TANAGER

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Real Name: Unrevealed
Aliases: None
Identity: Secret
Occupation: Mercenary
Citizenship: United States Citizen With A Criminal Record
Place of Birth: Unknown
Known Relatives: None
Group Affiliation: Air Force
First Appearance: New Warriors #35 (V1)
History:
Little is known about Tanager’s history before she became a part of the Air Force unit, along with Killer Shrike, Sparrow and Cardinal. One of her first known missions was to assist in freeing Joshua Clendenon (Cardinal) from Riker’s Prison Security, after he had been captured by the New Warriors. After successfully freeing Cardinal from prison, the members of Air Force were assigned to eliminate the New Warriors by any means necessary.

The members of Air Force tracked down the energy signature of the Torpedo armor that Michiko ‘Mickey’ Musashi had been wearing when she assisted the New Warriors in defeating Cardinal and Sea Urchin originally. At Peconic High School in Long Island, Nova (Richard Rider) of the New Warriors, is training Mickey how to use the Torpedo armor. Mickey completed her training and gave to armor over to Mike, whom she shared the armor with. Michael “Mike” Jeffries had been the one who originally found the Torpedo when he was digging around in the attic of his cousins, the Joneses (they of the infamous Brock Jones, patriarch and former Torpedo) when he discovered the costume. Though Mikey had found it, it was clear that Mickey was far better skilled at using the armor. Just as Mikey took off in the armor, he was immediately attacked by the members of Air Force. Mikey recovers as Mickey is trying to get the armor off him so she can assist Nova, who is trying to handle all four members of Air Force. Mikey is however first struck by Sparrow, then cut by Killer Shrike. When Air Force manages to take down Nova, and turn their attention on Mikey, it’s Mickey who devises the plan to defeat Air Force, using water and a live power line to shock the members of Air Force and thus defeating them.

Later, Gloria Hancock, CEO of Hancock Transport Airlines, hired the members of Air Force to take down the Taylor Foundation, because they had rejected a petition to allow use of their landing strips in Bosnia-Herzigovina. The members of Air Force consisted of Sparrow, Cardinal, Tanager and Oriole.

When Air Force attacks the plane full of Taylor Foundation Board of Directors, their pilot, Sprocket recognizes Cardinal and tries to shoot him. She is however, pinned to the wall by Oriole’s sai. Air Force examines the rest of the ship and notes that they’re missing Dwayne Taylor. When Tanager and Sparrow go to examine the cockpit, Tanager asks about the relationship between Sparrow and Cardinal; and she seems to elude to a sexual relationship between the two, but nothing more.

Tanager later goes to examine the cargo hold alone, when she is attacked and defeated by Dwayne Taylor, who has not put on the Night Thrasher outfit, for fear of revealing his secret identity. Dwayne then takes out Oriole, who comes in shortly after Tanager. Using Tanager and Oriole’s armor, Dwayne fashions himself a make shift armor that he uses to defeat Sparrow. Dwayne then uses it to over ride Cardinal’s armor and gives Cardinal the choice – to either assist in the relief efforts in Bosnia-Herzigovina, or fly from the plane – in their armor – with Dwayne in control of their armor. Cardinal agrees to assist in the efforts, because of an early-detection scanner for identifying hostile aircraft that she had previously taken.

While assisting with supplies for Rwandan refugees, Air Force was attacked by the Soldiers of Misfortune. From that battle, only Cardinal escaped. Sparrow was captured and turned into the Soldier of Misfortune known as Fast. Oriole and Tanager both perished.

Height: 5’5″
Weight: 140 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blonde

Powers: None

Armor: Tanager had armor that allowed her to fly. The armor also granted enhanced strength and endurance. She was also able to emit high frequency sounds that could deafen or stun a person.