Torchwood Three

On the early 21st century, Jack Harkness was the leader of the Torchwood Three team.

Conception
On New Year's Eve 1999 Alex Hopkins murdered his entire team, except for Jack who couldn't die. Jack discovered this just in time to hear Alex's warning; he knew what was coming in the 21st century. He told Jack that the 21st century is "where everything changes" before killing himself also, leaving Jack in charge. (TV: Fragments)

Shortly thereafter Jack discovered that two humans whom the rift had returned had been kept in the Hub's cells. He set up a facility on Flat Holm to care for them and others whom the rift later returned. He chose to keep the true nature of the facility a secret to the staff, passing the off as experiments gone wrong. (TV: Adrift)

In 2003 Jack recruited civilian Toshiko Sato who was being held in a UNIT prison. Tosh had stolen government secrets in an attempt to save her mother who was being held hostage. She made a sonic modulator which was especially impressive to Jack since the blueprints she had stolen were actually wrong. Jack agreed to use his influence to release her from prison in exchange for her working in Torchwood. Jack also recruited Doctor Owen Harper after his girlfriend had been killed by an alien lifeform that had attatched itself to her brain. After much persuasion and help with catching a stray pteranodon Jack also employed former Torchwood One researcher Ianto Jones. (TV: Fragments) Suzie Costello was also headhunted by Harkness. (AUDIO: Moving Target)

Activity
After Suzie commited suicide in 2007, Jack Harkness invited PC Gwen Cooper to join the team. (TV: Everything Changes)