West emerged from the Tranquillity headquarters looking exhausted and more than a little worse-for-wear. In his right hand was a neatly typed-up single sheet of paper, in the other a hammer. Pulling a nail from his pocket he hammered it through the sheet into the heavy wood door, walked back inside and pulled the door closed.

Edging closer to the door, you can read the document.

This is my attempt to describe the causes and events of the war that claimed so many lives these past few days. It was tempting to come out here with some bullshit because that would be a lot easier than actually explaining, but on reflection I think too many of our community died, likely many whose families have not been on these shores for a long time, and you all deserve a proper explanation. So this is the truth as far as my perspective allows me to understand it, no doubt those with other perspectives may see it differently.

What in my sleep deprived mind has become an indeterminate number of days ago Don Pollo phoned me, told me of his intention to kill Don Hulk of New York, and asked for my help. I agreed, partly because without knowing the exact relationship between the two Dons it seemed like a reasonable move, partly because to say no would be a very bad idea for the future of Seattle, and partly because some of the concern around Hulk was related to his misgiving's about Seattle itself. For Don Pollo I think the main reason was that he did not want Hulk to be declared Godfather and upset the balance of power between the two.

A few hours later Hulk was killed by Pollo and, caught unawares, the rest of New York fell quickly. Before the last member of New York was even dead Pollo phoned me again to tell me that Philadelphia would follow shortly. I was worried for our future in Seattle before this, but the intention to kill Philadelphia who had always seemed loath to use violence turned my worry into motivation for immediate action. At that point we were the biggest threat to Don Pollo and everyone knows what had happened to the previous threats. While I did have some personal connection to Don Pollo, it seemed this was also the case for Queen Frostine, Paradox, and now Hulk. It had not saved any of them, each of them killed before they imagined Pollo would move on them. It seemed impossible for me to trust Don Pollo with the lives of Seattle residents.

We considered informing Don Javier and fighting together, but it didn't seem possible to organize that kind of counter offensive in such a short period of time or while the Chicago war machine was running at full capacity. Waiting was our only option.

Not knowing how much time we had, we took the following day to prepare. I contacted Lust, leader in Las Vegas as her family have historically been close friends and allies of mine. We also reached out to family heads in Detroit who had equally strong connections to members of Tranquillity. It's very telling that everyone we contacted shared the exact same concerns we did.

That night an alliance of Detroit, Las Vegas and Seattle attempted to remove Don Pollo, thinking that with his removal parts of Chicago would not return fire and unnecessary bloodshed could be avoided. Clearly this did not happen. At the last moment we were betrayed, Pollo survived and all out war began. 

Both sides fought tooth-and-nail, and influential mobsters died before their time throughout the country. In the end the alliance of Detroit, Las Vegas, Seattle and later Los Angeles emerged victorious thanks to an incredible amount of effort and cooperation from everyone involved. Despite this we suffered devastating losses and Don Pollo put up a very impressive final stand. I have nothing but respect for all the mobsters who died protecting their city and city head in Chicago. I'd like to encourage everyone to pay respects at the funerals of all your friends and family who lost their lives on all sides. 

Most importantly I have to thank every single person who contributed to the allied war effort, and especially those who lost their lives in the attempt. Things did not go smoothly at any stage but you all worked so hard, never gave up, never fought amongst yourselves and sacrificed so much to finally come out on top. I will always be in your debt.

PS Wash your hands, especially if you've been destroying your immune system through sleep deprivation for three days.

As you finish reading you notice for the first time in days that you can't hear gunshots. Up above the shutters go down in a corner office of the Tranquillity headquarters.  

Strolling down the streets of Seattle on foot Insomnia finds himself in front of a large group who were swarmed around someones door mumbling off what they had read from a piece of paper that was nailed to it. Intrigued to what was going on he pushes through the crowd until he can clearly read what it wrote. After a few minutes of reading Insomnia cracks a smile while lighting up a cigarette and nodding in approval.

"Can't blame him, seems like a fair enough reason to me. I know my parents were both worried their time on these shores were nearing close with how things were going. Unfortunately they both died but it's good to see it wasn't in vain."

Bowing his head Insomnia says a small prayer for all of the lives that were lost in the war before taking his leave back home.

Sam reads the letter tacked up to the pole. "Finally, a war with a reason," he thinks. 

West since I had spent time with you in Seattle during said time of war I gained a lot of respect for you and this speech has reiterated exactly why, You deserve your success and I am sure you will do very well. I would also like to say may the dead rest in peace god knows there is plenty of them. It was hard fought and everyone put in 100%.

Barf had been in bed sweating out the second wave of spanish flu, when he heard a commotion out on the streets. He quickly peeled off the onion slices the had stuck to his man boobs, drank the last of his bottle of coal tar, and stumbled out to the streets to join the crowd.

Lucio stepped forward and cleared his throat before adressing all who were present.

"It was a long hard fought war, many mobsters, and thise we called friends died in this great war, The Patangelis lost another great family member, but for once it was well worth it. I am happy to stand with those who are left, and look forward to seeing this country rebuild into something great again. Respect to both sides and may all who died rest in peace."

He took a small bow and found a seat nearby to watch and listen anyone else who had something to say.

Elodin listened to every word, sitting patiently, which was an unbelievable effort for a raccoon. Once over, he simply added :

Thanks for the explanation. It's always nice to have a better idea of what happened behind the curtains. May all the fallen rest in peace and may be build new empires enjoying a long lasting peace. 

Dead dead were all dead now.

I hope we are all washing our hands at least.....many deaths on our hands.

Pushing a cart up the rather large hill where the note was placed, Sisyphus strained his eyes in an attempt to fully take in everything that was written down. Having never been taught at any sort of school, he had trouble piecing together everything that he had just finished seeing with his very own eyes.

"Hulk did what to who now? What's a floppydolphin and why are they loaning to use violence?"

Deciding now would be a good time to hire someone to read things for him, he walked away from the area knowing only one thing was for certain-- a lot had happened in the past couple of days and hopefully everyone who had fallen would have enough children around these parts to help rebuild what was lost. That's exactly why he fucked like a rabbit, you never knew when you'd need a new child to take your mantle at the head of the table.

Tops was slightly annoyed that he had to go outside to find out the reasons behind what had happened from his (now sleeping) boss West from a published pamphlet. He put on his jacket, walked down the stairs and opened the door of Tranquillity HQ to find a crowd of people looking at him.

Is this my moment of fame? Tops thought.

When he noticed they were there just for reading the pamphlet on the war, he realized it was not. He closed the door and did what the others did.
Read.

..

..

..

Tops was a slow reader

When he finished, he smiled and said, to noone in particular

This piece seemes brutally honest; the considerations of the intervenance, the doubts, the admitting of a failed assassination.. It reads like a novel. My dad really was wrong, East is not the superior direction.

Quarantine continued his stroll down the streets after reading the document. "Ha," he thought to himself, "Finally a little familiarity of what I was told of this old world would be like. Good to see not everything has changed since my relatives were last here." Not having a dog in the fight, and not wanting to appear to he continued on at a reasonable pace looking for a way to make a few more dollars for his booze habit that night.