Meeting with the Defender of Civilization

A copy of Quentin Jacobi’s interview with Police Chief Bernard Griffin, originally published in the Morning Star Post in Cadere 19th, 1824

Meeting with the Defender of Civilization

We meet in his busy office, aides bustling in and out with no notice of me. Bernard Griffin is surrounded by smoke, having taken my cigarette with forced gratitude. He stares me down, clearly wanting me to wrap up an interview that hasn’t even started. It is quite clear that the war against the Ilkhatal Freedom Movement (IFM) can’t stall for even a moment. Of course, his steely eyed stare and inexhaustible energy is why Bernard Griffin was brought in from the Ignis Desert to bring law and order back to the Shivian Hills. The limited time I spent in his presence made it clear that he plans to break the IFM or die trying.

Quentin Jacobi: You were brought from the Ignis Desert, six months ago, to deal with the ‘Killer Problem’, but your tenure in the desert was a brutal one. You personally implemented a policy of control that relied on killing every tenth Indarium in a given village. You separated their children from their families, placing them in the hands of the Crossnic church. It is even rumored that you encouraged your men to use extreme measures to get information out of captured Indariums.

Bernard Griffin: That’s not a question

QJ: Will your tenure in the Shivian Hills be just as bloody?

BG: No, don’t you know? We’re far more civilized here than in the Ignis Desert.

QJ: Even against Killers?

BG: Brutality shall be met with brutality. It is up to them, how the war will be fought in the Shivian Hills.

QJ: It has been officially declared a war, then?

BG: Our police officers have been assassinated, our buildings have been bombed, and our civilians have been murdered. What else could it be?

QJ: The Shivian government has called it a police action, not a war.

BG: I’m here to fight a war.

QJ: Is that why you’ve replaced most of the Shivian Hills’ police force with your former officers from the desert?

BG: A man needs an efficient team to subdue an angry populace.

QJ: And what does subdue mean?

BG: The restoration of peace and order.

QJ: Peace and order for who?

BG: For those who have been traumatized by the latest wave of violence.

QJ: The original policy towards captured IFM members was to place them in the Shivian prison system with a criminal status. Is that still the official policy?

BG: For now.

QJ: Is it subject to change?

BG: No comment.

QJ: It was reported that your last raid led to the death of IFM leader, Marcus Galloway.

BG: Only trust reports that originate from this office. I will not report someone is dead until I can present a body.

QJ: So, Marcus is still out there?

BG: No comment

QJ: You said earlier that brutality would be matched with brutality. Is that the same philosophy you pursued in the desert?

BG: Yes, it is the most efficient philosophy when dealing with extremists.

QJ: It is a bleak philosophy. Are you not worried that it will only encourage the IFM to continue their aggressive policy?

BG: No, they either surrender or they will be arrested.

QJ: And continue to live within the conditions that inspired rebel in the first place?

BG: That is not my concern.

QJ: You are considered to be an efficient combatant against extremists and there are many governmental officials who are studying your example. How did you develop your approach towards social control?

BG: You do what works.

QJ: Very insightful.

BG: In the desert, they came at you with no fear or regard for their own lives or yours. No sense of humanity or decency. In the desert, every second is life or death. It is no different here. The Ilkhatal fight the way they do because they have nothing to lose. If you can’t match their dedication, you’ll never win.

QJ: It sounds like there are no victors with that kind of approach.

BG: There never are in war.

QJ: You’ve served in the army for nineteen years, most of that time spent in the Ignis Desert. That’s a long time to serve your government.

BG: It’s what I’m good at.

QJ: Was there ever a time you questioned your commitment? Did you ever have doubts about what you were doing?

BG: No.

QJ: None, whatsoever?

BG: That surprises you?

QJ: There are numerous reports that suggest the conduct of the Shivian Army in the Ignis Desert left much to be desired.

BG: I did what I had to, when I had to, and it worked. If I had any regrets at all, it was when I failed.

QJ: What inspired you to join the army, initially?

BG: It was better than staying on the farm.

QJ: And the terror of the farm kept you in the army?

BG: Like I said, it’s what I’m good at. It’s why they brought me here.

QJ: If you could, what would you recommend the Shivian government do, regarding the Killer unrest?

BG: No comment.

QJ: You have no suggestions?

BG: It’s not my concern.

QJ: But, surely, you’ve given it some thought.

BG: No, I haven’t.

QJ: The previous chief of police said that Marcus was an animal and needed to be put down. Do you agree?

BG: If we kill Marcus, we will end the IFM.

QJ: So, you agree that he needs to be killed?

BG: Needs to? No. Will be? Yes.

QJ: Can you please elaborate?

BG: Marcus is the type of extremist you want to turn, but can’t. He is a cunning, but desperate animal, the kind that will chew off its own leg to get out of a trap. There are only two possible outcomes for him: victory or death. Now that I have been brought to the Shivian Hills, victory is impossible, so he is only left with death.

QJ: And what are the possible outcomes for the Shivian government?

BG: Victory or death.

QJ: There is no chance for a compromise?

BG: That is for the Shivian government to decide.

QJ: Given your long record in dangerous combat areas, why did you agree to being transferred to the Shivian Hills? One would think you would need a break after the Ignis Desert.

BG: I came because my country asked me to. As a soldier in her army, I go where she needs me, when she needs me.

QJ: Shiva is lucky to have a soldier as dedicated as you.