Cate Archer

Catherine “Cate” Anne Archer is the protagonist and playable character in Monolith's No One Lives Forever franchise. The character's design was based on the model Mitzi Martin and was voiced by Kit Harris in the original game and Jen Taylor in the sequel.

Cate Archer is an undercover operative in the employ of UNITY, a secret intelligence organization based in the UK that specializes in matters of international security during the height of the Cold War. Working on a mission-to-mission basis, Archer's primary objective involves the protection of the global peace effort and saving the world from H.A.R.M. an international terrorist organization that seeks to destabilize diplomatic relations between sovereign nations in their pursuit to take over the world.

A highly developed character with an interesting backstory, adept combat skills and brains to match, Cate Archer has been highly praised by fans and game critics alike. Beginning her career as a thief and cat burglar before being recruited to UNITY as a field operative, Archer undergoes tremendous character progression, not least by her steady improvement of handling herself in the field while at the same time having to challenge the prejudices against her by her enemies as well as skeptical superiors at HQ. As the game progresses, Archer gradually evolves into a highly qualified field agent and undercover operative, excelling in the areas of stealth, covert infiltration, private investigation, marksmanship, resourcefulness and efficiency. By the beginning of the sequel, she is introduced by her fellow agent and mentor Bruno Lawrie as "one of UNITY's top undercover operatives" and has earned herself a notorious reputation among her fiercest adversaries - not least her nemesis and arch-rival Dmitrij Volkov.

Family and Childhood (1942-1954)
Catherine Anne Archer was born in Glasgow, Scotland in March 1942 to Lord William Archer and Catherine Anne MacDougal. Although members of the nobility, the family struggled financially and Archer's childhood was marked by tragedy. Her mother died three weeks after her birth, as she never recovered from a "20 hours of labor", and she was raised by his father, which was also a hunter (and taught Archer horseback riding and hunting). But not entire span of her life, because when Archer was 14, precisely in May 1956, her father committed suicide. That moment marks a beginning of difficult time in Archer's history, as she ventured between an orphanage and various foster homes. One time after being placed into an orphanage, Archer escaped one night not long thereafter and disappeared without a trace.

Criminal Career as "The Fox" (1955-1963)


For main article, see Nine Years Ago

In her teenage years, Archer led a life of crime as a pickpocket and cat burglar in London. She was known under the alias of "The Fox" - a symbol which she chose after seeing a fox cleverly evade capture when she and her father had gone hunting in her early childhood.

Until 1958, she lived off the "pickings" of tourists and other careless citizens around town, before being hired by gangs and other crime syndicates to crack the safes of pubs and other businesses. One of her greatest achievements of her criminal career was her successful infiltration of Cramble Castle in Scotland where she stole the famous Robin's Egg jewel and exchanged it for the real one.

Based on a memo to H.A.R.M. employees (an intelligence item found in the level Misfortune in Morocco), the 1959 theft of the Fitzwald Diamond from the Royal Museum was credited to "The Fox" - Young Archer's alias. A further H.A.R.M. memo reveals that a H.A.R.M. agent made contact with Archer and tried to recruit her to the organization. His attempt was unsuccessful (and he reported that his pockets had been picked after their encounter).

Recruitment to UNITY (1963-1967)
Archer's criminal career continued until 1963, when she stole the watch of UNITY field agent Bruno Lawrie. Unbeknownst to her, the watch was fitted with a homing device which enabled Lawrie to track her down and apprehend her. Impressed and intrigued by Archer's skill and bravery, Lawrie enlisted her in the UNITY training program where she began a more honorable career as an archivist with the occasional task of wiretapping and eavesdropping on potential suspects. Archer despised this line of work and frequently complained to Lawrie, now her close friend and mentor, that she wanted a real challenge and only needed a chance to prove herself. Lawrie encouraged her to be patient with the "old fashioned" committee and reassured her that her day would come.

Career as a Field Operative and Super Spy (1967-present)
Main articles: The Operative: No One Lives Forever and No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way

Archer's chance to prove herself finally arrives after several of UNITY's undercover operatives are mysteriously killed off, leaving the organization dangerously understaffed. Although initially suffering several setbacks, Archer proves her worth as a competent field agent through her encounters with the terrorist organization H.A.R.M. In September 1967, she thwarts their plot of world domination through "human time-bombs" (Project: Lambda). The following year, she quashes the equally dastardly Project: Omega, which threatens to unleash World War III between NATO and the Soviet Union. Her efforts earn her the praise as being one of the most competent undercover operatives UNITY has to offer.

In The Operative: No One Lives Forever
For a summary of the full game, see: The Operative: No One Lives Forever

When Archer makes her first on-screen appearance, she is still an archivist and occasional eavesdropper for UNITY, longing for a chance to prove herself. When the world is threatened by the terrorist organization H.A.R.M., Archer's long-awaited chance finally presents itself. Her first mission takes her to Morocco, which ends in failure, as do many of the following missions her superiors send her on. Things finally take a positive turn for her career when she uncovers the link between H.A.R.M. and Dumas Industrial Enterprises. After arriving at a proverbial dead end, Archer pursues one final lead based solely on a hunch and ends up saving the world, earning her the recognition and respect she deserves. She also has changed Magnus Armstrong, who will later join UNITY.

In Contract J.A.C.K.
Archer makes a brief cameo appearance in the game Contract J.A.C.K. which takes place between The Operative and A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way. While John Jack is being transported to a Military Supply Outpost in Czechoslovakia, Cate Archer can be spotted in her blue winter coat standing at the side of the road. Fans have speculated as to whether this is just an in-game Easter Egg or if Archer was on an actual mission of her own.

In other levels of the game, wanted posters from H.A.R.M. and Danger Danger offering a $1,000,000 reward for Archer, ("dead or alive; but preferably dead") can be found in various locations.

In No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy In H.A.R.M.'s Way
For a summary of the full game, see: No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way

Now firmly established as a "top undercover operative" and super spy in her right, Archer sets out to uncover the truth behind a conspiracy called Project: Omega, which, as it soon turns out, is the brainchild of H.A.R.M. which now seeks to come after Archer and take over the world with a vengeance. This time she's also met and freed her future best friend (or maybe even love) Isako from life debt to The Director of H.A.R.M.



Appearance
Archer is 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 meters) tall, has green eyes and brown hair. Her original appearance was modeled after real-life model Mitzi Martin, who posed for the role and served as the basis for the game's graphic designers. In the original game, Archer's character pays homage to the fashion styles of the 1960s, which includes the bob cut with headband hairstyle and a red and white form-fitting catsuit (worn primarily during infiltration missions at night or in enemy bases). Her two other outfits are a casual knee-length dress with a green and orange patterns (worn during undercover missions in public) and a winter outfit consisting of an orange winter coat with matching fur hat and white boots. Unique outfits include a diving outfit (worn during The Dive, Scene 3 and Trouble in the Tropics, Scene 1), a space suit (worn during Low Earth Orbit level) and a green bikini swimsuit (worn briefly at the beginning of the Game of the Year Edition's bonus level Rest and Relaxation). Although only a few months have elapsed between the two games, Archer's appearance in the sequel varies significantly from that of the original. Her facial features are smoother, fuller and more rounded, her hair now has curly tips and her fringe is more slanted. While she has kept the orange headband from the previous game, her choker necklace is now black and her ears (and earrings) are now visible. No longer sporting a tight-fitting catsuit, Archer's main outfit now consists of a smart black leather jacket over a wide-collar orange top with matching boots and gloves. Her other two outfit in the sequel is a hooded blue fur coat (worn during the three Siberia levels) and an Indian-style long-sleeved orange belly-top with matching stripy trousers and white gloves (worn in the Calcutta levels).

In both games, Archer's outfit is set by default and cannot be customized. The multiplayer feature in the original game allows the player to choose to play as Archer in one of her four primary skins (action, casual, winter and scuba).

Memorable Quotes
Archer: Well I hope when they catch the bastard, they'll put a bullet between his eyes and a boot up his arse for good measure!'''

Lawrie: You sound ready to volunteer.

Archer: I'm dangerous when I'm upset.

Lawrie: That's why you're always in trouble.''' '(Talking about the possibility of a traitor in Misfortune in Morocco'', Scene 1)

Contact: "Guten Abend Fraulein, do you make love to strangers?"

Archer: "Certainly not!"

Contact: "Then allow me to introduce myself..."

Archer: "Why not introduce yourself to a police officer and spare me the trouble?"

Contact: Who makes up these ghastly code phrases anyway?

Archer: ''Someone in the cryptography department. Someone in need of a girlfriend apparently...'' (Funny Code Phrases with Contacts in Berlin by Night, Scene 1) Archer: Will you have a drink?

Goodman: ''Old Grand Dad. Bring the bottle, a tumbler and a bowl of ice.''

Archer: ''Goodness! Are you celebrating?'  Goodman:' Compensating actually.''

Archer: How sad for you. (Meeting Goodman in Rendezvous in Hamburg, Scene 1)

Archer: ''I've read your file. Subtlety isn't really your specialty, is it?''

Goodman: I can be subtle!

Archer: Then explain that shirt. (A Tenuous Lead, Scene 3)

Archer: You might have warned me you were planning to blow up the bloody ship.

Goodman: ''I wasn't expecting you to be aboard long enough for it to matter. After all that talk about how sneaky you are, I figured you'd get aboard, grab the stuff, and get back off.''

Archer: Things got complicated.

Goodman: I've heard that before.

Archer: ''Probably from your mother. What the hell were you thinking anyway?'' [...]

Goodman: Are you afraid of heights

Archer: I'm comfortable with anything under cruising altitude.

Goodman: ''All right, then, head for the roof. They won't expect that. I saw a fire escape in the back. You should be able to get down that way. Try to slip out of here without being seen.'' [...]

Archer: (sarcastically after encountering many thugs on the roof) "Head for the roof. They won't expect that." (The Dive, Scenes 1 and 2)

(To Baroness Dumas) ''Everyone suffers, Baroness. But only cowards take it out on other people. (The Indomitable Cate Archer'', Scene 2)

(Chasing the monkey that stole her weapon) ''That monkey needs a good spanking. Come back here, little monkey! (Rest and Relaxation'', Scene 4)

Lawrie: Gentlemen, this is Agent Archer, one of our top undercover operatives.

Hawkins: I'll betcha she is.

Archer: You ever swallow a lit cigar? (Meeting Barnes and Hawkins in Project Omega, Scene 1)

Archer: How do I convince them to hire me?

Armstrong: ''Demonstrate your value to them. Maybe they need a maid.''

Archer: Maybe you need your arse kicked! (Double Cross, Scene 2)

''There you are. I was worried you'd been kidnapped! (To Dr Schenker in The Interlopers'')

The Director: I was wrong to have spared your life all those years ago.

''You've been nothing but a disappointment. Sayonara'' [Is about to shoot Isako]

[Cate disarms him by throwing a shuriken, then he uses smoke bomb to escape]

Archer Are you all right?

Can't say much for your taste in employers.

Isako: He was like a father.

Archer: You're better off as an orphan.

Isako: I am in your debt.

Archer: Then will you please stop trying to kill me?

What's wrong?

[Isako symbolically breaks her katana in half]

Isako: Nothing is wrong

Archer: ''Well, I'm late to a war. Sayonara. (Saving and befriending Isako in End Game'', Scene 4)

Trivia

 * Cate Archer is the protagonist and only playable character (in single-player levels) in The Operative: No One Lives Forever and No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way.
 * Kit Harris, who provided the voice of Cate Archer in The Operative: No One Lives Forever, also voiced Inge Wagner, Ms Kavanaugh and various other female bystanders/civilians.
 * Jen Taylor who provided Archer's voice in No One Lives Forever 2, also voiced Isako, Ninjas, UNITY's receptionist and female bystanders.
 * Mitzi Martin provided the motion capture models for Cate Archer. She later went on a publicity tour as Cate Archer just before the release of NOLF1.
 * Cate shares the same surname with Sterling Archer from the animated sitcom Archer which, incidentally, also follows the adventures of 1960s-inspired secret agent. Whether the series was influenced by the No One Lives Forever franchise is unknown, although some fans of both franchises have proposed the theory that the character of Mallory Archer is an older version of Cate Archer with a new identity.
 * Although Cate was born in Glasgow to Scottish parents, her accent is a variant of Received Pronunciation (also known as "The Queen's English" or "Oxford English"), usually associated with the British upper class (Archer's parents were members of the aristocracy). Linguistic references to her Scottish heritage include her use of the word "aye" for yes and "shite" when frustrated.
 * Despite being the daughter of British aristocrats, Archer never flaunts her noble heritage or shows any affinity with the upper class or luxury. This is probably due to her rough youth in the slums of London, where she had to fend for herself in order to survive.
 * The appearance and personality of Cate Archer shares many resemblances with many other female spies and secret agents from 1960s pop-culture. Notable examples include Pussy Galore (played by Honor Blackman) in the James Bond film Goldfinger and the partners of John Steed in the British spy series The Avengers, Cathy Gale (also played by Blackman) and Emma Peel (portrayed by Diana Rigg).
 * Archer's code-name is "Foxhunt" which is a reference to her alias when she was still a thief and cat burglar. UNITY's corresponding code-name when contacting Archer in the field is "Foxhound".
 * In the Game of the Year (GOTY) edition of the original game, some levels feature unresponsive ("extra") Cate Archer models in inaccessible locations (e.g. A Man of Influence, Scene 3 and Safecracker, Scene 1). These are probably the models used during opening cutscenes that were forgotten by the game developers.
 * Before the creation of Cate Archer's character, game designers had proposed a male operative Adam Church for a British agency. So as to avoid conflation with James Bond, his looks and personality were to provide a stark contrast to 007, e.g. unattractive, unskilled and no combat experience. In the end, developers found the proposed character unappealing and decided to go with a sharp and witty female operative instead. Earlier she had been called Holly before name Cate was chosen.
 * On the box cover of The Operative: No One Lives Forever Archer is shown as black haired, while in the game she has brown hair.
 * In both original and sequel Archer meets people with similiar stories. They are Felicity Dumas in The Operative: No One Lives Forever and Isako in No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way, who orphaned, learned skills and eventually joined a secret organisation. But while The Baroness is an aristocrat and villain, Isako is an anti-villain due to her debt to The Director.