MJ-12: Inception

Acknowledgments

There are a lot of folks who helped me get to the point where I could launch a new series, and more still who helped with this particular book. But first, I want to talk about the first real “spook” I ever met.

In 1991, while at American University in Washington, DC, as part of a journalism internship program, I took a grad-level course called “The US Intelligence Community.” Dr. John Macartney, Col. (Ret.) USAF, was the professor — and he was fantastic. Dr. Macartney taught at the National War College and was a former commandant of the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Defense Intelligence College. His clear and simple teaching style, which nodded to the glamour of spycraft while underscoring the real work of intelligence, made the topic fun and accessible. My final report was on foreign intelligence in business and trade affairs; Dr. Macartney loved it and even asked if he could include the paper in the syllabus for future classes. That kind of recognition from a real “spook” made for a very proud moment. Sadly, Dr. Macartney died in 2001. I’ll be forever grateful to him for that first introduction to intelligence studies.

There was a point in my life — two separate points, actually — where I considered actually working for the US intelligence community. I think Dr. Macartney’s professionalism, humor, and enthusiasm played a large part in that. Ultimately, I decided that life wasn’t for me, but my experience in the classroom, and in starting the employment process, left me with a profound appreciation for those who sacrifice so much and perform their duties with integrity in order to keep us safe. Yes, the intelligence community’s track record is blemished — repeatedly — with scandal and unsavory activities. Yet there are 113 stars carved into a wall at CIA headquarters, each one representing an officer fallen in the line of duty, thirty-three of them remaining anonymous even in death. Those individuals deserve our thanks, and they have mine here.

MJ-12: Inception is the first book in the MAJESTIC-12 series, and I wouldn’t be sitting here with a new series without the folks who made the first possible — namely, all the folks who bought and enjoyed the books in the Daedalus trilogy. At this point, the number of fans and reviewers and bloggers is getting too numerous to mention, but each and every one of you has made a major difference in my life and has made this book possible. Thank you.

Sara Megibow remains one of the best literary agents — and one of the best people — I know, and she’s done so much to ensure this new series gets off the ground properly. Jason Katzman and Cory Allyn at Night Shade Books continue to believe in my work, and are superb editors besides. They’re a joy to work with. And let it be known that Richard Shealy is one of the finest copyeditors I’ve had the pleasure to work with.

Finally, and as always, none of this means a thing without my wife, Kate, and my daughter, Anna, to share it with me. Their love and support make it all worthwhile.

Michael J. Martinez

2016