The sun was just rising over the countryside as John put out the fire in his small camp. Night was spent without any sleep as he was contemplating the changes that would be coming to his crew and the city. One of his own would be taking on the role of crew leader in Ballard to help the city expand due to how full the district had become. There was only one man that he eventually felt could take on the job at this time and make them proud. So it was time to head back into the big city and speak with Godfather Leo_Maranzano on the subject after Leo gave him this task. 

The trip wasn't long, but it felt as if it was so due to all the thoughts running through his mind. It was never easy to see people leave the gang and move on. Although he refused to stand in the way of a man earning what's deserved or the possibility of progression in the criminal underworld. So of course this would be a bittersweet goodbye to make even if it was still within the same city limits that he would find him.

Eventually, Leo's HQ came into view as he made his way into the city and he felt that excitement of the upcoming changes start to stir within him. John hitched his horse to the fence outside and made his way to the front door where a guard let him in. Up the stairs to Leo's office and with a quick knock he heard from inside, "Come in!"

"Oh, hello John. I was not sure if I should expect you this early." Leo offered John the seat across from him.

"Well, I went out to the countryside and did some thinkin on the subject. It took a lot of thinking and no sleep to eventually come to my decision." John pulled out a cigar and lit it.

"So have you come to a decision on who you want to put forward as an option to expand our business interests here in Ballard?" Leo sat back with anticipation.

After a few puffs on his cigar he looked across at Leo, "Yes, I think the man for the job is WilliamWalker. My current Left Hand and trusted member. The man puts in a lot of work for my gang and the city. I don't think he could ever disappoint or fail us. So what do you think?"

Leo stood up from his desk and looked out the window behind him. John was a bit taken aback by this as he was expecting Leo to give him a quick yes or at least some sort of answer....

"I think that is a solid choice John. I've talked with William some and seen the hard work he puts in for our organizations. He is a man of the city and not just himself or a singular crew. It is hard to find people with that sort of drive and loyalty. I'd be happy to give my blessing for him to be my other captain in this district." Leo turned back to him with a smile on his face. 

John stood up quickly with a grin upon his own face. With a quick step forward he gripped Leo's hand firmly and shook it.

"You will not be disappointed with putting your trust in my choice and the man himself. I promise you that. I will go take care of everything now." John and Leo nodded at one another as he made his way out the door and down the stairs to the exit. 

He hopped on his horse and rode as quickly as he could to the gang's campsite outside the city where he knew William was working on organizing a few jobs for the gang to earn some money. As he rode into camp he spotted Marcella and hopped off...

"Can you hitch my horse? Where is WilliamWalker? I have to talk to the man now." She quickly nodded and pointed towards the center of camp.

John walked up to see William overlooking a map with a few pieces he was moving around. William looked up and quickly said in recognition, "John."

"How are you William? Things going well?" John said as he looked at the plan that his Left Hand was formulating. 

"Yeah, I think we have some good options here to make some quick money. A few cargo ships, a train transporting some gold, and a bank or two that has low security. Overall I'll get it all organized and the money will be flowing." William was so zoned in that he didn't even look up to see John smirking.

"Well unfortunately I'm going to need you to stop doing all of that and ignore that for some time." John was trying to keep a serious face now.

"What!? I've been working on this information for weeks now! We need these jobs to get the crew some good cash. How could you want me to take time away from this?" William was extremely frustrated and confused since John had never done something like this before. 

John couldn't hold back anymore and let his smirk return, "William, calm down for one second. I'd be fine with you getting back to this in some time. The reason I'm taking you off this for now is so that you can take on something more important to the city."

The last comment created a bit more confusion for William, although the frustration he had before had seemed to dissipate...

"What we need from you now, that we being Leo and myself is to take on a crew of your own here in Ballard. To help the continued expansion of this city and district. I know you can handle this and do an amazing job with the opportunity." John put out his hand towards William, "So, what do you say William?"

William felt a bit skeptic at first. It had been a while since John first invited him into this city, to become his associate and learn a whole set of new skills. As in how to act and become a proper gangster, to do his part inside the organization, to show respect not just to show, and to earn the notion that there was more around him than the prospects of making money, that there was a bigger investment to be had with the gangsters of Seattle and with this lifestyle. And for him the transition hadn't really been too hard. John used to say he was a natural, and in the end of the day, Leo's family was one that valued loyalty and commitment above all else. Traits he knew were present in him as well.

He looked up to his friend and narrowed his eyes. To take this role would probably mean less time for the jobs he enjoyed the most. Banks, ships, trains... Robbing was a craft he had learned at a tender age, and even if he couldn't partake in them anymore, planning them was one he wouldn't want to part with so soon. Having a distillery on the way would mean less time to organize them, and if he took a crew under his wing he would probably need to deposit as much time to them as John dedicated with him and the rest of the crew.

And then he realized, John had probably been depriving himself of more than a few poker nights to his crew. And now it was time for William to also give something back to the family. 

He shrugged. "If you guys need it, I suppose I wouldn't mind. You're also always talking about how tough your job is, I might as well find out what that deal is all about."