HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
Jack of All Trades does not know his real name, or who his real parents are. His earliest memories are of his training by the ultra-secret spy organization, VIPER (see, and copyright Champions game system). Jack's training started almost at birth. He was kidnapped from his parents by VIPER, and has been groomed to become one of the world's top covert agents. What VIPER did not count on, however, was Jack's rebellious nature. VIPER training is a rigorous discipline, and although Jack was all to eager to learn new techniques, he could not and would not conform to the organization's strict regimen of disciplinary rules and regulations. In his late teens, already near the top of the list of VIPER covert agents, Jack escaped from VIPER and struck out on his own.
Seeking the thrill of adventure, Jack threw in his lot with the fledgeling AlertForce. Jack was the first addition to the team (ERA I), joining just after the formation. Jack quickly became one of the most feared members of the team. His skills in gadgetry, martial arts, and deduction have served the leam well, lo these many years.
VIPER, having invested so much time and money in Jack's training, decided not to follow normal procedure, which would dictate having Jack killed. Instead, VIPER decided to offer Jack his freedom, in exchange for services if and when VIPER called on Jack. Jack agreed, intending to fulfill his agreement only if it suited his own needs at the time.
Jack has always been a master of disguise, and has maintained many different personas and identities. At various times during his tenure with AlertForce, he has maintained the guises (completely unbeknowenst to his AlertForce comrades) of: a high level VIPER assassin, an international jewel thief, a mob lieutenant to New York's biggest organized crime boss, a federal fugitive known as the "Counterfeitter," a high level FBI official, and probably others of which this author is unaware.
Jack's ties to AlertForce have always been strained. He simply doesn't fit the mold of the classic "superhero." Jack has always done things his own way, and refused to accept direction from any of the team's leaders. Jack had been offered the team leadership position on several occasions, and had refused each time.
Jack's arch enemy has always been the Catburgler. The Catburgler originally began his criminal behavior (second story work, jewel thievery, etc.) in the late sixties and early seventies, often tangling with a Pittsburgh-based hero team called the Guardians. His criminal life continued, however, and he faced Jack of all Trades on many occasions. He was the only villain ever able to match Jack's legendary quickness, but he tested Jack once too often, and was "accidentally" killed during a battle with Jack when both fell from a 30th story window of a hi-rise building. Jack was able to shoot a cable gun back and save himself, but he couldn't catch the Catburgler, who plunged to his death.
Several years later, however, the Catburgler's daughter took up the identity, and again became a thorn in Jack's side. Her era began one of the most interesting chapter's in Jack's career. Catburgler (II) (also VIPER trained) offered Jack a wager: Jack would capture her in the act of a crime in the calendar year 1990, or would join her as a henchman. Jack accepted, but, probably for the first time in his life, failed. Forced to do the Catburgler's bidding, Jack was for a time, one of the top jewel thieves in the world. But even Catburgler II (who is also in love with Jack) couldn't hold his free spirit for long. He escaped her clutches, and once again became a full time member of AlertForce (late in ERA III).
Jack's favorite method of attack was always the martial kick, although Jack has also used all variety of gadgets, including lasers, cable guns, web guns, battle discs, and his special sensory helmet.
Jack is the team member who initiated the team's move from Pittsburgh to California, starting ERA IV of the team's history. Jack made the decision to move on his own, after the security of the Pittsburgh hq was compromised. He then proceeded to swindle each team member's money right out of their bank accounts, and used the cash to construct the team's ultra-plush, and ultra-secret Santa Monica Headquarters.
Since the move to Los Angeles, Jack has been the center of many AlertForce capers. Most notably, Jack was kidnapped by unknown assailants, who created an exact android duplicate of Jack, which infiltrated and worked with AlertForce for an unknown amount of time before it was discovered (with the help of new AlertForce members at the time Spexx and P.A.L.). Since the experience, Jack has taken much more to staying away from the forefront in conflict situations, instead lurking in the shadows with lasers at the ready.
Jack has recently formed a secret research organization of his own, called Discovery Corporation, and has hired some of the top minds in the country to work with him at their high tech labs, located in southern California. None of the other AlertForce members knows about Discovery Corp., and Jack plans to keep it that way.
ERA V UPDATE:
After the 2001 reunion campaign, Jack went into semi-retirement. He no longer lives at AlertForce mansion, and the extent to which he will participate in AlertForce's future adventures remains unclear.
Seeking the thrill of adventure, Jack threw in his lot with the fledgeling AlertForce. Jack was the first addition to the team (ERA I), joining just after the formation. Jack quickly became one of the most feared members of the team. His skills in gadgetry, martial arts, and deduction have served the leam well, lo these many years.
VIPER, having invested so much time and money in Jack's training, decided not to follow normal procedure, which would dictate having Jack killed. Instead, VIPER decided to offer Jack his freedom, in exchange for services if and when VIPER called on Jack. Jack agreed, intending to fulfill his agreement only if it suited his own needs at the time.
Jack has always been a master of disguise, and has maintained many different personas and identities. At various times during his tenure with AlertForce, he has maintained the guises (completely unbeknowenst to his AlertForce comrades) of: a high level VIPER assassin, an international jewel thief, a mob lieutenant to New York's biggest organized crime boss, a federal fugitive known as the "Counterfeitter," a high level FBI official, and probably others of which this author is unaware.
Jack's ties to AlertForce have always been strained. He simply doesn't fit the mold of the classic "superhero." Jack has always done things his own way, and refused to accept direction from any of the team's leaders. Jack had been offered the team leadership position on several occasions, and had refused each time.
Jack's arch enemy has always been the Catburgler. The Catburgler originally began his criminal behavior (second story work, jewel thievery, etc.) in the late sixties and early seventies, often tangling with a Pittsburgh-based hero team called the Guardians. His criminal life continued, however, and he faced Jack of all Trades on many occasions. He was the only villain ever able to match Jack's legendary quickness, but he tested Jack once too often, and was "accidentally" killed during a battle with Jack when both fell from a 30th story window of a hi-rise building. Jack was able to shoot a cable gun back and save himself, but he couldn't catch the Catburgler, who plunged to his death.
Several years later, however, the Catburgler's daughter took up the identity, and again became a thorn in Jack's side. Her era began one of the most interesting chapter's in Jack's career. Catburgler (II) (also VIPER trained) offered Jack a wager: Jack would capture her in the act of a crime in the calendar year 1990, or would join her as a henchman. Jack accepted, but, probably for the first time in his life, failed. Forced to do the Catburgler's bidding, Jack was for a time, one of the top jewel thieves in the world. But even Catburgler II (who is also in love with Jack) couldn't hold his free spirit for long. He escaped her clutches, and once again became a full time member of AlertForce (late in ERA III).
Jack's favorite method of attack was always the martial kick, although Jack has also used all variety of gadgets, including lasers, cable guns, web guns, battle discs, and his special sensory helmet.
Jack is the team member who initiated the team's move from Pittsburgh to California, starting ERA IV of the team's history. Jack made the decision to move on his own, after the security of the Pittsburgh hq was compromised. He then proceeded to swindle each team member's money right out of their bank accounts, and used the cash to construct the team's ultra-plush, and ultra-secret Santa Monica Headquarters.
Since the move to Los Angeles, Jack has been the center of many AlertForce capers. Most notably, Jack was kidnapped by unknown assailants, who created an exact android duplicate of Jack, which infiltrated and worked with AlertForce for an unknown amount of time before it was discovered (with the help of new AlertForce members at the time Spexx and P.A.L.). Since the experience, Jack has taken much more to staying away from the forefront in conflict situations, instead lurking in the shadows with lasers at the ready.
Jack has recently formed a secret research organization of his own, called Discovery Corporation, and has hired some of the top minds in the country to work with him at their high tech labs, located in southern California. None of the other AlertForce members knows about Discovery Corp., and Jack plans to keep it that way.
ERA V UPDATE:
After the 2001 reunion campaign, Jack went into semi-retirement. He no longer lives at AlertForce mansion, and the extent to which he will participate in AlertForce's future adventures remains unclear.
posted by C. Cicconi at 6:24 PM
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