SEATTLE HERO TEAM, FORTE, CONFIRMED
UNCLE verifies new U.S. hero team has formed and is active in Seattle

SEATTLE, WA, December 8, 1987/ -- UNCLE has confirmed that a group of four heroes in Seattle, recently seen working together, have officially formed a new U.S. super-hero team going by the name of "Forte".

Three of the heroes--Dr. Jackal, Phantasm and Phantashia--began working together on November 17th when Phantashia's well-publicized arrival in our Earth dimension brought the three of them together. The following week, Phantashia teamed with controversial local Seattle heroine The Mist to stop a robbery attempt by the villain Golden Glider at the Space Needle. Soon after, the foursome of crimefighters began operating together, and made the decision to officially define their partnership as a hero team, becoming the Pacific Northwest's second such team, alongside Portland's Four Aces.

"Seattle's a fantastic city, and we're all proud to call it our home," said Dr. Jackal, who declined to call himself the new team's leader, only its spokesperson. "We plan to keep our home safe. This is a big city, a growing city, and its attracting more and more bad guys. Well, the bad guys are going to have to deal with us if they want to start anything here. They're going to have to deal with Forte."

Dr. Jackal confirmed that the team is operating out of an undisclosed base of operations, and have no plans for a public base at this time, citing both security and privacy reasons. But the team will stay in constant contact with local law enforcement and city officials, he promised, and added that the team can be reached through his already-established toll-free number: 1-800-4-JACKAL. He stated that Forte will cooperate fully and in partnership with both UNCLE's Seattle office and with the Seattle Police Department.

This announcement ends the frenzied media speculation since the heroes first began appearing together in Seattle. Opinion polls have shown that Seattle citizens, by overwhelming majority, approve of the introduction of a super-hero team in their city. A minority opinion voiced most often on local talk radio has expressed fears that a hero team operating in the city will only attract more super-powered criminals and increase crime and property damage.

Dr. Jackal, a super-humanly strong hero with lycanthrope-type attributes, was a very popular hero in New York City, where he operated for years, before his relocation to Seattle. While his departure from New York was steeped in controversy, coming after the death of one of his crime-fighting partners there--Fairwolf--his arrival in Seattle was greeted with excitement by the city and its media. He operated as a solo hero for several months before joining with his new Forte partners.

Little is known about the black-garbed, cowled martial artist known as Phantasm, other than that he is employed as private security for the local Seattle corporation Hudson Electronics, and has been seen pursuing criminals--most notably narcotics dealers--in his off-duty hours. Most of his sightings in the months he has been active in Seattle have been at night. Hudson Electronics declined to provide background information or a media packet on Phantasm, stating the hero's contract with them stipulates that they cannot.

"Phantasm is a valued Hudson employee when he's on the clock," said Mark Hudson, CEO of Hudson Electronics. "When he's off the clock, he's his own man, and his own hero. If you have any questions, you'll need to ask him. We respect his wishes and his privacy."

Phantashia is another mystery, a young woman wielding mystical powers who allegedly came to Earth from another dimension in some kind of undisclosed accident, one that coincided with the disappearance of University of Washington graduate student Jackie Carter. Brief interviews conducted with her seem to confirm that she knows little of Earth's culture, but seems fascinated by it and expresses great affection for the people of Seattle.

The Mist, a woman with weather-based powers and the ability to pass through solid objects, has been the only hint of controversy in the new team. A new heroine, she had only recently begun operating in costume when, as she helped evacuate a burning building, a young girl fell to her death during the Mist's attempts to rescue her. The girl's family and others in Seattle cast blame on the heroine for her inexperience, causing a heated public debate in the media that largely sided with the Mist.

Dr. Jackal stated that he and his fellow teammates have full confidence in Mist's abilities and courage, and have been "nothing but impressed as hell by her" since they began working with her.

"Seattle has every reason to be proud of her," he said. "You watch. She's going to be one of the big names. One of the legends. And you'll be able to say you were there when it all began."

Sgt. Gary Williams, temporary commander of the new UNCLE Northwest Regional Office in Seattle, said that UNCLE is 100% behind the introduction of a Seattle hero team, and looks forward to working with Forte for years to come.

"We welcome the help," he said, "and we've been very pleased with our partnership with them thus far. Like UNCLE branches in other hero-repped cities, we plan to work in close partnership with them and provide them with the support they need to do what they do best. They've committed to do the same for us. This is a win/win for everyone, but mostly for the state of Washington."

Dr. Jackal stated that he will make himself available for interviews regarding Forte by week's end. His teammates, he reported, have declined interviews at this time, asking him to serve as their spokesperson. He asked that the media and the public respect these wishes of his fellow Forte members during this period of transition.

"We're still pretty new at this," he said with a laugh. "Give us a little time to get all the details worked out. But during that time? Feel safer walking down the streets of Seattle. Forte is officially on the job."

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For more information on this news story, or to schedule an interview with Sgt. Gary Williams, please contact UNCLE at (206) 432-8856, or fax media requests to (206) 432-1384.

MAJOR CHANGES IN FORTE LINEUP ANNOUNCED
Seattle's hero team adds new members, says good-bye to others

SEATTLE, WA, July 15th, 1989/ -- Seattle's hero team, after nearly two years together, has announced major changes in their membership roster, ushering in a new five-member team consisting of Dr. Jackal, Knightsabre, Vanguard, Cincoflex and Shrike. Founding members Phantasm, Mist and Phantashia have all officially left the popular hero team.

The announcement comes after the two latest heroes to begin appearing with Forte--Cincoflex and Shrike--joined the recent additions of Knightsabre and Vanguard to the growing family of Seattle-based super-heroes. Speculations of a reorganization of the group have been discussed heavily in the press and local Seattle community. As many had predicted, the addition of these new heroes has signaled the departure of three of the much-loved original members of Forte.

"It's been an amazing couple of years since we started this thing," said team leader Dr. Jackal, who, along with Phantasm, Phantashia and The Mist, formed the newest U.S. hero team in November of 1987. "We've done some great things that we're very proud of, and have done our best to keep our hometown safe and secure."

"But things change, and you have to roll with those changes. When the new guys started showing up, it just happened to be at a time when Phantasm, Misty (sic) and Phantashia were all looking at some new things happening in their lives. They all felt it was time to move on, and felt safe doing so with a few great new heroes here to pick up the banner and make sure the team's more than ready to face whatever the bad guys can throw at Washington State."

He added that the departing heroes wanted it made clear that they are leaving for positive reasons and going on to major new things, and that there is no animosity involved in the team shake-up.

"They love the new kids," Dr. Jackal said. "We've all had a chance to work together, and we're all great friends already. They feel comfortable moving on because they know the team we all fought so hard to put together is in good hands. They wouldn't be leaving if they felt otherwise."

Knightsabre was the first of the new heroes to begin partnering with Forte back in January, and immediately caught the attention of the media, both for her beauty and heroic deeds. Knightsabre has heightened strength, can fly, and has powers of teleportation in her arsenal.

Vanguard began appearing soon after, a mysterious figure in a colorful costume and full face mask who projects energy from his visor. Dr. Jackal states that Vanguard's non-combat skills are his strongest point, and that he is a master tactician and has the professionalism of a veteran hero, despite his apparently recent introduction into the super-hero world.

Cincoflex is a Brazilian heroine with malleable skin that she can stretch great distances, and she has the ability to form her body into any number of shapes, or change her appearance at will by rearranging the flesh of her face. She has not been known to be active as a hero before her appearance with Forte.

Shrike, who wields sonic powers and has the ability to fly, is also an unknown commodity in the super-hero world, but has garnered much devotion in the public after live footage of him during Forte's recent battle with the Queens of Steel outside the Fluggenheim Art Museum showed his impressive skills and tenacity.

When asked about the experience level of this new team, and whether that concerned him, Dr. Jackal waved such thoughts aside.

"They're all top notch," he said. "A couple of our first Forte people were pretty new to the game, too, and you know how that turned out. These guys bring some amazing skill sets and attitude to the team, and we're all meshing like they've been here all along. I can't stress enough how excited I am to be a part of this new Forte. This new era's going to knock your socks right off."

UNCLE's Northwest Regional Office has confirmed that they have met, interviewed and worked with all of the new Forte heroes.

"We have every confidence in this second-generation Forte team," said UNCLE Seattle's hero liaison, Sgt. Cathy Gregario. "We have no doubt that they will live up to the high expectations already set by their predecessors, and we look forward to continuing our outstanding working relationship with them. Seattle doesn't need to worry. Forte is still here. For all of us."

Details on a forthcoming press conference this week with all current members of Forte are pending.

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For further information or to schedule an interview with Dr. Jackal, please call (800) 4-Jackal or fax requests to the same number. For UNCLE questions or comments regarding this story, please contact Sgt. Cathy Gregario at (206) 432-8876, or fax to (206) 432-1384.

DEATH OF FORTE'S THRESHER CONFIRMED, NOW TEAM'S THIRD FATALITY
New Forte hero becomes third member killed, world in shock, mourning

SEATTLE, WA, April 20, 1990/ -- Forte has confirmed to UNCLE the death of their newest member, the young aquatic hero named Thresher. This tragic news comes in the wake of the deaths of members Synergy and Shrike, making this the third Forte fatality in two months. Shock and disbelief have gripped the hero community, world leaders, and citizens around the globe.

Full details have yet to be made available. Forte has stated that the death took place outside of the U.S., that it happened during their pursuit of the enigmatic organization known as Intercrime--the same organization responsible for the deaths of Synergy and Shrike--and that the death of Thresher was another murder committed by the criminal empire.

Neither Forte nor UNCLE will be releasing details on the Intercrime organization beyond what is already documented due to this information being part of an ongoing and urgent investigation.

Forte's precise location at this time will also not be released, other than that they are outside the United States borders, as evidenced by scattered news reports and sightings in international locales.

A written statement from Dr. Jackal, provided to UNCLE, stated:

"There are no words to describe what our team is going through right now. We are devastated at the loss of such great heroes and beloved friends. This is a tragedy that none of us could ever prepare for, and our hearts are shattered. But we will not stop fighting. We will not be beaten. Every ounce of strength and resolve we have is focused on finding the monsters responsible for this senseless horror and bringing every last one of them to justice. The time to mourn will come later. For now, all we can manage is to press on and assure those behind our grief and rage that there is nowhere they can hide, and that we are coming for them all. The clock is ticking. And they're going to lose.

"We ask the world's understanding in our time of grief, your patience with our silence. When the time comes, we will speak. For now, we ask that your thoughts and prayers be for those heroes lost to all of us. Thresher was a new friend, but quickly endeared himself to all of us. He was there in our darkest hour to stand by us. It was an honor to serve with him and have him at our side. We will miss him dearly, and we will never to be able to repay the sacrifice he made for us. He gave his life in service to rid the world of a great evil and make it a safer place. Remember Thresher. Remember Synergy. Remember Shrike. Remember that freedom and security come with a price, and that brave men and women around the world pay that price every day. They do it because they know it's right. They do it because they're heroes. Remember to thank God, as we do, for the time we had our dear friends among us, and difference they made in all of our lives."

Dr. Jackal also confirmed that Knightsabre's recent and abrupt retirement and disappearance from the public eye is unrelated to these events, and that she is alive and well, and grieving these losses as they all are. He confirmed, too, that Forte founding member Phantasm has returned to the team to aid in what Dr. Jackal calls Forte's War on Intercrime. Whether this return is permanent or temporary is not known. Photos of Phantasm fighting with the team in Los Angeles first broke the news of his return.

As with several other Forte heroes in the team's brief history, little is known about the origins or life of Thresher. He was seen sporadically in San Diego in the year leading up to his membership in Forte. He appeared in Seattle just after the death of Synergy, aided Forte, and was officially made a member during what was, at the time, the team's darkest hour. He was a young hero, one who could breathe underwater and swim at super-human speeds, as showed a measure of super-human strength.

Thresher maintained a secret identity, like many of America's heroes, so it is unknown if he is survived by any family.

The first of the Forte deaths took place on February 18th, when recent Forte member Synergy was murdered on the streets of Reno, Nevada by Ohm, a villain with ties to Intercrime. The funeral of Synergy had barely passed when, on February 24th, a fight with Intercrime-connected French villains Feur de Lis and Seine Glace led to the death of the much-loved Forte hero Shrike in a building fire, a fire that almost claimed the life of Dr. Jackal as well, who had to be revived at a local hospital after his breathing stopped. The deaths, so close together, stunned the world and devastated the Forte team. Still nursing injuries, the team, along with their newest member, Thresher, began a manhunt for the powers behind Intercrime that led first to Los Angeles--and to the explosive street war instigated by Solitaire, a villainess/crimelord reported to be a major figure in the Intercrime organization--and then to international points unknown.

UNCLE's Northwest Regional Office has requested that all Forte media requests come through their office, and through hero liaison Sgt. Cathy Gregario.

"Forte is involved in a massive investigation with international ramifications," Sgt. Gregario said. "For the time being, they will not be operating as Seattle's hero team. UNCLE and other hero volunteers will be watching over the city in their absence.

"We have no way of knowing how long this effort will take, or when Forte will be returning to us, but our thoughts and thanks are with them for all they've done for our city, and for the world, and UNCLE and other international enforcement bodies are doing everything possible to assist them in the mission to end this threat to world security. We are supremely confident that this menace will be stopped, the responsible parties incarcerated, and then we can all turn our efforts to picking up the pieces and honoring our fallen heroes."

Sgt. Gregario stated that UNCLE Seattle agents and officers will continue wearing black mourning bands on their badges until such time as justice is done and the surviving Forte heroes return home. She also stated that agents in their office are grieving the loss of the fallen heroes as they would their own fellows, as they considered all the heroes partners and brothers in the cause. In response to the tragedies, several agents have related personal stories to the media about their working relationships and friendships with the Forte team.

The President of the United States is expected to deliver a third statement of remembrance tonight at 6:00 PM PST.

Various leaders of world governments have expressed their sorrow and outrage at the latest news, condemning Intercrime's actions and vowing to do whatever is in their powers to aid in the destruction of the criminal organization.

These deaths mark the greatest loss of life in the super-hero community since the death of the mutant team known as the X-Men in 1980, when they perished fighting the menace known as Dark Phoenix.

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For more information on this news story, or to schedule an interview with Sgt. Cathy Gregario, please contact UNCLE at (206) 432-8876, or fax media requests to (206) 432-1384.