My Blog

In recent weeks we have visited with several of the members of Enigma, a top secret homeland security group. They work outside the law if necessary in order for our country to remain a safe place to live. Today Captain Hunter took time out of his busy schedule to talk to us about his work. Welcome, Captain Hunter. We tried to start this interview several weeks ago and you were called away. Let’s begin by talking about your job. Just what does it entail?

I’m a professor at the University of Sacramento Science and Technology. Besides teaching renaissance literature, I teach several of the romance languages. Several of my classes are now offered on-line.

Interesting, but I was actually referring to your job at Enigma. What is your responsibility there?

I expose threats to national security then terminate them. Sometimes that means working in the U.S. other times we have to travel.

When you say “we” are you referring to Samantha Cordova, Carter Johnson and Nickolas Zoric?

Yes. You forgot to mention Vernon Kemp. He’s our technical support team member. He’s the smartest guy I know. I think he could run the Space Station on his own brain power. There are a few others that work behind the scenes like our librarian Claudia, and Dr. Wu who makes sure we’re fit for duty. All of

us have specialties that brings assurances the job gets completed. I lead the team into difficult situations knowing everyone will do whatever it takes to reach our goal.

It’s curious you never mentioned Tessa Scott. It’s my understanding she worked for you several times and may again in the future. What role does she play? Is it true you two have a complicated relationship? Can you elaborate?

Nothing curious about it. Sometimes civilians are asked to participate in our mission. Tessa, I mean Mrs. Scott accidently got snared into a very dangerous situation. She showed remarkable courage under fire. With her help Enigma saw resolution to a potentially disastrous terrorist attack on American soil. Her tenacity and common sense forced all of us to take a second look at hidden clues. Whether or not she continues on at Enigma is out of my hands. I would make her part of my team in a heartbeat. The only complicated part of our relationship is…Well you know that really isn’t any of your business. That’s between Tess and myself.

Would you tell my readers how you and Tessa Scott ended up together in some mountain motel on your first mission?
I would not. Are we about done here?

I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable , Captain.

You don’t make me uncomfortable, Tierney. On the contrary, I find your line of questioning—interesting.

(I clear my throat.) If she continues with Enigma what would be her role?

Probably since her main focus is geography, cultures and their human environmental interactions, I’m guessing she’d be an advisor. Again. It’s out of my hands.
I know that Director Benjamin Clark is related to the Prime Minister of Israel. Has that ever been a problem for the president?

Ben’s allegiance to the United States and our president has never been called into question. He loves this country and will protect it no matter who his brother is. I’ve followed him into battle, taken his advice and carried out his orders too long to ever second guess his patriotism. He’s one of the greatest men I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.

How long before you leave again on another mission?

Not long. The president is sending Enigma to Botswana, Africa about an urgent matter concerning a possible coup. Mrs. Scott will be tagging along to represent the State Department. We’re tracking a couple of characters that might upset the apple cart in that part of the world. Nothing like when we had to figure out who wanted to assassinate the president.

I remember how terrifying those days were. A hurricane moved in preventing medical services; a recipe for disaster. What are your plans in Africa? And why are you smiling?

Because you ask a lot of questions just like Tessa. I mean Mrs. Scott. You hardly wait for an answer before another idea pops into your head. I like that. Anyway back to your questions. It got complicated with a hurricane thrown into the mix. With Mrs. Scott’s help we managed to protect the president and she actually was instrumental in saving his life. That’s why I’m taking the whole team to Africa. We don’t know all the working parts yet. I wouldn’t worry too much. We do this kind of thing all the time and it never makes the news.

If I may ask you about Afghanistan.
Tread lightly, Tierney.

Yes. Of course. I ran out of time before I could ask Tessa about her time in a Taliban controlled area in Afghanistan. The State Department has been pretty hush, hush about a possible link between the American Ambassador and the drug lords. Was she working undercover and discovered some irregularities? And who was the tribal leader who protected her until you arrived?
She was in the wrong place at the wrong time, doing what she always does, trying to make a difference. This time she tried to save a bunch of little orphan girls. The tribal leader was a man called Darya; a scumbag not much different than the drug lords. He protected Mrs. Scott for his own self-inflated reasons. She, to this day, believes he was one of the good guys. He wasn’t. (Looks at watch impatiently.)

I know you are a busy man, Captain Hunter so I won’t keep you. I have enjoyed meeting you immensely.

I’m glad. Any chance you can have dinner with me tonight before I fly out in the morning? I think we’d have other things to talk about besides national security.

Well that wraps it up this week. Be sure to keep up on the events in Washington the next week or so. Okay, Captain Hunter. I’m all yours.

I was hoping you’d say that.