America, the 1930s. News of the removal of Chicago and select members of this thing of ours in Seattle had been traveling fast. Uncle Joe knew people always wanted answers to why these things happen, so he would look to spread the word. Uncle Joe was making his way down the streets of downtown Detroit thinking to himself about the removal and why it happened.

Uncle Joe along with the nation's other top Mafiosi all respected and cared for the leadership in Chicago. Ellie was the sweetest ferret in all the land and a rising star in this thing of ours. Almost too sweet for this way of life. When the shared sense arose that the threats within the city weren't taken seriously by the leadership it became too great an issue to ignore and things were set in motion to rectify the situation. It wasn't an issue of lust for expansion or some kind of self-preservation move. It was about the safety of this thing of ours.

For some time, news and evidence of ill intent had been floating to the surface. Evidence and an agenda that could not be allowed to come to fruition. It was for this reason the moves were made to quell the issues. A sad classic case of a few bad apples spoiling the bunch. It was the same with the selective removal in Seattle.

As Uncle Joe continued down the street thinking to himself, he did so with a heavy heart. These things were never taken lightly and often hurt the ones involved on many different levels. It wouldn't change the fact that these things have to happen from time to time. It was a part of the life we had chosen. Joe knew it better than anyone.

America, the 1930s. News of the removal of Chicago and select members of this thing of ours in Seattle had been traveling fast. MoYan was pounding the pavement in South Philly, thinking about the night before. He knew these things were well above the pay grade of a young wise guy just trying to hustle up a few dollars for the railroad, after all it wasn't his to reason why, just to do and die for Don Mezzo.

Nevertheless, he'd had some friends in Chicago and couldn't keep the thoughts from crossing his mind. The rumours of impending threats from within Chicago sounded ominous, but he did wonder if a complete removal was really the best response. It would certainly leave a lot of angry brothers, sisters, sons and daughters around who could easily create more trouble in the long run.

He couldn't help but hope that a diplomatic solution that might have averted bloodshed had been sincerely pursued initially but without success. In journals passed down through his family he'd read that the Chicago leadership had always been more than co-operative in dealing with rogue threats in the past. And clearly they didn't have enough firepower that discussing these threats with them first would have been an undue risk...

Perhaps violence was the only option though, he could never dream to know the full details and had to trust in the judgement of his Godfather Chairman and those they were allied with. Hearing the familiar voice of his contact from up ahead his eyes de-glazed and awareness of the outside world seeped back into his thoughts. He had to get back to work, these taxes weren't going to pay themselves. 

"cos we could". Gotcha.

Listening to MoYan drone on about diplomacy and alternative means to war quickly put Rick into a trance. Unclear as to if it was the last faint bit of bad alcohol from the other dimension or the lunacy he struggled to keep it together.

"MoYan, I don't recall Joe mentioning anything specific. Which is a different issue entirely. Though you bring up specifics about rogues. Is it possible that there was actual planning to move on other cities? I wouldn't know as I wasn't involved with either side, but assuming it's only one thing is rather drastic."

Pulling out a bottle of alcohol and taking a drink Rick pauses. He quickly looks down worried that the bottle he just drank from was still from the bad batch. To much relief he realizes it wasn't and was safe to continue. Faint sounds of gargling could be heard as he gulped down half the bottle. Burrrping and wiping away some drool using his lab coat sleeve...

"Personally I was close to Scofield. Seeing him die lit a fire in me as it was an unnecessary death. Additionally, MichaelScott, being the ignorant individual he was left little shock factor to see die. I appreciated Ellie and many individuals in the upper structure and throughout Chicago."

Taking another short drink before Rick turns straight pickled he continues where he left off. 

"The simple fact is that Joe didn't have to come out and explain anything more than he has. I for one am grateful for his time and wish nothing but the best moving forward for all effected."

So we don't lose our shit about killing the sleeping in families but if a crew leader falls asleep and lets his entire family down we get all huffy about that and upset? I think some logic is lacking there. Just saying.

Giggling to himself Rick goes to get a stick. He comes back and pokes the creature with the stick he found. He can't help but think to himself how precarious the creature is. Wondering if the rest of the creatures species are as idiotic as she represents.

"Who left you all alone my young curious friend."

Searching through his pockets all he could find is his bottle of alcohol. Taking a long drink from it he leaves just he enough for the new creature he's named Kiana.

"It's okay young one, it's called happy juice."

Tipping Kianas head back Rick holds the creatures mouth open.

"Welcome to happy land."

Startled that somebody seemed to have read his thoughts MoYan spun round only to see a disheveled looking man with thick grey hair. This must be the scientist from LA, Moyan thought - the mind reading was quickly beginning to make sense.

Oh. Hello Don Rick.

I was thinking about rogues specifically because I've heard it was after "threats within the city weren't taken seriously by the leadership" that the move was made. Everyone is free to take that as they wish but to me it clearly implies rogues or rogue CLs, rather than a plan to move on other cities.

And as I say, I know that Chicago had been extremely co-operative in the past when it comes to dealing with rogues. In fact I can't remember a single rogue coming from the city. That's why I hope there was some effort made to give them a heads up and a chance to deal with it internally before just killing them all. Of course if diplomacy fails, it makes sense that things would come to violence, I certainly don't know the full details. 

I was also sad to see Scofield die, but when you think about how many comatose people our leaders ease on to the next life on a daily basis, it's hard to blame the old Chicago leadership for it.  

Of course, I'm also very grateful to Mr. Ligambi for sharing the rationale behind the attack in a respectful way.

"Threats within a city can be taken in various ways. Posing threats that are counter intuitive to long time success would be a threat. Which can be a very diverse situation."

Leaning against the wall with drool running down his chin Rick wipes it away. Letting out a loud burrrrrp he begins to take a deep breathe before continuing where he left off. 

"Being co-operative when it comes to dealing with rogues to me is very vague. They helped hunt them? Nice. So did hundreds of other mobsters. They didn't have a rogue originate from their city? Nice. Regardless of origin you can't control someone elses actions. You can only help guide them and move them forward in this world."

Debating turning himself into a pickle for funsies Rick trances out momentarily. Immediately snapped back to reality from the conversation at hand. 

"I have multiple members that have been inactive for quite a while without easing on to the next life. This dimension and the other that we exist in are quite tied together. I've spoken to the daughter of Ellie. We both have reached an understanding on the issue. The reality for me still exists that it was an necessary death. The same reason I don't need to ease my members into the abyss. I have plenty of room and they may come back. Who am I to write them off before absolutely necessary."

Meandering around looking for food to graze on Rick finds a street vendor. 

"AH HAH! Hot dogs."

Rick exclaims with great excitement. 

"Chicago style... extra pickles please."