Scarlett

This article is about the founding member of G.I. Joe. For the Australian rapper from Clue, see Miss Scarlett.

A constant presence in the history of G.I. Joe, Colonel Shana M. O'Hara, codename Scarlett, has risen through the ranks of America's highly-trained special mission force to become its commander. And it's little surprise, with her specialties ranging from computers to marksmanship to strategy, and a calm, collected head for leadership. The only time you'll see things get away from Scarlett is when Snake Eyes gets involved; her relationship with the mute commando is complex, but she cares deeply for him, and at times this has affected her otherwise excellent decision-making.

Fiction

Hasbro Universe

The beginning

Growing up in Atlanta with her father and three brothers, Shana was immersed in combat training from a young age, but also excelled academically. Scarlett profile in Revolution #2 At university, O'Hara had a relationship with Travis Bucknell, an activist, Origins #6 but they lost contact after she graduated Summa Cum Laude and later passed the bar exam without attending law school. However, she then went on to join the United States Army, seeking to test her body as well as her mind. Shana proceeded to become a military polymath, training in a wide range of specialisms. Scarlett profile in Revolution #2 During an intel operation in Bosnia, Shana narrowly avoided capture when her cover was blown in public. Origins #2

O'Hara's skills eventually caught the eye of a certain General Hawk, who recruited her to the newly-formed G.I. Joe team. Scarlett profile in Revolution #2 To join, her old life had to end, and a car accident was staged in Georgia. Shana O'Hara was dead, and Scarlett was born. Origins #6 In a combination training/real mission, she was partnered with fellow recruit Duke and parachuted into the desert near Las Vegas, with cryptic code words their only clue as to their objective. The duo were able to thumb a lift from Connie, a disabled veteran, who was also able to make sense of their code words, bringing Scarlett and Duke to the bed of a disfigured Army Ranger recovering from an explosion at a plastic surgery clinic. Realizing their mission was to recruit the man, code name Snake Eyes, the duo broke him out of the hospital, but Connie died in the process at the hands of the Chimera, the mad terrorist responsible for the clinic explosion. Origins #1

Holing up in a motel, Scarlett supervised an army doctor's check-up on Snake Eyes, before escorting him blindfolded back to an airfield. She and Duke then set out to find food and satellite-call Hawk at a safe distance. On their return to the motel, Hawk's call having been interrupted, they found signs of forced entry into the motel room, but Snake Eyes and the room's contents were perfectly safe. Origins #2

Later, Hawk arrived at the motel with the remaining members of the new team in tow. Scarlett was forced to suffer the unwanted advances of Breaker and Rock & Roll, before a briefing in which the general laid out the Chimera's recent activities. When news arrived that the terrorist was gathering money and heading for an abandoned military facility in the Nevada desert, the team was dispatched to interdict him, with Duke in command. The group parachuted into the vicinity from a C-130 and soon learned the base hid a much larger underground complex. Despite their communications suddenly being knocked out, evidence of a hostage led the team to head down into the facility, Origins #3 finding their way in via a hidden elevator.

Inside the cavernous complex, the team soon found themselves in a battle with a cadre of rebels and mercenaries, and whilst attempting to flank them Scarlett found herself in a confrontation with the Chimera himself. Origins #4 After a protracted fistfight, the terrorist was able to take her hostage, and explained his plan to simultaneously unleash deadly neurotoxin in major cities and release information that would crash the global economy. Scarlett attempted to fling a bottle of solvent into her captor's eyes, but the sudden appearance of Snake Eyes saw the liquid soak the mute Army Ranger's face wrap instead, catching fire and burning him. However, he was able to continue fighting, saving Scarlett from a fatal gunshot and tackling the Chimera into a deep cargo elevator. Scarlett stood at the edge in mourning, but after her teammates succeeded in preventing the neurotoxin release, she was surprised by a severely wounded Snake Eyes hauling himself out of the hole. Origins #5

Shortly afterwards, with the blessing of their namesake Joe Colton, G.I. Joe was formally born, Secret Raiders operating out of the same facility Chimera had co-opted, now re-christened "The Pit". Scarlett, Duke, and Heavy Duty were dispatched on a mission to Spain to bring in several men connected to the Borovian genocide, and Scarlett found herself in a fistfight with them inside a moving van. After the vehicle crashed, a team of CIA operatives arrived at the site, investigating a mysterious operation named "Saeva Indignatio". Scarlett dug up a file by the same name on the men's computer, and discovered that the plan, somehow connected to US embassies, would begin in a mere two minutes. Origins #8

Identifying a link to a janitorial service working in European US embassies, the team travelled to Paris, where Scarlett and Rock & Roll immediately stumbled upon two armed men in the firm's offices. In the ensuing fistfight, Scarlett was able to secure the office's computer after knocking out one opponent. At a rural hideout, she worked with fellow computer specialist Breaker to salvage information from the damaged computer, finding among employee files the information that "Esau", the man flagged as initiating "Saeva Indignatio", was working in London. Flying into the UK, Origins #9 G.I. Joe discovered the "janitors" had taken control of London's US embassy. With orders for as clean an operation as possible, Scarlett and Stalker posed as US tourists to enter the embassy. The two quickly worked their way through the building, eliminating terrorists as they went, but soon received word from Breaker that the "janitors" had brought a nuclear device into the embassy. Luckily, however, an ex-Seal also trapped in the building was able to deactivate the weapon, and with some help from Hawk himself, the G.I. Joe team neutralized the terrorists. Origins #10

Business as usual

With news of a threat to oil operations in the region, Scarlett was dispatched to lead Stalker, Recondo, and Leatherneck on a mission to Uzbekistan. Shortly after parachuting in, however, they encountered Travis Bucknell, who immediately recognized her. Sending the others to complete the mission, Scarlett stayed with Bucknell to deal with the compromising situation, only for him to drive her to the very men the Joes had been sent to stop. It quickly became clear that Bucknell had been duped into believing the men were Uzbek freedom fighters rather than foreign operators, and after a scuffle the duo were tied up. The Joe untied them but Bucknell was shot dead, before Stalker extracted Scarlett on an ATV. The enemies' base was flattened with a drone strike, and during Scarlett's after-action report, Hawk revealed that the mission had been intended to test her mettle as a leader. Origins #6

Shortly after a new Joe, Beachhead, was recruited, Scarlett was part of a team who parachuted into Guatemala on a mission to shut down drug kingpin Manuel Montenegro. Origins #11

After computer specialist Mainframe was wounded on a mission, Scarlett visited him in the medical center, and was convinced to let him keep working on communications analysis while he recuperated. Over time, Mainframe became convinced that the communications indicated the existence of a shadowy organisation named "Cobra", manipulating world events to their advantage. Scarlett and Hawk insisted he was seeing patterns where none existed, and eventually Mainframe went AWOL, fleeing The Pit, to investigate. Scarlett later remotely coordinated an operation in Miami to bring him in, but the rogue Joe had already left. He did, however, briefly contact Scarlett, claiming he was still acting for the good of G.I. Joe, and providing a cryptic warning to "beware Rangoon". Origins #7

Scarlett visited the Pentagon to collect radio transmissions from a US soldier codenamed Ripcord, the last survivor of a team sent to investigate mysterious activity in Agak. She brought news of the stranded Ripcord's one-man war to Hawk, You Say Jump... and the duo then flew in to the African country. Arriving at the soldier's position, they discovered he had already burned the illicit poison-farming operation to the ground, and Ripcord was offered G.I. Joe membership. On the helicopter ride home, Scarlett served as the newly-minted Joe's co-pilot. Survive This...

When a plot to assassinate the president of Venezuela emerged, Scarlett was forced to divert cold-weather specialist Snow Job, the nearest Joe, to protect him. After the mission's successful completion, she contacted Snow Job again to congratulate him and invite him back to The Pit for his marksmanship proficiency test. Origins #15

Scarlett and several other Joes were present aboard a US Air Force cargo plane, Sedition by Numbers Part 3 having been tipped off by one of Colossus Word Security's private soldiers that his team would attempt to steal a prototype missile. However, the team's leader, named Monk, refused to surrender and activated the weapon, blowing a hole in the plane. Scarlett and her teammates were able to parachute to safety. Sedition by Numbers Part 4

Scarlett was present for a briefing which Chuckles derailed with jokes. Months later, after he had been sent undercover, Scarlett was part of a fake sting intended to sell Chuckles's new employers on his loyalty, and wore exploding blood packs designed to detonate when the undercover Joe fired blanks at her. Charmer

Secret war

After the Badeaux Strait sank under mysterious circumstances, Scarlett coordinated a salvage operation from The Pit. Whilst Shipwreck's team retrieved a strange metal box from the wreck, Scarlett was ordered by Hawk coordinate with Duke in investigating recent buzz around something named Cobra. Three days later, she received a parcel from Snake Eyes, AWOL for the past year, containing a sample of dust and a strange weapon, and sent them for analysis. She was then called to give Dusty's team approval to try and crack open the strange crate from the Badeaux. G.I. Joe vol. 1 #1 Some time later, Scarlett received intel from Snake Eyes that an arms dealer connected to the Badeaux had surfaced in Manila, and she dispatched Stalker's team to investigate. While the mission was ongoing, Duke confronted her over her illicit communications with the mute ninja, but Scarlett left to get Lab Rat's report on the parcel from Snake Eyes. The technician explained that the weapon was an entirely metal-free needle gun, that the dust was a chemical match for the human body, and that both were undergoing a bizarre molecular disintegration. G.I. Joe vol. 1 #2

G.I. Joe reformed

Shortly after Marissa Faireborn's removal from command of the Earth Defense Command and replacement by Joe Colton, Scarlet and Roadblock guarded Garrison Blackrock as he was transported from Washington. Their truck was knocked off it's path by Sentinel Prime, controlling the recently vacated body of Alpha Trion, who ignored the hostile Joe's attack and grabbed Blackrock. White Light

Later, as Colton and Manheim reminisced over their shared past, Scarlett joined their conversation as it turned to the Cybertronian present, reminding them of a prior threat, of Cobra. Regretting that outcome and the fall of G.I Joe. The conversation turned back to the Transformers as the E.D.C allied themselves with the Decepticons and Optimus Prime's "invasion", describing the Metrotitan. Suprised at Manheim's knowledge of Rom, she wondered what new threats Optimus' actions had attracted. The three discussed Ore-13's threat before Manheim assured the two that he could deal with Optimus Prime. Secret Raiders

Scarlett Promised the US president that G.I Joe would get answers from the Autobots regarding the recent detonation of Mount Olympus, caused by it's deposit of Ore-13. At a G.I Joe staging point in Oregon, Scarlett discussed with Colton the discovery of a G.I Joe dogtag in Greece and she expressed confusion at the Autobot's humanitarian acts which was at odds with their apparent involvement in the explosion. 'Colton' reminded her of their threat and they went forward with their attack on Jazz and Arcee. As the latter leapt into battle, Scarlett took cover. Optimus Prime arrived with reinforcements, including Soundwave, who was recognised by Mainframe from a prior Decepticon invasion, who disabled their equipment and ended the fight. When G.I Joe attacked again, against Prime's wishes, ROM seemingly vaporised Joe Colton and two other soldiers, as well as any doubt Scarlett had about the Autobot's intentions. As Rom and the Autobots fled, Scarlett vengefully made her intentions to win this 'war' clear. Concorde Hymn

In the aftermath of Colton's 'death', Scarlett snapped at Doc before checking on Manheim and his monstrosity, who questioned her concern for the machines. She assured him otherwise and was introduced to the fruit of Miles' work. The Divine Source of Liberty After their capturing of Kup, Matt Trakker confronted Scarlett about how alive the Cybertronian 'machines' really were. She reminded him that they were fighting for Earth's survival, but as he and Manheim left the room, she seemed unsure herself. Later, she expressed concern about Manheim's plans to Mainframe, before being made aware of another plan by Doc, discovering Colton and the other dead 'Joes' had alien DNA. Contacting Snake Eyes, she told Mainframe to put a warning out about the possibly compromised military.O Ship of State

D.T.A.

Above Governers Island, Scarlett's worry at Snake Eye's silence was interrupted by the aftermath of an attack. Upon her arrival, she found Manheim, the M.A.S.K equipment and Kup missing. They discovered the location of the former two but with their high tech weaponry vulnerable to the Cybertronians, Scarlett, Mainframe and Agent Helix armed up with old G.I. Joe weaponry. The New Colossus The enerchanged Karza's talk of Microspace was interrupted by the arrival of G.I. Joe, with Scarlett commanding. While she was unsure who had sided with who, Helix recognised that everyone was attacking the same thing. As Windblade commanded Metrotitan to rise, most of the combined forces got to safety aboard him, including Scarlett. She watched Karza's defeat, pulling Rom and Miles to safety, as well as the apparent deaths of Mainframe and others she had fought beside. Rom tried to apologise for his awkward first impression before he left. She was thankful to see Mainframe had survived thanks to Soundwave, before being interrupted by Prime's realisation that they must defend Earth together. Back at the vacated headquarters on Governers Island, she told Trakker that she was ready for a fresh start and pointed him in the right direction for his own, revealing the recovered M.A.S.K. vehicles. Matt commented on the strange world they were living in, but Scarlett saw it as a way to keep busy. Valley Forge

Reinforcements, Part 1 G.I. Joe vol. 5 #1 G.I. Joe vol. 5 #2 G.I. Joe vol. 5 #3 G.I. Joe vol. 5 #4 G.I. Joe vol. 5 #5 G.I. Joe vol. 5 #6 G.I. Joe vol. 5 #7 M.A.S.K. #5 The Deathstone

Scarlett, Skywarp, Rock 'n Roll and Snake Eyes were investigating a temporal disruption in Scotland, being greeted by Dire Wraiths upon entering the house. Upon clearing the now-demolished house, Scarlett spotted a strange drone which took out Skywarp. With no way to move him, the Joes found themselves stuck until he recovered. Scarlett knew the craft was not of Wraith origin, but unable to stop Karza's forces from taking Earth. Wrath of Karza #1

Watching over the ceremony on Cybertron from their base, Scarlett wondered whether Optimus' good intentions would end up involving Earth in more wars. As Cybertron's leader started to speak, an explosion filled the screens and the feed cut off. Having recognised the attacker as Joe Colton, Scarlett hurried to find out why he had done this, heading to a stronghold of his in the Swiss Alps. Swarmed by grenadiers and pushed forward by traps, she found an audio recording left for her explaining his actions. That he didn't trust the Cybertronians to get them all killed eventually.First Strike #1 Having escaped peril after peril, Scarlett gained assistance from M.A.S.K, Soundwave, Skyburst, and Stormclash. Unable to take the Spacebridge to Cybertron, the group made their way to Castle Destro.First Strike #2 There they used the M.A.S.S. Device to reach Cybertron, immediately cutting through the forces and reaching Baron Ironblood, only to find a distraction. Now knowing his location, they were interrupted by Strika and some Autobots. They were taken to the council, where Elita One ordered their execution. First Strike #3 After much debate, 'cooler heads' prevailed and they were only locked up. Having seen Scarlett proven right,First Strike #4 Optimus, alongside Arcee and Soundwave, freed the humans. Heading underground, they pushed through traps and ninjas, intercepting Colton and the Iron Ring before they could reach the core. With both her and Colton unwilling to compromise their conflicting goals, First Strike #5 the two teams clashed. Scarlett fought Colton, before avoiding a blast from Elita. Their battle continued, as Scarlett eventually overpowered him. The damage was done however, as Krieger had activated The Talisman was activated. Defeated, Colton gave in and was locked up on Cybertron. As Scarlett and Matt returned home, she pondered over Colton, as far gone as he was, being unable to kill her. First Strike #6

Aw Yeah Revolution!

Aw Yeah Revolution #1 Aw Yeah Revolution! #3

Clueniverse

Carlos Guzman had an action figure of Scarlett in his office. Clue #1

Notes

• Scarlett's profile in the back of Revolution #2 and Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook #2 mistakenly list her as Master Sergeant when The Transformers #56, Revolution #0, and the main story of Revolution #2 have her as a Colonel in 2016.

External links

• Scarlett at the TFWiki