking from cryo sleep above Installation 00.}}

In [[2559]], after 28 years of being in cryo sleep, James Cutter and the rest of the crew of the UNSC ''Spirit of Fire'' were awakened in orbit above the Forerunner [[Installation 00]]. There Cutter and the crew encountered the [[Banished]], led by the Jiralhanae [[Atriox]].<ref name="gamespot">[http://www.gamespot.com/articles/halo-wars-2-new-story-details-and-images-revealed/1100-6440811/ '''GameSpot''': ''Halo Wars 2 New Story Details and Images Revealed'']</ref>

As the Captain of the ''UNSC Spirit of Fire'' Cutter was confident with those around him and was met with strong loyalty from the crew. His stance and voice identified him as an intelligent, unambiguous, and thoughtful leader. Though he looked old for his age he put forth the energy and determination of men half his age. He was almost always at attention while listening to his advisors and crew. He was constantly on the move with no need for pomp and circumstance. This lack of flourish rallied many behind him and made him the perfect leader for the battles ahead.<ref name="OSG"/>

Cutter was an officer from the start, but his demeanor was never one of a do-nothing officer like many of his class. Many officers of his class had political aspirations far beyond their potential, but Cutter found it more interesting to "talk shop" with the non-commissioned servicemen. He liked his fellow officers, but he believed in "get[ting] to know and respect your men, and they'll give you 200 percent when the time comes." This approach had good and bad sides. Though his record of service and bravery was well known within the fleet his lack of political ambition, his unwillingness to climb the ladder of the UNSC by stepping over others, kept him from far more. He could easily have been an Admiral if he had ever cared to be.<ref group="note">Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide uses the term General instead of Admiral.</ref><ref name="OSG"/>

The amount of assignments with missions the ''UNSC Spirit of Fire'' undertook was something that made Cutter smile behind his morning coffee.<ref name="OSG"/> 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>

==Decorations==

*[[Bronze Star]] - Meritorious action aboard UNSC ''Glasgow'' (awarded [[2524|May 22, 2524]])<ref name="Genesis"/>

*Campaign Ribbon - [[Operation: TREBUCHET]] (Logistics Corps)<ref name="Genesis"/>

*Campaign Ribbon - [[Operation: BREADCRUMB]]<ref name="Genesis"/>

*Campaign Ribbon - [[Operation: WHISPER AMONG STARS]] (classified)<ref name="Genesis"/>

==In-game information==

===''Halo Wars''===

In the [[skirmish]] and [[multiplayer]] modes Cutter acts as a [[hero unit]] with a unique set of units, abilities, and upgrades.

[[File:HWguide Cutter.png|300px|right]]

*Leader Power - [[MAC Blast]]

*Unique Unit - [[M312 Elephant|Elephant]]

*Base Bonus - New bases start as Stations and the starting base is a Fortress.

*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).

*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 [[Type-47 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.

===''Halo Wars 2''===

[[File:HW2B_Cutter_Command_tree.png|300px|right]]

{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}

*Cutter was portrayed by [[Wikipedia:Gregg Berger|Gregg Berger]] in ''Halo Wars''. Coincidentally, Berger voiced G.I. Joe member [[Wikipedia:Cutter (G.I. Joe)|Cutter]] in the ''[[Wikipedia:G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1985 TV series)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' animated series. [[Wikipedia:Gideon Emery|Gideon Emery]] (who voiced [[Sloan|Governor Sloan]] in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'')<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', ''Credits''</ref> provides Cutter's voice, likeness, and motion capture performance in ''Halo Wars 2''.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/warzone-firefight-sneak-peek '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Warzone Firefight Sneak Peek'']</ref>

*[[:File:Cutter Palpatine concept.png|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 Palpatine]] in the ''Star Wars'' film series.

File:Cutter concept.jpg|Concept art of Captain James Cutter for ''[[Halo Wars]]''

File:Cutter Palpatine concept.png|An early study of Cutter, closely resembling actor Ian McDiarmid

File:CutterHalowaypoint.png|Cutter's face

File:HW-Cutter.png|Portrait of Cutter

File:HW-CaptJGCutter-Portrait.png|Full-body portrait of Captain James Gregory Cutter

File:JG Cutter.jpg|Cutter aboard the UNSC ''Spirit of Fire''

File:HW - CutterSerina.jpg|Cutter and Serina during their arrival at Harvest

File:Cutters Anders over Harvest.png|Cutter and Anders on ''Spirit of Fire'''s observation deck

File:Anders Cutter Watching Explosion.png|Cutter and Anders watching [[Shield World 0459]]'s star

File:IMG 0003.jpg|Front of Cutter's Leader Card

File:IMG 0004.jpg|Back of Cutter's Leader Card

File:Halo Escalation Hood and Cutter.jpg|[[Terrence Hood]] and James Cutter on the bridge of UNSC ''Spirit of Fire'' in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''

File:HW2 - James Cutter concept sheet.jpg|A concept sheet of Cutter for ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''

File:HW2 - Cutter promo.png|A promotional image of Cutter for ''Halo Wars 2''

*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''

**''[[Something has Happened]]'' {{Mo}}

<references group="note"/>

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[[Category:Humans]]