“ ...but I like having that beacon of hope illuminating your face in the dark. There's something heroic about that! - Calvin McManus, about the SHD Brick worn by Division agents”
Calvin McManus is the sitting Secretary of Homeland Security of the United States and the acting leader of the Hunter Program. He was formally introduced during Hidden Alliance through one of the obtainable audio logs, in which he holds a short conversation with Black Tusk CEO, Natalya Sokolova. In an audio log obtain from Descent Comms, He also held a Supervisory role in the development of SHD under DHS, whether or not he created SHD depends on when he was made secretary of DHS and when DHS started the creation of SHD.
More information about Calvin McManus was uncovered through many intel recovered from NSA servers in the Descent Combat Simulation Program when Descent mode was released, as well as comms from Y5S2: Puppeteers and Y6S1: First Rogue.
Biography[]
As of the time of writing, the story of this man is unknown. However, it can be assumed that at some point in their life he stepped into the political scenario of the United States and gained enough influence to be appointed as Secretary of Homeland Security, and therefore member of the Cabinet of the United States, much likely having established contact with President Waller, who would have appointed him personally before the outbreak.
Dealings with Ortiz Robotics and the Malik siblings[]
McManus was heavily involved in the various projects that Ortiz Robotics developed, as he and Natalya Sokolova were interested parties. He helped Claire Ortiz in developing the Combat Simulation Program using an underground NSA bunker to make it inconspicuous. Furthermore, he was impressed by how Mobile SHD Servers performed in the simulation as he was skeptical of them at first.
Additionally, he requested Ortiz Robotics to develop a backdoor protocol so his specialized Smart Watch can keep an eye on organizations using ISAC, ANNA, and DIAMOND. This protocol was to be used by his Hunters as well. At some point, McManus contracted Vikram Malik and his sister Birdie to build autonomous power systems for bunkers that are custom-built depending on the region. Those bunkers would happen to be used as bases for his Hunters.
Ignoring the threat[]
McManus was prodded over and over by an NSA analyst about the threat that Gordon Amherst posed, but he refused to take the matter seriously, which allowed Amherst to unleash his Green Poison. While this could be seen as criminal negligence, it can be concluded that McManus looked the other way as certain elements in the United States government supported Amherst's plans and saw them as means to power.
Taking Charge[]
Through unknown means, McManus became the one in charge of the secret "Hunter Program", responsible for selecting suitable operators and training them to become Wolves/Hunters as watch dogs. At some point, he formed a secret alliance with Natalya Sokolova, where the two could often times borrow "resources" (operatives) from one another to use in their operations.
Shortly after Brian Johnson's arrival to Washington, D.C., the agent met with McManus after he mysteriously disappeared. Because of Johnson's association with the secretary in the past and his loyalty to Cal's ideals, McManus recruited him into the Hunter program.
Handling the Rogues[]
When Bardon Schaeffer was having trouble handling his team of Rogue Division Agents (because of their distance and their difficult relationship), Sokolova contacted Calvin request for support, to which he sent the "Deceit" Hunter to "clean up the mess" (assassinate Shade, Wraith, Dusk and Belfry). Calvin also asked if she trusted Faye Lau with their operations, with Sokolova saying she didn't, but Faye didn't really give her a reason not to, so she was fine for the time being.
The Hunter sent by Cal to kill Schaeffer's rogues had the unwilling help of a Division Agent, who was also hunting them down at the time. When said agent discovered Schaeffer's whereabouts at Coney Island, the Hunter was dispatched there to protect him, as well as to kill the group of Rikers present there as to prevent any witnesses. After both having faced the Rikers, the Agent and the Hunter engaged each other in a 1 versus 1 combat, with the Division Agent managing to kill the Hunter operative after a very tough battle. Schaeffer would then be put into a coma and apprehended by said Agent.
The next day, Calvin would be contacted again by Natalya, this time, to thank him for the support (sending the Hunter). In turn, Calvin explains that his Hunter Program is hard to find suitable new recruits for, and because he lost one of his men the previous night at Coney Island, he wanted her to send one of her Black Tusk operators as a replacement for his deceased Hunter. Natalya lists Felix Sokolov (her own brother), Bridgette Douglas, Dustin Xavier, Alicia Coswald and Jack Bonney (despite his very young age) as potential candidates for the Hunter Program, with McManus choosing Bonney as their new recruit.
Initiation[]
After that event, McManus tasked Brian Johnson to be The Recruiter to train and observe potential recruits for the Hunter program. Later, he presented The Recruiter to Natalya and requested her to have her Black Tusk refer to him by that moniker.
Sometime later, Bonney would start his initiation into the Hunters, receiving a special SHD Smart Watch with "Classified" Agent Status, as well as a Brian Johnson (simply referred to as "The Recruiter"), who watching and observing Bonney to see if he was suitable for the unit. Bonney would later be killed by the very same Division Agent at Jefferson Trade Center during one of his "training sessions".
Loan[]
Prior to the Cleaners attack on Meret Estate, the high-ranking commander Wright asked Sokolova for a loan of SHD Tech from McManus to his colleagues "The Lovebirds" and to avoid any suspicion. Calvin agreed to loan some of the SHD Tech to the Cleaners, giving a convenient cover story. Despite the attempt, a team of four Division agents were sent and managed to secure the estate and eliminate the Cleaners, as well securing intel that implicates Sokolova's involvement in the attack.
Losing an Important Asset[]
When the Division rescued four more civilians from Black Tusk and set their eyes on The Recruiter, they'd learn that he's one of their own. Despite the tough fight, they succeeded in eliminating the Hunter before he could extract with the Mobile SHD Server. Cal wasn't heard, but Sokolova did mention that he'd be very disappointed at The Recruiter's demise, especially given Johnson was a special project of his.
Secret Mission and Secret Allegiance[]
As revealed in the Descent comms in First Rogue, McManus activated a Hunter cell several months ago to go to [redacted] to set up Forward Operating Base over there and secure the roster from the SHD database in the bunker. Agent Zabala, one of his Hunters, informed Cal that Agent Melanie Hoskins is in [redacted]. McManus deduced that Hoskins has been manipulated by Aaron Keener and that he's after the Hunters roster. He demanded Zabala to wipe the roster off the database and secure it in a flash drive, then asked him to report back after he finishes his meeting with Donovan Tower.
In the conclusion of First Rogue, after Aaron Keener was allowed entry to the White House in incarceration as per Manny Ortega's terms, Keener shared a bit more intel about McManus. There, it is revealed that McManus is an associate of a powerful shadow organization called The Cabal. Despite Cal's aspirations to become a member, he lacks the money and legacy.
Current Status[]
Not much has been heard from Calvin McManus. But given the losses that his Hunter Program had suffered at the hands of Division Agents (as well as the Recruiter), there is no doubt that he's willing to do whatever it takes to end those "Rogue" agents once and for all, even with his illicit Hunter Program.
The Pact[]
Intel recovered by Division agents who were on their mission to disrupt the pact in DC showed that Calvin McManus is one of the other people of interest that The Manager had dealings with.
Bug Reports[]
Calvin McManus paid a visit to the Manager, calling him by his title, which he insisted to stop calling him that. Cal was aware of the Manager's real name, but when he asked, the Manager relented and decided he's better being called by his title.
Cal visited The Manager as he wanted to know why the surplus of Warhounds that Natalya Sokolova was having problems, like walking on two legs and often falling down the stairs. The Manager explained it was legacy code from bipedal movement experiments that was done in early last year (early 2020, give or take), and mentioned there was a note of that in the patent.
Cal wasn't happy about this development, and only replied 'Perfect', sarcastically. Furthermore, it confirms that he wasn't aware of the bipedal movement experiments that Ortiz Robotics were conducting on the Warhounds. (Manhunt: The Pact, Comm#11, Bug Reports)
Mutiny[]
Intel intercepted by Division agents who were busy with the mutiny unraveling among the True Sons showed further dealings that Calvin McManus had with the Manager, which confirms his involvement in the events that unravelled in Battle for Brooklyn, as well as Hunter operatives being deployed to the field prior to the Green Poison outbreak.
Deliveries[]
Calvin McManus visited The Manager, inquiring over the delivery status of Sokolov Concern gear that were supposed to be sent to his operatives in the field prior to the outbreak. The Manager confirmed its ready and waiting for delivery, and Cal needs to sign the authorization form to have Sokolov Concern drivers enter the quarantine area.
Despite his promise, the Manager insisted him to have the authorization form signed for JTF and CERA. Cal agreed, telling him to send those people his way, and he'll take care of it. (Manhunt: The Pact, Comm#1, Deliveries)
Rikers[]
McManus was inquiring the Manager over the shipment orders he made for the Outcasts, and the Manager confirmed they had all be sent and accounted for, though he couldn't guarantee if the Outcasts didn't decide to take a delivery fee.
Cal then inquired over the turrets being delivered to Brooklyn Heights, and the Manager had confirmed he'd sent them, but he couldn't control what would happen to the delivery once it leaves the factory.
Indignant, he asked the Manager how long will it take to send backups if things go missing, in which the Manager answers that depends if Sokolov Concern have the base materials and components ready, as well as sharing the timeline for turrets assembly, though he commented if parts were needed to be manufactured, then the raw materials for those parts must be found and accounted for, and that's not something the Manager he was able to assess. (Manhunt: The Pact, Comm#12, Rikers)
Cleaners[]
The DHS Secretary was asking over the delivery that was supposed to be sent to the Army Terminal, and the Manager told him until the road is cleared, there's no way for him to get that delivery without an air-lift. Cal asked the size of the vessel, which the Manager answered a mid-sized military transpo would do the trick. However, he protested that he doesn't have access to that kind of transpo, and even if he did, it would raise questions about resources he wasn't ready to answer, and asked if Nat's helos could be used.
The Manager confirmed to Cal that he could, but it would raise more questions about his alliance than he's ready to answer. As he looked for suggestions, the Manager told him to get a CERA transport or be patient.
Cal chose to be patient, maintaining that the Cleaners had waited this long, and they could wait a little longer. (Manhunt: The Pact, Comm#3, Cleaners)
Trivia[]
- Through acquiring the Descent comms, it is revealed that McManus wears a unique SHD Smartwatch with access to all three operational systems, including ISAC (used by the Strategic Homeland Division), ANNA (adopted by the Aaron Keener's Rogue Network) and DIAMOND (used by the Black Tusk). His watch also does not include a brick to go along with it, as Cal finds it way too bulky to wear.
- Curiously enough, in a different comm, it's revealed that his watch would initially change colors upon switching from one AI system to another, but this functionality was later removed in favor of a single color because Calvin felt uncomfortable being called a "disco ball" by someone once.
- Throughout a number of comms, McManus prefers to be called Cal rather than sir or Secretary.
- In real-world U.S. government structure, the NCC would typically be a high-ranking official within FEMA or DHS, ensuring that continuity of operations (COOP) and continuity of government (COG) plans are executed when needed.
- While The Division games do not explicitly name a National Continuity Coordinator, the role would likely fall under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or another high-ranking government office. Given that Calvin McManus was appointed as Secretary of Homeland Security by President Waller, he might have had some involvement in continuity planning, but the direct authority over SHD activation remained with the President.
- It is implied from the Descent Comms that Calvin had a hand in the creation of the SHD with the ussage of funding it, with the covert Black Budget estimated to be 80 Billion per year as it was implied in the 2019 – The World of Tom Clancy's The Division.
Missions[]
- Jefferson Trade Center Manhunt: Captain Lewis (Mentioned Only)
- Camp White Oak: The Recruiter (Mentioned Only)