S: Well, yes, sort of, I would say. Somewhat.

I: And they're titled "Mission Into Light" and "Light Hand?"

S: "Light's Hand." It is the sequel to the first one.

I: Right, "Light's Hand." Okay, this online home page for your novels says, "The books follow the exciting adventures and discoveries of a San Diego-based top-secret intelligence team of ten women and men. Readers join the research team in the exploration of strange and unknown phenomena, and of themselves."

We have print-outs here of the five screens of this online home page, and they are also in the packet in front of you there.

(Subject looks through document packet)

And then it goes on, "The researchers try to put together pieces of a strange cosmic puzzle. They conduct urgent operations to understand emerging intelligence affecting the United States, the human race and planet Earth."

"Sudden, seemingly miraculous events surprise even the most open-minded and hopeful members of the group. Or maybe these events and processes are just natural. Maybe Nature, Earth and the Great Spirit are revealing phenomena the human race is finally ready to understand."

What our concern is, Mr. Hammons, is that, well, some of these matters are highly delicate, and require security and safety. You understand that, don't you?

S: Well, sure. Of course. I agree.

I: Good. Now, we've also looked at the "Mission Statement" of this special group you write about that is part of the novels, and we see it is also posted on the online home page for the novels.

The Mission Statement goes over some operations of this group, which is classified and compartmented with a compartmented code word.

The ten personnel of this group are named, their military services or agencies, and military ranks are listed, along with their methods of operation, organizational structure of the group, security measures, chain-of-command and things like that.

And then there are the seven areas that this group is supposed to be researching. Do you realize that some of these areas are quite sensitive topics?

S: Well, uh, yes, of course. That's common knowledge, pretty much, isn't it? I mean, a lot of this has been on TV, in movies and written about before. UFOs, human consciousness studies, Earth changes, things like that.

I: In your books, and in this Mission Statement, which I have here, it says, "The Joint Reconnaissance Study Group (JRSG) is a research entity" and "JRSG personnel will endeavor to investigate intelligence-related matters deemed relevant to the national security of the United States of America."

It goes on, "Areas to be explored by JRSG will be regarded as TOP SECRET / SCI, using the compartmented code word [REDACTED]. Need-to-know protocol will be in force. Study groups within JRSG will be compartmented to the degree necessary."

"Cross-fertilization of data and intelligence will be at the discretion of study group team members and the commanding officer of JRSG. Research and investigative findings will be compiled and interpreted by the senior officers on each team and submitted to the JRSG CO for communication to higher command authorities."

What we're wondering about is have you ever seen documents like this or ever spoken with people involved in special groups similar to this?

S: Um, well, I've met people over the years who did sensitive work in the military or related to things like this. But, no one ever leaked classified things to me, if that's what you're getting at.

I: Okay, let's look at this Mission Statement some more.

What we're curious about, Mr. Hammons, is where you got the ideas for this and if we need to be concerned about, well, leaks, as you say, about these kinds of things.

S: Like I said, no one, that I know of at least, not consciously, ever leaked classified stuff to me. I wrote the novels based on a whole bunch of things that I'm aware of, that I've learned.

I: So, your statement is you've never received classified information from active duty government or military personnel, or contracted civilians, or former personnel of this kind, about these kinds of matters.

S: Right. Not that I'm aware of.

I: Okay. Let's get to the heart of the matter and that is the actual content of what this, let's say, fictional team, is supposed to investigate.

And, this is some of the material that we're really most interested in, Mr. Hammons.

You write, and this is posted on the online home page for your novels under "Areas of Research" for this team: "JRSG teams will conduct broad-based, yet narrowly focused research and investigations into areas as identified and directed by the JRSG CO."

"These areas will include, but will not be limited to, the following general categories: One, unidentified flying objects (UFOs). Alleged abductions of humans by same. Reported technology and method of operations."

"Two, extra-sensory perception (ESP). Alleged perception of information available to human beings through means other than the five senses."

Three, near-death experience (NDE). Alleged contacts with Heavenly persons and afterlife-type phenomena reported by persons experiencing clinical death."

Then it goes on with some others: "Four, research in sub-atomic and quantum physics and how these fields may affect or illuminate the above areas."

"Five, DNA and other genetics studies and how these fields may affect or illuminate the above areas."

"Six, Native American culture and history and how it may affect or illuminate the above areas."

"Seven, cross-theoretical/cross-cultural religious and philosophical studies and how they may affect or illuminate the above areas."

Again, do you understand that some of these topics are quite sensitive and are highly classified?

(Subject appears tense, guarded, raises his voice slightly)

S: Well, I would just assume, I mean, it's common sense that some things related to these kinds of things would be secret, sure.

But I didn't try to get or divulge any secrets. Well, not specific facts or programs or anything like that.

My books are meant to provide information and ideas, and be uplifting for people, that's all. Well, I mean, maybe they are sort of a psychological operation in a way. Sort of open-source intelligence, I guess. But open source, that's the main thing.

(Primary interrogator tries to calm subject down)

I: Mr. Hammons, it's okay. This is not an espionage investigation. Please, again, we regard you as a friendly indigenous asset, okay?

(Subject nods affirmative, seems more relaxed)

S: Okay.

I: You're right, of course, about this. The thing is, your books and articles seem to indicate you might have some inside sources, or possibly been involved in some kind of groups or activities like these yourself. Have you?

(Subject pauses for several seconds)

S: I can't say exactly. I mean, have I talked with different people about these kinds of things? Sure. I've also done a lot of reading and follow things that are out there in the media.