Forte Museum

Seattle, Washington

April 2000

 

"First of all, I'd like to thank all of you fine people for coming out this evening.  Since the invasion, there's been a lot to clean up.  Businesses have been hit hard.  But it's refreshing," Electro Man said with a smile, his slight working-class Texas drawl a contrast to the tuxedo he was wearing for the occasion, "to see all of Seattle's most-privileged be among Seattle's most giving."

Polite applause echoed off of the domed ceiling in the large hall.  On the walls were portraits of the various heroes that had come together from all walks of life to join with one another and fight for the greater good as members of Forte.  Electro Man waited for the applause to die down.  "But there are a few people I'd like to single out and thank personally.  I'd like to thank Mayor Cuccia for being a port in the storm, for giving us all hope when things looked their worst.  I know His Honor is the first to thank the efforts of others: police, fire, rescue, medical staff, and National Guardsmen, but I don't think the mayor really knows how this city feels about him, and I thought we should show him."

Electro Man led the applause, which quickly turned into a standing ovation as celebrities, super-heroes, business leaders, and local luminaries all rose to their feet.  Even after the mayor reluctantly stood at his place at the long table next to the podium and waved to the crowd, the applause continued for almost a minute more.   With a bit of genuine embarrassment, the mayor quickly took his seat as the assembly followed suit.

"Thank you, Mr. Mayor," Electro Man said turning to acknowledge the man seated several seats down from him.  "And though he can't be here this evening due to prior commitments, I'd like to thank Nick Ares at Ares Global for his charitable contribution to the Forte Foundation."  Another round of polite applause cascaded through the room, though this noticeably died out quickly.

"As you all know from the propaganda...I mean LITERATURE you've read," Electro Man said with a chuckle, "you know we're here tonight to create a fund that will help Seattle youth become heroes in their own right by providing scholarships.  The foundation will also help the city of Seattle through relief efforts from crises, whatever the cause.

"So, on behalf of the Forte Foundation, as well as some of the great men and women who have proudly protected the Great Northwest, and the city of Seattle in particular, all in the name of justice, I ask you to give what you can."  Electro Man paused a moment.  "And, well, if I'm not convincing enough, maybe I should introduce you to someone who is.  He told me that he'd bar the door and not let any of you folks leave until we'd raised a million and a half tonight.

"Frankly, I just think he likes to say the word BAR..." Electro Man said with a smile, as the crowd laughed. "Doctor Jackal..."

On cue, the "elder statesman" of Forte moved to the podium, shaking hands with Electro Man who took his own seat at the large table.  "Wow.  What a great turnout for such a great cause.   I'd like to thank Wally Wood...Electro Man…for not only putting together this fine event this evening, but for also doing such a great job with this... um...sorry, I'm at a loss for words...AMAZING museum."

A roar of applause shot from the crowd, led by Doctor Jackal as Wally Wood, the former Electro Man, blushed.   Waiting for the applause to hush, Doctor Jackal continued, "When the original four of us came together..."

 

---

 

Miguel Garcia surveyed the room as Doctor Jackal began speaking.  He was standing in the back against the wall, and was speaking into a cufflink, "No sign of trouble here.  Unit Two?"

From the flesh-colored receiver tucked into Garcia's left ear, a voice responded, "Unit Two.  Roof clear.   In fact, the surrounding mile is clear.  Really...I've looked."

Miguel suppressed a belly laugh as he answered, "Roger that, Two.  Don't worry, Tracker, I'll save you some leftovers.  The chicken's a bit dry, but the beef tip in mushroom sauce is exceptional."

"Thanks," the voice came back, less than enthusiastic.  Pause.  "I had Cavalier tickets, you know."

"Then consider this a favor. Unit One out."

Miguel yawned.  It had been a long day. Three security sweeps and stationing units, all the while coordinating with UNCLE and the mayor's personal security force had taken its toll.  Doctor Jackal was at the podium talking about families and how Forte and Seattle were a family...or something.

"You're Grav, right?" a female voice asked from beside him.

"Uh…who?" Miguel looked to the side, never turning his face, to see an attractive woman in a red satin cocktail gown.

The girl smiled and glanced over.  She also was facing the speaker, obviously trying to be inconspicuous.  "Oh…right.  Low profile.   Security.  Like, there aren't enough people here that could pound Orinoco into next week.   I mean really...Jack, Anvil, Tommy, Phantasm..."

Grav began looking around at that last name.  Where...?

Holly Wood laughed quietly.  "Made you look."

Grav finally faced the woman in red, "Who are you?"

Holly turned back, "Holly Wood."  She took the Latino's hand, "Nice to meet you...though Cincoflex says that you're a complete ass."

Miguel smiled at that.   Doctor Jackal was now talking about the importance of the Forte Foundation and why the attendees should donate. "I was much younger then. Much, MUCH younger."  Grav paused.  "And, yes…I was an ass.

"Wait a moment.   Wood? Are you related to Electro Man?" Grav asked.

Holly smiled.  "I'm his daughter."

"NOW this makes sense," Grav said as a BEEP sounded in his ear.  "Excuse me, Holly."

Grav pressed the earpiece with his finger and brought the cufflink closer to his mouth.  Doctor Jackal started telling 'Dominex...The Brain Emperor' jokes...THAT could go for hours. "Unit One. Go."

"Niiiiiiiiice..." Tracker said through the com-link.  "Who's the cutie?"

"You're on the clock, Pendejo."  Grav cut the link.   He turned to Holly.  "Sorry."

"Look Grav, I'd like to work for Armor."

Grav surveyed the room again.  Nothing. "Well, we're a small company but with your connections I'm sure we could place you." Grav looked around again.

"You don't get it."

"Hmmm?" the Armor field leader asked, half-listening.

"I can do things..."

"I'm sure you can Holly, and I'll look at our staffing needs and call your dad..."

"Dammit, Grav!" Holly said raising her voice as a few people in the back of the room turned to look at her, and then turned their attention to more bad 'Dominex' jokes coming from the front of the room.  Holly whispered, "I can FLY…I'm STRONG…I want to join Armor."

Grav looked the young woman in the eyes.  "Here's my card," he said pulling it from his pocket.  "I'll see you two days from now."

 

 

END.

 

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