Black Legion: Gates of Cilicia by Michael G. Thomas Page A

underground groups here, I’m sure. They want us out, and I can understand that. The harder they push though, the harder we have to be. We will leave when it is right for all of us. If you can help keep the population under control and hold back these groups, I think you’ll find the Thirty will be gone in, well, perhaps less than a year.”
    “You hear that, son? A year, and we could be back to normal.”
    Xenophon looked at them both carefully. The idea sounded all well and good, but he seriously doubted it could change that quickly. The thought of being one of those that almost every citizen hated was something he hardly relished.
    “Thank you, but no. I have no real interest in politics. I am happy to try and help get us through this difficult period, but I really will not become one of the Thirty.”
    “You disregard us that much?” asked Crixus with mock surprise.
    “Not you, but my countrymen will never forgive those that collaborate.”
    Crixus looked disappointed but didn’t push it.
    “I understand, and I expected as much. Perhaps we could offer you a compromise instead. One that would help steer this conflicted state away from war, and at the same time, help keep order in the city.”
    Xenophon looked a little confused.
    “What exactly did you have in mind?” he asked.
    “If you will not serve with us, then you might take one of the more ceremonial roles. A public position, one that will show members of the old established order are moving back into control. It will allow us to give ground slowly until we will finally leave you and your city. The position of deputy Praefectus urbi is still vacant. It would be a powerful symbol to put an Attican citizen in charge of the historical centre of the capital.”
    Xenophon thought about it for a moment. It was an odd choice, and he was deeply suspicious of the offer of free power in the city. What did they have to gain by putting him there?
    “Of course, by becoming deputy Prefect, you would assume the responsibility of the safety of the civic centre and most of the inner wards of the city.”
    “Deputy, how exactly would that be a position of authority?”
    Crixus smiled, clearly enjoying the little game.
    “Fair enough. Look, I have placed a Laconian officer, one of my trusted lieutenants, in this position. As a deputy, you would be the public face for the office. If all goes well, when we leave, you will take his place. To all intents and purposes, you would be the prefect. If you don’t do this, then I will simply not appoint a deputy. Since we took over, the armed forces have been disbanded, and we need police and security forces. I could bring in Laconian troops, but in my experience that just creates more trouble. If you helped in this area, it would help us, and it would help the city. You would have full authority over police and paramilitary forces within the prefecture of the inner city wards.”
    Xenophon looked over to his father and looked at his face, trying to gauge his reaction. The idea of working for a faction he had been so recently fighting irked him, but was that a reason to simply walk away? Seeing nothing on his father’s face, he looked back to the leader of the Thirty.
    “If I did this, I would be a turncoat working for the regime. They’d execute me for treason.”
    “Who would? Would you rather a Laconian administration? I offer you a free hand in controlling the prefecture of the city, without interference by my forces.”
    Xenophon looked back to the glass windows and the view of the city. His heart told him to turn and run, but where could he go. In theory, he would be doing this to help his own friends and citizens, but would they see it that way? He looked back to Crixus who waited patiently.
    “Well?” he asked.
    “Put your Laconian officer and his voices under my command, and I’ll do it. The public will see right through this unless an Attican citizen is in control. It will make no difference to how things are